How to Choose the Best Pre-Built Dog House
1. Choosing the Appropriate Size Is an Important Factor
Just because your pet can fit into a dog house doesn’t mean it’s the right size for him or her. Your dog needs to be able to get in, turn around and stretch out. This rule of thumb goes for dogs who are temporarily tied out, and for those who live outside on a permanent basis as well.
To choose the best pre-built dog house, you’ll need to measure your dog in three places:
1. The Standing Height, From Head to Toe
The door of the dog house should be at least three-quarters of your dog’s standing height. For example, if your dog measures 36 inches tall from its head to toe, then the door should be at least 27 inches tall.
2. The Seated Height, From Head to Toe
As for the height of the ceiling, it should be a couple inches higher than your dog’s seated height- measure from the ground to the top of its head when it’s sitting.
3. The Laying Down Length, From Nose to Rump
Measure your dog from its nose to its rump when its lying down. Add another 6 to 8 inches to determine the proper length of the best pre-built dog house.
These measurements will give you a good idea of how big the best pre-built dog house should be.
Dog houses are available in four basic sizes- small, medium, large, extra large. Generally, a “small” house will accommodate a small Beagle; a medium dog house will fit a Welsh Corgi; a large dog house is suitable for a German Shepherd, and an Akita will fit comfortably in an “extra large” dog house.
Note: If you live in a part of the country where the winters are severe, too large of a dog house won’t help hold in your pet’s body heat.
2. Determine How the Dog House Needs to Be Built
If you’re looking for a pre-built dog house that will only need to protect your dog from the elements when s/he is tied outside from time to time, then a basic model will do. However, if you live in a part of the country that experiences extremely cold winters, the house you buy for your dog needs to be well insulated and sealed from the elements.
As for the materials, wooden pre-built dog houses are usually sturdier than plastic ones. But if your dog is a wood chewer, then you’ll need to look for a heavy plastic or metal model. Plastic dog houses are lighter and easier to move. That, and they are easy to scrub and rinse clean with a garden house. Some pre-built models can even be taken apart so moving or transporting them is easier. And finally, metal dog houses usually outwear the dog houses made of other materials. However, they aren’t the warmest in the cold weather or the coolest in the summertime heat.
3. Determine What “Extras” You Want the Dog House to Have
To choose the best pre-built dog house for your pet, you can also look for features such as air vents, removable roofs, heaters, windows and doors, just to name a few examples. If you’re really concerned about your pet’s comfort, you can check into dog houses that have air conditioning units too!
