Are you in search of a high-quality dog house for your Siberian Husky? If so, you will want to choose a durable, comfortable house that is just the right size for your pet and which includes features that will make his and your life easier.
Reading this guide, you will learn what you need to think about when looking for a Siberian Husky dog house with respect to size, ventilation, insulation, and more.
After we go over key considerations, we will share some top products with you. Let’s find your Husky the ideal house!
Things to Consider When Choosing a Dog House for Your Siberian Husky
Size
What size outdoor shelter does a Siberian Husky need? To figure that out, you need to know how large a Husky is.
Here is what you need to know about Siberian Husky sizes.
Male Huskies
Height: 21-24 inches (54–60 cm)
Weight: 44-60 pounds (20-27 kg)
Female Huskies
Height: 20-22 inches (50-56 cm)
Weight: 35-51 pounds (16-23 kg)
You can consider a Husky to be a medium to large dog.
The dog house needs to be large enough to provide the Husky with room to sit comfortably, but small enough that it can lock in body heat and provide a cozy "den" environment. The doghouse entrance also needs to be large enough that your pet can easily get inside or out.
While the height and weight information above gives you a general idea, you should take your own Husky’s measurements before proceeding.
Once you know the exact size of your pet, you can use the parameters below to help you find the right-sized kennel:
The height of the door: Start with your dog’s shoulder height, and then multiply that by 0.75. This is how high the door should be.
Height of the dog house: Measure your dog's height up to his head and multiply it by 1.25. That is the minimum height for a dog house for your pet. You can go as high as multiplying by 1.5, but no more than that.
Length and width of the dog house: Measure your dog from the nose to the base of the tail. Multiply what you get by 1.25 for the length and the width.
Consider whether you will also be putting items such as food and water bowls, toys, and a dog bed inside the house with your Siberian Husky. If you are putting a lot of items inside, you might need some extra space.
Material
Some Siberian Huskies have destructive personalities; others do not. If your Husky has a tendency to attack your furnishings or pillows, you may want to put extra thought into choosing a durable doghouse.
Regardless, here are the materials that are commonly used to build dog houses:
Wood: Most dog houses are made of one type of wood or another. While wood is heavier than plastic, it is lighter than concrete. It provides ample insulation, is reasonably durable, and is beautiful to look at. If you purchase a wood dog house, do check into its manufacturing to make sure it doesn’t have any toxic treatments.
Metal: This is another sturdy option for a doghouse. Because metal does not insulate well, it may not be suitable for all dog breeds and locations. But Huskies do pretty well with large temperature swings, so yours may be comfortable in a metal dog house, especially if you also have a temperate climate. Watch out for sharp edges on metal kennels, and make sure to remove any you find.
Plastic: Aside from wood, plastic is probably the most common material used for building dog houses. This material doesn’t weigh a lot, so it is easy to place or relocate a plastic dog house if you need to. Plastic is immune to the type of moisture damage that wood or metal might be subject to (it won’t rot or rust). It is also waterproof and cost-effective. But this material does have some downsides. It is not as durable as the others on this list. A plastic dog house is easier to damage and may not last as long. It can crack or warp with exposure to the elements. It also retains heat a little too well in some cases and may get uncomfortably hot during the summer. Sharp edges may be an issue, so sand down any you find.
Concrete: One more option worth considering is concrete. If you plan to move a dog house around, such a heavy material is not the most practical choice. But if it will be located permanently in one spot, it might be fine. Concrete boasts impressive durability, insulation, and longevity.
Insulation and Heating Features
You might think that these features would be irrelevant for heating and insulation when shopping for a Husky dog house. But that is not necessarily the case.
Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, a dog sled veterinarian, provides some insights concerning cold weather and dogs like Huskies.
Even sled dogs can get cold. Yin describes how these dogs curl up, using their tails to protect their noses. She says, “There are lots of photos of resting sled dogs covered with snow. They are holding their heat well since the snow is not melted. The dogs that are not doing well will have ice on their fur. It indicates that they are losing enough body heat to melt the snow.”
So, even dogs with thick winter coats that spend time out in the snow can get too cold. Additional signs a dog is getting too cold include barking, whining, shivering, anxiety, or inactivity.
Yin adds, “Our sled dogs have individual houses big enough for them to move around inside but small enough to allow them to be warmed with body heat. The houses all have legs that raise them off the ground.”
So, while your Siberian Husky may be able to “tolerate” temperatures as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit, he does need to be kept warm.
That means if you live in a cold climate, he needs a well-insulated dog house. As recommended, you might want to consider one with a raised floor. Having some space beneath the dog house instead of the bottom of the structure being in direct contact with the ground reduces the amount of cold that comes in from below.
Additionally, the interior of your dog house is less likely to get wet if the bottom is not in direct contact with the ground.
If your region is very cold, you might also consider a dog house with a heated floor.
Ventilation
Describing the double coat of the Siberian Husky, the American Kennel Club writes that it gives “a well furred appearance, but is never so long as to obscure the clean-cut outline of the dog. The undercoat is soft and dense and of sufficient length to support the outer coat.”
The Husky does shed the undercoat and can handle warm climates. But it is still possible for your dog to overheat if it gets hot enough in the summertime.
For that reason, ventilation is an essential feature to look for in a dog house for a Siberian Husky.
The door of the kennel should provide some airflow. But you can also look for a dog house that includes additional vents.
Open airflow is particularly critical if you purchase a plastic dog house. As previously stated, plastic holds in heat.
Ease of Assembly
How long does it take to assemble a dog house? Generally speaking, an hour is a pretty standard time estimate. But there are some dog houses out there you can put together in a lot less time than that (some even feature an instant setup process).
Also, there is variation in the amount of difficulty you can expect. Some products may require more skills and tools to put together than others.
Consider the weight of the materials. One person working alone will find a lightweight material like plastic easier to work with than a heavier material such as metal or wood. Concrete, of course, will be the hardest to deal with.
Maintenance Requirements
Your dog house for your Siberian Husky will not clean itself. So, you will want to think about how easy it is to maintain a dog house before you make your selection.
Here are a few features you can look for in a dog house which will make it easier to keep up with cleaning and maintenance:
Style
Your dog house is going to be a visual focal point on your grounds. For that reason, it is important to think about how it looks.
We feel that practical considerations involving your dog’s comfort and the ease with which you can move, clean, and maintain a dog house are more important than appearances. But all things being equal, aesthetics could be the determining feature in your purchase.
The materials used in constructing a dog house, its shape, and its decorative elements will factor into its visual design.
See if you can find a house for your dog that will complement your own.
Additional Features
Some dog houses for Siberian Huskies may have other useful features as well. For example, the house could have a porch, an awning, or an overhang.
If you live in a hot, bright location, your pet may be particularly grateful for the chance to relax outside the dog house under some shade. So, an awning could be a handy feature.
Another feature that you might like in a dog house is a set of bowls for food and water built right into the structure.
While you are checking out different dog houses for Siberian Huskies, you might stumble across other handy features as well that increase the comfort and convenience of the outdoor shelter.
Top Dog Houses for Huskies
Now that you are familiar with key features to consider when shopping for a doghouse for a Siberian Husky, we can check out some of the top recommended outdoor shelters to consider.
1. MidWest Homes for Pets Eillo Folding Outdoor Wood Dog House
Looking for a charming wood dog shelter that is easy to assemble? The MidWest Homes Wood Dog House is a sturdy and beautiful kennel for your Siberian Husky that you can put together rapidly without minimal skills and zero tools. It measures 28. 94L x 45. 16W x 33. 12H – inches, and weighs 74 pounds.
Why we chose it
Assembly is Simple – The top reason we recommend this dog house is that it has a folding design that you can rapidly set up without using any tools. In fact, setup is virtually instant. You just need to decide on a place to put it. Then, pull it open. The accordion design lets it pop right into shape. Your dog can then move on in and enjoy it.
Excellent Materials and Longevity – The wood is sturdy and water-resistant, making it a good choice for a range of climates. The hardware is stainless steel, and the shingles are asphalt. There is a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.
The Base is Elevated – With its elevated base, this dog house does a good job keeping your dog comfortable even on colder days. This feature also helps keep the interior dry and improves air circulation.
The Appearance is Pleasing – One more thing we like about this dog house is its overall look. With its neutral colors, light trim, and cute sun design in the corner, it has a cheery appearance. The rays of the sun also draw the eye to the door, keeping all the attention on your beloved pet as he sits at the entrance.
Keep in mind
There May Be an Odor – For some reason, this product sometimes seems to exude an unpleasant odor. This will probably air out with time.2. Ware Manufacturing Premium Plus A-Frame Fir Wood Dog House
The next house we recommend considering for your Siberian Husky is the Ware A-Frame Fir Wood Dog House. This shelter features a pleasing shape with a pitched roof and is made out of beautiful, sturdy wood. Its measurements are 26" Width X 32" Depth X 28" Height, with a door opening of 13" Width x 16.5" Height. It weighs around 50 pounds.
Why we chose it
Assembly is Easy – While not an instant pop-up shelter like the MidWest Homes for Pets Eillo Folding Outdoor Wood Dog House, the Ware Manufacturing Premium Plus A-Frame Fir Wood Dog House is still pretty fast and easy to put together. It will probably take you around 20 minutes. You do need some basic tools, however.
The Design Helps Keep the Interior Dry – The shingled roof's slanted shape helps to shed precipitation. This model features a raised floor on adjustable waterproof legs. Because the legs are adjustable, you should be able to get the doghouse to stand level.
Aesthetically Beautiful – The homey shape of the dog house, as well as the beautiful wood, make it an attractive option to enhance your yard. The stain on the wood is non-toxic and safe.
The Bottom Pops Out – For easy cleaning, you can pop out the bottom of the dog house.
Keep in mind
Not Ideal for Heavier Dogs – Some heavier dogs may exert too much weight on the floor. Most should be fine though.
3. Petmate Indigo Dog Home
Looking for an igloo-style house for your Siberian Husky? The Petmade Indigo Dog Home may be just the heavy-duty plastic dog house you are looking for. This kennel's dimensions are 37.5" x 30.5" x 22.8", and the weight is 30 pounds.
Why we chose it
Your Pet Should Stay Dry – The igloo design features an offset doorway. That way, even if you do not purchase the optional door you can fit on, your pet should stay reasonably dry if it is raining. The floor is raised, and there are side moats. These additional features also help to ensure dryness.
Your Dog Should Not Overheat – Ventilation of this plastic dog house is ensured both by the large doorway and the roof vents.
Sturdy Design – Even though this outdoor shelter is made of plastic, it is heavy-duty. It should be able to stand up to plenty of wear and tear while handling what the weather throws at it.
Microban Antimicrobial Product Protection – If you are concerned about the build-up of stains and odors in this dog house, you will be pleased to know that it is equipped with antimicrobial protection. As a result, it should be easy to clean and maintain.
Keep in mind
Cumbersome to Move - Although this is a plastic dog house and lighter than competing models made of wood, moving it around can be challenging because of its shape. For this reason, it could benefit from handles. But there are none. So, you might want to enlist help moving it.
4. Confidence Large Waterproof Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House
Another lightweight option to consider for your Siberian Husky is the Confidence Pet Large Waterproof Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House. This shelter measures 34.5 x 32 x 31 inches, and weighs just 26 pounds. It features sturdy materials and an attractive design.
Why we chose it
This is a Lightweight Shelter – If you are looking for something relatively easy to pick up and move, this doghouse is it. At 26 pounds, it is only half as heavy as a lot of other models.
Acceptably Sturdy – This house is not as heavy-duty as the igloo-style one we recommended previously. But after it is assembled, it is still reasonably sturdy.
Waterproof – The plastic is waterproof, and the slope of the roof sheds rain.
Appealing to the Eye – We also like the look of this dog house. It is designed to fit nicely into a suburban environment with white sides and the roof available in brown or green. The plastic has been textured to resemble the siding and shingles of a typical suburban home. So, it should look great in your yard.
Keep in mind
There May Be Some Quality Control Issues – Sometimes, the components used to assemble the shelter do not seem to fit together quite right. This suggests some manufacturing flaws from time to time, but the majority of units seem to be unaffected.
Summary
That wraps up our list of recommended dog houses for Siberian Huskies. Now that you know the important features to look for in an outside shelter for a Husky, you can choose the kennel that is perfect for your pet. To get any of the dog houses we recommended, just click on the links in this article.