The Kanupp Kennels Story
"I set out to create a kennel where dogs can thrive."
When I was considering opening a kennel, I was surprised by what I found.
When Marty Kanupp set out to open Kanupp Kennels, he didn’t rush the process. Instead, he did the work—touring nearly 200 kennels across North Carolina and surrounding states to truly understand what was being offered to dogs and their families.
What he discovered was concerning. Too many facilities were designed with profit as the priority, rather than the well-being of the dogs in their care. Many lacked a true understanding of canine behavior, enrichment, and the environment dogs need to feel safe, balanced, and fulfilled.
For Marty, dogs have never been “just animals.” He’s loved them since childhood and has been training and hunting with dogs since the 1980s. Decades of hands-on experience taught him how dogs think, what they need to thrive, and how intentional care can bring out the very best in them—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Kanupp Kennels was born from that passion and purpose. Marty set out to create a place that feels different—where dogs are respected, understood, and genuinely cared for. A place built on integrity, experience, and faith, where every decision is made with the dog’s best interest at heart.
At Kanupp Kennels, your dog isn’t just boarded—they’re known, valued, and treated like family.
What do dogs need to thrive?
My conviction is beyond food, water, and shelter, they need:
Love and affection - In this respect, they're not too different from you and me.
Positive Socialization - Most are extroverts, they thrive in pack type scenarios! Dogs by nature are social animals. Through our experience and positive socialization we can excel where most falter.
Physical Exercise - Dogs love to move and play with humans and other dogs.
So we created Kanupp Kennels to create an ideal environment for your best friend.
Here's what you can count on when your dog stays or trains with us:
We've never met a dog we didn't love. We can't wait to meet yours.
-Marty Kanupp, Founder
Hickory, NC
Our Team
Great care is built on the foundation of a great team.
As our business has grown to include boarding, dog daycare, and training, we've expanded our staff of caring professionals. Every member of our team is carefully selected to share our vision of offering the best possible environment for your dog.
We have multiple trainers on staff as well as drivers for our van service and office personnel to provide prompt and professional service to our customers. Each of our team members is a valued employee, who works hard every day to provide the excellent service and top-notch care our community has come to expect.
Ready To See For Yourself?
Click the button to schedule daycare, boarding, or training.