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The Best Dog Houses in 2022

Last Updated: January 4, 2022
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By Petside
Published 12:52 pm
Show Contents
Contents
  • The Best Dog House
  • 1. Suncast Outdoor Dog House with Door
  • 2. Petsfit Dog House
  • 3. Petmate INDIGO W/MICROBAN
  • 4. Merry Wood Pet House
  • 5. Trixie Classic Outdoor Wooden Dog House
  • 6. Confidence Pet Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House
  • 7. Suncast Outdoor Dog House
  • 8. Tangkula Pet Dog House
  • 9. Petmate Precision Extreme Outback Log Cabin
  • 10. Petsfit Indoor Wooden Dog House
  • 11. Indoor Outdoor Dog House
  • 12. ASL Solutions Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace

Your dog’s nook is more than just a place for playing and hiding. It’s a refuge when your pet is tired, sick, stressed, depressed, or even scared. Show your care by finding time to arrange your best pal’s place. Buying a dog house, either indoor or outdoor, is also a good option for those who unfortunately don’t have the talent for driving in nails.

Dog houses offer both protection and comfort. They come in different sizes and materials since we all know that different dog breeds vary in personality traits, thus their preferences for houses may also vary. Thus, we have picked the best dog houses for you.  Just scroll down and select the perfect dwelling for your furry pal.

The Best Dog House

1. Suncast Outdoor Dog House with Door

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Key Features

    Heavy-duty resin construction

    Comes with vinyl letters for personalized dog’s name

    Packaged with vinyl door flaps

    Measures 38.5 by 33 by 32 inches

    Designed for dog weighing up to 100 lbs

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Suncast Outdoor Dog House with Door
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Designed for absolute ease of assembly while ensuring optimum protection for your pet against the elements, this Suncast dog house is simply perfect whether it is for your backyard or right in your living room. The components are made of heavy-duty resin so you can bet it’s lightweight yet sturdy enough to last several years.

The plastic dog house comes in an easy snap-on design, requiring no tools whatsoever. The addition of letters which you can arrange to spell your dog’s name and place it on the Suncast is quite thoughtful. It also comes packaged with vinyl flaps just to keep the rain out of the door. It may not be an insulated dog house, but it sure can keep your pet comfy.

    Pros

    Very easy to assemble requiring no tools

    Very easy to maintain and clean

    Spacious and comfortable interior

    Personalized dog house

    Cons

    Not really thermally insulated

    May easily fall apart because of lack of secure hardware

2. Petsfit Dog House

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Key Features

    Made of natural cedar wood and finished with water-based paint

    Rain-proof asphalt roofing with built-in hinges

    Off-center doorway

    Can accommodate up to 75-lb dogs

    Packaged with door flaps

    Raised floor

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Petsfit Dog House
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It doesn’t have any fancy design to it, but this doesn’t stop the Petsfit outdoor dog house from giving your pet the kind of protective den it needs. The large door is positioned off-center to give your hound plenty of room to maneuver inside. And if it does start to rain, you can always attach the door flaps to keep the interior relatively dry.

Cleaning is quite easy as the asphalt-lined roof is hinged and can be easily opened for easier access to the interior. The natural scent or cedar used in the construction of this wooden dog house can also provide for a more relaxing environment for your dog to sleep in. It is one of the best dog houses for large dogs.

    Pros

    Excellent protection against the elements

    Very easy for pets to move in and out

    Easy to clean

    Reliable construction

    Cons

    Feet cannot be adjusted

    Requires time to assemble

3. Petmate INDIGO W/MICROBAN

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Key Features

    Heavy-duty well-insulated construction

    Ventilation vents on roof

    Offset, extended doorway

    Laced with Microban antimicrobial treatment

    Raised floor

    Side moats

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Petmate INDIGO W/MICROBAN
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Samoyeds, Siberian huskies, and Alaskan malamutes will love this igloo dog house from Petmate; that is, if you can fit them inside the rather small doorway. Mimicking the shelter of the Nordic and Arctic peoples, the Indigo provides a warm dog house for your pet during the chilly months of winter, although it doesn’t really come with any form of insulation.

What it does provide is antimicrobial protection on its interior surfaces so you don’t have to clean it as often as you need to. The dome of the Indigo comes with ventilation slats that will be comfy during warmer days. It is a nice dog house to have for your Arctic hounds.

    Pros

    Very easy to assemble

    Safe and comfortable for pets

    Excellent protection against the elements

    More hygienic than other dog houses

    Cons

    Rain may still get in the doorway, but not inside

    Doorway may be small for some pets

4. Merry Wood Pet House

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Key Features

    2-level pet den and perch design

    Made of kiln-dried cedar wood finished with natural stains

    Removable floor and roof with raised floor

    Safety rails on balcony

    Designed for toy and small breeds only

    Dog den measures 17.3 by 17.3 x 15.4 inches

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Merry Wood Pet House
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Your toy or small dog will love this dog house with porch from Merry Pet. It’s like one of those cat towers where you have a separate sleeping quarters and another section just for lounging. The ‘balcony’ of the Merry Pet wooden dog house is adequately guarded by an intricate latticework.

Its sturdy platform should accommodate a nice and fluffy dog bed for your little woofer. We do have to caution you about your pet going up and down the ladder, though, as it is unusually steep. Inside the raised sleeping platform of the den is a sturdy bottom that can be easily removed for easier cleaning. You can also remove the roof to provide better access to the interior.

    Pros

    Can be used indoors or outdoors

    Easy to clean

    Looks lovely and elegant

    Comfortable for small pets

    Cons

    Requires time to assemble

    Ladder may be too steep

5. Trixie Classic Outdoor Wooden Dog House

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Key Features

    Made of solid pine wood

    Draft-resistant tongue

    Roof can be opened and secured by 2 locking arms

    Raised floor

    Fully-adjustable feet

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Trixie Classic Outdoor Wooden Dog House
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With its off-center doorway, the Trixie Dog Club House is perfect for providing a warmer and safer den for your pet even if it rains. However, we do wish it did come with a door flap to make sure that sprays of water won’t get inside its comfy den. You can always buy from Trixie, however.

This wooden dog house features an easy-open asphalt roof that makes it super easy to clean the interior. This is made even easier with the removable floor. The feet are fully adjustable, too, so you can ensure a more even sleeping and resting platform for your pet. Unlike other dog houses that are made of wood, the Club House is constructed of solid pine.

    Pros

    Spacious interior for easier pet movement inside

    Can be stabilized and kept relatively flat on uneven surfaces

    Easy to clean and maintain

    Keeps dogs comfy and relatively dry

    Cons

    No protection against the rain

    Requires some assembly

    Issues with durability

6. Confidence Pet Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House

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Key Features

    Constructed of heavy-duty plastic materials

    Raised floor but without feet

    All-weather design

    Large doorway

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Confidence Pet Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House
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The Confidence plastic dog house prides itself of being absolutely waterproof. However, do not ever think that it is one of the best dog houses for cold weather since the walls and other components of the Confidence are rather thin and don’t contain any form of thermal insulation.

It also doesn’t protect your dog from the rain adequately enough since the door is rather large and it doesn’t even come with a door flap or even a rain guard. Nevertheless, this dog house is still preferred by many because of its ease of assembly and lightweight characteristics. It is also very easy to clean since it is made of plastic. A simple wipe with a moist cloth is often enough.

    Pros

    Available in 3 sizes for different breeds

    Easy to assemble

    Easy to clean and maintain

    Large interior space

    Cons

    Doesn’t offer protection against the rain

    No thermal insulation

    A bit pricier

7. Suncast Outdoor Dog House

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Key Features

    Heavy-duty resin construction with removable roof

    Quick, snap-on assembly

    Vinyl door flaps

    Wide and tall doorway and built-in vents

    Measures 35 by 29.5 by 27 inches

    Designed for dogs up to 70 pounds

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Suncast Outdoor Dog House
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We’ve seen how the Suncast Dog House can prove an invaluable den for your pet. But maybe it is just way too big for your pet. If it is, then you’d better get Suncast’s DH250 dog house. It basically has the same features and useful design as the DH350, only smaller as it can only fit dogs that weigh a maximum of 70 pounds.

Its no-tools, snap-on assembly is always preferred by most parents while others will point to its modern house-like exterior as the main reason for getting this plastic dog house. It also comes with a vinyl door to keep water out. The only thing missing in the DH250 are the letters that you can use to customize the warm dog house.

    Pros

    Very easy to assemble; no tools required

    Very easy to clean

    Can help keep the rain out

    Large interior space

    Sturdy construction

    Cons

    Not well-insulated

    Some complaints about durability

8. Tangkula Pet Dog House

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Key Features

    Constructed of natural fir wood finished with eco-friendly paint

    Raised floor with removable bottom

    Stable plastic-wrapped feet

    Asphalt rain roof with steep slope

    Quick-assembly design

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Tangkula Pet Dog House
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TANGKULA’s take on the best wooden dog house is this fir wood-constructed home that comes with an asphalt rain roof following the traditional design of dog homes. While it has stable feet elevating the sleeping platform several inches off the ground, its center-positioned door may not offer much protection against the rain since it doesn’t come with flaps.

The eaves of the roof don’t extend well into the front of the outdoor dog house, too. Regardless, it is a great choice especially for those who want a neat-looking traditional dog house without paying a hefty sum. It is easy to assemble, although it requires some time.

    Pros

    Lovely classic design

    Very accessible for pets

    Steep grade of roof channels water and snow better

    Raised floor protects pets from cold drafts

    Cons

    No rain guard on the doorway

    May not stand up to power chewers

9. Petmate Precision Extreme Outback Log Cabin

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Key Features

    Made of solid wood with pet-safe weatherproof finish

    Slanted asphalt roof

    Raised floor

    Wooden walls with protective coating

    Fully-adjustable feet

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Petmate Precision Extreme Outback Log Cabin
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Another wooden dog house for your consideration is this product from Precision Pet. The Petmate Extreme is marketed as a reliable outdoor dog house that comes with excellent weather-resistance. Too bad it doesn’t come with door flaps; although its off-centered design should easily keep one section of the interior relatively dry for your pet to feel cozy and comfy.

We just would like to point out the comments made by some pet parents regarding the durability of the Petmate Extreme. Sadly, there have been issues of the doggie den falling apart after some time. It should look lovely in your backyard, nonetheless.

    Pros

    Beautiful cabin design for any backyard

    Weather resistant and durable construction

    Easy to clean and assemble

    Protects dogs against the elements

    Available in 3 sizes for different types of dogs

    Cons

    No rain guard on the door

    Some complaints about the dog house literally falling apart

10. Petsfit Indoor Wooden Dog House

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Key Features

    2-level dog house with perch design

    9.5-inch wide 3-step ladder

    Made of kiln-dried cedar wood with water-based paint finish

    Removable bottom floor and door

    Safety rails on perch

    Dog house measures 18 by 18 by 14 inches

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Petsfit Indoor Wooden Dog House
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The Petsfit is a lot like Merry Pet’s Wood Room with a View, except that this one comes with safety rails that are designed more like the rails on a double decker bed. It does come with a steel door and one side of the Petsfit has a window for optimum ventilation.

This dog house with porch also comes with a 3-step ladder that is quite steep to our liking. The Petsfit can be a great lounger for your small or toy breed of dog while also adding a different kind of décor to your home. Both the floor and the steel door can be easily removed allowing you free access to the interior for ease of cleaning.

    Pros

    Easy to assemble and clean

    Dual resting areas for optimum pet comfort

    Large windows and doors for better ventilation

    Elegant and stylish design

    Cons

    Designed only for small dogs

    Ladder has a steep grade

11. Indoor Outdoor Dog House

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Key Features

    Strong and lightweight construction

    Wide and tall doorway

    Raised floor

    Measures 30 by 26 by 24 inches

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Indoor Outdoor Dog House
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While it is definitely not a children’s play set, the always-quality all-weather dog house is perfect for the smallest and youngest hounds in your canine family. It has a whimsical design that children will surely love assisting their young puppies to get into. It’s quite small yet has a spacious interior that’s just right for puppies. It can be easily installed with a few tightening of screws while retaining its structural rigidity. It is relatively easy to clean, too. Even your young child can be taught how to take care of the home of his or her favorite pet.

    Pros

    Easy to assemble requiring only minimal tools

    Easily accessible to pets

    Easy to clean

    Cute design

    Cons

    For toy and small breeds and puppies only

    Open door may not protect pets from the elements

12. ASL Solutions Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace

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Key Features

    4-inch thick EPS wall insulation

    Self-closing, easy-pass insulated door with removable lower half

    Sloping floor with drain hole

    Self-storing window panes

    Rear-exiting heater cord for floor heater

    Measures 47.5 by 38.5 by 31.5 inches

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ASL Solutions Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace
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If you’ve got the money for it and you’re looking for a really insulated dog house for your pet, then ASL Solutions’ Deluxe Insulated Dog Palace is a must-have. The Dog Palace is one of the best dog houses for cold weather because of the 4-inch thick walls that are made of EPS foam insulation plus a nifty heated floor attachment.

Too bad the heater only occupies about a third or so of the interior floor of the Dog Palace so there will still be some sections that will not have the heating mechanism. The door is quite exceptional, too, since it comes with an easy-pass design while also allowing its lower half to be removed. Hands down this is one of the best dog houses you can ever get, but only if you’re prepared to pay several hundred dollars for it.

    Pros

    Easy to assemble and easy to clean

    Elegant and stylish design

    Heated and well-insulated interior affords optimum comfort for pets

    Easy access for pets

    Cons

    Some complaints about the dog house falling apart when moved

    Unusually expensive

Best Dog House Buying Guide & FAQ

What to Look for When Buying a Dog House

Picking the right house for your dog isn’t as complicated as choosing your own house. However, there are some things that you’ve got to look for whenever shopping for the best pet home.

  • Overall quality

Quality is highly subjective. But you can almost always discern a well-made product from one that is easily broken. Since it would be nearly impossible to check the quality of each product in your shortlist, you can read reviews and listen to what other people have to say about such products. When talking about the quality of a dog house, you’d also be touching more on the materials used. Would you go for plastic or will it be best to go for wood?

  • Protection against the elements

The main purpose of the dog house is as a shelter from the elements. If it cannot guarantee this basic task, then there’s no point calling it a house. As such, the dog house you choose should be able to keep your pet safe from the rain, the sun, the wind, and the snow, depending on where you live, of course.

  • Ease of assembly

Some dog houses don’t require any tools to assemble while some will require a few hand tools like screwdrivers and the like. Most folks will want something that they can assemble within several minutes of opening the package.

  • Ease of maintenance

Like your house, the dog house also needs frequent cleaning to maintain its proper function. As such, you need a dog house that allows you to easily clean it inside out. Plastic dog houses offer the convenience of easy cleanups as you can easily hose it down with water and you’re done. Others may require some disassembly so you can clean the inner components and surfaces.

  • Size

You’d want a dog house with plenty of room inside for your pet to maneuver. If you can easily fit two dogs with still plenty of space to move about, then this should be a great buy.

  • Ventilation

Can you imagine your house without windows? Now try imagining a dog house without some form of ventilation. This could be quite dangerous to your pet especially during the hot summer days. In winter, the danger may not be so obvious, but a damp interior can favor the growth of mildew and molds.

  • Aesthetics

Just in case you’re the kind of person who wants to unify the decorative elements in your backyard or even inside your home, then a dog house’s aesthetics should also be considered. Generally, you’d want a dog house that complements your landscape or interior décor.

  • Overall value

Try combining all of the above parameters and determine whether the price tag is appropriate. You may also want to compare similar products with the same technical specifications and features. If one is priced higher than the others, then you can always feel safer about choosing the one with a lower price since it has better value.

The Benefits of a Dog House

One of the most obvious benefits of a dog house is protection against the elements. This is especially true during extreme weather conditions. While they can stay inside the house, there are some breeds that are best kept outdoors. Unfortunately, outdoor temperatures can be unforgiving especially since dogs do not have a very efficient thermoregulation mechanism.

Dog houses provide adequate protection against the sun which can help prevent heat stress and overheating. When coupled with plenty of water to drink, a dog house can be a safe refuge for dogs during the hot summer days.

Canine homes can also protect pets in the winter by providing them with a warmer environment. While some dogs are especially bred to live in Arctic conditions, there are those that are susceptible to extreme cold.

Other benefits of dog houses can include protection against pests or critters as well as shielding against harsh winds.

Dog welcome home

The Different Materials Used for Dog Houses

Wood and plastic are the two most commonly used materials in the construction of dog houses today. Plastic dog houses are lightweight, durable, waterproof, easy to assemble, easy to clean, and can come in a variety of stylish designs. Unfortunately, many plastic dog houses are rather flimsy and lack thermal insulation. They are also more prone to cracks.

Wooden dog houses, on the other hand, are great for their insulating properties. These are also resistant to decay, durable, and can repel insects. Cedar wood also has a calming effect. Plus, one cannot deny the fact that wooden dog homes are definitely more stylish and elegant than plastic ones. On the downside, wooden dog houses can be laced with chemicals that give it protection. They also require some assembly and careful maintenance. Above all, wooden dog homes are heavy.

Types of Dog Houses (By Function)

There are many types of dog houses that can be classified into different ways such as the size, the materials used, its location in the house, and even the various features that it contains. However, let’s try to look at the types of dog houses classified according to their function.

  • Insulated

These are dog houses that are designed to keep the interior warm and toasty especially when it’s rather cold outside. These are a step lower than heated dog houses since they don’t employ active heating mechanisms to maintain a warm temperature inside the house. These doggie houses often have double-wall or thick wall construction or may have additional foam layers as insulation.

  • Heating

If using an insulated dog house simply doesn’t work to keep your pet warm enough, then a heated dog house is a must. These are ideal in parts of the world where it snows almost every day of the year. These come with heating elements like heated dog beds and floors to keep the temperature of the interior to a more comfortable one. Head over to our review of dog house heaters for more alternatives.

  • Cooling

Dogs living in hot and humid places will require cooling dog houses. These typically come with thinner walls, plenty of ventilation holes or windows, and a large opening as the door. The idea is to allow plenty of fresh air to circulate through the interior while still affording some protection against the scorching sun.

You may also like our article on Dog Cooling Pads.

Our Top Pick

Affording you the chance to personalize your dog house, Suncast’s DH350 is our best dog house of the lot. It is well-built and comes with additional protection against the rain that may enter through the door. It is very easy to assemble, maintain, and clean while affording your dog a comfy place to stay in.

Dog houses are as important to dogs as residential homes are to humans. After all, they are our best friends. Picking the right dog house for our pets is, thus, crucial to ensuring their safety whenever they have to stay outdoors.

Dog protects the house

FAQ

Q: Are all of these dog houses weatherproof?

A:

Everything depends on the material that is used in the construction of the dog house. When one thinks of weather-proofing, the contraption should be able to keep the elements out and that includes rain, snow, wind, and even the harsh sun. As such, it is often imperative that you look at the design of the dog house. Wooden dog houses offer excellent weather-proofing especially if they are treated with a weatherproofing finish. Plastics are also good, except that everything depends on the thickness of the panels. If it is too thin, a light snowfall may already be too heavy for the roof to bear. The door of the dog house should also be considered. Ideally, you’d want it to have some form of protection against the rain. Sure, it has the roof, but if the dog house has an open door you’re still essentially inviting the elements to go in.

Q: What is better: raised or not raised?

A:

This can be tricky, but is best answered by another question: where do you intend to put the dog house? You see, if you’re going to place it on a relatively dry surface where snow or rainwater never collects, then you clearly don’t need a raised dog house. However, if you’re going to place it over grass or even in an area of the house where the possibility of snow and water collecting is high, then choosing a raised dog house is a must. Regardless, a raised dog house is often preferred since it increases the distance between the floor of the dog house and the ground surface.

Q: Can portable dog houses be used on a regular basis?

A:

There are some portable dog houses that are built for heavy use. However, these may not provide the same level of comfort that a true dog house can give. As such, these are generally not recommended to be used regularly.

Q: How often should I clean my dog house?

A:

Ideally you should clean your dog’s house at least once a month. However, during hot and humid days, cleaning it more frequently can help prevent the growth and proliferation of microorganisms especially molds and fungi.

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The Best Dog Anxiety Vests in 2022

The Best Dog Water Bottles in 2022

The Best Dog Cooling Pads in 2022

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