| Dog owners have to consider several factors when | | | | air-conditioners. These climate control systems help |
| buying or building a house for their pets. As a true | | | | ensure comfort for the dog regardless of weather |
| member of your own family, providing your pet with | | | | conditions.iii. Doors |
| the best home possible is of the utmost importance.i. | | | | The front door of the dog house should be located |
| Size | | | | to one side instead of in the middle. This will prevent |
| A German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler | | | | the dog from being directly exposed to extreme |
| and other large dogs should have large houses, while | | | | weather conditions and other harsh environmental |
| the Chihuahua and smaller breeds will need smaller | | | | elements. Some models are designed with removable |
| houses. The door of the house does not need to be | | | | doors, or with no doors at all. Using a door will help |
| based on the height of the dog from the ground to | | | | keep the dog house warmer during cold months. An |
| the top of its head, or even taller, as it will lower its | | | | awning type cover can also be used over the |
| head to be able to enter the house. The width of | | | | opening for added shade and protection.iv. Easy To |
| the door should be just enough to accommodate the | | | | Clean And Maintain |
| dog. These height and width measurements can be | | | | - Removable or adjustable roofs - Doors, partitions - |
| adjusted if there is a physical requirement to do so. | | | | Wind walls - Flexibility in cleaning - Restrict use of |
| The house should also be large enough for the dog | | | | paint, stains, or water sealers for the outside of the |
| to stand at full height inside, move around and lie | | | | housev. Use Wood |
| down. Owners should remember that a | | | | Plastic and metal houses are not a good idea, as they |
| larger-than-needed home will compromise the dog's | | | | are either too hot during summertime or too cold |
| retention of body heat during the winter or colder | | | | during the winter. Some market experts say that |
| months.ii. Weather Conditions | | | | houses made from natural western red cedar wood |
| Some dog houses are made with hinged roofs, a | | | | offer the best insulation for dogs during winter while |
| feature that allows owners to raise the roof during | | | | making them cooler during summer. Red cedar wood |
| hot and humid weather. This flexibility provides | | | | oils are also natural repellants of ticks, fleas and |
| adequate air flow to flush out warm air and allow | | | | termites. Houses made from this material are also |
| fresh or cool air to enter. In some cases, these roofs | | | | maintenance-free on the outside, although owners |
| can also be lowered, creating a smaller space for the | | | | have a choice of finishing it to complement their |
| dog and enhancing its ability to retain heat during | | | | property. Sprinkling red cedar wood chips or shavings |
| rainy or cold weather. Asphalt shingles should be used | | | | in the bedding also helps prevent infestation. Owners |
| only if there is an adequate insulation barrier | | | | should also remember that wooden roofs help cut |
| separating the roof from the main area of the house. | | | | down heat build-up from the sun while helping to |
| Many house models also come with slanted roofs, | | | | maintain reasonable heat retention levels.vi. Keep The |
| ensuring that water drains away during rainy days. | | | | Dog House Elevated |
| Owners should avoid building or buying houses with | | | | For legless houses, the owner must remember that |
| barn-type or peak-style roofs, as these would attract | | | | having it directly on the ground increases the |
| hornets, wasps and other insects and prevent heat | | | | likelihood that the pet would be exposed to cold and |
| retention. Another option is wind walls, which can be | | | | wet weather. This also raises the possibility of |
| inserted into the dog house to break the wind and | | | | infestation from flea eggs that hatch in the soil. The |
| keep the house warmer. The house should also be a | | | | owner can use bricks, rocks or stones arranged in a |
| reasonable distance off the ground to keep it dry. | | | | level and stable manner to elevate the house. The |
| For owners with bigger budgets, some house | | | | elevation will allow air to flow beneath the house and |
| manufacturers offer provisions for heaters and | | | | prevent moisture from forming at the bottom. |