Building A Dog House

Dog Breeder and Exhibitor

So, you've decided on building a dog house for your pet. Here are a few tips to help you get the job done right.

Building a Dog House that Fits

There's little point in building a dog house unless you take care to make sure that it's going to fit your dog. If your pooch is still a pup, you need to know the size his breed reaches as an adult, and if he's a mixed breed, you'll need to estimate a little on the large side. If your dog is full grown, then measure him standing, and fully stretched out on the ground. This will help you be sure that you are building a dog house where your pet can be comfortable, ensuring he uses it after all your hard work.

Where to Place the Dog House

There are a few things to consider about location when you are building a dog house.

Look for level ground - Fido will not be comfortable if his house rocks when he rolls. Every house needs a solid foundation and a dog house is no different.
Make sure the area has good drainage - No point in locating Fido in the middle of a flood plane.
Check for prevailing winds - While you want to provide good ventilation, you do not want to subject your dog to a constant wind. Face the dog house away from prevailing winds, but hopefully in a direction where you can still view his doorway.
Avoid building a dog house too close to existing fencing - If your dog chooses to hop on the roof, Snoopy style, he could easily use the dog house as a launching pad into the next yard.

Building the Doorway

Be sure you're building a dog house doorway that is wide enough and tall enough to easily fit your dog. He shouldn't have to scrunch down to get in or he might not feel comfortable using it. It's also a good idea to install a wind break for added protection from the elements. This would be a small section of wall just inside the doorway that allows enough room for your dog to walk in and around.

A Look at the Floor

There are some special considerations for building a dog house floor. An open doorway is an invitation for rain to blow in. To keep your dog house nice and dry, angle the floor a little higher in the rear so any water entering just rolls back out the door.

Dog House Roof Thoughts

The best bet is to keep it simple when building a dog house roof. Skip adding turrets like the Taj Mahal, and go with either a simple slanted shed roof, or a gabled roof. Both types allow the rain to run off, but are simple to construct and make waterproof. Remember to drill a few holes just under the overhang for cross ventilation, and be sure to add shingles for insulation from both heat and cold. Also be sure to give your dog at least twelve inches head room when standing so he doesn't feel claustrophobic, and you should do well.

A Word About Insulation and Electricity

Yes, you can get fancy and go with a heated, insulated dog house, but think about one thing. Dogs like to chew. Is it really worth the risk to add these elements if your dog may decide to chew on them? An electric jolt or a belly full of fiber glass is definitely not what you had in mind when you first decided on building a dog house for your canine companion.