Dog houses, the ultimate refuge for your pet! Whether you’re looking to home your dog for just a couple of hours a day while you’re at work or as a permanent fixture, we’ve got you covered.
A dog house provides shelter, security and comfort.
Dog houses come in various shapes, sizes and build. However, my guess is that you can probably agree that they all aren’t equal when it comes to durability and comfort. Some lack ventilation, some just don’t seem to have the space your pet needs to move around or stand up and still others can be chewed to pieces.
One thing is for sure though; as a dog owner, you’ll need a dog house be it for indoor or outdoor use, or both!
Before you go and pick one up, take a brief look at our best dog house comparison table, followed by our reviews of our top picks. We’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to.
Best Dog Houses For Large Dogs
Suncast DH350 Dog House Review: Budget Buy Dog House for Large Dogs
Our top pick is a best budget buy dog house suitable for large dogs up to 100 pounds and for outdoor use. This five star rated product available right here, is weatherproof and built to last thanks its durable resin construction.
Equally important to note is that the large and roomy Suncase DH350 Dog House comes with vinyl doors/door flaps.
The house is fully rainproof, just ensure you follow the assembly instructions, and the unit has been properly set up. The house is very quick and easy to set up with no tools required.
Despite being built with hard plastic, the house performs equally well during both hot summer days and cold wintry days, is what one user reported.
Some users mentioned that the dog house unit can also be taken apart, is lightweight and portable, so you can bring it along with you in your travels.
The dimensions for the Suncast DH350 Dog House are:
• Dimensions: 33 in. W x 38-1/2 in. D x 32 in. H
• Door opening: 13-3/4 in. W x 19-1/2in. H.
This is easily one of the best quality economical dog houses with raving reviews. If you have a definite need for large dog house but are on a budget we suggest this product. But don’t just take our word, go here to check all customer reviews.
Confidence Pet Waterproof Dog House: Best All-Weather Dog House
If you are looking for the large
best waterproof dog house, take a close look at the Confidence Pet Waterproof Dog Kennel Winter House.
Since space is a key factor for most dog owners, it’s important to note that the Confidence Dog House comes in three sizes:
• Medium, with dimensions of 29 W x 26 D x 27 H inches and door entrance dimensions of 10.5 W x 17 H inches.
• Large, with dimensions of 34.5 Wx 31 D x 32 H inches and door entrance dimensions of 12.5 W x 20.5 H inches.
• Extra Large, with dimensions of 41.3 W x 38 D x 38.7 H inches and door entrance dimensions of 14.1 W x 24.6 H inches.
The XL dog house comfortably fits large breed dogs, there are reviews of pet owners who have successfully housed the following breeds: German Shepherds, Cane Corso, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Pitbulls, Blood Hounds, American Bull dogs.
It also fits up to 2-3 medium sized breed dogs comfortably if you own more than one pup.
Confidence Dog House will provide your dog with all the comforts and personal space he or she needs. The main pros for this outdoor dog house is that it is easy to assemble, easy to clean inside, easy to dismantle and even portable when fully assembled.
Dog owners have reported it is chew-proof, very sturdy and great quality for the price.
Only a slightly pricier alternative to the Suncast Dog House, it it is a great alternative to those looking for the best all-weather dog house that is comparable to Suncast both in terms of quality and durability.
If you’re interested, check out the Suncast Dog House product listing on Amazon to check out customer reviews and the latest price.
Merry Products: Best Extra Large Dog Houses for Multiple Dogs
Need an outdoor dog house to accommodate an extra large dog weighing 100+ pounds? If you are, then you may want to take a close look at the Merry Products XL Solid Wood Dog House. This unique and distinctive duplex dog house is built with solid wood and comes with two door flaps.
Since the health of your dog is an important deciding factor when considering to buy a dog house, we recommend to purchase a dog house whose roof and floor panels are removable like this one.
Why?
Hygiene! You want to be able to get access to all parts inside of the house to clean, maintain and treat/check for ticks, lice and other parasites.
The roof comes off easily with a handy drill as does the floor paneling.
Some owners prefer to remove the partition to house either one dog or keep it and house multiple dogs since it's so spacious. The kennel is also easy to assemble (under 30 mins.) and is sturdy.
This dog house also features a raised-bottom design to help keep your pet dry and is naturally insulating.
The exact dimensions of the dog house are:
• External (overall house): 73W x 39D x 42H inches
• Internal (on each side): 30W x 30D x 40H inches
• Door Opening (on each side): 18W x 24H inches
This feature-rich dog house provides a comfortable and cosy den for your pet to sleep in, keep dry and feel secure.
For an XL sized dog such as a Great Dane or an Irish Wolfhound this is a solid option. You may have to go the extra mile and reinforce the floor and seal the wood to accommodate for the extra weight.
As for the price, you’ll find a good deal on Amazon – for your convenience here is a direct link to the Merry Dog House Amazon listing.
Boomer & George T-Bone A-Frame XL Dog House: Best Log Cabin Dog House
Here’s another high-quality large dog house from Boomer & George: the T-Bone A-Frame Dog House.
This outdoor dog house is built from solid wood and the slat-wood flooring gives it a strong base with a roomy interior. The golden stained wood exterior is topped with a rather cute, green gable roof, and a faux window to let daylight in and give it that cozy look and feel.
The dimensions of the XL T-Bone A-Frame Dog House are:
• Dog house dimensions (includes roof overhang): 40L x 45W x 48H in
• Interior Dimensions: 28.94W x 34.65D x 39.37H inches
• Door Opening Dimensions: 15W x 18.9H inches.
One of the drawbacks, is that the roof is not removable.
The flooring is raised off the ground which is a great feature and will keep your pet nice and dry. The entrance is a pretty generous size to accommodate a large-breed dog. Finally, the wood is waterproof and the house is easy to assemble.
Overall this a great log-cabin like dog house with an expansive entrance and raised flooring ideal for older dogs who have trouble getting up and down. But don’t just take our word, go here to check all dog owner reviews on the Amazon.
Dog House Buying Guide
What size dog house do you need for a large dog?
A dog house is not just a sleeping den, it gives your pet a place to go and hide in and give him a sense of security. As such it is important to get an appropriately sized dog house for your pet.
The house should be at a couple of inches taller and longer than your dog. This is to allow your pet to freely enter, stand and move around.
So, if you want to learn how big should a dog house be for a large dog, here's how to measure your dog for a dog house:
1. Door height opening: shoulder to ground = no less than 3/4's of your dog's shoulder to ground measurements.
2. Width and length of the dog house: Nose to tail = same as or no more than 25% of the nose to flank (exclude tail) measurements.
3. Height of the dog house: Head to ground = 25% (no more than 50%) taller than the height of the top of the dog's head to the ground.
Anything larger than that, during winter months, body heat retention may jeopardized if the interior space is too big.
We recommend, always to choose bigger over smaller; especially in the case of growing pups.
You also want to be able to leave water and a mat/bed/blanket for comfort that can be easily removed for cleaning.
Failing to routinely clean the dog house and it’s contents can lead to your pet harboring fleas, tick and other parasitic infestations.
Breeds
Medium-Large
Australian Shepherd, English Springer Spaniel, Border Collie, Labrador Retriever
Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer.
- Up to 75 lbs
- Shoulder to ground: 20"
- Nose to tail: 30”
- Head to ground: 24”
Large
Akita, American Bulldog, Boxer, Rottweiler, Collie, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever.
- 76-100 lbs.
- Shoulder to ground: 25"
- Nose to tail: 35”
- Head to ground: 35”
XL/XXL
Afghan, Bullmastiff, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, Irish Wolfhound
- 100 lbs.+
- Shoulder to ground: 30”
- Nose to tail: 40”
- Head to ground: 40”
What materials is the dog house constructed with?
Do you have a need for a lightweight yet durable dog house or a more permanent fixture? There are two primary material options to choose from when it comes to buying your pet’s den.
Plastic Crate
Pros
- Chew proof
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Easy to keep clean
- Economically prices
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Can get too hot in the summer time.
Wood Crate
Pros
- Aesthetically nice looking
- Heat resistant
- Generally good quality
Cons
- Assembly is longer
- Pricier
Other Considerations
If you have found a dog house that fits your budget and provides ample space for your pet, and you still find that you are on the fence, there are other things to take into consideration. Here are few of them:
Raised Floor
A dog house should come with a raised floor.
This allows for air to circulate, keeping the floor dry, your pet nice and comfortable and protects the house from moisture which will also help extend the life of your dog house.
Not to mention, it works great at preventing fleas and other parasites off your dog or his bedding.
Insulation
Some dog houses feature insulation on the front and side panels. This could be in the form of timber, Styrofoam, plywood (or DIY carpet remnants)!
This an essential feature since insulated walls helps keep out the cold winter and the heat in summer!
Removable Roof/Flooring
Removable roof and flooring are important features you should consider making a priority when looking at potential dog houses.
It's essential that you can access all parts of your dog house to treat/check for, pests, fleas, and other parasites which will hide in nooks and crannies of the house.
So, what is the best dog house for extra large dogs?
Keep in mind that the best dog house is not always necessarily the most expensive one.
Every one of our large dog house choices above provides unique features. Take a closer look at the different options that each dog house has to offer to determine whether or not they fit the personal space and comfort needs of your dog.
You might also be interested in our guide to the Best Outdoor Dog Toys to help keep Fido entertained and active.
You might also be interested in our DIY projects guide on How to Build a DIY Pallet Doghouse for your pooch!
