Dog Strollers Plus

A dog house is a unique piece of dog furniture and many first time dog house buyers start to wonder just how complex selection needs to be. It can be hard to determine what a makes a great dog house. The very first thing you will need to determine is that you really need an outdoor doghouse at all.

Dogs that have spent most of their lives indoors will not want to move outside no matter how nice the doghouse. Dogs like company and especially single dogs will probably want to stay near you indoors. While your dog may not move outdoors permanently many outdoor dog houses can be a temporary shelter for times when your dog must be outdoors.

Some dogs, such as guard dogs, will need to live outdoors all the time so the houses for these dogs should be very comfortable and strong. A point also to remember is that no matter how long a dog is left outdoors always make sure you check on him often to ensure he is safe.

Don’t think a dog house will be more comfortable simply because it is larger. This is an important point for those who live where the weather gets cold. A dog house which is exceptionally large will not allow your dog to produce enough body heat to warm up the dog house. The best dog house will be just large enough for your dog to lay down and turn around without hitting the sides. The door should be wide enough for your dog to easily enter without kneeling down.

The floor of the dog house should be several inches off the ground to keep water runoff and moisture out. Bedding can be made from straw which should be changed regularly. The roof should be sloped to allow snow to slide off. Some of the chemicals used in pressure treated wood are harmful to your dog so it should not be used for any part of the dog house that your dog comes into contact with. Be sure your dog is built for the weather conditions before you move your dog outdoors. Smaller dogs are usually not built for outdoor life while larger dogs, especially those bred to be working dogs, should have no problem.