I live in western KY. Ive seen the dog houses that look like an igloo around. How good of a job do these really do? Weather is not too extreme during the summer or winter. Also would it cost me about the same to build a wooden one like Ed has pics of on here?
Here is a link for plans on different models of wooden ones. They were pretty impressive, but may be more than you're looking for. http://www.doghouseplans.com/
I actually saw those yesterday. They are very nice, but all I'm concerned about is practicality and price. If it's going to cost the same to buy a dog house as to build one, and they both function equally, I just as soon get one ready made.
The trouble with most ready made dog houses is that the door is WAY too big so it is hard to keep any bedding in the house and there is too much air exchange. I guess most people think that a dog doesn't want to step over a door frame or duck his head to get in his den.
The design on these houses is nice because the door is off center, there is a wind wall, and with the hinged lid it would be easy to clean. They have also thoughtfully provided a handy window chew box, always nice for a bored or destructive dog.
These houses http://www.gundogsupply.com/dog-house.html are very well insulated, chew proof, the door is well made, and it's easy to clean. I got two used ones on ebay.
I also have a snap together plastic house that I modified. I covered the huge door hole with a sheet of heavy plastic with a smaller offest flap door cut out and hinged on with heavy wire loops at the top. It works great and the dogs much prefer it over the Igloo in the same pen.
John Corbett Webboard User Reg: 08-11-2007
Posts: 47
Loc: Stow, Ohio
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If your dog is going to be out most of the time I would get somthing like Debbie mentioned. I don't like the igloos either for the same reasons. I do have a couple of Igloos in the back yard I stuffed under and between bushes so they have a place to rest or crawl into when they are out and I am out with them working outside for an extended period of time. I don't expect them to be living quarters so they work for me. I got them cheap at a garage sale.
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
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Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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I use a modification on the leerburg recommended design. Our main issue here is water. It's often rainey and drainage here can be a bit of a pain since moss holds water, the ground grows moss not grass and nothing sucks heat faster than wet dirt.
http://leerburg.com/knlpup.htm basically I added a lift on the bottom to allow airflow and ease of movement since I can now move around the house easily with a pallet jack. So far it's held up pretty well in the wet weather although I will be redoing the roof this summer and taking it to a metal or plastic top with a bit more of an overhang on the front. I am not happy with the wear on the composite shingles I've used so far.
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