Choosing The Right Size For Your Dog's House

A dog house must be the right size to be effective. A Chihuahua and an Irish Wolfhound would have houses of much different sizes. However, choosing your dog's house based on his size alone is not the most efficient method of choosing the proper dog house size. The best dog house not only fits the dog, it also meets the environmental needs created by the region. The expected frequency and period of use for the structure also determine its size.

Dog Size: The size of your dog is the first consideration for the house that you will purchase or build. In general, your dog's house should be just large enough for it to stand up and turn around in with ease. If your dog's house is in an area that requires a baffle wall to protect him from the wind, snow, or rain, then the space determined by the placement of this wall should provide the dog sufficient movement.

If your dog is going to use the dog house as a permanent home, making it slightly larger is not out of the question. Keep in mind, however, that a dog's house can be too large. Dogs enjoy a snug shelter. A snug--not cramped--fit helps a dog feel secure. In cool regions, such a shelter also retains a canine's body heat more efficiently. It is important not to impose human needs or aesthetics on our dogs, since they don't have our need for decorating or for "stuff."

Environmental Needs: At times, the environmental concerns are those that determine the size of a house. Not only is a partial wall necessary to defeat the weather conditions in some areas, but other considerations might come into play. In some areas, a second story sleeping area may be preferable due to heat or wet conditions. In other situations, a long, low house might be better to keep the heat inside. Areas in which wind conditions are a consideration might need to be larger to accommodate thicker, insulated walls.

Frequency of Use: A dog house design must meet the usage needs, as well. If your dog will spend most of his days in the house, then a slightly larger house might be in order. You might decide your dog deserves two rooms instead of one room. This design could consist of a smaller sleeping area and a larger room in which he can eat and lounge with his toys. Such a house might also be effective in conserving the dog's body heat in cool weather by offsetting the doors between the separate rooms and the outside air.

Next article: Buying A Dog House

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