Tips on choosing the right outdoor dog house design and
size
The biggest mistake most dog owners make is when buying
or building a wooden outdoor dog house that is not suitable for their
climate. The design and size of the house determines
whether the dog house will be cool or warm.
To pick a cool design in a snowy area will keep the
dog dry, but unfortunately keep the dog cold as well.
Pick the correct design and size for your location.
If you live in a region with severe winters, bigger
is definitely not better. However, for regions with
extremely mild winters, a house "larger than necessary"
does not present a problem.
When measuring your pet's house, the door height opening should be no less than 3/4 of your dog's shoulder to ground measurement. For example, if your dog's measurement is 24 inches, the door opening should be need to be at least 19" tall. You should choose dog house design where the entrance provides protection against the wind and place your outdoor dog house in such a way that it is further protected against the dominant wind directions.
Width and length of the house should be the same while
the height should be at least 25% but not more than
50% taller than the height from the dog's toes up
to the top of his/her head. The 50% adjustment can
still maintain a good body heat retention during cold
and snowy seasons. For example, if your pet's height
is 24 inches, then your doughouse should be approximately
30 to 35 inches.
Before attempting to build or buy a wooden outdoor dog house, you
should always consider the following factors on choosing
the right house for your dog.
- Budget
- Purpose of the dog house
- Size of the dog
- Location of the dog house
- Climate of the location
- Spatial constraints
See our Complete List of Small to Large Type
Outdoor Dog House Designs to suit your budget and location.
