Although some people place their dog's residence outside, the truth is that it is not an option that we advise on our site. Many breeds suffer from loneliness, cold or discomfort when they are away from their family. However, in some cases we want our dog to be able to enjoy a place exclusively for him when we work in the garden or when he is there.
Choosing a good shed is essential for your comfort and for this reason on our site we will advise you on the three most important aspects: material, design and size.
Keep reading and discover our tips for choosing a doghouse:
Doghouse Materials
Most sheds are made of wood, plastic or metal. Each of these materials has its pros and cons that greatly influence thermal insulation, resistance and ease of cleaning.
1. Wooden kennels for dogs
Among its advantages is the excellent capacity of wood to thermally insulate the interior of the shed. In addition, wooden sheds are usually more aesthetic than those made of other materials. Another advantage of these sheds is that they are stronger than plastic ones. Especially when dogs have a habit of chewing on their houses.
However, their disadvantages include that they are more difficult to clean and prone to moisture build-up, so they can favor the fungal development. Wooden sheds are also more likely to be damaged by insects and facilitate the presence of fleas.
The advantages of these dog houses are only evident when it comes to good quality wood such as cedar. In addition, the sheds have to be properly waterproofed and treated to last.
If you decide to buy a wooden kennel for your dog, make sure that the treatment the wood has received is not toxic, as your puppy could chew it and get sick. Keep in mind that hardboard is treated with chemicals that can be toxic if chewed by your dog, so avoid hardboard sheds and look for other types of wood.
two. Plastic kennels for dogs
Plastic sheds are becoming more and more popular. One of their main advantages is the price, since they are usually cheaper than wooden ones (of course, when we talk about good quality sheds). They are also lighter and resistant to insects.
Their main advantage, however, is that they are very easy to clean and do not favor the development of fungi. All it takes is a little detergent, a hose and good water pressure to keep these dog houses clean.
Among its disadvantages is its poor thermal insulation capacity. These kennels protect the dogs from the sun, wind and rain, but the temperature inside is highly dependent on the external climate.
3. Metal kennels for dogs
Fortunately they are less and less common. Their only real advantage is strength and durability, but only when they are of good quality.
Otherwise, they are not recommended at all. Although they protect dogs from the sun, they do not always protect them from the rain and much less from the wind. In addition, the insulation capacity is so low that the temperature inside is usually very hot or very cold.
Most dogs avoid using metal kennels and prefer to sleep on the floor, so those dog kennels are often a useless expense. Avoid metal sheds.
The design of the booths
The design of the kennel you are going to choose for your dog depends mainly on your particular tastes. However, it is good that you take into account three aspects of the design that can help you and your pet: the removable roof, the location of the door and the existence of an eave
If the shed has a removable roof you can clean it thoroughly. In contrast, a house with a fixed roof cannot always be thoroughly cleaned. This aspect is important for wooden sheds, since plastic sheds can generally be thoroughly cleaned without much trouble, even if they have a fixed roof
On the other hand, it is better that the shed door is offset to the side and not to the center. In this way, the place where your dog will rest is protected from the wind. If the door is in the center, the wind reaches directly where the dog should sleep. In any case, you can also purchase a heavy curtain that hangs in the doorway space. In this way, the curtain blocks the passage of the wind but allows your dog to come and go as he pleases. You can also create that curtain with a heavy tarp. Some doghouses have a full door. In other words, in addition to the space through which the dogs enter and exit, it has a door that allows the kennel to be opened and closed. Although they are very aesthetic, they are not practical. A heavy curtain that protects from the wind is better
Finally, kennels with eaves help protect the dog from solar radiation. The eave provides shade at the entrance of the shed and cools the place. This type of doghouse is more useful in hot climates and where solar radiation is very intense
The size of the shed
The kennel for your dog should not be too big or too small. If it's too small, your dog just won't get in. If it is too big, it can be uncomfortable and cold for your pet.
The length of the kennel should be slightly longer than your dog's length, measured from the nose to the base of his tail (not counting the tail). The height should also be slightly greater than your dog's total height (measured to the head), but not much.
The height of the kennel should not exceed the height of your dog by more than 50%. This means that if your dog measures 50 centimeters to the head, his kennel should not be higher than 75 centimeters.
The width of the kennel should allow your dog to turn around inside and curl up, but it's not good if the inside is too spacious. Dogs feel better when they can snuggle up against something. Of course, keep in mind that in addition to your dog, there must be a mattress or some blankets inside the kennel.
Finally, the door must be spacious enough for your dog to pass comfortably. Its height may be a little less than your dog's height at the withers (height at the shoulder), but not much.
Final tips for choosing between different doghouses
Bearing in mind the above factors can help you decide between so many dog houses on the market. However, keep in mind that they are only a guide and not an absolute recipe.
The kennels you find in pet stores come in standard sizes for certain breeds, so that will also influence your purchase. Take the above factors into account but use your own judgment.
Discover on our site the different types of dog toys that exist, the most popular dog sports or what a dog training session should be like.
