There’s no better way to give in to their canine instincts than retire to the best dog house.
Dogs descended from wolves. They have always lived outdoors in dens.
No matter what you read or what people say, it’s not inhuman to keep your dog in a dog house, provided that it has ample room, keeps your pet safe, dry and warm.
If you are busy professional looking for a resting place for your pooch for a few hours each day, or have a watchdog that needs a large outdoor dog house, then you are in the right place.
Today, we will talk about the best dog houses on the market.
Here’s a glimpse.
Best Dog Houses
| Image | Dog Houses | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Petsfit Dog House | 99% |
 | 2. Suncast DH350 Dog House | 96% |
 | 3. Precision Pet Extreme Log Cabin | 93% |
 | 4. Merry Products Wood Pet Home | 89% |
 | 5. Petmate Barnhome III Dog House | 85% |
1. Petsfit Dog House
We first saw the Petsfit Dog House in Arkansas a couple of years ago and instantly fell in love with it.
It looks stunning, is made of natural cedar, dyed with water-based, non-toxic paint and is available in five sizes.
The largest one is 45.6” long, 30.9” wide and about 32” tall.
That’s perfect for large-sized dog breeds or two smaller dogs. It also works as a chicken cage or a house for feral cats, guinea pigs, rabbits or chinchillas.
Keeps your pet off the ground
The Petsfit dog house is raised off the ground and has a removable, slatted floor for easy cleaning.
This serves two purposes.
- If you intend to keep the dog house outdoors, it will keep your dog from sleeping on a wet or moist floor.
- The slats allow excellent air flow and keep the dog cool during summers. During winters, throw in a doggie bed to prevent cold air from seeping in.
Roof lifts up for quick access
The dog house has a hinged roof that lifts upwards for quickly accessing the insides.
That’s a very useful feature because the door isn’t very wide. However, it is off-centered.
This prevents rainwater from blowing in on a windy, rainy day.
Also, it comes with a door flap that will keep the inside of the cage dry.
Pros
- Natural wood construction
- Water based paint with contrasting trims
- Five sizes
- Raised floor allows it to be kept outside
- Rubberized feet prevent damage to hardwood flooring
- Roof lifts upwards for quick access
- Five sizes, two colors
- Removable floor for cleaning
Cons
- The door is not lockable.
- The slatted design allows wind drafts to enter the cage. You might have to insulate this in the winter.
2. Suncast DH350 Dog House
The Suncast DH350 is a budget-priced large dog house.
It is constructed from resin and features a crowned floor. If you are shopping for one or even two economical dog houses, then look no further.
This is sturdy, roomy and with some minor modifications, can be weatherproofed for sun, rain and snow.
Assembles in minutes
The Suncast DH350 is designed for fast, easy assembly. The only caveat is that you’d have to assemble it in the place where you intend to keep it.
The dimensions are fairly large and the pitched roof will not fit through a standard sized door.
Thankfully, it mostly comes pre-assembled and the neatly labelled parts make it a no-brainer.
Roomy and sturdy
A plastic dog house doesn’t seem too reassuring, especially when the market is crammed with wooden dog houses.
But don’t let the unassuming appearance fool you. This one is as sturdy as they get. We spoke to a pet parent who spoke at length about how the Suncast DH350 had outlived a pricier wooden dog house through a storm.
True, it might start to peel in a year or two in extremely hot conditions. You might also need to insulate it during freezing winters. But those are just minor niggles.
Otherwise, it is extremely roomy, has a removable roof for easy cleaning and is available in different sizes.
Pros
- Budget priced large dog house
- Easy to assemble
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Comes with vinyl lettering for your pet’s name
- Removable roof for cleaning
- Crowned floor
- Tough, durable plastic construction
Cons
- Will need insulation during the winters
3. Precision Pet Extreme Log Cabin
The Precision Pet Extreme Log Cabin is a stunner.
The natural wood finish with black accents will easily blend into any backyard or patio.
It is spacious, weather resistant and has a raised floor that keeps your pet well protected from the elements.
At the same time, it costs half of what a similar dog house from a popular brand would cost.
Solid wood, stainless steel hardware
A lot of wooden dog houses look amazing on the internet. But are actually made of MDF or cheap wood composites that start to rot when stored outside.
The Precision Pet dog house is made from heavy duty wood. It weighs almost 48 pounds when assembled. And this extra weight keeps it rock steady even on a windy day.
The wood is rot and pest resistant and the raised floor with the individual height adjustable feet allows you to store it outside, irrespective of the surface level.
Slanted, rain-resistant shingled roof
The slanted, rain-resistant asphalt roof ensures that water or snow doesn’t get accumulated. This prevents ice dams from forming on them.
Also, Precision pet sells a separate insulated cover that fits the dog house snugly. This makes it so much easier than having to make a DIY insulated cover for the winters.
One minor grumble that we have with this large dog house is that it doesn’t have a hinged roof. To make up for this, the manufacturer has made a really wide off-centered door that allows you easy access to the inside.
But that would still mean crouching on your knees. A hinged roof would have made the dog house easier to clean as well.
Pros
- Heavy duty wooden dog house
- Solid wood construction
- Rot and pet resistant
- Rust resistant stainless steel hardware
- Natural wood or gray finish with black accents
- Slanted, rain-resistant asphalt roof
- Insulated cover available for purchase
- Raised floor
Cons
- The roof is not hinged. So you’d have to clean the dog house using the door instead. That’s not a deal breaker though.
4. Merry Products Wood Pet Home
The Merry Products Wood Pet Home has such a cute design that you’d be forced to store it in your living room.
Most pet parents who own this certainly think so.
It is a dog house with a balcony, latticework frames for the sides and a set of side steps that allow your pet to easily climb on to the balcony for relaxation.
Solid wood construction
The dog house is made from kiln-dried cedar, which makes it very lightweight. Perfect to move around the house if need be. It has a raised floor which keeps doggy away from a wet floor.
By the way, it is designed for small dog breeds or cats only. It is 21″ long x 29″ wide x 26″ tall. That’s sufficient for a 10 to 12-pound dog at best.
If you plan to keep this outdoors, then we recommend that you stake it to the ground to prevent your pet from tipping it over. Also, a UV sealant wouldn’t hurt.
Easy to clean
The Merry Products Wood Pet Home comes with a removable roof and floor panel that make cleaning the dog house a breeze. If your pet is resting on the balcony (which most dogs love to do), you can just slide out the floor panel and scrub it clean.
Else, you can remove the roof, lift your pet out of the dog house and clean it.
Just wipe it with a damp cloth and allow it to air dry.
The side steps can be swapped with aftermarket dog ramps if your pet finds them too shallow or slippery.
Pros
- Cute design with a bottom lounge and a resting balcony on top
- Solid wood construction
- Removable roof
- Raised floor for easy cleaning
- Side steps allow the dog to climb to the balcony
Cons
- May not be suited for outdoor use
5. Petmate Barnhome III Dog House
The Barnhome III from Petmate is a no-frills attached, barebones plastic dog house that works equally well for both outdoor and indoor use.
It is made of tough and thick plastic that does not rot or need a sealant, ever.
Assembly is a cakewalk as there are just two pieces that snap together. It might look more like a portable dog carrier but it’s far from it.
It is a good quality outdoor dog house that will keep your pet warm and dry.
Available in four sizes
The Petmate Barnhome III is available in four sizes ranging from extra small to extra-large. The largest one is suited for dogs that are up to 90 lbs. But we have seen it house a 110 lbs. dog with some room to spare.
In fact, we were surprised when we saw it because the pictures don’t do justice to the actual size. You can be rest assured that your pet will have plenty of room.
Also, since it has a barn-styled design, there’s a thoughtfully placed rear ventilation system that keeps the dog house airy during summers.
The door is wide enough for easy entry and exit for the pets and there’s a door flap sold separately that will prevent rainwater from entering.
Sturdy Plastic with a fair amount of insulation
The packaging on the Petmate Barnhome III Dog House mentions that it’s insulated. And we have spoken to many pet parents who use it outdoors with just a few towels or a cushion thrown in. No extra insulation at all.
But, if weather conditions are extremely cold, we recommend that you use some Mylar blankets to make an insulated cover for it, in addition to the blankets/rug.
On a positive note, this large dog house can easily sustain strong winds without being staked to the ground.
Pros
- Simple but effective barn shaped dog house
- Tough, durable and thick plastic construction
- Available in 4 sizes and two colors
- Fits pets from 15″ to 28″ tall
- Easy assembly
- Removable top cover
- Raised lip on bottom panel
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Will need to be insulated in extremely cold conditions
How we selected the best dog house
Canines are simple creatures. Their needs from a dog house are not much different irrespective of what size or breed they are.
It’s pet parents who fuss about what color the dog house is or whether it’s an igloo dog house or a log cabin. So, our selections were based on canine requirements clubbed with a few basic maintenance features.
Size
Whether its indoors or outdoors, pick a dog house that fits in the space. Your dog only needs enough room to be able to stretch out fully and maybe sit at times inside the house. Anything additional is overkill.
However, some pet parents just like their doggy quarters to be large and spacious. Nothing wrong in that as long as you have the space to accommodate it.
The material
Wood is obviously the most popular material in dog houses. And we have a couple of solid wood dog houses in this list. But, tough plastic is not a bad choice either.
With wood, you will have to treat it and apply a sealant to use outdoors. Plastic does not rust or rot. The caveat is that it will wear down faster than wood.
The design
Outdoor dog houses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. From simple cage or barn styled ones to fancy igloo dog houses, there’s no dearth of designs to choose from.
Rather than selecting a dog house based on the aesthetics, look for design characteristics like a slanted roof that allows rain water to run off, a raised bottom panel that keeps the floor of the house dry and prevents parasites and a hinged roof or large door that allows easy access to the inside of the cage for cleaning.
Insulation
This one’s a no-brainer. If weather conditions are cold and the dog house is kept outside, then it needs to be insulated.
However, there are some really good quality dog houses that do not have insulation. So don’t let this be a deal breaker.
You can always buy aftermarket insulated covers or even make one of your own with some Mylar blankets or tarp.
After sifting through thousands of customer reviews, these are the pick of the lot.
Choosing the Best Dog House: A Buying Guide
Just like people, dogs need a place that they can call their own. For most dogs, that is their dog house. In fact, many experts say that dogs actually need their own houses and space, and to not provide that for them might actually raise your dog’s anxiety levels.
But understanding that you need a dog house doesn’t actually help you choose one. There are certain things that you want to understand about size, material and location before you buy, and there are a lot of options out there, so it can be useful to narrow down your choices to a few dozen or less.
Materials
There are several different materials that dog houses are made from, and you will have to choose what sort of material is going to work best for your dog, your personal preferences and your budget.
Wood: Dog houses made of wood are fairly inexpensive, and they can be really beautiful. The only real disadvantages that they have is that would can sometimes rot and so they may not last as long as ones made of other materials.
Plastic: Plastic dog houses also have their disadvantages, but the advantages of them far outweigh the negatives. Plastic dog houses will last forever, they come in really stylish designs and you can get them in any size or shape that you want. The only real disadvantage with plastic dog houses is that they can get a lot hotter in the summer because they retain heat better and can be very warm to the touch. They also retain cold.
Insulated: You also might want to look into getting an insulated dog house, which stays really warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Insulated dog houses cost a little more than other dog houses, but they can be a great investment if you’re planning on putting the dog house outside.
Size
What you need to keep in mind about the dog house that you get is that it should be just big enough for your dog to go into and be able to turn around comfortably. Your dog wants a den where they can go to feel secure and get a little rest and anything that is too large is going to not serve its purpose.
One more thing to think about when it comes to size: it is perfectly acceptable to buy a dog house that is a little larger than your dog if they still have some growing to do. They may not be as comfortable in it until they get to that size, but it will save you a great deal of money and dogs grow pretty fast.
Essential Features
There are certain features that you will want your dog house to have. These are essential features that you definitely cannot do without.
Raised Floor: A raised floor is one of the most important things you can have in a dog house; you definitely do not want your pets sleeping on the bare ground or even on the carpet if you can help it.
Ventilation: Your dog needs to be able to breathe and there should be plenty of airflow throughout the dog house.
Protection from the Wind: The wind can be pretty cruel in certain areas of the country, but even where wind is usually mild, there should be some sort of wind protection.
Waterproof Roof: Almost all of the dog houses out there have waterproof roofs, but it is worth asking about or checking the manufacturer specifications.
The Bottom Line
Go with our top selection – both you and your dog will be happy you did.
Recommended Reading:
- Best Dog Crate
- Best Dog Playpen
- Best Outdoor Dog Kennel
- Best Dog Bed
- Best Dog Ramp
- Best Dog Carrier
- Best Dog Bowl
- Best Dog Cooling Pad
- Best Dog Heating Pad
- Best Indestructible Dog Bed
- Best Pillow Dog Bed
- Best Dog Houses for Hot Weather
- Best Outdoor Dog Houses
- Best Winter Dog House
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