Outdoor dog houses: choosing the right one and siting it well
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
For a dog that spends part of its day in the garden, a dog house is no luxury: it’s shelter from rain, wind and sun. But it still needs to be properly sized, properly insulated and properly placed. Planète Pets covers the whole question, alongside our bedding and habitat section.
Contents · 5 sections
The right size: neither birdhouse nor barn
A house that’s too big struggles to warm up, because it’s the dog’s own body heat that tempers the interior. The rule: the dog must be able to enter without ducking excessively, turn around, and lie down at full stretch — and not much more. In practice, aim for an internal length of around 1.2 times the dog’s length and a height of around 1.2 times its height at the withers. The opening itself can sit lower than the withers: dogs naturally lower their heads to go in.
Wood versus plastic: the materials face-off
- Wood (treated fir or spruce): an excellent natural insulator, good-looking and repairable. Needs maintenance every 1 to 2 years (non-toxic wood stain) and costs €80 to €250 depending on size, more for models with an opening roof and double-skinned walls.
- Plastic or resin: light, rot-proof, easy to hose down and disinfect, at €50 to €150. Weaker insulation: best kept for mild climates or lined.
In either case, insist on a sloping, watertight roof, a floor raised on blocks (10 to 15 cm off the ground to cut damp) and, ideally, an opening roof, which makes cleaning far easier.
Insulation and interior comfort
A so-called insulated house, with double walls and a sandwich core, makes a real difference in winter. Point the opening away from the prevailing winds (usually south or south-east) and add a flexible door flap in winter. On the floor, fresh dry straw or a thick outdoor-grade mat beats blankets, which trap moisture. Our guide to choosing a bed by size will help you complete the indoor sleeping setup, because a dog house is no substitute for time inside with the family.
Where in the garden should it go?
Choose a semi-shaded spot, visible from the house (dogs like to keep an eye on their family), on stable, well-drained ground. Avoid full summer sun as much as the isolated far end of the garden. Finally, check the fence: a dog bored outdoors quickly becomes an escape artist, and a GPS collar can add security for the more adventurous.
Planète Pets’s important reminder
A dog house is a backup shelter, not a way of life: a dog is a social animal that needs daily contact, and no house protects against extreme cold or a heatwave. In severe temperatures, bring the dog inside. A dog living outdoors also needs regular veterinary check-ups and year-round parasite protection. All our guides are gathered 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.