Your Bruno or Cooper needs a house of his own! Dog houses and crates have graced backyards for a long time. Studies have also shown that although dogs are not 100% den animals, they love hiding or dozing in their outdoor house. The best dog house is extremely important for dog care, dog training or simply to provide them a little private space of their own. It helps in encouraging constructive behavior and reduces undesirable behavior.
The best dog house will keep your puppy comfortable as he enjoys dozing in the daylight. You can place the dog house in a location where your puppy can keep a watchful eye on the neighborhood activities and teach unwelcomed guests a lesson.
An outdoor dog house can protect your dog from outside elements and provide shelter when there’s a sudden thunderstorm. To make your dog really like his den, you must ensure that it is not too tight or too roomy. There should be good ventilation too so that he can feel the breeze on his fur as he lies down or dozes off.
Buying guide – what to look for in a dog house
If you are planning to buy a dog house, you need to think what your dog wants and not just what you want. Here are a few tips that will help you put your money in the right place.
- When buying a weatherproof dog house, choose a model that comes with a roof that overhangs the entrance. It prevents rain and other outdoor elements from getting in.
- Vinyl flaps come handy to provide that extra protection for your dog during winter months as they restrict the cold air. You may remove then in summer months.
- Choose a dog house with feet raised off the ground or you may place a pallet underneath the structure to ensure that the floor does not get wet during colder months. It also prevents water from getting inside in case of a flood.
- Plastic houses may be a good option in terms of maintenance but they are lightweight, hence they can be easily carried away by wind.
- When buying a dog house, make sure it is not too small or too big. It should be the right size so that your dog likes his cozy den.
If you look online, you will find a plethora of brands and models to choose from. We have created for you a list of the five best dog houses to help you choose the one that perfectly suits your requirements.
Image |
Product |
Price |
Rating |
| MidWest iCrate Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate | $ | 4.5/5 | |
| Suncast DH350 Dog House | $$ | 3.9/5 | |
| MidWest Extra Large Dog Breed | $$$ | 4.0/5 | |
| New World Folding Metal Dog Crate | $ | 4.5/5 | |
| Petsfit Wooden Dog House | $$$ | 4.2/5 | |
| Petmate Pet Barn | $ | 4.2/5 | |
| Confidence Pet Waterproof Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor Winter House (Medium) | $$ | 4.0/5 | |
| Pet Tent – Soft Bed for Dog and Cat | $ | 4.4/5 | |
| always-quality Indoor Outdoor Dog House | $$ | 4.1/5 | |
| Kleeger Premium Canopy Pet House Retreat | $ | 4.0/5 |
Midwest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crates
This spacious and folding metal dog crate comes from the house of Midwest Homes for Pets, a premier manufacturer of pet homes and supplies. This crate is made from high quality and durable metal with satin-black Electro-Coat finish to prevent rusting. Each item that comes from the Midwest stable has to go through and pass in strongest quality tests.
The foldable design enables the user to carry the dog crate wherever they go. It also comes with carrying handles so that you can easily transport the crate from one location to another.
The iCrate dog crate is spacious enough for large breeds. When your pet is still a puppy, you can use a divider to make separate sections for the puppy to relax and rest. This helps in potty training and also reduces the unwanted/ destructive behavior in dogs.
The manufacturer has taken utmost care to ensure that the structure is completely safe for your pooch. There are round edges to ensure that your dog does not get hurt. Setting up the dog house is easy and if you need addition help, you can call the 24-hour customer service.
Features
- Measures 42 x 28 x 30 inches
- Weighs 35 pounds
- Made from durable steel
- Double door folding crate
- Leak proof
- Free divider panel
Pros
- The dog crate is easily foldable which ensures that you can carry it with you wherever you go
- The divider panel can be adjusted as your puppy grows into an adult dog
- It comes handy in potty training and house training you little pooch
- It comes with a one year limited warranty
- The customer support is easily available, friendly and ready to help
- There are two sturdy leak-proof plastic pan slide-bolt latches for each door
- Your pet will stay safe and secure even when you are not at home
- There are no sharp points that can possibly harm your dog
Cons
- It may not be suitable for puppies that have the habit of chewing everything
- The size may not be suitable for small apartments
Summary
The Midwest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate is a well-designed dog house, built specially for large breeds. You can buy it for your puppy and create two sections: a living area and an elimination area, with the help of a free divider panel. The crate is large enough for an adult dog to move about freely inside. Overall, we feel this is a perfect dog crate if you own a large dog breed like the Greyhound or Great Dane.
Suncast DH350 Dog House
The DH350 Dog House is a stylish yet feature-rich den for your loving dog. This is an attractive personal space you can give to your pooch so that he feels more at home. It is suitable for dogs up to 100 pounds. What we like best about this dog house is that it is so easy to assemble. It almost feels like you are playing and within minutes the complete dog house is up and ready to use.
The dog house is made from durable resin material which adds a lot of strength to the external structure. The roof is crowned, and it comes with a grooved design to ensure that water does not stay on top of the roof. There are vinyl doors that can be closed when the temperature gets extreme or it’s too windy outside. It also protects your dog from outside elements.
Another amazing feature we love about the dog house is that it comes with letters that can you put up on the door to personalize it with your dog’s name. This adds a more personal touch to the product.
Features
- Measures 38.5 x 33 x 32 inches
- Weighs 30 pounds
- For dogs up to 100 lbs.
- Attractive looking
- Made from resin material
- Vinyl doors
Pros
- It comes with a removable roof that helps in easy cleaning of the interior
- There are vents that allow air circulation
- Setting up the dog house is easy and only takes a few minutes
- This dog house can sustain extreme hot and cold temperatures
- There’s enough room for two dogs to lie down and relax inside the house
- It comes with a flap to keep your dog protected from cold wind
- The structure is made from high quality material that can last for long
- The ability to write the dog’s name on door with letters is great fun
- It look attractive and perfectly complements any décor
Cons
- The plastic may get too cold in winter so you need to insulate the floor
- Cannot sustain rough weather conditions like thunderstorms or hurricanes
Summary
The Suncast DH350 is a well-built dog house that looks pleasing to the eye. It is made from solid and durable plastic, which works well in summer months but may require some kind of insulation for the winter months. It has a spacious interior to easily accommodate a large dog breed up to 75 lbs. or more. At this price, it offers a decent deal.
Midwest Solution Series “Ginormus” Double Door Dog Crate
When you want a dog house for your big boy, you need to make sure that it’s sturdy, durable and reliable. You should be able to leave him inside securely when you are out of home to ensure that he stays safe and at the same time not create any mess. This dog house works well for large dog breeds that weigh 90 pounds or more.
The structure is made from highly durable steel and it has a protective e-coat finish which prevents rusting or damage. As this is a large sized dog house, it requires at least two people to set up the dog house. The installation process is easy and the user guide contains simple instructions.
This dog house has a double door design and it requires less maintenance. The pan is leak proof and easily removable so you can clean it regularly. It comes with a reliable L-Bar safety feature which provides addition strength and security to the dog house. It includes three heavy-duty slide-bolt latches per door, so you can stay stress free even when you are away from home.
Features
- Measures 54 x 37 x 45 inches
- Weighs 80.2 lbs.
- Made from high quality metal
- Drop pin construction
- Secure slide blot latches
- Exclusive L-Bar feature
- For dogs weighing over 90 lbs.
- 1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
Pros
- The dog house boasts a sturdy and reliable construction
- There’s a lot of room for large dog breeds like Great Danes, Mastiffs, St. Bernard’s
- The drop-pin construction provides maximum durability
- It comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty for quality
- The customer support is reliable and friendly
- Three slide-bolt latches provide extra security for you dog while you are away
- It offers good value for money
- The plastic pan is leak proof and easy to clean
Cons
- Two people are needed to install the dog house
- It takes up a lot of space
Summary
The Midwest Solution Series “Ginormus” Double Door Dog Crate is a stable and durable den for large dog breeds. The structure and construction has been done keeping in mind the requirements of a large dog. Your Great Dane or Mastiff will be able to stretch his legs and lie down comfortably in his new home. He will also not feel isolated because he can watch you from within the den. When you are not at home, you can have peace of mind from knowing that he is safe and secure in a reliable dog crate.
New World Folding Metal Dog Crate
This folding metal dog crate comes from the stable of New World, a company that is known for creating high quality pet products and supplies. A lot of brainstorming, research and thought go into manufacturing a product because they are built to provide ultimate comfort for your dog. This is a single door metal crate that boasts a foldable design so you can easily take it from one location to another.
The dog house comes with two sturdy and reliable slide-bolt latches to securely lock the crate door so that your pooch stays safely inside while you are away. It comes handy in training your little puppy to eliminate at regular intervals. It can also house train your pooch to reduce unwanted behavior such as barking and chewing.
The design of the dog crate is such that it offers maximum visibility and ventilation. So, your dog will not feel isolated even when he’s inside the crate. Furthermore, there’s enough room even for a large breed to move around and lie down.
Features
- Measures 36.5 x 23.2 x 24.8 inches
- Weighs 22.4 lbs.
- Single door
- Foldable design
- For dog breeds between 41 – 70 lbs.
- Two sturdy slide-bolt latches
- E-coat finish
Pros
- This is a durable and safe den for your dog while you are away
- It helps you house train your puppy
- The foldable design is a huge advantage as you can easily store and carry the crate from one location to another
- It comes with a leak proof plastic pan that can be easily cleaned
- It comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty
- The dog crate allows good ventilation and visibility
- The corners of the crate are rounded in shape for additional safety
- Setting up the dog crate is easy by following instructions in user guide
Cons
- If your dog has the habit of chewing, this may not be a reliable crate
- The locks are slightly flimsy
Summary
The New World Folding Metal Dog Crate comes with all the features you want in a safe and reliable den for your dog. Although it is useful for house training, we feel it may not be safe enough for dogs that have the habit of chewing. The best thing we like about this dog crate is that it can be easily folded and carried with you wherever you go. Overall, we feel that this dog house offers good value for the money spent.
Petsfit Dog House
The Petsfit Dog House boasts a strategic design and it seems like it is made by people who love and know what dogs want. It comes with a one side slanting roof and elevated floor to prevent from getting in contact with the floor. The grooved roof design also ensures that water does not pool on the roof and drains out by itself.
The external structure is made from high quality kiln-dried cedar wood. It can sustain extreme hot weather as well as low temperatures so you can use the dog house all the year round. It can be easily set up within an hour. There are pre-drilled holes to help you fix it to the ground. The door is large enough to allow a large dog to get inside comfortably. It comes with a door flap to protect your dog from cold winds. It can be removed in the summer months.
This is a multi-purpose dog house that can also be used for three to five cats and two to three ducks. As it has a weather proof coating, your pets will be protected from snow, rain and sun.
Features
- Measures 45.7 x 31.9 x 30.7 inches
- Weighs 59.5 lbs.
- For dogs up to 75 lbs.
- Made from natural cedar
- Asphalt roofing
- Water-based paint
- Easy set up
- Weatherproof dog house
Pros
- Wood is treated with water based paint to make it weather proof
- It is pretty easy to assemble as it comes with pre-drilled holes
- The floor is slightly elevated which is a good thing as your dog will never sleep on a wet bed
- The structure is sturdy and reliable
- The shingle top roof is classy, functional and removable so you can easily clean inside
- It has a spacious interior so your dog will love to stay inside the house
- There’s enough ventilation for your dog to feel comfortable in summer
Cons
- The screws feel a little flimsy
- The wood is light so it may not very durable
Summary
If you want your dog’s own den to be classy and at the same time functional and reliable, the Petsfit Dog House comes across as a good option. The structure is slightly elevated which is a huge advantage. Overall, we like the design, built and features of this dog house which makes it a perfect package for your loving pooch.
Final Verdict
When buying a dog house or crate, it is essential that you take into account the personality and habits of your dog, which may differ despite belonging to the same breed. If you have a large breed then we think the Midwest Solution Series “Ginormus” Double Door Dog Crate would be a suitable option as it is spacious and reliable. However, if you have a small to medium breed then the Petsfit Dog House is a good buy as the dog house has all the essential features you need to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort.