Dog Houses"How To Choose A Dog House Or Kennel For Your Cocker Spaniel"Dog houses (or dog kennels as they are also known) are small den-like shelters specially made for dogs. They're designed for use outdoors and should be well-insulated to protect your Cocker Spaniel against the elements - sun, rain, and wind. A well made kennel will keep your pet warm in winter and cool in the summertime.  It will also provide a safe haven where he can retreat to should he feel threatened or simply want to rest quietly. Canine houses are available in many different sizes and styles, ranging from the traditional, to those customised to match the family home - complete with windows and realistic-looking brick work! They're built using many different materials, but wood and plastic are the more common.
Personally, we believe wooden type are better as they tend to blend in more naturally with their surroundings. Wooden kennels are available in many different sizes and styles to suit your dog, and may have either a flat or pitched roof. Handy Tip: If you choose a flat-roofed kennel, check to make sure that the roof slopes enough so that when it rains, puddles don't form on top of it. A gently sloping roof will allow rainwater to run off easily and will help to increase the life of the kennel. Wood is a good insulator but, depending upon your local climate, you may need to insulate your Cocker's kennel further. If the dog house you choose is not already insulated, or you don't feel it's insulated well enough, (and many wooden ones aren't) it may be possible to do it yourself - if you have the relevant DIY skills! If you can't manage it yourself, why not ask a talented friend or local handyman to do it for you? Wooden houses are more difficult to clean than the plastic as dirt and bacteria become ingrained in the wood, making them difficult to remove. For this reason, it's advisable to paint the inside of a wooden house to make it easier to keep clean and free from bacteria. If you also paint or stain the outside, it may help to stop the wood from rotting and extend the life of the kennel! If you don't want to paint the house, you could consider treating the wood instead - just make sure the treatment used is safe for pets. Cedar wood doesn't rot easily and, as a bonus, it can also keep insects (including dog fleas!) at bay. Alternatively, cedar chips are available to buy and can be scattered in the bottom of the house. The chips will need to be replenished every now and then to keep things fresh and you may need to add a couple of dog blankets for comfort. You may even prefer to build your own wooden dog house. This way you can design it the way you want it, adding your own personal touches. 
The plastic type are usually cast in a single mould using PVC which makes them reasonably strong and watertight. They're easy to keep clean and sterile and they won't rot - meaning they last a lot longer than the wooden houses. However, not all plastic houses are moulded, some are made up of panels and are often delivered in flat-pack form, ready for self-assembly at home. This type of housing may not be waterproof, so we recommend you check the manufacturer's claim before buying. Sometimes, with plastic self-assembly houses, the door may be removable for ventilation purposes. Some manufacturers use double-layered panels when constructing their plastic houses which can result in a much warmer product; however, on the down side, they can get too hot in summer. Plastic houses for dogs are available in many different colours and styles; castles, wendy houses, and you can even buy a replica of your own home - complete with white picket fence if you wish!
Canine houses are available in varying sizes to suit both large and small breeds. It's important to get the right size for your dog - too small and he'll be cramped and uncomfortable, too large and he may not feel safe. Measure your dog from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail and then add 30cms (12") for comfort. Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down and stretch out fully, comfortably. If you're building a house for a puppy, make sure it's big enough to house your puppy when he's a fully grown adult. 
When choosing a dog house, you don't want one with too large an entrance otherwise it may be more open to the elements than it needs to be. A smaller entrance (slightly bigger than your dog) will help to keep the rain and wind from entering the kennel and should keep your dog cosy and warm inside. A hinged or removable roof will make cleaning the kennel much easier. If possible, lift the dog house off the ground onto bricks or wooden battens to allow the air to circulate freely, creating a barrier between the cold ground and your dog's warm body. Raising a wooden dog house in this way will help to prevent it from rotting. Don't forget to add a couple of dog blankets to help keep him warm and make his kennel a little more comfortable. It's important to leave a bowl of fresh drinking water for your dog - especially when it's warm otherwise he may suffer dehydration - but don't leave it were it will easily evaporate - tuck it just inside of his kennel. If your Cocker Spaniel likes to be outside, (do you know any who don't?) then why not consider buying a house for his garden or yard? Those pets with outdoor dog houses will, by definition, get lots of fresh air and plenty of exercise, particularly if they have a large outdoor area to run around in - and that's got to be good for our dogs! Although your Cocker Spaniel may enjoy having a kennel in the garden for during the day, he may prefer to sleep indoors in a cosy dog bed or a dog crate - both will make great homes for your best friend.
 Custom Search Return to top of page - Dog Houses Return to Dog Kennels Return to the Cocker Spaniel Homepage Titles In The Dog Kennels And Dog Houses Series Cheap dog kennels - you can find them if you look hard enough! Dog houses give your Cocker somewhere safe to retreat to! Dog pens give you peace of mind! Dog runs offer your dog fresh air and exercise 'Dog Runs - How To Build A Dog Run' |