If your dog spends most of their time outside, a dog house is a true necessity. This product is designed to keep your pet safe and comfortable, shielding them from the elements and giving them a safe place to call their own. It’s important to select the right dog house to meet your pup’s needs, though, and it can be a challenge to find a sturdy house that is appropriate for a large or extra-large canine.
These reviews go over the best dog houses that you can find on the market for your big dog.
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A Quick Glance of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Frisco Craftsman Wooden Dog House |
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Best Value
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Aspen Pet Petbarn 3 Plastic Dog House |
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Premium Choice
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Dog Palace Insulated Heated Dog House |
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Frisco Classic Wooden Outdoor Dog House |
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MidWest Eillo Folding Wood Dog House |
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The 7 Best Dog Houses for Large Dogs
1. Frisco Craftsman Wooden Dog House — Best Overall
| Size: | 45”L x 32”W x 32”H |
| Dog size: | Large |
| Color: | Wood |
| Price: | $$$ |
The Frisco Craftsman Wooden Dog House is the best overall dog house for large dogs. It’s made from solid wood and has metal hardware, and it’s made to be weather resistant for outdoor use. The tilted PVC roof will protect your dog from rain and snow, and it helps block sunlight. It includes dog flaps to keep the inside of the house extra dry and insulated, though they can be removed if your pet prefers no doors. The raised floor of this dog house will help improve air circulation to keep your pup comfy and dry.
It is recommended to re-treat the wood annually to keep it weather resistant; otherwise, it’s prone to rot.
- Made from solid wood and metal hardware
- Weather resistant
- Tilted PVC roof protects against the elements
- Removable dog flaps increase weatherproofing and insulation
- Raised floor allows better air circulation and keeps your dog dry
- Needs to be re-treated for weatherproofing annually
2. Aspen Pet Petbarn 3 Plastic Dog House — Best Value
| Size: | 38”L x 29”W x 30”H |
| Dog size: | Large |
| Color: | Brown and tan |
| Price: | $$ |
The best dog house for large dogs for the money is the Aspen Pet Petbarn 3 Plastic Dog House. This plastic dog house has an extended rim over the door to enhance weather resistance, especially to rain and snow. The raised interior floor makes sure your dog stays dry, even if water gets into the house. The rear vents increase ventilation, so airflow is good and smells are reduced, even in hot weather. Since this dog house is made of plastic, it won’t fall apart when exposed to the elements, ensuring that it will last for many years. It’s easy to put together and doesn’t require any tools.
This dog house doesn’t have any flaps, so it is not fully protected from rain and snow. It may be best to place this house underneath something like a deck or tree that may help reduce exposure to the elements.
- Extended rim over door
- Raised interior floor
- Rear vents increase airflow
- No tools required to put together
- No dog flaps
3. Dog Palace Insulated Heated Dog House — Premium Choice
| Size: | 47.5”L x 31.5”W x 38.5”H |
| Dog size: | Large |
| Color: | Brown and tan, gray and taupe |
| Price: | $$$$ |
The Dog Palace Insulated Heated Dog House is a great option for dogs that live or spend time outdoors in a cold area. This insulated house includes a central heater that is controlled by a remote and a digital thermostat, enabling you to easily adjust it to keep your pet comfortable. Not only is it insulated against the cold, but the insulation can also help your dog stay cool in the warmer months. It has a raised floor with a drainage system, ensuring that your pup stays dry. The double-hinged swinging doors enhance insulation but can be removed if desired.
Since the included doors are thick plastic, some dogs may feel uncomfortable going into the dog house with the doors in place. Many people report that their dogs required a lot of patience and training to get used to this house. It also retails for a premium price.
- Fully insulated dog house
- Includes central heater with thermostat and remote
- Can help maintain cool temperatures in warm weather
- Raised floor with drainage system
- Included double-hinged swinging doors are optional
- Some dogs may be hesitant to use this dog house with the doors on
- Premium price
4. Frisco Classic Wooden Outdoor Dog House
| Size: | 31”L x 44”W x 44”H |
| Dog size: | Large |
| Color: | White |
| Price: | $$$$ |
The Frisco Classic Wooden Outdoor Dog House is a modern design made from solid wood and metal hardware. The materials are weather resistant, and it has a slanted PVC roof to protect your dog from the elements. The bottom floor slides out for easy cleaning, and it has adjustable feet that help stabilize it on any surface. It has an open-door design, and it includes windows by the door, so your dog has a full view from the comfort of their house.
This dog house retails for a premium price. It also requires annual weatherproofing re-applications to maintain the health and stability of the wood.
- Made from solid wood and metal hardware
- Weather resistant
- Slanted PVC roof protects against the elements
- Slide-out bottom floor and adjustable feet included
- Open-door design with windows
- Premium price
- Needs to be re-treated for weatherproofing annually
5. MidWest Eillo Folding Wood Dog House
| Size: | 28.94”L x 45.16”W x 33.12”H |
| Dog size: | Large |
| Color: | Beige |
| Price: | $$$ |
The MidWest Eillo Folding Wood Dog House is a nice option if you’d like a more compact dog house because it can be collapsed. It requires no assembly and just needs to be unfolded to set up. The adjustable legs enable you to stabilize it on multiple surfaces. It’s made with water-resistant stained wood, stainless-steel hardware, and an asphalt shingle roof to protect against the elements. It has a raised base that keeps your dog dry and increases airflow.
This dog house is only recommended for dogs up to 80 pounds, and dogs heavier than this may cause the raised bottom to break. Some people have reported water getting underneath the shingles, leading to the breakdown of the wood underneath, so extra weatherproofing to the roof may be necessary.
- Collapsible
- No assembly required
- Adjustable legs provide stability
- Sturdy and water resistant
- Raised base increases airflow
- Not recommended for dogs above 80 pounds
- Roof may require additional weatherproofing
6. Frisco Modern Wooden Outdoor Dog House
| Size: | 51.2”L x 33.7”W x 36.8”H |
| Dog size: | Large |
| Color: | White and black |
| Price: | $$$$ |
The Frisco Modern Wooden Outdoor Dog House has a modern style that won’t detract from the appearance of your backyard. It features an extended roof that provides protection against the elements, and the adjustable feet mean it’s suitable for a variety of surfaces. It has an open-door design with windows around it to give your dog a nice view without having to sit in the door of the dog house. The raised base keeps your dog dry and increases airflow.
This dog house retails for a premium price. Some people report it being slightly smaller than advertised, though they say their dogs still fit comfortably in it. It also requires annual weatherproofing to maintain the stability and health of the wood.
- Modern style
- Slanted PVC roof protects against the elements
- Adjustable feet provide stability
- Open-door design with windows
- Raised base increases airflow
- Premium price
- May be slightly smaller than advertised
- Needs to be re-treated for weatherproofing annually
7. New Age Pet ecoFLEX Bunk Style Dog House
| Size: | 42.2”L x 37.6”W x 36”H |
| Dog size: | Large, extra large |
| Color: | Tan and green |
| Price: | $$$ |
The New Age Pet ecoFLEX Bunk Style Dog House is the best option for extra-large dogs. It requires no tools for assembly, and it’s designed to be paintable if desired. It’s an eco-friendly product that’s made from ecoFLEX, which is a weatherproof combination of recycled wood and plastic polymer. It’s easy to clean, and it has an elevated base for airflow.
Although no tools are required, it may be easiest to have two people available to assemble this dog house. The instructions may also be slightly confusing, making this a time-consuming project. Some of the pieces may be somewhat fragile, so make sure to handle the pieces with care, and be gentle when assembling and moving this dog house.
- Best option for extra-large dogs
- No tools required for assembly
- Designed to be painted
- Eco-friendly and easy-to-clean materials
- Raised base increases airflow
- May require two people to assemble
- Instructions may be confusing
- Pieces may be fragile and should be handled with care
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Houses for Large Dogs
Picking the Right Dog House for Your Dog
When selecting a dog house, the most important factors are whether it’s an appropriate size for your dog and whether your dog will use it. Some dogs can be extremely picky about their house, while others may be resistant to enter an enclosed space that doesn’t have windows or a large door. If the dog house that you choose is too small for your pet to comfortably use, they are unlikely to even attempt to use it.
You should also consider the environment in which the dog house will be placed. If it will be out in the open without overhead covering, you should consider getting a dog house that has a slanted, extended roof. Underneath a covering, you won’t have to worry as much about a roof that will prevent moisture from getting into the house.
Another big consideration is your preferred appearance. There are many dog house designs on the market, so there is something for every backyard that won’t detract from its appearance. Also, keep in mind what a comfortable budget is for you. Dog houses for large dogs can be expensive, even for the lowest-end products.
Our Selection Process For Dog Houses for Large Dogs
To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog houses we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog houses. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog houses to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog houses. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.
Conclusion
If you’ve got a big dog that needs a dog house, these reviews can be a great way to help you find the perfect one to suit your style and your pet’s size and preferences. The best overall dog house for big dogs is the Frisco Craftsman Wooden Dog House, which is made from sturdy materials and attractive stained wood. The budget-friendly pick is the Aspen Pet Petbarn 3 Plastic Dog House, which is built to last and has a raised interior floor to ensure that your dog stays dry. For a premium dog house, especially for cold weather, the top pick is the Dog Palace Insulated Heated Dog House.
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Featured Image Credit: mojahata, Shutterstock
