Dogs that spend a lot of time in the garden of the house need a kennel where they can shelter and rest. Some even sleep in it at night. And they do this rain or snow. That is why the doghouse has to have characteristics that make it a perfect place for your dog .
But before talking about how doghouses are or should be, it is important to know that not all dogs are prepared to sleep outside, both due to their resistance or lack of it to high and low temperatures and because of their dependence and their inability to spend so much time alone.
Parts of the doghouse
A doghouse should consist of a base, a roof and walls, which are normally four. The base is important to isolate the animal from the ground on which the house is installed. This will prevent the cold from penetrating, whether you are on asphalt or on dirt or grass, and will keep you away from bugs. In turn, if the soil gets wet under the shed, this moisture will not soak in, also helping to keep the temperature regulated.
The roof should not only be waterproof. It also has to be resistant, especially in the event that it is going to suffer the blow of hail. Of course, if the roof can be removed and put on, it would make cleaning the house much easier. This type of roof is typical of plastic sheds. The wooden ones usually have the roof anchored and cannot be removed.
The entrance must be on one of the walls. This should be of a size somewhat smaller than the dog, so that it does not enter too hot or too cold and is just so that it passes without problem. In addition to the entrance door, the walls may have a cavity that acts as a window and favors ventilation, especially if they are going to withstand high temperatures. In addition, if your dog is going to have to withstand very low and very high temperatures, the walls may have an air chamber. This air chamber acts as thermal insulation and works equally effectively with both heat and cold.
You also have to know what installation system the booth you want has or needs. You may want to put the shed over the garden, or it may be for an interior patio, on asphalt, concrete or slab. Obviously, the fastening system will not be the same in both cases. In some cases, this system is unnecessary because you do not have to beat the wind or dress the dog. In others, on the other hand, if you are outdoors in an open space and hurricane-force winds are constant, it is better to have a good grip, both for garden / land and asphalt.
What do we look for in a doghouse?
Of course, the doghouse must meet a number of requirements for the good of the dog and the owner. These basic requirements are comfort, good temperature and hygiene .
The house always has to adapt to the dog that is going to use it. But not just the size of it. Although, if your dog is still a puppy, you will have to take into account his adult size when choosing the best kennel for him. If the house is too small for him, he will not be as comfortable inside, since he will not have the freedom to move or turn around inside it. And if the house is too big for him, it will be more difficult for him to warm up on cold days, although it will facilitate ventilation in hot weather.
The house will also have to adapt to the dog’s hair type and its hobbies. That is, dogs with little hair will need the house to be better conditioned at the same time than dogs with a lot of hair, since the hair is warm on cold days and also works as an insulator on hot days. There are also dogs that have a habit of scratching the floor or walls, so the material should be more resistant to these scratches.
Of course, the characteristics of the house will also depend on the atmospheric phenomena that it will have to endure. We no longer speak only of heat or cold. It could also be exposed to strong winds or hail, snow, storms. With all this, the material suffers, so if you know that it will be exposed to certain inclement weather, you should look for the most resistant material.
Characteristics of kennels for dogs
Materials
We can classify the booths by their materials. These can be from the most resistant, for large storms, to the most varied, to achieve a design shed.
- Synthetic material dog kennels
The most robust are made with synthetic resins. These protect the dog from different atmospheric phenomena and are very resistant to the daily erosion of cold, heat, wind and rain.
One thing to keep in mind is the surface. You can find them smooth or porous. Porous surfaces are generally more resistant to heat. On the other hand, smooth surfaces offer some advantages over porous ones. A smooth surface guarantees the hygiene of the animal, since it prevents parasites from entering the walls of the house. And on the other hand, it makes cleaning the cubicle easier, saving the owner a lot of time.
The booths made with synthetic materials are not only resistant to the elements. It also prevents the entry of pesky critters for the dog. In contrast, a wooden shed could become infested with moths and render the shed unusable in a matter of weeks.
- Wooden dog kennels
Considering the above, it seems that wooden huts do not have much to do with plastic huts, but this is not the case.
Although the wooden kennels are more expensive than the previous ones, they do not need an air chamber to protect the dog from inclement weather. Wood is a natural insulator, very resistant to high temperatures, while plastics attract and retain heat a lot. On the other hand, plastic is waterproof, while wood, although it does not allow water to pass, does absorb moisture, making the room colder in winter. For this reason, whether the kennel is made of wood or plastic (if it does not have its own base), it is essential that the base is made of concrete, preventing the dog from being exposed to the humidity of the grass or of the earth. But this does not mean that the dog sleeps on concrete. In all cases you have to put a good bed for the dog, so that it is warm and comfortable.
- Kennel for dogs of other materials
Although technically a doghouse can be made out of any material, we only recommend synthetic and wooden kennels. Other materials such as metal not only do not insulate the dog from the temperatures, but also overheat in the heat and could even cause burns or heat stroke to the dog. However, in the market you can find design kennels that, although they are beautiful and original, are not always the most suitable for your dog.
Where to put the doghouse?
It is preferable that the kennel is established in the place of the garden that the dog likes the most. This will make you more comfortable and less reluctant to spend as much time there. If this site coincides with a place that is sheltered from the wind, such as next to the house or some other wall, the better. If not, give preference to this question. And if it could be indoors, great. This will protect the dog not only from rain, but also from humidity, making low temperatures more bearable. And a roof will also provide shade, which is great for hot days.
And just as important as location is orientation. The place where you direct the entrance of the house is essential to take better advantage of the sun, shelter the dog from the west wind, which is usually the coldest and most annoying, and give the dog the views that he likes the most. This can be key for the dog to accept his new kennel with pleasure.
On the other hand, the space where the doghouse is located should be enough to allow it to exercise, run and move freely. In addition, it is desirable that the dog is not isolated from family life, so the family must be in sight. It is also recommended that the dog has access to the house and is in continuous contact with the family, so that it does not cause trauma.
Maintenance and hygiene
A doghouse that is in the garden can be filled with vermin and parasites that can seriously harm your dog’s health. That is why constant maintenance is necessary.
To keep the house clean, it is not enough to give it a hose. You should also disinfect with ammonia and finish afterwards .
As we said before, porous surfaces are more difficult to clean. A smooth surface will make your work much easier. In the case of wood, varnish or a good insulating painter can also be your ally.
Finally, inside the house you should have a bed for your dog. And a mat would also help, to further isolate the moisture from the soil. This bed should also be cleaned every so often. Keep in mind that your dog leaves and enters the house, and when leaving it can carry many parasites and carry them inside. Mites, especially, tend to stay in blankets. Even more so if the temperature is pleasant or high.
Conclusion
To choose the perfect doghouse, get the most out of it and make your dog feel like the king of the house, you must take into account the following issues:
- Choosing the material of the doghouse
- Pay attention to the base and installation system
- Choose the appropriate orientation
- Maintenance and hygiene
