Best Dog House 2018 – Buyer’s Guide

Your dog is more than just a pet, they are a member of your family. Providing your furry family member with a safe and nice place to sleep and relax is a crucial task. With so many dog houses on the market, finding the right one can seem like an irritating chore.

From fun shapes and colors to fancy features, selecting the best home for Fido can be trying. We had our pet testing team check out the cream of the crop in pet houses. Relax and take a look at our reviews and read through our buyer’s guide. Before you can say, “fetch” you’ll have found the house of your pooch’s doggy dreams.

Selecting the Best Dog House 2018

1. Indigo Dog House with Microban : Best Option for Windy Climates

The Petmate Indigo Dog house is crafted from heavy-duty structural foam. It is shaped like an igloo.

The material and design are more than purely aesthetic, and they will keep your fuzzy buddy warmer in cooler months and cool in the hot ones.

The house has microban to help keep germs at bay to protect your pet and family.

2. Arf Frame Dog House with Dark Frame : Most Aesthetically Pleasing Option

The Arf Frame Dog House by Pet Squeak looks just like a rustic A-frame cabin.

Your pup can relax in style without worrying about the weather.

With four different size options, you are sure to find a perfect model for your pooch.

3. Our Pets Tuff-N-Rugged Dog House : Best for Bigger Breeds

The Our Pets Tuff-N-Rugged Dog House offers a solution to housing larger breeds.

This house can comfortably accommodate a 125-pound dog.

It is easy to keep clean thanks to its plastic construction.

4. Large Dog House Lodge : Best for Smaller and Medium Breeds

The Boomer & George Large Dog House Lodge is a gorgeous option for smaller breeds.

At 67 inches by 31 inches by 38 inches, it will comfortably fit smaller to medium sized pooches.

This home features an off the ground design to protect your dog from snow or rain.

5. Petsfit Dog House : Best for Cleaning Concerns

The Petsfit Dog House is available in several different sizes to accommodate a wide variety of sizes and breeds.

An off-center doorway allows your pet more space inside for lounging and stretching.

This house was very fast and easy to put together, which our pet testing team loved.

6. Precision Pet Extreme Log Cabin : Best Choice for Use in Rainy Areas

The Precision Pet Extreme Log Cabin is offered in three sizes to accommodate dogs up to 90 pounds.

A slanted, weather resistant roof crafted from wood and asphalt keeps pups dry and happy on rainy days.

The house is made of solid wood that has been sealed with a coating to resist damage from wet weather.

7. Doggy Den Dog House : Perfect for Areas with Flea and Tick Problems

The Doggy Den Dog House is as adorable as it is functional.

Designed to look like a sweet, little cottage, your pampered pet will love lounging in their new home.

This option features a door that can be closed or propped open with a hook that’s attached to the frame.

8. Suncast DH350 Dog House : Economical Option for Larger Dogs

The Suncast DH350 Dog House is perfect for larger breeds.

It comfortably houses pets up to 100 pounds.

Crafted from double resin and a crowned floor, the house is lightweight and easily moved.

9. Suncast DH250 Dog House : Budget Choice

The Suncast DH250 is a basic, no frills option that will comfortably house dogs that weigh up to 70 pounds.

Crafted from double resin, this house also includes a crowned floor.

The roof is removable to make cleaning up messes quick and simple.

10. Merry Products Wood Pet Home : Inexpensive and Fun Design

The Merry Products Wood Pet Home is perfectly suited to smaller doggy pals.

It is crafted from kiln dried cedar to assist in protecting your fur baby from fleas and other unsavory pests.

With a raised panel floor, your pet will be sitting pretty regardless of the weather.

Best Dog House – Buyer’s Guide

Looking for a new dog house but are unsure of what your key considerations are? Look no further. We have created this handy guide to assist you in understanding the big choices you’ll need to make when shopping for a new home for your pet.

Who Needs a Dog House?

Although dogs have become domesticated and feel comfortable living in our homes, many still have a primal need for their own special spot. This is the reason that you’ll often find your pup curled up under a desk or napping inside your laundry basket. Dogs like to find a space that is cozy enough to capture their body heat, but that is large enough they can easily stand up and turn around. Having their own designated dog house can help your pet feel happier and more secure.

The Stuff that Doggy Dreams are Made of

Just like with most important purchases, the material your new dog house is crafted from is a key consideration. Each composition has both great and not so great qualities, so let’s take a closer look.

Wooden Dog Houses

Dog houses have been made from wood for well over a hundred years. Wood offers unlimited design add-on options. A house made of wood will protect your pup from rain and sun. It is also better at insulation compared to other options, so your pet will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Wood is often cheaper than other materials. It also looks more natural. On the downside, bugs like ticks or fleas may also want to move in and take over a wooden dog house. This issue can be avoided by selecting wood such as cedar that will discourage pests to take up residence.

Plastic Dog Houses

Plastic dog houses are lighter than those made of other materials, so they may be easier to move or cost less to ship. You won’t need to stress over your animal friend getting splinters or worry about purchasing and applying stain or varnish to protect the house from the elements. A plastic puppy house is also quick to clean and lacks the porous material that insects love to make their own home in.

On the negative end of the spectrum, plastic houses may not be as pretty to look at. Most do not offer any insulation unless they are double walled, which can result in Fifi being too hot or too cold. It’s also nearly impossible to repair the home if its damaged.

Metal Dog Houses

A metal dog house is sometimes also referred to as a crate. They are often made of stainless steel or aluminum. These houses are popular to potty training as well as giving your dog a place to sleep. Since they are not usually enclosed, they are meant for indoor use and will not protect your pet from rain or heat for example.

Sizing Up Your Options

Selecting a dog house that is sized correctly for your furry friend is another huge consideration. You wouldn’t try to fit your Great Dane in a chihuahua sized condo, so understand your specific pet’s breed and sizing will help you immensely. We found a plethora of dog house sizing formulas and diagrams, but wanted to break it down into an easier method.

Tips to Ensure Your Dog House is the Right Size

Your pet’s new home should be large enough for them to stand up fully and turn in a 360-degree circle. They should also be able to lie down and stretch out comfortably. The interior height of the house should be 1.20 times your dog’s height. The length and width should be 1.25 times the length of your pet from nose to rump (or tail).

Canines feel safe and secure in smaller, more cozy spaces. For this reasoning, you don’t need to follow the adage that bigger is better. A too big house can be a turn off for pet and can be harder to keep warm in winter or cool in summer.

Know your breed. If your dog is just a puppy, they are still growing. Do some research to see the average weight and height of their breed to pick a house they grow into.

You can always make a cardboard mockup of the dog house you have your eye on. Coax your pup inside to see if they can stretch out and turn around comfortably.

Door Sizing

The doorway to your pup’s new place must be large enough for them to enter and exit easily. You want to make sure it isn’t too large, however. If the door is too big, warm air will escape in the colder months or rain could get in, making the house uncomfortable to sleep in. Keep in mind that dogs can duck easily when entering the home, so the doorway doesn’t have to be their same height.

The doorway’s height should be no less than your dog’s shoulder height multiplied by .75. The opening of the doorway should be at least one inch larger than the distance between their shoulder and the bottom of the chest. The width needs to be slightly bigger than the width of your pet so measure them at their widest point and multiply by 1.25. These measurements will allow your pup to get in and out comfortably while keeping the inside as cozy as can be.

Another door option involves using a door of sorts to protect your animal friend from wind, rain, snow, or nosy neighbors. This type of door is simply a piece of vinyl with slits in it to allow your pet the ability to enter and exit as needed. Another nice attribute of this type of door covering is that your pup can still see outside.

Raise the Roof

The roof needs to protect your dog from weather, the sun’s harmful UV rays, as well as giving the home a shape and some style. Wooden dog houses usually are offered in a traditional pitched roof where two sides meet in the middle to form a peak, just like Snoopy’s home. Some versions incorporate a single panel roof, often with a gently sloping edge from the front of the house to the rear. Some dog houses even include a skylight so your pet can watch the clouds float by.

The roof will likely need a protective element or covering. The most typically used materials include asphalt shingles, wooden shingles, metal, or tar paper. Some roofs are crafted to allow you to lift them off of the house to allow for easier cleaning and maintenance.

Getting Floored

The floor of your new dog house needs to be raised a couple of inches up off the ground. This attribute will keep your pup safe from moisture, provides protection from fleas or other insects, and will help to further insulate the home. That will keep pets warmer when the temps are lower and cool on lazy summer days.

While wooden house are usually the most popular type of puppy home to purchase, there are some drawbacks to wood floors. They may start to degrade or rot especially in wetter, more humid climates. This can be alleviated by putting the house on top of bricks, stones, or wooden blocks. Older pets may benefit from the placement of skid plates or bathtub non-skid decals on any potentially slick flooring to prevent falls or injuries.

Better Bedding

You will find suggestions for everything from newspaper shreddings to old towels to straw for use as bedding in your pet’s new home. The unfortunate downside of these materials lies in the fact that they can harbor unsightly critters such as fleas, ticks, or germs. One option os to use cedar shavings since they will repell any pests. A moisture proof foam pad can also be a terrific choice since fleas can’t penetrate it and it will stay dry.

A Protective Porch

Some fancier dog houses have porches or awnings that let your pup relax in extra shade while still enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. Just make sure it is at least partially covered to protect your dog from UV rays or inclement weather conditions.

Very Ventilated

It is imperative that your new pet abode supplies adequate ventilation. A lack of well-ventilated air can result in a stifling hothouse that could be potentially disastrous. Pets, just like humans, need to breathe fresh air. Dogs are in danger of heatstroke as a result of they furry coats and inability to sweat.

Winter months also pose a threat as excessive moisture could condense in the interior house areas resulting in a clammy and uncomfortable environment. These conditions are prime real estate for germs, bugs, and mildew. Ensuring that your fuzzy friend’s home is properly ventilated will keep the risks of these problems at a minimum.

The doorway allows for ventilation to the house. However, if you utilize a door flap, it could cause the flow of air to be reduced. Make sure any flaps or doors have slits or holes to promote air circulation for maximum comfort and health. You could also drill a few small holes near the roof to allow for adequate ventilation.

It’s Getting Hot in Here

If you live in a colder climate, you may want to purchase a home or add in a system for heating. Some short hair breeds or smaller pups may have a harder time staying warm in colder months. Heating options include a stand-alone heating unit, metal light bulb heaters, or a heated mat or bed. Just be sure to follow all manufacturer directions to avoid injuries.

While there are thousands of doggy house options available, finding the best one for your pet is simple when you keep their needs, size, and preferences in mind. We hope you enjoyed our dog house review and handy buying guide. Please leave us a quick note below with your favorite dog house models and any questions you have about finding the best home for your beloved pet.