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Dog House Sizing Guide: Details You Need to Know (With Infographic & Pictures)
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Getting your dog a dog house provides them a safe space to rest while they spend time in your backyard. When choosing a doghouse, it’s important to find one that has the right measurements. Dog houses that are too small can feel cramped and cause dogs to overheat during the summer months. Dog houses that are too large can cause dogs to lose heat and warmth and not feel like a cozy space for them.
Getting the right measurements will ensure that your dog feels safe and relaxed inside their doghouse. Here’s how you can find the perfect doghouse for your dog.
Before You Start
Be prepared to do a lot of measuring and some math. Since dogs come in all shapes and sizes, it may take some time to find the right doghouse for your special dog. Getting accurate measurements for your dog will help you find a properly sized doghouse the first time around. Make sure also to use a tape measure, as they tend to take more accurate measurements than straightedges and rulers.
Guide to Size Your Dog's House Accurately
1. Measure Your Dog
The two measurements you’ll need to record for your dog are their height and length. Your dog’s height should be measured from front paw to shoulder while your dog is standing up. Your dog’s length will run from the tip of their nose to their butt. You don’t have to measure down to the end of their tail.
Take your dog’s measurements at least three times to ensure your numbers are accurate and consistent.
2. Check the Height and Length of the Doghouse
Once you have your dog’s measurements, you can start looking at new dog houses. The length and width of the doghouse should be about 25% more than your dog’s length. The height of the doghouse should be around 50% more than your dog’s height.
For example, let’s say your dog’s length measurement is 40 inches and height measurement is 20 inches. The dog house’s length from the entrance to the back wall must be at least 25 inches (20 inches + 5 inches). The dog house’s height should be at least 60 inches (40 inches + 20 inches).
You can go for a doghouse with measurements that are a little larger than this. However, going too overboard can defeat the purpose of getting your dog a doghouse, as it won’t be a cozy space that will help your dog stay warm.
3. Check the Dog House’s Door Height
Remember also to measure the doghouse’s door height. A door that’s too tall will let your dog in and out of the doghouse easily, but it’ll also cause a draft. Your dog can duck their head when they enter the doghouse, but they shouldn’t have to army crawl to get inside.
A good measurement for the door height will be about ¾ of your dog’s height. So, if your dog’s height from shoulder to front paw is 20 inches, a 15-inch door length will suffice.
4. Choose the Right Material
It’s also important to consider the type of material that the doghouse is made of. The material will depend on what type of climate you live in. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain or snow, you’ll want to get a doghouse that’s water-resistant or waterproof. It should also have thicker walls for better insulation.
If you live in a warmer climate, look for doghouses made with thinner and more breathable material. This will prevent overheating and help your dog rest in a cool space.
Other Considerations for Doghouses
Once you get the important details covered, you can start to consider other doghouse features. First, it’s often extremely convenient if you choose a doghouse with a hinged wall or roof. This will help you clean out the doghouse quickly, and it’ll be much easier to change out and replace any bedding.
It’s also a good idea to look for a raised doghouse or a platform for your doghouse. This will prevent moisture from getting inside the doghouse and soaking into the material. Raised platforms can also help with controlling the internal temperature of the doghouse.
Lastly, you may want to look for dog houses with slanted floors. Slanted floors will help with drainage and prevent rainwater and other moisture from pooling and soaking into the floor of the doghouse.
Conclusion
Your dog will appreciate having an outdoor refuge that they can retreat to while they’re spending time outside. A properly sized doghouse will keep your dog dry and warm during the colder months and cool during the warmer months. So, make sure to take the time to measure your dog and their doghouse properly. This will ensure that you find a cozy space for your dog that’ll keep them safe all year round.
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Featured Image Credit: Phuttharak, Shutterstock
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Jessica is a freelance writer who spends most of her day reading and writing while her fluffy Cavapoo, Nora, naps beside her. She loves and appreciates pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for people. As a dog mom, she understands the special relationship that pet parents have with their pets. So, she loves sharing helpful information that people can use to better understand their pets. When she’s not writing, you can find her walking dogs, tending to her plant babies, or drinking her nth cup of coffee.
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