Dog House heaters

[Bird Dog]

I am in the process of building a new double dog house insulated with 1 1/2 insulation throughout it will have a door and a windbreak inside.I am looking for feedback on what people are using to suppliment the dogs body heat during cold weather. heating pads,light bulbs,bedding materials etc.I will have electricity out to the kennel for heated water buckets and it will be on a ground fault circuit.I have heard a few horror stories on the heated mats (with dogs losing there hair in the areas that they contact the mat.I had thought about mounting it to the rear wall and not having it on the floor.Well enough of the rambling,its time for your ideas

Thanks

Bird Dog

[bigdog]

Haven't tried it myself but they do make an under floor electric heat panel. Often install under tile floors in bathrooms.

[BLACKJACK]

I've heard of people putting light bulbs in a cage inside the kennel, but I've never tried it myself. I've just went with the doghouse design where the dog has to go around the partition into the bedding area, and then piled straw bales around and ontop of the house. My dogs always sleep outside and my wife likes the 'reservation look'.

[Wayne Ek]

I've used a sow welping pad that I purchased from a farm coop store years ago. Never had a problem with it. I have it on the floor and framed in, with peg board over it. In the second kennel I just purchased a K-9 condo, dog den II, and a heater. I'm impressed with the heater and you can purchase them separate of the dog houses, web site www.k9condo.

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Wayne
Agape Fishing Guides
www.agapefishingguides.com

[fishnutbob]

I have four dogs and put two in a kennel floor insulated with foam inch and a half plywood over insulation bedding I use cedar chips with straw small light bulb in kennel two dogs help heat it and with the light bulb they stay warm, I have installed new doors that swing in and out real heavy plastic and stainless steel frame best kennel door Ive found. Bob A.

[Ruttin' Buck]

I have an inside dog, so my lab doesn't get much of a coat in the winter so I heat her house.

I use a bulb. Heard the same horror stories about young dogs reaking havoc on the pads...risking electrocution! My dog doesn't like anything over the door...she removes it so she can see outside. Also, as you can imagine, she's not fond of the around the corner design....I know, I know, she's worse than a woman...oooopppsi daisy, did I say that?

So, I wired up a light fixture and mounted it up in the corner of the house. I used a red heat lamp which are designed to direct heat one direction. I lined the ceiling and wall near the bulb with tin as a precautionary measure anyway. Have used it for 3 years this way without incident.