My kennel: I have 2'*2' patio block on top of sand. It is both elevated and sloped and stays dry. With the rain and drainage urine smell hasn't been an issue: also my dog doesn't do her business in there, so maybe not comparable. Each kennel is 12'*15'. I note my dog doesn't use all the space, but a friend's 3 year old working lines GSD has tramped in every bit of snow on his side when he comes for his visits.

In a colder climate I have insulated dog houses with straw inside. Each is inside a roofed but open shelter that protects from prevailing winds and avoids drifting of snow into the dog houses.

I use the heating pad available here inside, and find it has had little impact on electric consumption this winter, using it 2 days a week on average. It also keeps the straw dry inside the dog house, much warmer and cleaner. This I count as a major benefit.

With heating pad in 0 Celsius weather my mother's 20 lb. housedog is completely comfortable. My Beauceron is very comfortable down to minus 10 celsius with heating pad.

My kennel is shaded by some very nice maples and birch trees, overlooks a pond, has a distant view of road, this summer will install a lawn chair so I can enjoy what is really an ideal location for a summer afternoon beer with the dogs...My dog and guest dogs are very calm and comfortable in the kennel, probably a good idea to anthropomorphize as in my case it appears that what I find pleasant, so do the dogs...

AM