Wood Dog Houses - The Natural Solution

Wood dog houses are the largest single category of doghouse, and the first choice for most dog owners looking to provide an attractive shelter for their pet.

With such a large range to choose from, buying a wooden dog house can be a bewildering experience, so let’s look in detail at what is available and help you work out what would be best for you and your dog.

Many owners choose a wooden house simply because it ‘looks’ right – natural materials and traditional designs combine to create a style of doghouse that fits into most surroundings and just looks good with a dog sitting in it.

Wood Used In Dog House Construction

There are three common materials for dog houses made from wood; plywood, cedar and fir. Each has its advantages.

• Plywood is the most economical construction material. Make sure you are getting thick, exterior grade plywood as cheaper grades will simply peel apart after a short time. This kind of wood is a flat sheet material and comes in a range of painted and stained finishes.
• Cedar houses on the other hand are made from planks for a more rustic look. Although cedar can be painted or stained, the reason it is an excellent construction material for outdoor buildings is that it is very weather-resistant in its natural state and ages nicely over time.
• Fir is most commonly used in log form to create log cabin style doghouses.

A firm favorite with dog owners is the ‘A-Frame’ design. This is the classic-look doghouse brought up-to-date with design features and options for today’s dog!

The A-Frame style may be constructed from plywood or cedar wood and can be anything from basic to deluxe depending on the material, finish and extras. One downside to this design is that the large central door can allow the wind and rain easy access, so a properly fitting flap door is a useful accessory. These framed doors are included with many models, but can also be bought separately and are easily fitted.

The basic A-frame design has been developed in all kinds of ways – different roofing materials, adding real or mock windows, putting scrollwork on the eaves – to create a whole catalog of variations to suit you, your dog and your setting.

If you still can’t find exactly what you’re looking for - buying an unfinished A-Frame kit offers all kinds of possibilities! You could paint it to match your house, or in your team colors – or you could add your own extra décor and fittings to produce a truly custom home for your dog.

If you have two dogs that don’t like to be separated, you can get wooden houses that are big enough for two dogs. There are also large styles for single dogs that include patios and porches – and even split levels with stairs up to a fenced rooftop balcony!

A simple alternative is the flat-roofed style. These tend to have a larger floor area, which is good for larger dog breeds, and the off-center door means your pet can shelter well away from the wind and rain. Some larger models even have two doors but still have a very sheltered area between them. This style is also great in good weather – when your dogs can enjoy sunning themselves on top of their shelter.

Talking about the climate, wooden shelters –plywood, cedar and fir log – are better at averaging out extremes of temperature than plastic. This makes them warmer in winter and cooler in summer – but if you happen to be in an area with extremely hot or cold periods, you can add an insulation kit to many styles of wood house, providing your dogs with suitable shelter for more of the year.

Once you have chosen ‘the one’ from all the available doghouses, accessories are available to help you turn even the most basic shelter into a real home for your dogs. Good bedding keeps them up off the hard floor and insulates them from the cold – you can even get bed heaters for the colder nights!