Then you know the look your golden has when she’s been out in the rain too long. The pitiful, soggy “why did you do this to me” look.
A:Yeah, I felt kind of guilty knowing that my neighbor’s dog had been sleeping on the bare porch boards all winter.
Honey, your girl deserves more. A good dog house means your girl has her own little warm, dry spot outside where she actually wants to go to when it gets cold outside. No more muddy paw prints on your entryway because your girl bolted inside as soon as it got chilly.
Real talk: I remember how hard that used to be.
I thought I’d share this list of 14 best dog houses for outside dogs to give you some good ideas on the best dog houses you can buy. Now you don’t have to guess which dog house is best for your dog anymore.
#1: Repurposed Wine Barrel Dog Den With Cozy Plaid Bedding
Thank you! Yes, exactly. When your golden is spread out all over the entire couch again and you think he needs his own spot. A special spot where there isn’t dog hair on the throw pillows. That’s why we designed this.
This is it.
I have always wanted a solid oak wine barrel on its side to make the coziest little dog den. It would be super cute! Reminds me of something you’d see on Pinterest. The wood grain, the metal hoop banding on the top, the round opening. It has a warm, rustic-lodge feeling to it, which is a good fit for a modern home.
To recreate this:
-Grab a used 59-gallon wine barrel from a local winery or craigslist. Many of them will sell them for less than $100. I sand the inside smooth as there can be splinters.
Cut out a little ledge in the door for your dog to rest their chin or paws on. I made one for my dog. See it here.
12. Stash a buffalo check or plaid pillow. This pattern covers up dog hair like a dream — I know this because my aunt’s shepherd shredded a cream-colored bed in mere hours.
Keep this in mind: Seal the inside wood with a pet-safe, water-based polyurethane. Wipe it down when the dogs get muddy paws.
The walls of the barrel muffle sound and create a sort of den space for your dog (dogs feel really safe inside enclosed areas and feel less anxious, and are more likely to sleep).
Put it next to a window. Natural light + cosy nook is the best spot in the house for your dog to be.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @barrel33bigbear
#2: The Classic White Dog House With a Cozy Blanket Setup
Does your Golden Retriever have his own spot? Not the corner of your couch. Not your good throw blanket that they dragged off the ottoman. No, a special spot that is as cute as your dog.
That’s exactly what this setup is giving.
The White Plank Dog House
Its a painted wood dog house with vertical white slat panels that you could make yourself with a 1×6 fence board and a coat of exterior white paint. Its clean and organized and photographs beautifully against the earthy background.
The Plaid Blanket Layer
Why not try putting down a wool or fleece plaid blanket in a warm amber or red colour in front of the door. This will be a good landing pad for everything and also a place your dog will use.
The Harness Detail
The grey reflective harness is very cute, as it makes the black fur on the coat of the dog to show up. Also, the harness is a safety feature for night walks.
Make sure your door is just wide enough for your dog’s shoulder to fit through. That way they have to duck their head a bit when they come in. It will keep the room warmer in the winter.
If you’re painting the outside of the house, sand between coats. The smoother you sand it, the longer it will last outside.
The real benefit? No mud on your floors.
—
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @sawasantorini
#3: The Two-Story Border Collie Mansion With a Balcony (Yes, Really)
Holy sh&*!. It was midnight. I was just scrolling through my phone and I nearly fell over when I saw this… A TWO STORY WOODEN DOG HOUSE. With a balcony, a picket fence, a ramp… and wait for it… A RED MAILBOX. Your golden would lose his sh&t.
The Build Itself
t is a pressure treated pine lumber house. Has a dark charcoal shingle roof and slatted balcony railings on a wraparound porch. It doesnt look like it would be too steep of a ramp for larger dogs.
What You Need To Recreate This
We have a picket fence out front to give it a cottage-garden look. Just grab some pre-cut picket fence panels at the hardware store; they snap together.
That small planter on my balcony shelf? Yup, it works and one plant makes it look intentional and not like a dog crate on my outside deck.
The red cast iron mailbox on the gatepost is what will make this go viral. $15 or so at any home store.
2. A covered upper deck means your dog gets shade and air flow. She’ll be cool and can see over the yard. She’ll bark less at mysterious sounds.
—
Build the ramp out of non-slip rubber stair treads stapled across each step. Golden paws on smooth wood after rain? That’s an accident waiting to happen.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @domsumerset
#4: The Trixie Wooden Dog House That Belongs on Your Back Deck
My golden has his/her own corner of the couch to lie on, this is next level.
A cute natural pine and grey wooden kennel on your deck with a colorful handmade rug inside is the kind of thing that looks like it’s straight out of a Pinterest board and your dog will actually use it.
Trixie Elevated Dog House: There’s no other choice. It’s made from untreated fir wood and has a grey-painted frame and legs so that moisture won’t get into the wood.
I’ve made one of these for a dog before so I thought I’d give it a try for this dog too. The rug is made up of pieces of yellow, pink and purple fleece tied through a rubber mat base. I made one for my cousin’s dog for Christmas last year and it probably took me about 40 minutes.
But, they’re not only cute. They also allow air to flow beneath the base keeping the bottom dry, so no nasty moldy base to ruin your deck.
The arch is sized for a medium sized dog, so the golden fit perfect and I didn’t have to jam her through.
A few things worth knowing: 4. Put the opening in a protected spot and put a thin waterproof liner under the fleece mat to save the wood floor.
Seal your deck each spring with a pet-safe outdoor wood preservative to keep that honey color from turning gray and grim.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @malamutepacklife
#5: The Blue & Orange Porch Dog House with Built-In Feeding Station
I mean like when your golden retriever gets her own spot. Not just a sad plastic crate in the corner but her own house with her own little porch where she can lay while you’re in the yard working and doing yard work nearby.
This one hits different.
The siding is royal blue and orange wood, the roof is real asphalt shingles, there is a covered front porch and most exciting of all, a built in elevated feeding station with 2 stainless steel bowls already set. It looks like a little cottage that someone actually cared enough to build.
What you need to recreate this:
i would use pressure treated wood for the frame because it wont warp if it gets wet. the outside of it i would paint navy blue with bright orange trim. ill show you on pinterest.
Well the feeding station sold me. We got a raised wooden platform with cut out holes and bowls built into the wall of our porch. Less mess and no more hunching over the floor bowl to let our girl eat.
Did you see that I added a diamond shaped decorative panel on the front gable? It’s a small detail, but it looks like I did it on purpose.
Placing a cedar floor on your porch will keep the bugs away and your floor will not get musty in the summer heat.
Build it on top of concrete blocks to keep the water from rotting it out from the bottom. This step is critical.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @htxdoghouses
#6: The Air-Conditioned Barn-Style Dog House With Exterior Lighting
My golden is sprawled out on the kitchen floor, panting. It’s 95 degrees outside and she refuses to go in her outdoor dog house. Can you blame her? It’s like a wood oven outside.
This setup fixes that completely.
—
The Vibe & Design
A bold red paint job on the vertical board-and-batten siding with crisp white trim gives this dog house a full farmhouse-barn feel. Two black lantern-style wall sconces flank the door, and a window mounted AC unit can be seen on the right side.
What You Need to Recreate This
Start with 3/4 inch plywood framing and cover with red barn paint. The vertical grooves will give your windows a farmhouse look.
I’m looking for 2 black outdoor wall lanterns, like you would put on a porch (I know we don’t have one… but pretend we do). I don’t care if they are wired or solar. Thank you!
I got a white pet door with a clear flap to keep the cold air in, but I framed it out with some white trim boards to make it look nice.
Finally, install your 5000 BTU window air conditioner in the framed cutout, weather-stripping the edges to prevent the cold air from leaking out.
Practical Tip
Once you’re done building the walls, foam board the inside walls. Your AC won’t have to work as hard, your energy bill stays reasonable and your dog will use the place.
Worth it because: Your dog will spend less time panting and sweating, therefore, fewer trips to the vet for heat stroke, especially for thick-coated breeds.
4. Seal all exterior wood with an outdoor waterproof primer to prevent warping from freeze-thaw cycles and keep that red looking fresh for years.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @hd_doghouse_jg
#7: The Tile-Roof Chicken Coop That Matches Your House (Yes, Really)
I’m sure you’ve all had that feeling… when you’re golden is giving you those eyes because she wants to go outside, but outside is a mess and nothing outside looks like it should be in your yard.
This coop though. This one.
Framed in gray-painted wood, the front of the house is framed in red mesh with real clay roof tiles. It’s like a little version of the house behind it. The little black lantern hanging on the front is a little bit of chef’s kiss.
On the left is the wall mount AC unit that keeps the inside just right. Animals get hot quickly so that takes care of it.
2. Two red framed wire mesh doors (with red wire mesh) — These let you see what’s going on inside without having to open anything.
1. The clay tiles (leftovers from the main house) that tie everything together. Feature → cohesion → finally your backyard looks planned.
Paver stones surround the base of the bird bath so there are no muddy paws to clean up. Just a simple hose-down keeps this pedestal clean.
Get the same type of tile for your roof as what is on the house (you will be surprised at how many roofing suppliers have some leftovers that they will be willing to give you for a song).. Just have them paint your trim a different color so that it stands out. Also wire mesh over the solid wood panels would be a good idea to let air through (which is more important than most people realize in a hot climate).
If you’re in the Southwest, you know that shade and airflow are a must!
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @hd_doghouse_jg
#8: Black-and-White Farmhouse Playhouse With a Covered Porch
You can almost smell it. Your golden retriever is on the porch first, the kids not quite as fast as he’s wagging his tail like a helicopter and taking over.
This little playhouse is giving me all the farmhouse-meets-modern vibes I could ever hope for- white lap siding, black trim, a pitched roof with dark asphalt shingles, and a covered front porch with railings. It’s basically my pinterest dreams come true.
The pieces that make this work:
1. White lap siding panels to the rescue. The clean texture is so much better than just plain old black and white. 12 of 14
Love the black wood on the porch posts and railings. Brings the house behind it back to me. 🙂 Matching your playhouse to your home’s exterior? CHef’s kiss.
It’s the little details that make the difference, even a cute shed can become an actual mini home.
I love the dark shingles on the roof. It really pops against the white walls and makes it look more expensive than it is.
One thing worth knowing: i would seal all that white paint with a outside top coat. that way the siding wont yellow after a summer outside.
Did you know that my dog will be at the Fair all year long? 😉
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @exotic_doghouses
#9: The Cutest White & Black Dog House With a Front Porch
Your dog is already over-dramatic when it comes to picking her napping spot (she circles the living room three times before deciding that the only place she wants to nap on is your feet) can you imagine how dramatic she’d be if she had her own front porch to flop onto?
This doghouse is just begging for a cottage! I love the crisp white stucco exterior with dark charcoal trim, the covered porch with black support beams, and even the tiny four-pane window on the side. I want to put this on my Pinterest board for my dog!.
I love the little platform out on the porch. It gives her a nice shady spot to lay in without the heat trapping her in. My cousin had something similar last summer and his husky won’t even come inside anymore… TRUE STORY!!
It’s a bit gray and it soaks up the sun. And the open doorway (no door to fight with) means she can come and go as she pleases.
And on really hot days, it will help keep the inside cooler so she will use it, unlike that expensive dog bed you bought her.
Paint the outside with exterior masonry paint so it won’t wash off in the rain or fade in the sun. If you want to make the walls yourself use 3/4-inch plywood on the walls to give it a solid feel.
If you are a fan of this type of set up and your dog would benefit from some outdoor fun, check out some of the best dog backyard ideas for a safe and fun outdoor space for some inspiration on how to make their outdoor space safe and fun.
Sand the edges before painting: You may not even notice splinters in dark wood once it’s painted.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thewooofspot
#10: IBC Tote Converted Into a Cozy Insulated Dog House
ok so my dog is outside. it’s freezing. her “dog house” is basically a cardboard box with a “feel” on it. ZERO insulation. ZERO warmth. it used to really stress me out with my dog Koda.
The owners have converted this 1000 litre IBC tote into a super insulated dog shelter. The owner has cut a door opening right into the front panel and stuffed it with straw bedding for heat retention. A metal water bowl sits right outside the door.
To recreate this:
find a used food grade i.b.c. tote ($100-$150) cut out a door with a jigsaw and sand the edges so that there are no sharp edges that you could catch on. fill the bottom with 4-6 inches of straw (NOT BLANKETS. STRAW WILL ACTUALLY TRAP BODY HEAT BETTER).
Because it’s metal, it will not change shape in the weather and therefore, the insulation inside will keep your dog warm all winter long.
Cover it with a rubber flap door to block the wind and you’re good to go. The pit bull in this picture looks completely unfazed, but I’m jealous nonetheless.
If you live in a very cold climate, consider running a low-wattage heating cable along the bottom to keep the water bowl from freezing overnight.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @therealneillbrown
#11: The Tan and White Cottage-Style Dog House With Real Shingles
Say it’s a hot day. Your golden is panting for a shady spot to cool down. You want her to have a nice cool spot to lie down in.
The doghouse is a thing of beauty. Painted tan wood with crisp white trim. A dark shingle roof and green accents on the trim. And those little diamond cutouts on the side? I die.
What you need to recreate this:
Base board is wood panel siding, painted warm tan and white trim boards around every edge, this house is already looking expensive.
The roof is covered in real asphalt shingles (the kind you’d see on a house). It’s better at keeping rain out and heat in than any of those plastic ones.
2. Add two small white-framed windows on the front face for airflow. Your dog will get the breeze without losing that cozy, enclosed feeling she loves.
I used white diamond shapes cut from the trim board and then nailed into place.
If possible, then put the house on a wood pallet or on feet so it is not in the wet grass. If you do not, then it will rot fast.
Now that we’re done with the pretty pics and into the details, they’re often used with a small cooling unit. And since my girl’s coat is so hot, she would actually use it instead of flopping on the kitchen floor!
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @htxdoghouses
#12: The Two-Door Log Cabin Dog House With a Wraparound Deck
your dog is sitting out in the yard with her chin on the grass right now, watching you through the sliding door. she wants in. you want her out. nobody is winning.
I think we finally solved the war!
The Setup
I mean, for one, it’s made out of cedar with black steel trim and dark asphalt shingles… so it’s that Pinterest board kind of vibe that makes you go, “Wow, I love that!” and two, it has a wraparound wood plank deck so your dog can have her own “porch life” and will stay off your furniture!
Every morning I go outside to let the dog out. I have two, big, vinyl-curtained entry doors that let the air in but keep the wind and rain out. My dog stays dry and comfortable and doesn’t scratch at my back door at 6 a.m.
6. Your deck is placed on grass, so your pet’s paws are less likely to track dirt on the floor from the backyard to the living room rug.
Make It Yours
10. Add a weatherproof outdoor dog bed on the deck for that extra cozy layer. Stain the wood a shade darker to match your fence. And if you want to cut down on your dog running in and out all day, pairing this setup with one of the best dog doors reviewed for home use makes the whole system run smoother.
Sand the deck before your dog has a chance to, or you might be picking splinters out of his paws. No one wants that.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @somerzby
#13: The Gym-Themed Wooden Dog House That Belongs in Your Home Gym
I have a home gym and when my golden retriever walks by it and looks at me as if to say “Why does my crate look so out of place here?” She was right. This solved that problem.
This natural birch plywood dog house looks like a mini CrossFit box. Literally. It features an arched entry cut into the front, a bone shaped handle above the door, and it’s made to look like a gym with a barbell, a paw print and a star cut into the side of it. The whole thing sits on rubber gym flooring.
To recreate this:
But the star of the show is the crate. My plywood dog house was a flat-pack unit with finger-joint corners. They’re sturdy, look great, and go together quickly.
The gym flooring on the bottom is more important than you might think. It is used to cover the wood floor with and is usually made up of interlocking rubber tiles.
Blech. Do-it-yourself decals/engravings. Get yourself some sticky vinyl and a Cricut and you can easily do this. Paw-plus-barbell, anyone?
Is there any back story with the powder coated gymnastics rings and squat rack? I dont need the extra money.
4. Sand any sharp edges that a dog nose might find curious. Seal the inside with a pet-safe beeswax finish that wipes clean after muddy post-run cuddles.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @wagsandweights
#14: Personalized Indoor Dog House with LED Lighting and Floral Bedding
I know your dog has a spot on the carpet. The one where the fur is pressed flat, nose tucked under their paw, and the sun shines on it just right in the middle of your perfectly styled living room.
This setup gives them something better.
If you are looking for a dark forest green, wood framed dog house to go on your indoor porch, look no further. It’s lit from within with a soft blue LED strip. This dog house is both warm and cozy, and would also look amazing on Pinterest. It comes with a blue floral cushion to complete the look. Your dog will definitely stake a claim to this one!
What You Need to Recreate This
The frame is a custom wood dog house crate that we built. It is painted in a deep hunter green. It has acrylic panel windows on the side so it doesn’t feel closed off, but it still has some structure.
Sign shape: bone wood cutout with white vinyl letters attached at the top. It is my own work but can easily be done on a Cricut.
Inside, a floral blue-and-white dog cushion (the kind that would look much better on a daybed than on her dog crate) sits on the top of her crate.
And the best part? That blue LED light strip along the back wall. Yup, it’s amazing.
Practical Tips
I had forgotten how much easier paint sticks to name signs cut out of 1/2″ MDF instead of plywood. I tend to use semi-gloss finish because my dogs are constantly rubbing their noses on them (and a wet, furry nose smudges well).
1. The LED strip is softer on the eyes with a warm or cool white setting versus a bright white.
If you want one that’s stylish on the outside and business on the inside, the built-in crate frame is for you. Your dog will have his own space to lie down without ruining your interior design.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @zumablutheaussie
The Dog House Sizing Mistake That’ll Cost You (And How to Avoid It)
The truth is most people size their dog house based on how big their dog is right now. I know I did.
What you really need to know: Measure your dog and then add 4 inches to the height of your ceiling. Not 2 inches, not 6 inches, 4 inches. It will hold in the heat in the winter but be big enough that your dog doesn’t feel like she’s in a shoe box.
That’s happened to me as well. My cousin made a great cedar house for her husky. It was beautiful. The only problem was it was too big. So the poor dog shivered through two Montana winters because the heat just sort of leaked out of all that extra space.
Also, you should raise the tank off of the floor. At least 2-4 inches, as the ground gets moist faster than you might think, and the beddings might get damp.
I know it seems silly, but my last tip that I wanted to share is to face the doorway away from your prevailing wind direction. This way, your golden can stay dry and warm and might even use the house instead of sleeping on your Pinterest perfect couch cushions.
Your Floors Will Thank You (And So Will Your Sanity)
I’m not going to sugar coat it here. You don’t need a perfect dog or a perfect house. What you do need is the right tools for Golden Retriever chaos.
Pick one rug. Use it for one week. Watch how much less you stress-clean before people come over.
My cousin finally got her first washable entryway mat last fall and texted me that “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this sooner!?” That’s the kind of feedback we like.
Which mat is best for your space? Are you a “hide the dog mess” or “lean into the cozy chaos” kind of person? 🐾
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
