Build a Dog House – Tips
Dog owners will completely agree that each dog is really quite unique with its own individuality, personality and preferences! Dog houses should therefore be designed and sized according to these factors! Your pet’s home should be comfortable and attractive for him to want to use it.
When you set out to build a dog house, you would have to have design and dimensions ready. Most experts agree that the size of the house should be such that your dog may stand in it, lie down comfortably and turn inside the space. Anything over and above this is entirely your personal choice.
In cold areas, heating and insulation are important considerations. A snug house is more likely to retain heat than one which is large and draughty. In general, the height of the house should be just a few inches more than the dog’s standing height. The height of the doorway need only be a little more than the dog’s shoulder height. Measure the length of your pet and make the length and width of the dog house about one-and-one-quarter to one-and-half times that figure. In warm regions, raising the height of the ceiling and installing vents at the top would help keep the structure cool if your design allows an updraft of air. Windows would also help in ventilation while allowing the dog to still remain inside his shelter.
Dog house designs could be plain functional or elaborate. The only limits, once the basic requirements are met, are your imagination and budget! You have all the freedom to get adventurous and experimental if you have the inclination. People have planted green roofs on their dog houses, some provide sunning porches, while other have created veritable fairy-tale mansions! Is your pooch spoilt with all this? Doubtful, but you certainly indulge yourself!
If you are going to get a kit that only needs to be fit together to erect the structure, you must make the relevant measurements of your dog and then pick out a kit that complements the figures. In case you intend to build the dog house yourself from scratch, try a cardboard mock-up to be sure that your pet will not be constrained for space and comfort.
When you have to decide on the materials to be used, keep the climate in mind. Wood, of course, is the traditional choice and the easiest material to use here. PVC, steel, brick and plastic are other choices that people are now opting for. However, be informed about the pros and cons of these before you actually invest. Concrete and brick, for example, could get terribly hot in areas that see temperatures rise over forty degrees Celsius. Keeping the dog house in shade is a necessity in hot regions.
Using practical plans that fulfill your requirements while ensuring your dog’s comfort, rather than placing great importance on aesthetics and looks, are the best bet. Keeping your dog’s comfort as your foremost concern would mean that you are on the right track.
Author: Bill Keene
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Bumper guardian
