Although some people place their dog's residence abroad, the truth is that it is not an option that we advise in Animal Expert. Many breeds suffer from loneliness, cold or discomfort when they are away from their family. However, in some cases we want our dog to enjoy an exclusive place for him when we work in the garden or are there.
Choosing a good booth is essential for you to be comfortable and for that reason at ExpertAnimal we will advise you on the three most important aspects: material, design and size.
Keep reading and discover our tips for choosing a doghouse:
1. Wooden doghouses
Among its advantages is the excellent ability of wood to thermally insulate the interior of the booth. In addition, wooden houses are usually more aesthetic than those of other materials. Another advantage of these booths is that they are more resistant than plastic ones. Especially when dogs have a habit of chewing their houses.
However, among its disadvantages is that they are more hard to clean and prone to accumulate moisture, so they can favor the development of fungi. It is also more likely that wooden sheds are damaged by insects and facilitate the presence of fleas.
The advantages of these doghouses are only evident when it comes to good quality wood such as cedar. In addition, the booths must be adequately waterproofed and treated to last.
If you decide to buy a wooden shed for your dog, make sure that the treatment that the wood has received is not toxic, since your puppy could chew it and get sick. Keep in mind that pressed wood is treated with chemicals that can be toxic if your dog chews it, so avoid pressed wooden sheds and look for other types of wood.
2. Plastic doghouses
Plastic booths are increasingly popular. One of its main advantages is the price, since they are usually cheaper than wooden ones (of course, when we talk about good quality booths). They are also lighter and resistant to insects.
Their main advantage, however, is that they are very easy to clean and do not favor the development of fungi. Just a little detergent, a hose and good water pressure to keep these doghouses clean.
Among its disadvantages is its poor thermal insulation capacity. These houses protect dogs from sun, wind and rain, but the temperature inside is very dependent on the external climate.
3. Metal doghouses
Fortunately they are less and less common. Its only real advantage is the strength and durability, but only when they are of good quality.
Otherwise, they are not recommended at all. Although they protect dogs from the sun, they do not always protect them from rain and much less from the wind. In addition, the insulation capacity is so low that the temperature inside is usually very hot or very cold.
Most dogs avoid using metal booths and prefer to sleep on the floor, so these doghouses are usually a wasteful expense. Avoid metal booths.
8 outdoor doghouses
- The goal of a booth is to provide shade in times of heat, and offer protection from cold, rain and wind, creating a comfortable place for our pet throughout the year. Since I am much more concerned with the low temperatures, since in summer I am almost not in the city house, these are the tips that I have been able to
- Finally, I should advise you to complete the house with a fluffy and comfortable mattress for pets, with washable covers to maintain hygiene. This mattress will bring a touch of warmth, and you can remove it or replace it with a cooler one in summer. There are also beds with pet heater on the market, but they are more expensive and I don't feel very confident.
- Of course, on rainy or snowy days, the dog, with wet feet, moistens the mattress and this ends up being one more reason for the house to be cold instead of hot. Check this every so often to remedy it in case it happens.
With these tips and ideas put into practice, we can be sure that our dog will be protected and comfortable Even if you are outside the house. It will mean the disbursement of money that we might not have anticipated, but it will be worth it. I have already moved on to the following pros and cons, since the one in the house is more than resolved.
The design of the booths
The design of the house you are going to choose for your dog depends mainly on your particular tastes. However, it is good that you consider three aspects of the design that can help you and your pet: the removable roof, the location of the door and the existence of an eave.
- If the house has a removable roof you can clean it thoroughly. On the other hand, a house with a fixed roof cannot always be thoroughly cleaned. This aspect is important for wooden houses, since plastic ones can generally be cleaned thoroughly without much problem, even if they have a fixed roof.
- On the other hand, it is better that the house door is moved to the side and not to the center. In this way, the place where your dog will rest is protected>
The size of the house
The doghouse It should not be too big or too small. If it is very small, your dog will simply not enter. If it is very large, it can be uncomfortable and cold for your pet.
The length of the house should be a little longer than the length of your dog, measured from the nose to the base of its tail (not counting the tail). The height should also be a little greater than the total height of your dog (measured up to the head), but not much.
The height of the house should not exceed more than 50% the height of your dog. That is to say that if your dog measures 50 centimeters up to the head, its shed should not be taller than 75 centimeters.
The width of the house should allow your dog to be back inside and can curl up, but it is not good that the interior is very spacious. Dogs are better when they can snuggle against something. Of course, keep in mind that in addition to your dog, there must be a mattress or some blankets inside the house.
Finally, the door has to be spacious enough for your dog to pass comfortably. Its height may be a little less than the height at the cross of your dog (shoulder height), but not much.
Final tips to choose between different doghouses
Taking into account the above factors can help you decide between so many doghouses in the market. However, keep in mind that they are only a guide and not an absolute recipe.
The booths you find in pet stores come in standard sizes for certain breeds, so that will also influence your purchase. Take the mentioned factors into account but follow your own criteria.
If you want to read more articles similar to Tips for choosing a doghouse, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.
Size and model of doghouse
There are as many models of doghouse as different dog breeds, so opting for an appropriate one is sometimes somewhat more complex than it may seem at first glance.
The first thing that we must take into account is the size we need for our dog, we must choose a house whose size allows the dog to turn inside. A house that is too large will not keep the heat inside in winter, while one that is too small will overwhelm our dog.
We must assess the size of our adult dog, if it is a puppy ... remember that they grow very fast. Once we have a correct idea about the size, we must move on to the design.
There are houses with a gable roof, with a flat roof and even doghouses with porch. If you live in a cold area or where it rains a lot, remember to choose a doghouse with a gable roof.
If you live in an area where it is always very hot, a house with a flat roof can serve you. If the house also has a porch or a double roof that shades the house, the shade will help it to not overheat.
How and where to place the doghouse
Remember that the house will be located outside, either in your garden in an area of your property. That means that when it rains, mud will form and even some puddle near it.
The best we can do before placing our dog's house is to cement the area where it will be located, so that no moisture is created by the bottom of the house that could harm the dog. In addition to preventing mud from forming around, it will always remain cleaner.
If we are not going to cement the area where the booth will be, we must isolate the part of the ground where we will place the booth. Well with asphalt or gravel, we must prevent moisture from forming under the doghouse.
The orientation of the house is also fundamental, we must orient the opening to the south so that during the winter the cold air of the north does not enter through the opening. If we live in a hot situation, we will direct the house to the north so that it is cooler.
Should a dog live in a doghouse?
Dogs are animals accustomed to living in packs, with their family. That means that it is best for them to live and sleep with you, their family. Inside the house obviously.
But if for various reasons your dog is going to sleep outside, without a doubt the best option is to sleep inside a good wooden house, have a bowl with fresh and clean water next to it and the house is located next to it. to your house.
Do not make the mistake of leaving a dog tied all day by its shed, that is not life for a dog or any animal. If you can't have a dog, don't have it, but if you have it, don't give it a bad life.
SharePinTweetSendShareSendSend
