Many people purchasing a dog house for the first time are a little overwhelmed by all the options out there. What things are really necessary to keep your dog cozy and protected? The very first thing you will need to determine is that you really need an outdoor doghouse at all.
A dog that has always lived inside will probably not be interested in moving into the nicest dog house. Dogs are pack animals and single dogs will probably want to stay near you indoors. While your dog may not live outdoors you may want to buy an outside dog house which can provide nice temporary shelter for when your dog is outdoors.
There are other dogs, however, who need to live outdoors full time. Dog houses for these types of dogs will need to be very sturdy and comfortable. Whether your dog is left outside all the time or just occasionally always provide frequent supervision to ensure his safety.
Don’t think a dog house will be more comfortable simply because it is larger. This is especially true for those who live in cold climates. If your dog house it too big your dog will not be able to generate enough heat to warm it up. The ideal size of an outdoor dog house is just big enough for your dog to lay down and turn around without hitting the sides. The door to the dog house should be large enough to enable your dog to enter it without scrunching down.
The floor of the dog house should be several inches off the ground the keep water runoff and moisture out. Bedding can be made from straw which is changed regularly. To prevent the buildup of snow the roof should be sloped. Pressure treated wood contains toxic chemicals and it should not be used for any part of the dog house that your dog comes into contact with. Before you decide that your dog should live outdoors make sure it can handle it. Many of the smaller breeds are not hardy enough to live outdoors while larger working dogs should be fine.