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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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.
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:
Another lovely option to consider is Pet Squeak’s Doggy Den, which has a latching door.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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