A kennel is a structure or shelter for dogs. Used in the plural, the kennels, the term means any building, collection of buildings or a property in which dogs are housed, maintained, and (though not in all cases) bred.

Some kennels are kept for breeding animals — when you buy a puppy from a breeder, you might pick him up at a kennel. The word kennel, by way of the Anglo-French kenil, and the Vulgar Latin canile, has its roots in the Latin canis, or "dog."

Kennels are designed to provide shelter for your dog. Along with giving them access to plenty of fresh air and sunlight, kennels keep pets safe whenever they're outside, preventing them from running away and getting into trouble.