Choosing a Dog House for a Big Dog

There are various breeds of canines around the world and are classified in seven categories namely terrier, toy, working, sporting, hound, non-sporting and herding group. Each category has a sundry set of abilities, qualities, potential, responsibility, and function varying from one to another.

Some breeds can only accommodate to certain types of climate, while some are only accessible at a particular location, and each dog is different in build or framework. But in this article we will talk about the bigger side of the scale, big furry canines. You might already own a big pet dog or in the process of wanting to adopt your own big dog. Check this out: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/profiles.

If you are still in the process of searching for the soulmate of your life, you can easily browse the diverse breeds of naturally big canines on the internet to find that certain doggo you like, or if you’re up for a little adventure to wander around different pet shops in your city, just to experience personally that little spark when you finally find that specific pup.

There is a wide range of options you can choose from. But generally speaking, larger canines fall in the terrier, working, sporting, hound, and non-sporting groups of dogs. Some big canine are Airedale Terrier, German Shepherd, Belgian Tervuren, Samoyed, Bullmastiff, Rottweiler, Alaskan Malamute, Boerboel, Akita, Bernese Mountain Dog, Golden Retriever, Labradoodle, Dobermann, Siberian Husky, Labrador and English Pointer.

Adopting a pet, however, is somehow similar as taking in children. It will cost you a hell lot of money. But trust me; it’s going to be worth every single dollar (read more). Thinking it thoroughly and putting in extra caution is needed to avoid impulsive decision making. As a pet parent you should already foresee the upcoming maintenance like scheduled veterinary visits, exercises and the basic needs such food and a dog house. And in big dogs you can expect a lot more. In this article, we will be guiding you in how to find a quality grade house for your furry little friend.

Dog houses, kennels, or sheds are small sheds that are made with the purpose to yield shelter to dogs, from different weather conditions, and to produce the feeling of safety and security within the animal. It is usually constructed in the same figure or form of that of a house. It can be made from a range of materials, such as plastic, wood, hardboard, and resin. And since you are opting for a big canine, you need to provide a bigger house for your pet.

There is an extensive range of dog houses being sold in the market that varies in material, designs practicality and features. If you’re only starting out the pet parenthood journey, it might get a little too overwhelming in finding the ideal house that suits you and your not so little pet. And as it is a big investment you might want to take careful thought in picking out through the different models. We will provide a small guide in choosing what is best.

What to Look for in Big Dog Houses:

High Grade Quality and Durability

Dog houses are usually made from either wood, metal, or plastic materials. All materials have their advantage and disadvantages. If you are considering the option of buying plastic houses, it will be easier and more convenient to pick out a house for larger pets, for plastic houses comes in a production of a variety of shapes and sizes.

Plastic materials are also a non-decaying medium that can aid in withstanding sudden exposures to different elements, unlike wood. And are waterproof which avoids the build-up of moisture. But keep in mind that low grade plastic will not last long, especially when you own a bigger canine. Flimsy or unstable plastic houses may cause discomfort to your pet, and can be easily broken or damaged by larger dogs. You might have saved up from buying cheaper materials but in the end you’ll need to repurchase another unit to replace it, which will turn out to be more costly.

Plastic also has a risk of becoming brittle that causes cracking, and powdering of particles in the long run. High grade plastic though will have a higher life expectancy than cheaper ones but in comparison to typical lumber wood it would be still expensive, in the sense that both parties expected longevity is more on the equal side. Basically, you will be paying more for a material that only has the same quality performance, as the cheaper one.

Wood as a material is quite substantial especially lumber and cedar, you can expect a longer lifeline with canine houses that are made of wood as long as there is proper maintenance imposed or practiced.

Easier Maintenance

You have to understand that it’s not easy maintaining a large dog house. Since the size of the house is bigger to accommodate the canine, it generally takes up a huge chunk of time to properly cleanse and fumigate the whole area.

When it comes to maintenance, wooden pet houses are much more arduous to maintain and handle than plastic ones. Wood as a substance is more prone to attract different kinds of insects and it is much harder to clean up when certain organisms tries to inhabit it. Plus, another factor that contributes to the hassle is its porous surface. It usually takes take the whole day to dry up when washed.

Wood demands more attention in keeping it preserved. While plastic dog houses are quite low maintenance. The plastic material makes it more effective to properly disinfect and sanitize the pet house, even when other organisms try to penetrate the area.

Good Insulation

It is vital to select the most fitting house by knowing your dog’s measurements, in order for proper insulation to take place. Although this is about big houses for big pets, we should remember that we shouldn’t go all crazy, going our way out purchasing excessively huge houses for our pets. It only needs the exact measurements of your dogs to perfectly suit them, and allow enough heat to be retained inside the shed, and cool air to circulate. In the topic of insulation wood is the best medium for it. Unlike plastic that can easily transfer off cold and heat. Every material has its pros and cons. Wood is better for the outdoors while plastic is more practical indoors.