Retrievist / Reviews / Furniture / Best Dog Houses | Top-Rated Outdoor Homes for Dogs
Best Dog Houses | Top-Rated Outdoor Homes for Dogs
For dogs who like to spend a good chunk of their time out in the yard, a dog house can provide some much-needed shade and shelter. There are also indoor dog houses, which create a den-like hiding spot in the house that dogs can relax in. Just make sure they have a comfortable dog bed, too.
No matter the size of your dog, you can find a suitable dog house for their needs. After researching and reading countless reviews, here are our top choices
Best Overall Dog House
- large entrance
- roomy
- well-ventilated
- durable
- lightweight
- easy to clean
This highly durable plastic dog house is suitable for both indoor or outdoor use. It has rear vents for good airflow and an extended roof guard on the entrance to keep dogs dry and prevent water from getting into the structure. It is available in four different sizes to fit a range of dogs, from under 15 pounds to 90 pounds. Reviewers say it's easy to assemb...
This highly durable plastic dog house is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It has rear vents for good airflow and an extended roof guard on the entrance to keep dogs dry.
What Humans Love:Reviewers say it's easy to assemble and you can remove the upper half for easier cleaning, and they love that it comes in four different sizes to fit dogs of all breeds.
This highly durable plastic dog house is suitable for both indoor or outdoor use. It has rear vents for good airflow and...
Best Budget Dog House
- comfortable
- warm
- good hiding place
- attractive
- collapsible
- doubles as ottoman
This affordable indoor dog house is ideal for small dogs, as the door is only 9 inches high and the home is 25 inches long. Dogs will love this cozy option to retreat in for nap time or if they ever feel overwhelmed. The grey and cream color palette is stylish, and it features a plush interior that reviewers say dogs love snuggling in. The roof is also remov...
Dogs will love this cozy option to retreat in for nap time or if they ever feel overwhelmed, but note that this house is only ideal for smaller breeds.
What Humans Love:The grey and cream color palette is stylish, and it features a plush interior that reviewers say dogs love snuggling in. The roof is also removable for easy cleaning.
This affordable indoor dog house is ideal for small dogs, as the door is only 9 inches high and the home is 25 inches lo...
Most Durable Dog House
- insulated
- good ventilation
- raised floor
- barn-style
- keeps dogs dry
- swinging door
This heavy-duty dog house is designed to stand up to all kinds of weather conditions. Its insulated panels measure 2 inches to 4 inches thick, for both warmth and stability so dogs can enjoy it all year long. It's only available in one size that fits dogs with up to 26.5 inches in shoulder height. But that should be enough for most pups and reviewers say the...
This heavy-duty dog house is designed to stand up to all kinds of weather conditions and is thick for both warmth and stability so dogs can enjoy it all year long.
What Humans Love:It's only available in one size, but it should be enough for most pups and reviewers say the swinging door panels are surprisingly easy for dogs to push through.
This heavy-duty dog house is designed to stand up to all kinds of weather conditions. Its insulated panels measure 2 inc...
Our Other Favorites
- feels secure
- great to hide in
- good for small and medium dogs
- easy to assemble
- hinged roof
- stylish
What's great about this pet house is that its collapsible design makes it easy to set up and put away when needed. Unlike some other dog houses, this one stands on its own as decor — though you can paint or stain it to match your aesthetic as long as you use pet-safe paints and varnishes. It's available in three different sizes, but at 24 inches high, the ...
- easy to assemble
- hinged roof
- stylish
- feels secure
- great to hide in
- good for small and medium dogs
What's great about this pet house is that its collapsible design makes it easy to set up and put away when needed. Unlik...
- spacious
- ventilated
- comfortable
- looks good
- assembly is simple
- easy to clean
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish dog house that will stand the test of time, this is a great option. It's made from a non-toxic composite of recycled wood and plastic polymer, which stands up to all kinds of weather conditions and can be painted. It's available in medium and large sizes, which are ideal for bigger dogs, though small dogs can use it, to...
- looks good
- assembly is simple
- easy to clean
- spacious
- ventilated
- comfortable
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish dog house that will stand the test of time, this is a great option. It's made fro...
- stays dry inside
- well-ventilated
- spacious
- tool-free assembly
- durable
- great value
This well-designed dog house is great for outdoor use because of its thoughtful touches, such as ventilation and a raised floor with a drainage system to keep things dry and breathable. It's also made from durable UV-resistant plastic and will stand up to years of use. The side folds out to create a porch and allows dog owners to clean the inside. Reviewers ...
- tool-free assembly
- durable
- great value
- stays dry inside
- well-ventilated
- spacious
This well-designed dog house is great for outdoor use because of its thoughtful touches, such as ventilation and a raise...
- large entrance
- ventilated
- floor drainage
- easy to assemble
- wipe clean
- stakes into the ground
This basic yet functional outdoor dog house comes in one size that fits dogs up to 70 pounds. While it provides shelter from the elements, it isn't insulated, so you shouldn't let your dog hide out there during cold spells. But reviewers adore the cute barn-like appearance and how easily it was to snap together.
While this dog house can still ...
While this dog house can still be functional indoors, know that there's a drainage system on the floor to keep the interior dry in wet weather and a vent that allows proper airflow.
- easy to assemble
- wipe clean
- stakes into the ground
- large entrance
- ventilated
- floor drainage
This basic yet functional outdoor dog house comes in one size that fits dogs up to 70 pounds. While it provides shelter ...
While this dog house can still be functional indoors, know that there's a drainage system on the floor to keep the interior dry in wet weather and a vent that allows proper airflow.
- two lounging areas
- cozy
- good for small dogs
- sturdy
- easy to clean
- attractive
The small dog who deserves a second home will love this dog house. In addition to a cozy interior space, this model has steps leading to a roof terrace for the ultimate lounge spot for your door. Made from cedar wood, it naturally protects against heat and humidity, and weathers nicely over time. Reviewers also mention how sturdy it is as well as how their p...
- sturdy
- easy to clean
- attractive
- two lounging areas
- cozy
- good for small dogs
The small dog who deserves a second home will love this dog house. In addition to a cozy interior space, this model has ...
- spacious
- large entrance
- draft-resistant
- durable
- attractive
- easy to clean
This dog house is made from solid pine and is painted white and gray for an attractive finish in any backyard. The hinged roof lifts up to make cleaning easy, and it can also be propped open when dogs need more ventilation. It's available in three different sizes and the raised legs allow for better air circulation. Reviewers say it's larger than they expect...
- durable
- attractive
- easy to clean
- spacious
- large entrance
- draft-resistant
This dog house is made from solid pine and is painted white and gray for an attractive finish in any backyard. The hinge...
- stays dry
- well-ventilated
- cozy
- simple assembly
- easy to clean
- durable
This barn-shaped dog house is suitable for small dogs up to 15 pounds. Crafted from heavy-duty plastic, there are rear vents for decent airflow, while the extended roof on the entrance helps keep the rain out. Plus, assembly is simple, with two parts that clip together and are just as easy to take apart for cleaning. With more than 1,200 reviews and a 4.6...
- simple assembly
- easy to clean
- durable
- stays dry
- well-ventilated
- cozy
This barn-shaped dog house is suitable for small dogs up to 15 pounds. Crafted from heavy-duty plastic, there are rea...
What is a Dog House?
A dog house is a small shelter that dogs are able to lounge in either indoors or outdoors. Most dog houses are designed for outdoor use, which is perfect for dogs who love hanging out in the yard even when the weather isn't ideal.
These structures are typically made with weather-proof materials, offer ventilation, and have hanging roofs to prevent water from getting through. Because of the hard materials in dog houses, it's recommended to add blankets or dog beds to make the space extra cozy.
Dogs shouldn't live outside, unless in climate-controlled kennels or outbuildings. Dog houses are only meant to provide short-term shelter while your dog is hanging out in the yard, as it's easy for dogs to overheat or catch hypothermia. Because of this, they should still have access to the house or a climate-controlled indoor area and not live outside.
Indoor dog houses aren't designed to provide full-time shelter for dogs but rather a spot to relax or sleep in. They're the perfect lounge spot but work better for smaller dogs, as a big structure can take up too much space in your home.
It's not ideal to leave dogs outside unsupervised. They could get injured and are at risk of being stolen, but the digression is up to the owner. Those with fenced-in yards or who have dog doors may feel more comfortable having their dog outside for extended periods of time.
