What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £180 (~$240) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £153 (~$204) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £117 (~$156) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £81 (~$108) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £45 (~$60) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Hygiene and what the item previously housed, which matters for disease and for allergies.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a dog kennel is worth what is being asked:
- Rot at the base and around the door
- Perished roofing felt
- Chewed door frames
- Untreated timber that has weathered badly
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Sound, treated timber with no rot
- Intact felt or shingle roofing
- Raised floors keeping the base dry
- Larger sizes for bigger breeds
Common faults and fakes
Not a counterfeit category. The misdescription to watch is size — ‘large’ means very different things between makers.
Ask what animal used it, how it has been cleaned, and for internal dimensions in centimetres rather than a size name.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a dog kennel, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Give the internal dimensions and let the owner judge. A dog should be able to stand and turn comfortably, and only they know their dog’s measurements.
Answer with the evidence — roof felt condition, overhang, raised floor, whether it has been treated. A general claim of weatherproof means little on its own.
Check and say. It is a real convenience feature and one of the few things that distinguishes kennels of similar size.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Press the base timbers for soft rot
- Check the roof from inside for daylight
- Measure the internal dimensions
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The whole kennel outdoors, from the front three-quarter, whole
- The interior through the door, showing the floor
- The roof and how far it overhangs the entrance
- The base timbers and any rot, split panel or worn felt
Details to confirm before you commit
- Internal and external dimensions, and doorway height and width
- Construction material, and whether it is insulated or lined
- Whether the floor is raised, and whether the roof lifts or hinges for cleaning
- Honest condition of the base, felt and doorway
Live dog kennel listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Sells from spring through early autumn, with very little demand in midwinter. A sound treated kennel listed in April or May moves within a fortnight.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a dog kennel sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell dog kennel for what to photograph and how to price, or what dog kennel is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used dog kennel?
Around £20 to £117 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a dog kennel before buying?
Ask what animal used it, how it has been cleaned, and for internal dimensions in centimetres rather than a size name.
Is buying a dog kennel second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Hygiene and what the item previously housed, which matters for disease and for allergies.
See also: all buying guides · dog kennel value guide · selling dog kennel · Pet Supplies · condition grades.