Top 10 Dog Houses w/ Reviews

The Best Dog House Reviews | Top 10 Best Dog Houses For Outdoor Dogs

The Best Pre-Built Dog Houses | Reviews

For dog owners who's dogs either live outside all the time, or just like to spend a lot of time outside the house, a good quality dog house is a must have.

Dogs need houses for a number of reasons. It keeps them warm in the winter, cool in the summer, dry in the rain and provide shelter from the wind. It also provides safety and security.

When your looking for a dog house a perfect fit is one of the most important considerations according to vets and canine experts. A dog should be able to turn around and stand up comfortably but the house should not be much bigger. Remember, it's not a place to hang out, it's a place to keep warm and that can only be done if it's small enough to contain their body heat.

While some owners choose a crate, that works fine for indoors, but not outdoors as it doesn't provide much protection or warmth.

Dogs love their houses if you take the time to get them comfortable with them. Dogs are not meant to live outdoors with no shelter, they are den animals and enjoy snuggling in.

Some opt to do a DIY project and build their own dog house. It's very doable, allows you to customize it and can actually be a fun project to take on. We actually have several other articles on how to build an easy to build dog house.

That said if you're not handy, don't have tools, or just don't have the time you do have the option to buy a pre-built dog house.

Below is a list of the top dog houses and includes houses we have carefully chosen due to the safety, quality of materials, comfort for the dog, and price and value.

Top 10 Pre-Built Dog Houses


10. Petego Umbra Portable Pet House and Containment System


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Comming in at number 10 is a dog house which is portable. Not the best solution for all people, but we do really like that this model is light and portal, and quick and easy to setup. The Petego Umbra Pet House can be quickly and easily setup for your dog outside wherever and whenever. 

It has a mechanism similar to an umbrella, hence the name, which make for a very easy popup setup and breakdown. It normally takes 5 minutes or less to put it up and/or take it down. This can even be used in some larger cars and SUV's which is pretty cool. The materials are also mesh and tear resistant. 


dog house review

The Suncast DH350 is a very popular model. This is one of the few models also sold in stores at Menards, Petco, Petsmart and other big box stores. It is currently also one of the most well reviewed dog houses on Amazon. It's a pretty basic house but looks good. It may not be the best option for very cold climates as it  lacks insulation for really cold weather like in Michigan, Minnesota and other similar climates. This model comes in a variety of sizes but this particular house can house a dog as large as 100 pounds. It also comes with optional vinyl doors and even  comes with a lettering kit which allows you to customize it by putting your dogs name on the house. Not that your dog can read. 


8. Pet Zone Step 2 Cozy Cottage Dog House


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This house looks pretty simple but is actually quite nice. The Y design of the house is one of the best houses on Amazon at a pretty reasonable price. The Pet Zone dog house will keep your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It's a bit better insulated than the above model. SOme people who opt for these plastic dog houses tend to be hay or alphalpha grass in the house to keep the dogs warm. Some also employ a floor heater mat or heated bed as well.  This house does have double wall insulation and is very easy to clearn and assemble. Best of all it requires no tools at all and as a bonus it's made in the good old USA. 


Comming in at number 7 of the top dog houses is a dog house which is a bit more suited for the outdoors but can be used indoors or outdoors. It's the Trixie Pet Products Rustic dog house. It's solid and weatherproof. Constructed of pine which keeps it from smelling too bad and is also good at stopping drafts and cold. The design is nice, looks great and has a raised floor to help keep your dog warm and dry. You can purchase an optional plastic door as well. 




I recently had a not so pleasant transaction with ASL Solutions on a heated dog mat I purchased. The product was fine but the packaging and shipping was very poor. Despite that We are giving them the number one spot for dog house because they built a quality one. 

This house is fairly pricy but the Foam Palace is a great house. If it weren't for the price point being a  bit high it probably would have been in the running for number one. This dog house though is great. It's incredibly well insulated and has over 4 inches of real styrophome in it. This makes it stay cool in the summer and keeps the cold out in the winter. The door closes itself and is very easy for pets to get in and out. The house itself is going to hold up well to the outdoors and is a piece of cake to clean. 



5. Merry Products Wood Pet Home



Another popular dog house and one of the best looking in my opinon is the Merry Pet MPS002 Wood Room with a balcony. This house earned it's spot due to the build quality and the very reasonable low price, especiall considering the quality. This is one of the best houses for the money available on Amazon. This house is durable and can be assembled in less than a half hour. Very few tools are needed but all wrenches and screwdrivers are provided. The balcony and lattice work give this house a lot of character. This same company also makes a wonderful dog crate as well which is a great option for indoors 


4. Doggy Den Dog House


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Comming in at 4rth spot is another great option for the price. The Pet Squeak Doggy Den House is easy to put together, looks nice, and is very ergonomic. The weather resistant materials will keep your dog comfortable and all materials are non-toxic. This is much lighter than it looks and very easy to carry, it has a raised floor and is sturdy. It really earns its spot. 



3. Arf Frame Dog House with Dark Frame




One of the best houses available and also very affordable. This home is fast and easy to assemble, has non-toxic materials, is weather resistant, and comfortable for dogs. This home looks great and can be used indoors and outdoors. Checkout the customer reviews, customers are very happy with this house. 


2. Pet Zone Step 2 Tuff-N-Rugged Dog House


best dog houses review


Comming in a close second place is hte Pet Zone Step 2 Tuff-N-Rugged Dog House. If you recall from further down the list we had a similar model but the smaller version. These houses are larger and more sturdy and stable which is why owners prefer them. This accomodates even the very large breeds at 130 pounds and will keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The double walled insulation keeps the climate very controlled and the plastic is extremely durable. This house is easy to setup without any tools. This is almost the perfect dog house. 



1. Petmate Indigo Dog House with Microban


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These Igloo style dog houses have long been a favorite for dog owners. This home for your dog comes with a doorway that is extended and offset to stop wind, rain and snow from going into your dogs sleeping area. The only downside is some dogs take some getting used to it and are scared to go inside. 

This house also has Microban which helps stave away random odors, mold and bacteria that can accumulate in or around your dogs house. This house is made out of structural foam and provides a ton of insulation for all seaons. There's also a roof vent which can help your dog get fresh air, some people also install a heater or A/C in that roof vent opening as well. Checkout the reviews on Amazon and you'll see why people love this house. 

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