Dakota 283 and Gunner both make heavy-duty, roto-molded dog kennels in the USA, and both are favorites with hunters and travelers. The short version: Gunner leads on crash-test certification; Dakota 283 is lighter, roomier inside from Medium up, and costs less. Both back their kennels with a lifetime warranty. Here's the detail, comparing the Dakota 283 G3 Framed Door Kennel with the Gunner G1.
At a glance
| Dakota 283 G3 | Gunner G1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | One-piece roto-molded plastic, single wall | Double-walled roto-molded plastic, aluminum-reinforced door frame |
| Crash testing | Dakota says it impact-tests the G3 but publishes no certification | Small, Medium and Intermediate rated 5 Star by the Center for Pet Safety |
| Door | Metal-framed door, keyed paddle latch | Reversible door, keyed paddle latch, extra top and bottom locks |
| Sizes | Small, Medium, Large, X-Large | Small, Medium, Intermediate, Large |
| Colors | 8 | Limited editions and patterns vary |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime, original purchaser (kennels bought after May 1, 2025) | Lifetime, original purchaser |
| Price range | $384.99 to $734.99 at Puppy Fever Pro | $550 to $900 at gunner.com |
| Made in | USA | USA |
Specs and prices from dakota283.com, gunner.com and our store as of November 2026. Gunner prices can change.
Size-matched comparison
The two brands name their sizes differently, so here they're paired by the dogs they fit. Compare interior dimensions: that's the space your dog actually gets.
| Kennel | Interior (L x W x H, in) | Exterior (L x W x H, in) | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota G3 Small | 20.25 x 14.25 x 18 | 23 x 16 x 18.75 | 20.2 lb | $384.99 |
| Gunner G1 Small | 21.75 x 14.5 x 15.5 | 24.5 x 18.625 x 19 | 27 lb | $550 |
| Dakota G3 Medium | 28.5 x 19.8 x 25.2 | 31 x 21.5 x 25.5 | 37 lb | $477.99 |
| Gunner G1 Medium | 25 x 18 x 19.75 | 29.5 x 20.5 x 23.5 | 38 lb | $650 |
| Dakota G3 Large | 33 x 22.8 x 26.2 | 35.2 x 24.5 x 26.5 | 46 lb | $629.99 |
| Gunner G1 Intermediate | 30 x 18 x 25 | 34 x 23 x 28.5 | 48 lb | $700 |
| Dakota G3 X-Large | 36 x 23.75 x 29.25 | 38.5 x 25.5 x 29.5 | 59 lb | $698.99 |
| Gunner G1 Large | 33.25 x 21 x 29 | 40.25 x 28 x 33.25 | 72 lb | $900 |
Dakota prices are without Dakota Guard. Gunner interior widths are measured at the floor; Gunner says the widest interior point is 2 inches wider.
Crash safety
This is Gunner's biggest advantage. The Gunner G1 Small, Medium and Intermediate carry a 5 Star rating from the Center for Pet Safety, an independent crash-test program. Dakota 283 says it puts its G3 kennels through impact testing, but it doesn't publish a test standard or an independent certification. If certified crash protection is your top priority, Gunner is the safer documented choice.
Weight and space
Gunner's double wall adds weight and takes up interior room. Every Dakota G3 size is lighter than its Gunner match, and from Medium up it also gives your dog more space inside (the G3 Small is 1.5 inches shorter inside than the Gunner Small, but taller). The G3 X-Large is 13 lb lighter than the Gunner G1 Large, yet it's longer and wider inside. That matters if you lift the kennel in and out of a truck often, or need a big dog to fit in a smaller vehicle.
Price and warranty
A Dakota G3 costs about $70 to $200 less than the size-matched Gunner. Both brands now back their kennels for life: Gunner gives the G1 a lifetime warranty for the original owner, and Dakota 283 gives kennels bought after May 1, 2025 from Dakota or an authorized dealer a limited lifetime warranty for the original purchaser. Neither covers chewing damage. If you want an even lighter, lower-cost option, Dakota's CRaTE kennels start at $384.99.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Gunner if independent crash-test certification matters most, and the extra weight and cost don't.
- Choose Dakota 283 if you want a lighter kennel with more room inside, a keyed metal-framed door, eight colors and a lower price, with a lifetime warranty too.
Puppy Fever Pro is an authorized Dakota 283 dealer. Compare every Dakota model in our Dakota 283 kennel size guide, read our Dakota 283 vs Ruff Land comparison, or shop the full Dakota 283 collection. Questions? Call or text a pro at 737-215-3211.