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Tips on Designing Your Own Dog House
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) believes that all dogs should live indoors with their families. Failing that, they suggest these design tips.
The dog house should be well insulated, with the floor several inches above the ground, preferably on concrete blocks.
The roof should be slanted, so rain and snow won't collect.
The house should be wide enough for the dog to turn around in and long enough for him to stretch out without any part of his body touching the sides.
The shelter must not be too large, however, because it's the dog's own body warmth that heats the place. In too large a dog house, or even in a garage or shed, the dog will be unable to keep warm.
The entrance should face away from the prevailing winds, and the house should be placed so the sun can reach it a good part of the day during winter. In summer time, it should be in the shade and well ventilated.
In the winter, a piece of heavy carpet or burlap, fastened at the top of the doorway, should cover the entrance to keep out drafts, but this can be removed in the summer.
The house should have a hinged roof for easy cleaning and for spraying regularly with flea and tick spray to keep those insects from seeking shelter there. You can tell by watching your dog whether such spraying is necessary; fleas sometimes do "winter over."
Bedding for the dog house is important. A covering over the cold floor helps to keep the dog warm and comfortable. Straw or cedar chips are most suitable and usually can be obtained from your local feed store. Shredded newspaper may be used, but be aware that the newsprint can rub off and discolor the dog's fur. Also, some dogs are allergic to newsprint. Here is an important caution: Hay is not suitable because it gets moldy and can contain a fungus (Aspergillus) that causes a very serious condition in the dog's nasal passages, leading to severe nosebleeds.
Outdoor dogs should never be moved back and forth between heated indoor quarter and the cold outdoors. Such extreme temperature changes can cause severe and often fatal respiratory illness. However, a cool basement or similar shelter indoors on bitter-cold nights would be welcome, and certainly dogs deserve that consideration.
Cold weather causes outdoor dogs to burn extra energy to maintain their body heat. Studies have shown the dog's normal amount of food should be increased by 25 percent in moderate winter weather and much more than that in very cold weather.
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