Dogs
Large dog houses
Little things. Happy tails.
9 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.
A happy life, one little thing at a time.All dogs beds & furniture →Dog crates →Dog blankets →Elevated dog beds →Dog couches & sofa beds →Dog cooling mats →Dog beds →Orthopedic dog beds →Dog houses →Dog mattresses →Donut dog beds →Dog couch covers →Dog crate beds →
↗Tracked US shippingEstimates on every item↶Returns & refundsHow it works♡Here to helpTalk to Giddy Pets
All large dog houses
Little essentials. Lots of love.
A little guidance
Help choosing large dog houses
Buying guides and care advice written for this range: what to measure, what matters and what to skip.
From our guides
These are the bigger shelters from our Dog Houses range: large wooden outdoor dog houses, a raised weatherproof design and a long model that works indoors or out. They are for owners of medium and large dogs that spend time in the yard and need shade, shelter from rain and somewhere dry to rest.
Sizing a dog house for a big dog
A dog house should be big enough for your dog to walk in, turn around and lie down stretched out, but not so big that the dog's body heat cannot warm it. That balance matters most in winter. Measure your dog from nose to the base of the tail and from the floor to the top of the head while standing.
Look for interior floor dimensions a little longer and wider than your dog's lying length, and an interior height a few inches above the head. The door should be just tall enough for your dog to enter with a slight duck of the head; a very large opening lets heat and rain in.
What makes a dog house weatherproof
A raised floor keeps the base off cold, wet ground and lets air flow underneath. A pitched or sloped roof sheds rain, and an overhang keeps water away from the door. Treated or sealed wood lasts longer, but check that any finish is dry and pet safe before the dog moves in.
Position the house with the door facing away from the prevailing wind, in shade in summer, and on level, well-drained ground. In wet climates a few pavers under the feet keep the wood dry. Reseal exterior wood every year or two.
Keeping a dog house warm in winter
Add bedding your dog can burrow into, such as straw, which stays drier than blankets in damp weather; blankets that get wet become cold. A door flap cuts drafts. The American Kennel Club suggests weather stripping and foam board insulation for outdoor shelters, and warns that any heat lamp or heated mat must have its cords out of the dog's reach.
No dog house makes extreme cold safe. Small, short-coated, young, old or sick dogs should come indoors in freezing weather, and any dog should be brought in during severe cold, ice storms or high heat. Check local rules, since some states and cities set standards for outdoor shelter.
Summer use and cleaning
In summer a dog house is shade. Put it under a tree or on the north side of the house, prop vents open if it has them, and make sure water is always available nearby. On very hot days a house in sun becomes an oven, so dogs belong indoors.
Clean bedding out regularly and check for damp, mold and insects, especially under the floor. Lift off the roof if it is hinged, sweep out, and let it air dry before adding fresh bedding.
What size dog house for a large dog?
The interior should be a little longer and wider than your dog lying stretched out, and a few inches taller than its head. Too large and it will not hold body heat in winter.
Should a dog house be raised off the ground?
Yes. A raised floor keeps out damp and cold from the ground and allows air to circulate, which helps the wood last and keeps your dog drier.
How do I keep my dog house warm?
Use straw bedding, a door flap, a raised floor and some insulation, and face the door away from the wind. Bring dogs indoors in severe cold.
Can a large dog live outside in a dog house?
A dog house provides shelter for time in the yard, but it does not make extreme weather safe. Dogs should come indoors in freezing cold, storms and high heat.