Looking for the ideal dog house for your Pit Bull? Choosing the right outdoor shelter is essential for any dog, but with Pit Bulls, there are special considerations concerning their short coats, muzzles and low body fat.
In this guide, we will introduce you to important things to look for when shopping for a dog house for your Pit Bull. After you learn what features to look for in a doghouse for your pet, we will go over some of the top products available on the market. Let's get started!
Things to Consider When Choosing a Dog House for Your Pit Bull
There is a vast selection of dog houses out there. So, how do you find the right one for your Pit Bull? Let’s go over some key considerations.
There are a number of factors to consider when buying a dog house for your Pit bull.
Size
One of the first things you should think about when choosing a dog house for a Pit Bull is size. The dog house should be large enough to be comfortable but small enough to stay warm and cozy.
The perfect size will offer your pet a couple of inches of clearance on every side. The structure needs to have a large enough entrance that entering and exiting is comfortable and easy.
Here are the sizes that are common for American Pit Bull Terriers:
This classifies them as “medium.”
That means that while XL dog houses are ideal for giant breeds such as Bullmastiffs and Great Danes, Pit Bulls generally do better in large dog houses.
Why not choose an extra-large dog house for more space? Heat may dissipate too readily in an extra large dog house, and for Pit Bulls, in particular, heat retention is essential.
While you now have some general guidelines for sizing a dog house for your Pit Bull, you should take individual measurements of your pet to pick the most suitable size.
Once you know the measurement for your dog (from nose to rear), multiply it by 1.25. This will tell you how many inches wide and deep you need the house to be.
How tall should the dog house be? Measure how tall your dog is while standing, and then multiply by 1.25.
What about the door size? Measure how high your dog's shoulder is from the ground and multiply that by .75. That is the minimum height for the opening to the dog house.
Do not forget that you may be adding other items to the dog house! If you are putting in a dog bed, food and water bowls, toys, or other supplies, be sure that there will be enough room inside to accommodate your pet and these items.
Material
Dog houses are built out of a variety of materials. Here are some options to consider:
Wood: By default, the majority of dog houses are made of wood. This material is sturdy, pleasing to the eye, insulates well, and tends to stand up to wear and tear. Sometimes wood is treated, so make sure that no toxic chemicals were used in this process.
Plastic: Many dog houses are also made out of plastic. They can warp or crack if there are large temperature swings or if you live in a very hot or cold climate, but if you do not, they can hold up well over time. Plastic is lightweight and economical, which is good—but it doesn’t do much to let heat in or out, which is a drawback. But it may be a good option if you get a lot of rainfall since it will keep water out and won’t be damaged by moisture. Watch out for sharp edges on plastic dog houses.
Concrete: While not as common, some people also have concrete dog houses. They are extremely durable and long-lasting and offer reasonably good insulation, but they can be cold during the winter. They are also incredibly durable. The downside, of course, is that concrete is heavy, and a concrete dog house is not portable.
Metal: One more material to consider is metal. While durable, metal dog houses can be subject to extreme temperature swings inside. Unless you live in a very temperate climate, they are generally not suitable for outdoor use. They also may have sharp edges.
Insulation
With Pit Bulls, in particular, insulation is a key consideration when choosing a dog house. Several anatomical factors make Pit Bulls susceptible to heat and cold:
So, you will need a well-insulated kennel for your Pit Bull that will help retain heat during the winter and remain cooler for longer in the summertime.
The walls themselves offer some degree of insulation, but there are outdoor shelters for dogs that come with actual insulation built into the walls.
Also, a dog house with a raised floor provides a buffer between the bottom of the house and the ground, helping prevent the cold from leaking into the interior.
Ventilation
Another aspect of maintaining a safe and comfortable temperature in a dog house is ventilation.
Choose a dog house that allows a reasonable amount of airflow. If your Pit Bull is in the shelter during the warm summer months, consider getting a house that includes extra vents, not just the door.
Ease-of-Assembly
In general, you probably won’t spend more than an hour putting together a dog house, and often much less than that.
Plastic dog houses tend to be fast and easy to assemble, so you may want to consider a shelter made out of that material if that is a key consideration. Plus, plastic is lightweight and not as unwieldy as some heavier materials like wood.
Easy to Maintain
Now and again, you will need to clean out your dog’s house. There are a few features that can help with that.
One is a clean-out door or removable floor that offers easy access. Another is protection from microbes (being as bacteria growth in a doghouse can lead to stains and odors).
Thankfully, Pit Bulls are not significant shedders, so you may not need to clean out your dog house as much for this breed as you might for another. Still, dogs track in plenty of dirt and debris, so ease of maintenance and cleaning remain important considerations when shopping for a Pit Bull house.
Style
One more consideration is the overall appearance of the dog house. While practical value should be your prime consideration, it is worth thinking about aesthetics as well. See if you can pick a dog house that not only serves your pet’s needs but also enhances the look of your outdoor space.
Additional Features
Here are some other features that you might look for in a Pit Bull dog house:
Top Dog Houses for Pit Bulls
Now you know what to look for when choosing a dog house for your Pit Bull. Let's take a look at some of the best Pit Bull dog houses on the market.
Best easy-to-assemble:
Petmate Aspen Pet Petbarn
If you want a Pit Bull dog house that is easy to set up or move around your property, you will want to consider the Petmate Aspen Petbarn Dog House. This plastic dog house is lightweight and a breeze to put together.
Why we chose it
Fast and Easy to Assemble – This plastic dog house features tool-free assembly. You just attach the components using the quick-snap latches. The plastic is durable but lightweight, so picking up this dog house and moving it is easy.
Extended Roof Guard – The guard above the door catches and sheds precipitation, protecting the entrance and helping to keep the interior dry and comfortable. It also offers a little extra shade.
Raised Floor – This feature helps to insulate the dog house's interior from the cold that seeps up through the ground.
Keep in mind
It Can Still Get Cold in Winter – Even with the raised floor, this dog house can be a bit too chilly in super cold weather. The plastic it is made from isn’t thick enough to offer substantial insulation, and the large entrance lets in the wind.
Best insulated Pit Bull house:
ASL Solutions Foam Insulated Dog Palace
If you live in a climate with frigid temperatures, you will need a well-insulated Pit Bull house. The ASL Solutions Foam Insulated Dog Palace does an excellent job retaining warmth during the winter. What is more, it is ventilated so that it stays cool during the summer. This makes it ideal for all seasons.
Why we chose it
Serious Foam Insulation – The walls of this insulated shelter are packed with 4” of Styro/EPS foam insulation. It is the comfortable all-weather pet palace your Pit Bull needs.
Other Insulating Features – Along with the foam inside the walls, this dog house includes a raised floor and a pass-through self-closing door.
Well-Ventilated – Cross-ventilation ensures that the shelter remains cool and breathable during the warmer part of the year.
Keep in mind
Some Dogs Don’t Like the Door – In general, the door to this dog house is one of its great features. It helps to keep the interior dry and warm in the winter. But some dogs do have a difficult time understanding it. If that happens with yours, you can replace it with a different door, and you should still find that the house is pretty well insulated.
Best wood Pit Bull house
Petsfit Wooden Dog House
The Petsfit Wooden Dog House for Medium to Large Dogs is an outdoor cedar shelter with a roomy interior for your Pit Bull. Available in several color combinations, it will serve as a cozy house for your Pit Bull while enhancing the appearance of your yard.
Why we chose it
Beautiful, Durable Wood – If you want an attractive, high-quality dog house made of wood for your Pit Bull, this one fits the bill. It also has a lovely cedar scent.
Weatherproof – Even though this shelter is made of wood, it is weatherproof.
Door Flap Included – There is a removable door flap you can use if you wish.
Easy Cleaning – The floor is removable. That way, you can clean the dog house interior with ease.
Keep in mind
No Support Beams - The current version of this product does not include support beams for the floor. That means that if your dog likes to flop, that could exert more stress on the floor than is ideal.Best plastic Pit Bull house
Suncast Outdoor Dog House
If you want a lightweight plastic shelter, easy to assemble and portable, the Suncast Outdoor Dog House is a good choice. Not only does this attractive dog house check all of those boxes, but it also is rugged enough for long-term use.
Why we chose it
Heavy-Duty Construction – This dog house is made out of sturdy resin and features a crowned floor. It comes with a vinyl door you can attach or remove as you need it. The materials are fade-resistant, retaining their colors over time.
Easy Assembly – Putting together this dog house is easy with snap-together parts.
Attractive Design – This Pit Bull doghouse has an appealing look. The plastic is shaped to resemble a human house with siding, the shape of a window with shutters (not an actual window), and a shingled roof (not real shingles).
Keep in mind
It Can Get Warm – If you live in a hot climate, this plastic shelter may not be suitable during the warmest months of the year or the hottest times of the day.
Best outdoor Pit Bull house for winter
Petmate Indigo Dog House
Looking for a Pit Bull dog house that has an igloo design? The Petmate Indigo All-Weather Protection Dog House is worth considering. This product is well-ventilated for warm climates, and includes excellent drainage features, making it great if you get a lot of rain. During cooler months, you may want to add some blankets for more insulation.
Why we chose it
Offset Doorway – This dog house features a large entrance that is easy for pets to use. But it is offset so that less precipitation can reach your dog once he is inside.
Raised Floors and Side Moats – Other features to help keep the house's interior dry include the side moats and raised floors. These features assist with drainage.
Vents – To help your pet stay cool and comfortable on warm days, the dog house has vents at the top of the roof.
Microban Antimicrobial Product Protection – This feature helps to prevent a build-up of microbes, preventing odors and stains.
Keep in mind
Sometimes These Arrive Damaged – For the most part, this dog house is a sturdy product made of rugged, heavy-duty plastic. Indeed, that is one of its major selling points. But while it should stand up well to your dog’s teeth and nails, these units do occasionally show up damaged from shipping.
Summary
Whether you are looking for a wood or plastic dog house, one with heavy insulation, or one that is easy to install, there is a perfect outside shelter waiting for you and your pet. Click on any of the links in this article to get the ideal dog house for your Pit Bull now.