Insulated dog house question

[Scott K]

I was looking around to get an insulated dog house for my dog, and was told by a dog breeder that not to use an insulated house, that its best to just use something to get them out of the enviroment, block the wind, snow, rain ect. He said that an insulated house only makes it worse being the dog has to adapt to the warmer house, and then back to the cold everytime it goes outside.

What are your thoughts on this? Is he off the wall? If it was me, I would want a nice warm bed to sleep in!

[stretch]

i can see where the breeder is geeting at but it's no different when you have a house dog and let it out to go hunting or to the bathroom. i have a insulated dog house with a heater in it for my lab and i have never seen a problem with her adjusting to the cold. if i were you i would get your dog a insulated dog house.

[inthecattails]

I understand what he's saying as well but I don't want my dog shivering out in the cold in the dead of winter. I went insulated and heater as well. She lays out side when she wants on what I consider cold days and seems fine. Works nice in the summer as well. House stays cooler and she is in there a majority of the day when it's hot out.

[Tom7227]

I have built a insulated dog house for both labs and Brits. It has a slanted roof from side to side, and two rooms. The size depends on the dog you're housing. I think that insulation is simply mandatory if you keep the dogs out all winter.

I'm on vacation right now but will be home in a couple of days. If you want I can try and copy the plans and send them to you. It is a 4-5 hour project and will cost you about $150 or so.

[email protected]

[Scott K]

Thanks, I figured she would be more cozy in a warm bed, then to sit out in the cold.

Tom7227, I have some plans already, just didnt know whether to insulate or not.

[Tom7227]

Couple of things - be sure to put a layer under the flooring. I added a piece of plywood over that layer just to keep the mice out a bit. Secondly I also added a couple of 2 X 2's on the long sides of the inside room of the dog house. When it gets cold I lay a piece of plywood over that and then a layer of foam insulation. I take it out in the spring when things warm up.