An Insulated Dog House: A Protective Shelter

Having a place to keep canine companions dry and
secure is a priority when keeping a dog outside.
Whether it's for play times or extended periods,
ensuring there is a place where the dog can seek
shelter from the elements is an essential part of
keeping him or her safe, healthy, and happy.
Having an insulated dog house is ideal and often
necessary to protect against harsh elements of
heat or extreme cold. Having an insulated
shelter can deflect harmful heat temperatures as
well as preserve heat in the coldest winters. But
not all insulated shelters are created equal and
careful consideration must be given to the type
and function, to ensure the dog house meets the
challenges of the environment.

Types of Houses with Insulation

Though there are many kinds of insulated
shelters for dogs, most will be specifically
designed for either hot temperatures or cold
temperatures. These considerations are
important. While a dog can withstand colder
temperatures for longer than a human can, they
can succumb to pneumonia and the effects of
exposure if subjected to extreme cold for long
periods of time. A dog's true weakness is in
extreme heat, as dogs cannot sweat or perspire
to shed heat from the body. They release heat by
panting but can quickly and easily succumb to
heat stroke.

Because of these truths it is important to
determine what weather extreme is most prevalent
or troublesome for the dog. For regions where
summers are very hot and winters are very cold,
choosing a well insulated shelter and
supplementing with heating or cooling equipment
may be necessary.

When preparing to choose an insulated dog house
it is important to consider the following
details:

- How is the dog house insulated?

- Does the dog house include a door to trap heat
efficiently?

- Does the dog house including a cooling or
heating function?

- Is the dog house big enough for the dog
without being too big to stay warm?

- Is the dog house easy to assemble and set up?

Answering these questions will help determine
whether the dog house in question is appropriate
for the conditions and for the dog.

Building a Custom Dog House

Some people may decide to undertake the project
of building an insulated home for their canine
companion. This can be a worthy undertaking with
proper planning and thorough understanding of how
insulation functions. Without conducting proper
research on which materials and which design is
most appropriate, it is possible to build a dog
house that may not prove to be protective enough
against the weather.

An insulated shelter needs the following:

- Appropriate and high quality insulation as
used in home construction

- Adequate ventilation for extreme heat or an
external heat source for extreme cold

- A door to keep heat inside the insulated area
and to keep hot air out

- Appropriate design and size for the dog's
comfort

Choosing a protective shelter for a canine that
must spend time in the outdoors is an important
part of protecting the dog's health and
well-being. It also allows the dog to seek
shelter at his or her leisure while ensuring the
dog always has a safe place to be. With proper
research choosing a shelter can be a joyous
occasion for both dog and owner.

----------------------------------------------------
Steven Barnhart is owner of Doowaggle a great
resource for custom dog houses, climate
controlled dog houses and other dog supplies
designed to enhance the life of your pet.

http://www.doowaggle.com/dog-houses

EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=260495

>