If your pup will be spending lots of time outdoors, a doghouse is a good idea! A doghouse gives your dog a chance to get out of the sun or rain and have a quiet, safe resting place. Whether you are building or buying, look for these essential features in a doghouse:
- Make it waterproof! The primary function of a doghouse is to keep your pup dry. It is his shelter on a rainy day. Wood or plastic are good choices; a metal doghouse can be very cold in the winter!
- Keep the air flowing. Humidity that gets trapped inside the doghouse can breed bacteria and viruses. Make sure the doghouse has appropriate ventilation — the dog needs to have fresh air at all times.
- Watch the temperature. Your dog is equipped with natural features for thermoregulation. Even shorthaired dogs have insulation from their coats. A house that is TOO hot will be uncomfortable. Your doghouse really doesn’t need a heat source unless a mama dog will be whelping there. As long as your dog has a place to curl up out of the wind and rain, he’ll be just fine. His own body heat is plenty of heating for the doghouse.
- Pick a house that’s just the right size. Look at the amount of space your dog uses when he’s curled up to sleep. Draw a rectangle around him that’s about three inches larger on all sides — that’s about the right size for his doghouse. A house that’s too big won’t stay warm by body heat.
- Pick a house that’s tall enough, but not too tall! About six inches higher than your dog’s shoulders is about the right height.
- Make sure the insulation is safe. A bored dog may decide that exposed insulation looks like a tasty snack! A hollow wall — an inner layer and outer layer with air between — is plenty of insulation to keep your pup warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- The door opening should be big enough for your pup but not too big — too big and you’ll have draft problems. Make sure the door faces away from the direction where winter winds generally come from.
- Place your doghouse in the shade! A doghouse in direct sunlight will be too hot for your pup during the warmer months. Doghouse temperatures can climb over a hundred degrees in direct sunlight.
- An old blanket or towel is all the bedding your pup will need in his doghouse.
Read more about pet supplies, from toys to treats to housing!