What Is a Dog Run?

Whether you have one dog or a whole pack of pooches, dog runs are helpful and your dog or dogs will enjoy running around and playing in them. There are many types of runs for dogs. Discovering what types of runs are best for your situation starts with what purpose you hope to gain from it, and ends with the space you have available and money you want to spend. Before you can make any decisions at all regarding what's best for you it's a good idea to know what a dog run is and how they are used.

In one form or another dog runs have been around for centuries. English kennels employed them to keep hounds, and breeding kennels all over the world have used runs to allow their dogs to have ample exercise without running loose or having too much contact with each other. A kennel type dog run can keep your dogs separated so they do not fight with each other.

The most common type of dog run is the single kennel run. It is typically between 4 and 6 feet wide and 6 and 24 feet long. The bigger the dog, the more room is required so they can move about freely inside their enclosure. Some dog runs are set against a building that houses many dogs, and some simply have a single dog house inside so the dog can get out of inclement weather.

Technically a fenced-in yard can be considered a dog run if you wish to let your dog run about on your lawn. Some owners prefer a single dog run to a full yard area so that they do not have to worry about clean up before walking or playing in their yard. For many with the space, an enclosed yard is perfect for the family pet. It allows lots of extra free space and an area where you can play with your dog too.

Some cities have designated dog parks. Basically this is a large enclosed area and can be considered a dog run. The downside to this type of facility is it allows for interaction between strange dogs and you should always be sure that your dog gets along with others, and is up-do-date with all of her shots.

Many pet stores and online pet sources sell portable dog runs. These are foldable fences that can be set up anywhere and very handy for traveling with your pet. Dogs that are used to doing their business in the freedom of a backyard, or their own run, will not be able to when traveling and on a leash. A portable dog run allows them to feel "at home" and take care of their business quickly.