Plastic Dog Houses

As a woodworker, I find it a bit challenging to get excited about plastic dog houses. I mean, they're made from plastic -- and not wood. But, that's just me...

Nonetheless, I can appreciate the appeal of plastic dog houses to some pet owners because they do have their advantages. To wit: they are relatively, inexpensive, lightweight, easy to transport, and easy to clean. Also, they don't have splinters, don't rot, and don't have pores for fleas and tics to take up residence in. If this sounds like your cup of tea, read on...

Tuff-n-Rugged Dog House

The Tuff-n-Rugged Dog House by Pet Zone is a popular model that is suitable for large breeds of dogs, up to 125 lbs or so. We're talking Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers and similar sized dogs.

The double wall construction is a step up from some cheaper single-walled plastic houses in terms of insulating properties. It should do a better job of keeping your pooch warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It comes with a matching vinyl door which you should definitely use in the winter.

Some other features of the Tuff-n-Rugged: a lock-together design that assembles in minutes without tools; fade-resistant plastic with built-in UV protection; adjustable vents, and a raised floor for better isolation from cold and moisture.

Cozy Cottage

The Cozy Cottage is similar in style and construction to the Tuff-n-Rugged house except that it is made for medium-sized dogs. It features double wall construction, a snap together design, and a removable roof for easy cleaning. The simulated windows and roof bump-outs contribute to the cottage look.
 

Dogloo KD Dog House

Ah, the Dogloo... gotta love that name. This is the ever popular igloo-style dog house made by Petmate, a subsidiary of Doskocil Inc.

The marketing literature for the Dogloo claims that the igloo-shaped design and structural foam construction retains your dog's heat better than any other doghouse design. While I have my doubts about that claim, I will admit that the igloo design does have a certain appeal to it...

I had a chance to check out a Dogloo at a local Petco and I was struck by how little the house weighs. It would be a simple matter for one person to move the house in order to wash it or relocate it in the back yard. 

The Dogloo comes with a vinyl door flap, a moisture repellent vinyl floor mat, and an adjustable vent.  It is available in several sizes ranging from medium (beagles)  to giant (Mastiff). The Dogloo KD model shown here is made for large dogs.

Indigo Dog House

The Indigo is a relative of the Dogloo dog house. If you compare the two models, you'll see that the Indigo sports an extended doorway which provides extra protection from the elements as well as extra lounging space for your dog. It comes in medium, large, and extra large sizes.

Otherwise, the Indigo and Dogloo are similar in construction. Both are made from so-called structural foam, have adjustable top ventilation, and come with vinyl doors and floor mats. The Indigo is also lightweight so it's no problem for one person to move it around to different locations in the yard.

Ruff Hauz Dog House

The final plastic dog house entry is the Ruff Hauz from Petmate. As you can see, it's constructed to resemble a barn with a gable roof. It ships as two pieces that fasten together at the base of the roof.

If you're eco-conscious, you'll appreciate the fact that the Ruff Hauz is made from 20% recycled plastic. It's a fairly rigid plastic - like the Dogloo and Indigo - so it should hold up well to rough use.

The raised front panel on the Ruff Hauz makes this house useful as a whelping box for puppies. It will help to keep the little critters and their "by-products" contained. It's also easy to clean with a hose and is chew-proof.

The Ruff Hauz is available in small, medium, and large sizes. All sizes are available with optional pads and doors.