For some, the thought of a dog house conjures up images of Looney Tunes bulldogs, like Hector from the Sylvester and Tweety cartoons, tied to a structure that looks vaguely like a Craftsman-style home. Or perhaps you picture the ramshackle wooden box in which The Beast, the English Mastiff named Hercules, resided in The Sandlot.
To give your own yard-dwelling dog a little shelter, consider something from our list of the best dog houses.
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Price: $79.00 Shop now at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Price: $252.87 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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1. Suncast DH350 Dog House
Price: $79.00Pros:- Popular option
- Resin construction will keep rain out
- Easy assembly
- Comes with vinyl letters for personalization
Cons:- Aesthetically challenged
- A bit pricey for what it is
- Not raised off the ground
- Not suitable for extreme weather
While these might not be the world’s most attractive units, they sell well and are a reasonably good value. Styled to look like a miniature dog mansion, these resin dog houses will keep your dog dry and give them a place to escape the sun. They’re properly ventilated and easily snap together.
The DH350 is the larger model for dogs up to 100 pounds, with interior dimensions of approximately 29 inches wide by 36 inches deep by 30 inches high. They also make the DH250 for dogs up to 70 pounds.
An alternative to this one to consider is the weirdly named Internet’s Best Outdoor Dog House, which comes in two sizes.
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2. Pet Squeak Arf Frame Dog House
Pros:- More refined look than other options
- White cedar construction for pest resistance
- Easy assembly
- Weather resistant
Cons:- Houses run relatively small
- Not suitable for extreme weather
- No door closing mechanism
- Floor has no middle support beam and may need reinforcement
Obviously, style is subjective, but I find that this A-frame dog house looks a quite a bit more upscale than the other options on this list. It’s made of white cedar, which resists both pests and water, offset by a dark trim. It looks both classic and modern at once.
These run a bit small, so here are the interior measurements:
- Extra small: 17 inches wide by 16 inches deep by 17 inches tall
- Small: 20 inches wide by 15.25 inches deep by 23 inches tall
- Medium: 24.5 inches wide by 20 inches deep by 26.5 inches tall
- Large: 32.25 inches wide by 46 inches deep by 36 inches tall
Another lovely option to consider is Pet Squeak’s Doggy Den, which has a latching door.
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3. Senyepets Outdoor Indoor Plastic Dog House
Pros:- Easy assembly
- Skylight for optional light
- Multiple vents for airflow
Cons:- Not ideal on its own for cold weather use
- Only one size available
- While the assembly instructions are straighforward, some panels can be difficult to align
Here’s another simple plastic option for the budget-conscious. This sturdy dog house will keep your dog dry while still providing ample ventilation. Part of that ventilation also comes in the form of a skylight on either side that you can open for more light or air or close in case of rain. The opening measures 12 inches by 18 inches, while the interior dimensions on this model are 26 inches long by 22 inches wide by 25 inches high. You can choose from a green or blue roof.
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4. Petsfit Dog House
Pros:- Solid wooden construction
- Easy assembly
- Hinged roof for easy cleaning
- Comes with plastic door flap
Cons:- Not suitable for extreme weather
- Occasional broken pieces (manufacturer will replace provided photo evidence)
- Not entirely waterproof
- Houses run relatively small
If you’re looking for something a little bit cuter, you might want to opt for this nice cottage-style dog house with an offset door. This option from Petsfit is the most popular of a whole range of this style of dog house, which features simple wood construction and is raised off the ground by a generous amount. The entire roof acts as a hinged lid to make cleaning easy.
This comes in four sizes, but even the largest is only advertised for 75 pound dogs. The interior dimensions of each are as follows:
- X-Small: 16.5 inches wide by 18 inches long by 16 inches tall
- Small: 18.9 inches wide by 29.5 inches long by 17.3 inches tall
- Medium: 22.3 inches wide by 36.6 inches long by 22 inches tall
- Large: 25.8 inches wide by 41.3 inches long by 30 inches all
All sizes come in red or gray. Alternatively, an option from Trixie Pet comes in stained pine and is slightly larger across the range. You could also consider the Precision Pet by Petmate Extreme Weather-Resistant Log Cabin Dog House, which is available in three sizes.
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5. ASL Solutions Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace
Pros:- Foam insulation in each panel
- Insulated door closes after your dog enters
- Easy assembly
- 40 watt floor heater
Cons:- Will require some training to get your dog to use the door
- Quality seems to vary from unit to unit
- Some reports that the heater dies somewhat quickly (replacements available here)
- Difficult to move after assembled
Speaking of heated options, this dog house is constructed with four-inch thick panels filled with foam, augmented by a 40-watt floor heater. According to the manufacturer’s website, when it’s 40 degrees out, it will be 70 inside the house, an when it’s zero, the house will maintain around 30 degrees.
The door closes behind your dog and is also insulated. This is a significant advantage over most other dog houses, but will require a bit of training to get your dog to understand how to use it. The heater cord routes out the back, and the sloped floor leads to a drain at the back for ease of cleaning.
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6. Petmate Dogloo
Pros:- Igloo shape enhances strength and sheds debris
- Microban surfaces keep bacteria down
- Ventilation system at the top circulates air
- Raised floors and foam walls provide insulation from extreme tempratures
Cons:- Expensive
- If you opt for the plastic flap, installation could be tricky
- Destructive dogs may destroy it
- Relatively large
If you have a husky like I do or some other cold-weather-loving breed, you know that they beg to go out even at temperatures that might be too cold. I knew an Alaskan malamute who steadfastly refused to come inside during New England winter months, but would occasionally make an exception for a dog house.
The Dogloo is a classic design and one of the most popular of the insulated dog house options. The structural foam that makes up the walls provides excellent insulation from heat and cold, which can be further enhanced with the addition of the optional door flap and pad. The floor is raised up off the ground to provide further protection, and the entire structure is coated in Microban to keep bacteria at bay.
The large fits dogs 25 to 50 pounds, while the extra large works for dogs up to 125 pounds. The medium option found here works for dogs from 15 to 25 pounds. The also have one in a gray color, if you prefer.
Alternatively, the version from K&H features a heating pad.
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7. Ferplast KENNY 01 Dog House
Pros:- Vent and drain
- Raised slightly off the ground
- Made of UV resistant plastic
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons:- Definitely not as robust as other options
- Not suitable for extreme weather
- Looks a bit like a covered kitty litter box
- Not exactly attractive in terms of design
If you just want to give the whole dog house thing a try before committing to something more substantial, opt for this ultra-simple plastic option. It still has a vent at the back for proper airflow, as well as drains in the event rain gets in. This is cheap, sun-blocking shelter for a dog that likes to spend all day outdoors in temperatures that aren’t too crazy.
This the smallest size available, which has an interior measurement of 18.5 inches by 27.5 inches. There are larger ones, as well — KENNY 03 and KENNY 05.
A solid alternative to this would be the Aspen Pet PetBarn 3, which offers four sizes, all of them on the cheap side.
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8. Climate Master Plus Insulated Dog House
Pros:- Engineered panel system delivers superior insulation and pest resistant
- Fully finished and ready for assembly
- Roof can be removed easily for cleaning
Cons:- Expensive
- No color options
- Very heavy
If you have a dog who prefers to spend most of its time outside regardless of the season, you’ll want to splash out on a reliable structure. This is decidedly a luxury option, combining advanced materials and finishing with weather resistance. These are made of laminated engineered panels rather than wood, which means that it’s pest resistant and less prone to warping and aging. There’s also a robust door which is made of a combination of powder-coated aluminum and acrylic and lined with weather seals.
This is the extra-large size, as evidenced by the extra-large price. The door is 16 inches wide by over 23 inches high, while the interior dimensions are 36 1/2 inches wide by 38 inches deep by 43 1/4 inches tall. You can shop the rest of their sizes here.
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9. Petsfit Indoor Wooden Dog House
Pros:- Multi-function rest area for small dogs
- Easy assembly with pre-drilled holes
- Solid wood construction
Cons:- Not intended for outdoor use
- Only large enough for animals up to 20 pounds
- If you it finished, you'll have to do it yourself
Here’s something a little different than the rest of the options on this list. Aimed at smaller dogs (or cats!), this small dog house has two levels: the normal interior and a roof deck on which to lay down. While this is primarily intended for indoor use, you could move it outside during nice weather, such as during a cookout to give your small dog a place to grab some shade. You can get this either in the natural unfinished solid pine or in a gray and white painted version, but both will need to be sealed if you want that finished look. The interior dimentions are 18 inches long by 18 inches wide by 14 inches high.
Dog owners — particularly owners of medium-to-large sized dogs — will know that it's a struggle to get them to stay in all day, regardless of what's going on outside. Sure, some dogs aren't much for going out when it's raining and for the most part, a dog just wants to be with its human as much as possible. But there are dogs out there like my husky mix who might literally burst into flames if not allowed to go outside every hour on the hour. Not to do anything in particular, mind you. He just wants to be outside.
If you have a dog like this, you might consider buying them a dog house to help them safely indulge their urge to be outside. A dog house will provide optional shelter from heat and cold as well as intense sun. When choosing a dog house, first determine the size you need to match your dog. Dogs actually prefer a cozy enclosure, so buy one just large enough for your dog to turn around and lay down fully. No bigger than that is necessary. The doorway should be roughly three-quarters of your dog's height at the shoulder and only a little wider than they are.
Other decisions to make include what material you want it to be made from, with considerations for your climate and overall weight of the structure. You will certainly want something ventilated if your dog will be using it during extreme temperatures, otherwise just the shade of the structure will do. Finally, if your dog will need to use it in the cold, you might consider going for something heated or insulated.
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