How to Choose a Dog House - Buing Guide

Everything you should know before buying a doghouse

Do you have a dog or do you want to buy one? One of the many things you should think about is where he will have its place. Where he goes to sleep and rest? Where he goes when you are at work? Will he be protected if there is a storm or other dangers? How to choose a doghouse correctly? For these and other questions is the following article.

Why to buy a dog house?

A doghouse allows your dog to find shelter when he is outside. Dogs spend a lot of time outdoors. It is important that they have a safe place to take a rest and to be protected.

If you want to let your dog to live outside your house, the dog house is essential for the health of your pet.

Dog has its personality

I spent most of my life with dogs. Dogs aren't just a pets for me. Dog is a partner, guardian and companion and many others. The dog is not just an animal, it has a personality. Believe me, they have their nature and their moods. Doesn't matter what breed it is, the dogs also have their feelings, pains, problems, wishes, etc. They are sentient beings - like us. On the other hand, don't forget that the dog is an animal - a beast. Yes, even the cute little Yorkshire! 🙂

Your dog - Your responsibility

In addition, we must know that we, humans, are fully responsible. Throughout their lives, we are responsible and we can't look for excuses. Yes, You are responsible! For whatever he do or whatever happen to him. At least by underestimating some situation.

There are no bad dogs, just bad owners

Don't underestimate the choice of a dog breed. If you don't have the experience, the time, the physical condition, and finally the financial resources to ensure proper dog care. Don't take huge, dominant races if you are not able to care about them!

Sometimes it is beneficial to "not" have experience

When choosing a dog breed and you have no experiences, you can/should/must ask more questions and you will know and learn better about which dog breed is right for you or not. The worst thing to do is to think you already "know" dogs. This is the time when mistakes begin.

Believe me, I have been active with dogs for over 20 years. I have studied many books about dogs, I spent several years at the dog training center, I am in constant contact with cynologists, professionals trainers, breeders. The only thing I can say about dogs is, that they can always surprise us. 😉

Dobře izolovaná bouda pro psa

Training of Ali

Dobře izolovaná bouda pro psa

Défense training

Be responsible!

Think carefully before taking your dog. Are you able to take care of him and provide him with everything he needs for his happy life? Do not underestimate it and take care of your dog in a responsible way! He will pay you back several times and make your life and his much more easier.

Why do you want a dog?

The first and basic question is - Why do I want a dog? Each breed of dog has its different characteristics - needs. On the environment, approach, education, care... The approach differs for hunting, guard or companion dog breeds. Most dog owners primarily buy companion dogs. That doesn't mean, that you can't buy a hunting dog or some other breed. Just remember how much time are you able to invest for your dog and what you are willing to sacrifice.

Your dog was left home alone

Have you ever had this feeling, when you leave the house for a while and a strong storm comes? At this point, it is good to know that he had the option of hiding in the face of a thunderstorm or other dangers. I don't want to scare you, but try to think about of all the dangers that could happen to your dog: children, neighbours, careless people...

Well insulated doghouse will help against excessive noise

A well-insulated doghouse will also help against fireworks and excessive noise. In fact, most insulating materials also reduce noise, so more insulation is better and more efficient.

Acheter une niche

Insulated dog house illustration

Acheter une niche pour chien

Example of insulation

The dog must be able to escape or hide

Do not lock your dog in a doghouse equipped with bars, etc. Doghouses with bars are designed only to keep your dog under your control for a short period of time.

If you need to, for some reasons to limit your dog's movement, use a sufficiently long chain (at least 3.5 to 5 m long) or other restraint system available on the market. So he will be able to move or return to his doghouse.

A dog kennel is a solution

A suitable solution is a kennel, of the correct size and according to the breed of the dog. In a number of European countries, the minimum size of kennels is already defined by the law for the protection of domestic animals. Check if your country is not a part of them. On the topic of how to choose a dog kennel we will write in another article.

Toughen up your dog

The hunting and guarding dogs (working dogs) must be enduring in the cold. The dog cannot thrive if he spends all the time in your house, near the fireplace, and then you go with him to hunt in the winter. Likewise, when a guard dog is in your warm house during the week, and then you put him in an outdoor area to protect your business on the weekends. In this case, teach him to sleep outside and provide him with adequate shelter in case of frost, rain, etc. The solution is a well insulated doghouse, which will give it the necessary protection.

Risk problems from outside temperature

If the dog is exposed to extreme temperature variations, he will be not able to create its good winter coat. It’s the same when you take the dog home in the evenings and during the day you let him on your garden in the winter time. Without a suitable doghouse, this part of the day when you are not at home you risk that he won't survive.

If you are not sure

Generally speaking, when temperatures are close to 0 °C, you should ask yourself if your dog can handle low temperatures. If you are not sure - it is better to offer him a warm place in your house.

Also, don't forget to offer him a good quality food before and during the winter season. Thanks to it, he can build up his good winter coat.

Warning !!! If you are not sure whether your dog can withstand extreme temperatures, do not let him outside, even if he has a quality insulated doghouse. Dogs of small breeds such as Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua and many others are not suited to live outdoors in the winter!

Geographical location and natural elements

Geographical location influences the choice of the dog house. When purchasing a doghouse, consider if you live in the mountains, where the winter lasts several months a year, or in the plains, where most of the time the outside temperatures are below freezing point.

Snow cover on a doghouse weighs something and this is another reason to choose a good quality doghouse. I don't like to see pictures in the newspaper or on the Internet, another dog died in a poorly made "doghouse" or in a kennel, due to heavy snow on the roof.

Strong and frequent winds

If you live in an area of strong and frequent winds, you should consider a doghouse with the entry airlock / interior partition. In case of strong wind and rain, thanks to the internal partition your dog will be protected from these.

Older dogs and pregnant dogs have different needs

Already own a dog or just bought one? Remember that one day your cute puppy will get old and have completely different needs. Therefore, from the start, the choice of a dog house is as important as the choice of the dog itself.

Older dogs can no longer efficiently warm their dog houses with their own bodies. You should therefore think of a well insulated dog house from the start, so that in summer and winter it provides the necessary insulation against high or low temperatures.

Puppies and breastfeeding dogs have a physical stress

Likewise, with pregnant and lactating dogs and newborn puppies. As with any future mother, the period of pregnancy until the birth of the puppies and breastfeeding is an immense physical and mental stress. Even bigger than for you :-)! Therefore, you should give her a safe and quiet place so that she feels safe and comfortable - which she is already used to.

Do you need a dog house for more dogs or a tailor-made?

In this case, you have no other choice like to buy it or build it by yourself. Fortunately, there are already manufacturers of dog houses who can build you a custom or multi-dog house.

If this is someone who specializes in making dog houses, he should be able to recommend a doghouse that best suits your dog's needs. Taking into account the many factors that influence the choice of the doghouse. Such as the type of the doghouse, size, location, choice of materials, etc.

Doghouse Mini90

Doghouse Mini120 insulated with terrace

Doghouse Medium160 insulated

In the second part of the article "How to Choose a Dog House - Part 2" we will discuss the characteristics of the dog houses that you should pay attention to when buying or building one.

If you have any questions, comments or experiences, don't hesitate and share them with us in the comments! 😉

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