Ideal Doghouse For Ontario's Outdoor Dogs

(from a pamphlet published by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (Ontario Humane Society) in the interest of animal welfare)

Doghouse Construction - The doghouse illustrated in Fig. 2 can be simply made from readily available materials. Basically, it is a frame of 2"x2"s, with a 1/2" or 3/4" weatherproof plywood exterior. It has an entrance and hallway that are separated from a sleeping area. Walls, floors and ceiling of the sleeping area are insulated with  1 1/2" styrofoam sheets, which, in turn, are covered on the inside with a panelling of 1/4" hardboard or similar material.

Size of Sleeping Area Floor Space - For each inch of your dog's height (measured from top of shoulder to ground) allow 36 square inches of floor space. For example, a dog 12 inches tall needs 432 square inches of floor space, or a floor area of 16" x 27" = 432 square inches.

Height of Sleeping Area - Add 1 or 2 inches to your dog's measurement when in a sitting position (from top of head to ground), in order to determine the ceiling height. For example, a dog 12 inches tall will have a sitting height of about 14 inches and the doghouse ceiling should be 15 or 16 inches high.

Overall Doghouse Dimensions - For example, a Dalmatian (20" tall, sitting height 23") doghouse should measure: sleeping area: - 20" x 36"; hall area - 12" x 20"; ceiling height - 25"; doorways - 10"square; roof - 36" x 72".

The Outdoor Dog: Additional Considerations - Some breeds of large dogs can live outside during the winter, at least in southern Ontario, if they are provided with an insulated doghouse of the proper dimensions. The dimensions are directly related to the size of the dog and are critically important if the dog is to maintain warmth in the doghouse with its own body heat. The more heavily-coated breeds will endure cold temperatures more easily than will the short-coated breeds, such as Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Bulldogs, Boxers, etc.

Dogs should be acclimatize to outdoor living when they are young and also when the weather is warm. Owners should be aware that, during severe weather, dogs may have to be brought inside the family home.

Doghouse exteriors should be finished with weatherproof material or non leaded paint. Changing the location of the doghouse from summer to winter ill allow you to control the effects of the sun, shade and wind.

Bedding material should be put in the sleeping area. Straw is the recommended bedding, but shavings and shredded paper may also be used. It is not advisable to use blankets. Change the bedding every 1 to 2 weeks, or as required, and keep the house interior clean.

A burlap or canvas outside flap should be used to provide more weather protection in the winter. The wall separating the hall from the sleeping area may be made removable for maximum summer coolness.

The house should be elevated on bricks or cinder blocks to keep the floor dry and it may then be necessary to provide a ramp or step so your dog can get over the raised sill when entering. A low base platform is preferable and allows the dog an area off the ground on which to lie when outside its house.

If your present doghouse has a peaked roof, and if it is large enough, it may be possible to install an insulated ceiling and a separate hallway, in order to make it warmer in the winter.

Dog House Dimensions For Dogs of Various Sizes
(table 1)

(areas and ceiling heights are inside measurements)	Toy Poodles Scottish Terriers 10" shoulder 12" sitting	Miniature Poodles Welsh Corgies 12" shoulder 14" sitting	Shetland Sheepdogs Cocker Spaniels 16" shoulder 18" sitting
Sleeping Area	15" x 24"	16" x 27"	18" x 31"
Hall Area	11" x 15"	12" x 16"	12" x 18"
Combined Area (sleeping & hall)	15" x 35"	16" x 39"	18" x 43"
Ceiling Height	14"	16"	20"
Doorways	7" square	8" square	9" square
Roof	25" x 48"	26" x 54"	34" x 62"
Platform (if used)	25" x 48"	26" x 54"	34" x 62"

(table 2)

(areas and ceiling heights are inside measurements)	Dalmatians Pointers 20" shoulder 23" sitting	Retrievers Collies 24" shoulder 27" sitting	Newfoundlands St. Bernards 28" shoulder 32" sitting
Sleeping Area	20" x 36"	22" x 39"	25" x 43"
Hall Area	12" x 20"	14" x 22"	16" x 25"
Combined Area (sleeping & hall)	20" x 48"	22" x 53"	25" x 59"
Ceiling Height	25"	30"	36"
Doorways	10" square	11" x 13"	12" x 16"
Roof	36" x 72"	38" x 78"	41" x 86"
Platform (if used)	36" x 72"	38" x 78"	41" x 86"