Dogs
Dog houses
Little things. Happy tails.
18 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.
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All dog houses
Little essentials. Lots of love.
A little guidance
Help choosing dog houses
Buying guides and care advice written for this range: what to measure, what matters and what to skip.
From our guides
This page brings together dog houses for yards, patios and indoor corners: raised wooden houses with porches and asphalt or waterproof roofs, lightweight plastic houses with air vents, breathable outdoor tents and shade shelters, and a cedar indoor house with a cushion. It is for owners who want a dry, shaded spot for a dog who spends time outside, sized from small breeds to large dogs.
Wooden or plastic
Wooden dog houses make up most of this range. They have a raised floor that keeps the dog off cold or wet ground, and many add a covered porch, an openable or hinged roof for cleaning, and a sloped asphalt or PVC roof that sheds rain. Wood is a better insulator than thin plastic and looks at home in a yard, but it needs a check each year for loose boards and peeling finish.
Plastic houses are lighter, cheaper and easy to hose out, and several have air vents along the top. They suit small to medium dogs, mild climates and owners who move the house around. They warm up more in direct sun, so place them in shade.
Getting the size right
Bigger is not better with a dog house. A dog warms its shelter with its own body heat, so the inside should be just large enough to stand, turn around and lie down stretched out. Measure your dog standing, nose to tail base and floor to the top of the head, and choose a house a few inches larger in each direction.
The door should be just tall enough for your dog to walk in with the head slightly lowered; a huge opening lets wind and rain in. For a large dog, look at the listed interior measurements rather than the outside, because thick walls and roof overhangs take up space.
Preparing a dog house for weather
Place the house where it is out of the wind, with the door turned away from the prevailing weather, and in shade for summer afternoons. A raised floor matters in every season: it keeps the dog off frozen ground in winter and lets air flow underneath in summer.
In cold months, add dry bedding such as straw or a washable pad and replace it when it gets damp, since wet bedding pulls heat away. A flap over the door helps hold warmth. In heat, open vents, move the house into full shade and make sure fresh water is always within reach.
A dog house is not a substitute for indoors
The ASPCA advises keeping pets indoors in cold weather, and the AKC notes that small dogs, puppies, seniors and dogs with health problems are at higher risk below freezing and above 90 degrees F. A dog house is shelter for time spent outside in the yard, not a reason to leave a dog out overnight in a freeze or a heat wave.
Watch for shivering, slowing down or heavy panting and bring your dog in if you see them. Some states and cities set legal standards for outdoor shelter, so check local rules if your dog spends long periods outdoors.
Tents, shade shelters and indoor houses
Not every dog needs a full house. Breathable outdoor tents and shade shelters give a quick, portable spot out of the sun at a campsite, a park or in a yard with no trees. They fold down for storage and suit summer use, but they are not built to keep out cold or heavy rain.
For indoors, a wooden house with a removable cushion gives a dog a den-like retreat that also works as a piece of furniture. It suits small dogs who like to tuck themselves away when the house gets busy.
Cleaning and upkeep
Choose a house with a lift-off or hinged roof, or a removable floor, so you can reach inside without crawling. Sweep out old bedding, check for fleas and ticks in warm months, and wash the floor with mild soap and water a few times a year.
Once a year, tighten screws, check the roof for leaks and reseal wood that has started to gray or split. Keep the house level and off soggy ground; a few pavers underneath stop the base from sitting in water.
What size dog house does my dog need?
Choose a house just large enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lie down stretched out, about a few inches bigger than your dog in each direction. Too much space makes it harder to stay warm.
Are wooden or plastic dog houses better for winter?
Wooden houses with raised floors generally hold warmth better than thin plastic. Whatever the material, add dry bedding, face the door away from the wind and bring your dog indoors in freezing weather.
How do I keep a dog house cool in summer?
Put it in full shade, open any vents, keep the floor raised so air moves underneath and leave fresh water beside it. On very hot days, bring your dog inside.
Can a dog live outside in a dog house?
A dog house is shelter for time outdoors, not a replacement for living indoors. The ASPCA advises keeping pets inside in cold weather, and small, young and older dogs are at greater risk in heat and cold.
What bedding should go in an outdoor dog house?
Straw or a washable, water-resistant pad works well. Avoid blankets that soak up moisture, and replace any bedding as soon as it gets damp.