Outdoor dog house: how to choose one for your climate
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
A dog house for a dog that lives outdoors must above all protect against prolonged cold, direct heat and damp: getting the location or size wrong can seriously hurt its welfare. A study by Hubrecht, Serpell and Poole, published in 1992 in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, showed that pen size and design directly influence the behaviour and comfort of dogs housed in them (see the study). All our guides are gathered in the dog bedding and habitat section.
Contents · 5 sections
What size dog house should you choose?
The house should be just big enough for the dog to turn around and lie down fully, no more: an overly large volume warms up more slowly from the dog's own body heat in winter. Measure the dog standing and lying down before buying.
Which material and insulation against the cold?
- Solid wood: naturally insulates better than plastic or metal, provided it's treated against damp.
- Double wall: an air gap between two walls limits heat loss, much like good house insulation.
- Raised floor: a few centimetres are enough to avoid direct contact with cold or damp ground.
For the coldest nights, insulating bedding inside the house is a useful addition; see our guide on the heated dog bed.
How do you protect the house from summer heat?
A house exposed to full sun turns into an oven: shaded placement, good ventilation and constant access to cool water are essential. A dog panting very fast, with dark gums or marked weakness in hot weather needs urgent veterinary care, since heatstroke can be life-threatening. Our article on the dog cooling mat is a useful complement to shade and ventilation.
Can a dog really live outdoors year-round?
Some dense-coated, double-coated breeds cope well with outdoor living year-round in temperate climates, provided the shelter is suitable, water never freezes, and checks are regular; others, short-coated or small, are poorly suited and suffer in the cold.
Frequently asked questions
Should a dog house be heated in winter?
Not always, if the breed and insulation are suitable, but a safe heating pad is a genuine plus on the coldest nights or for older dogs.
Which way should the dog house face?
Entrance facing away from prevailing winds and a partly shaded spot help avoid direct cold in winter and overheating in summer.
How do I know if my dog is cold in its house?
Shivering, reluctance to leave the house, or cold paws to the touch are warning signs that call for a prompt vet opinion. Find all our guides on the dog hub.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Ice-silk cooling mat for dogs (62 × 50 to 100 × 70 cm) (€40.90) · the whole shop
An accessory from our shop for this use: Folding 3-step wooden pet stairs for beds and sofas ($75.90, ships from the US) · the US shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.