Dog House Designs

Dog houses, otherwise known as kennels in British English, are, as the moniker goes, basically built in the shape of a house but built for the size of a dog. The structure is built to be a dog’s shelter. Pet lovers often love to provide comfortable and pimped up dog houses for their well-loved pets. Whether you’re in the market to buy one or if you want to build one on your own, you need to know a few details to get the right dog house for your pet.

Things to Consider

If you’re out to buy a dog house or looking to construct one yourself, be sure to consider the following things. First you should match the size of the dog house with the size of your dog. You should also consider the type and design. Related to that is the type of material the kennel will be made of.

If your dog loves to chew or digs around a lot or otherwise active then you should use a material that is robust enough to withstand the punishment. You should also consider the size and type of doorway for the dog. Another thing to consider is the type and design of the roof.

Another important thing to look out for is the bedding and bedding space for your dog. In addition to bedding, you should also check how much ventilation is available for that specific dog house design. You want the dog house to be comfortable enough for your dog live in.

Dog Houses Types and Designs

The typical dog house that many people may have in their minds is the one that Snoopy usually hangs out on. One envisions dog houses as having an arched doorway located on one of the ends topped with a peaked roof. Of course, that is the classic look you’d have in mind since that’s what is usually shown on TV.

However, if you get the chance to look around, you’ll notice that there are a lot of dog house designs to choose from aside from the Snoopy-like dog house. Dog houses come in a variety of shapes, sizes, material, and design. Each dog house you find will cover a specific need and purpose. You can classify dog houses as stationary dog houses or portable dog houses.

Stationary Dog Houses

Wooden Dog House: This is your traditional/classic looking dog house. As the name implies, it is basically made out of wood. This is likely the more popular design for your dog house. They are characteristically easy to work with, relatively inexpensive, and easily maintained. If you’re out to buy a wooden dog house, make sure you get one made of redwood, cedar, or any kind of wood that’s decay-resistant.

Here are the basic designs for wooden dog houses:

Pitched Roof dog houses are the ones Snoopy-type dog houses. It mimics the external features of a human’s house. The roof is peaked made by angled panels that are joined together at the center of the dog house.

Loft Roof dog houses are a bit fancier than the Snoopy-type dog house. It has a sun deck for a roof where a dog may climb up and lie down. There are even loft roof houses that are designed to function as a kids’ playhouse.

Flat Roof dog houses have a flat panel on top. Its design is simple and is a good option if you’re not looking for something fancy for your dog. Dogs usually would love to lounge on the roof of this kind of wooden dog house. Wooden dog houses work far better to cool your pet during hot days and to warm them during colder times.

Plastic Dog Houses: One of the competitive dog house designs you’ll find are the ones made of plastic. They are easy to set up and there are brands that you can use right out of the box. The popular designs are the conventional gambrel roof, pitched roof, and the igloo shaped kennels.

Metal Dog Houses: This type of dog house isn’t that popular but they are out there if you look around. Metal dog houses are heavily insulated and look like huge metal boxes. The obvious advantage with this dog house design is that they are chew-proof and they don’t rot, which are problems for wooden and plastic dog houses. You’ll usually find these sold by vendors of hunting dog supplies.

Barrel Dog Houses: As you might have guessed, these dog houses are made from barrels. The barrels used for construction can be made out of plastic, wood, or metal. Dogs usually love to sleep in curved shallow holes, which make the barrel shape seem perfect.

Fiberglass Dog House: The idea behind the design of fiberglass dog houses is to create a kennel that is heavy duty. It shouldn’t leak or rot and provide a comfortable holding place for your dog. This design is otherwise known as the canine cave. Unfortunately, in spite of its advantages, this dog house design isn’t that popular.

Portable Dog Houses

Portable dog houses are designed to provide a temporary shelter for dogs especially when traveling. They are made from waterproof materials and are really easy to set up. Of course, this dog house design makes it really lightweight, which is perfect for travel. Some portable dog houses even have some elaborate features like elevated floors, ventilated side panels, and zippered closures.

Types of Portable Dog Houses

People who love to bring their dog with them on camping trips will find dog tents quite useful. This type of portable dog house isn’t designed for chewers and diggers though. It’s really easy to assemble and easy for your dog to tear down. A step up from this is a soft dog crate. It looks like a rectangular tent and makes transporting your dog a lot easier.

There are also inflatable dog houses, which is great for those who don’t want to bother setting up a tent. Dog crates of course are designed to house an aggressive dog. Crates are usually made of molded plastic or metal and look like huge rectangular bird cages.

Hard plastic kennels are the portable dog house designs approved for airline travel. They have a locking grated metal door. The design allows ample amounts of ventilation and the handle on the top makes it easier to transport. There are also plastic kennels with soft linings. Another alternative is a transportable metal dog house that is usually found at the back of trailers or trucks.