A gable roof is more of the "classic" doghouse shape and is best for larger dogs or in areas that experience a lot of rain or snow, so that rain and snow won't gather and get stuck on the top.
Dog House Shape
The typical dog house is shaped like a rectangle.
The width and length of a dog house should be about 25 percent larger than your dog's nose-to-flank length. To calculate, measure your dog from her nose to the base of her tail, and multiply the result by 1.25. Example: If your dog's length is 25 in., the dog house needs to be at least 31.25 in. wide on each side.
Most dog house plans suggest that the dog house door faces east. The cold air will not be able to whip through the entryway then. It is suggested that you put hinges on the roof of the dog house.
Sun and shade
Even in cooler climates and with proper ventilation, your dog house will heat up quickly in direct sunlight. To figure out where the sun and shade are in your yard, take a Saturday afternoon when you're home all day, and periodically go outside and see where the sunny and shady spots are.
Since dogs aren't born knowing how to walk on a leash properly, it's our job to teach them. Walking your pet on the left side teaches your dog that you are the dominant member of the “pack.” Many alpha dogs love to pull their owners and this can be both frustrating and allow your pet to dominate you.
Dogs tend to like “dens” and young dogs especially like to curl up in a den where they feel secure. An older dog that has not been exposed to a dog house before may be more reluctant to enter the dog house and find it confusing or view it as a trap or punishment.
Add 4 inches to the height measurement. These two measurements will give you a minimum size for your doghouse. Example: Dog length of 24 inches + 4 = 28 inches for minimum doghouse width and length. Dog height (with ears) of 22 inches + 4 = 26 inches for minimum doghouse height.
A dog house should be approximately 25 percent taller than your dogs total height and should not be more than 50 percent taller than your dog's total height. Buying a dog house that is too tall can make it hard for your furry friend to keep warm in the cold.
Selecting the correct size of dog house is very important for your pet's comfort. A house that is too small will be cramped and uncomfortable and a house that is dramatically too large will not provide as much protection during very cold weather.
Structure on the BOP roof where the junction header power relief vents through to the atmosphere.
Why is it important to have a proper dog house? (Having a proper dog house ensures the dog is comfortable and safe outdoors and contributing to meeting some of the animal's basic needs. By law, dogs need access to a shelter – even if they don't regularly use it.)
Many DIY kennels have concrete floors, but the material is hard on dog joints and can lead to skeletal problems. Far better flooring options include rubber, epoxy, plastic, vinyl, and engineered wood.
Add cedar or pine shavings to the interior of his doghouse and the wood shavings will hold body heat, giving your dog a warm spot. These wood chips are natural insect repellants and can help keep fleas and other bugs at bay.
Wood is usually the material of choice for those building doghouses, as it's is easy to work with and provides better insulation from the elements than plastic outdoor kennels. Fir, cedar, and pine are go-to choices for types of wood, though parts of the doghouse can even use plywood or wooden pallets.
Dog houses are fairly simple and budget-friendly projects and can be usually be completed by someone with just basic building skills. They'll take anywhere from half a day to a few days to complete and can easily be done for under $100.
To help keep your pet warm in the winter and cool in the summer, install rigid foam insulation in the wall cavities. Use either 1-1/2"-thick foam or glue up layers of 1" and 1/2" foam. Cut these to fit and then cover them with 1/4"-plywood. (If you don't, your pup may discover the foam is fun to nibble on.)
The study found that dogs are most likely to prefer a specific paw rather than be ambidextrous, with 68 percent of canines showing either left- or right-sided paw preference. However, unlike humans who are predominately right-handed, the dog population as a whole doesn't favor a specific paw.
As to which side the dog goes on, show and hunting dogs are trained to stay on their human's left side, but for most dogs, it doesn't matter. Experts, however, suggest you pick a side — left or right — and keep to it so that the dog doesn't accidentally trip you going back and forth.
Handy Tips: “Heel” is traditionally on your left side for obedience and rally competitions. Hold your treat hand at your chest. This will prevent luring (dog just following the food) and jumping while walking if your treat hand is just out of reach.