Building Your Dog A Doghouse 5 Important Factors To Consider

A doghouse is more than an adornment for your pet. It provides a refuge to which he can retreat when the weather is too hot, cold, or windy. Much like a crate inside your home serves as his indoor “den,” a doghouse serves the same function outside. Unfortunately, many owners build houses for their canines, focusing on aesthetics and nonessential frills rather than practical usefulness. As a result, they often find their pets spending little, if any, time inside them.

In this article, we’ll explore how to build a doghouse your canine will enjoy. Keep the following five factors in mind to construct a house that is comfortable and safe while accommodating your dog’s needs.

1 – First Priority: Provide A Dry Refuge

The main problem here is humidity, not residual water tracked into the doghouse by your pet. If you build the housing with materials that preclude it from breathing, humidity inside will rise. This allows bacteria to proliferate, which can cause respiratory problems for your pet. Washing the dog house will do no good since the closed space will lead to rising humidity again.

Use materials that breathe. This includes the opening flaps through which your pet enters and leaves.

2 – Your Pet Is Susceptible To Heat

A lot of owners think their canines prefer the same temperatures as them. That is, if 75 degrees Fahrenheit feels comfortable to the owner, he or she might assume their pet feels the same way. In reality, your dog will likely feel too hot when lying in an enclosed doghouse with a temperature of 75 degrees.

Even if his hair is short, it will provide sufficient insulation to withstand cold. At higher temperatures, it makes him too warm. This is one of the reasons canines abandon their doghouses, leaving their owners puzzled. When building a house for your pet, avoid adding any additional heat supply (e.g. electric pad).

3 – Choose Construction Materials Wisely

Wood is always a good choice because it can be cleaned relatively easily, and it breathes well. A lot of the preconstructed doghouses sold in specialty shops are composed of durable plastic. This, too, is a good choice. Many are designed in such a way that air is allowed to ventilate throughout the construction.

Some preconstructed dog houses are made of metal, or even concrete. These are poor choices since metal can become very hot on sunny days, and concrete allows dampness to settle.

As a side note regarding construction, be wary of insulation between the layers of a double-walled house poking through the inner wall. If it is within reach of your canine, he may ingest it. This can lead to intestinal problems.

4 – Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better

Your dog needs less space to feel comfortable than you might imagine. Some owners build houses for their canines that provide far more space than necessary. Doing so adds very little value to your dog’s experience while resting in his outdoor “den.”

How much space is enough? The next time your canine rests on the floor, map out a perimeter circling his body. Leave five inches between his body and the perimeter. Measure the outline, and build the doghouse to accommodate it. Any extra space is unnecessary,

5 – Leverage Shade To Keep The Temperature Down

This tip addresses placement rather than construction. Bear in mind that leaving your pet’s doghouse in the sun will cause the temperature inside to rise. In areas of the country that receive a lot of hot weather, the temperature can climb into the 90s and beyond. This is unbearable for most canines. Once the house is built, position it in the shade.

Constructing a doghouse may seem simple, but it’s important to keep the above items in mind. The ultimate goal is to provide an environment for your canine that is comfortable, safe from airborne bacteria, and can provide a refuge when the weather turns foul.

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