Dog House Size
A dog house should be about 25% longer and wider than your dog from nose to tail base, and about 25% taller than the dog standing, with a door three-quarters of its shoulder height. That is big enough to stand, turn around and lie down stretched out, and small enough for the dog to keep it warm with its own body heat.
Measure your dog
- Length: from the nose to the base of the tail, with the dog standing.
- Height: from the floor to the top of the head, standing.
- Shoulder height: from the floor to the top of the shoulders.
- Chest width: across the widest part of the chest.
Then:
| House dimension | Rule |
|---|---|
| Inside length and width | dog’s length × 1.25 |
| Inside height | dog’s height × 1.25 |
| Door height | shoulder height × 0.75 |
| Door width | chest width + 2 in (5 cm) |
| Door sill | 3–4 in (8–10 cm) above the floor |
Dog house size chart
| Dog | Examples | Inside floor | Inside height | Door (W × H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small, under 25 lb (11 kg) | Jack Russell, Dachshund | 24 × 18 in (60 × 45 cm) | 18–20 in (45–50 cm) | 8–10 × 12 in |
| Medium, 25–50 lb (11–23 kg) | Beagle, Border Collie | 32 × 24 in (80 × 60 cm) | 24–28 in (60–70 cm) | 12 × 16 in |
| Large, 50–90 lb (23–41 kg) | Labrador, German Shepherd | 42 × 30 in (107 × 76 cm) | 30–34 in (76–86 cm) | 15 × 20 in |
| Giant, over 90 lb (41 kg) | Great Dane, Mastiff | 50 × 36 in (127 × 91 cm) | 36–42 in (91–107 cm) | 18 × 26 in |
These are starting points: dogs of the same weight vary a lot in length and height, so check your own measurements against the rules above.
Details that matter as much as size
- A raised floor, 2–4 in (5–10 cm) off the ground on runners, keeps the house dry and warmer.
- The door away from the wind, or offset to one side, leaves a sheltered corner inside.
- A roof overhang of 2–3 in keeps rain off the walls and the doorway.
- Insulation in cold climates: rigid foam between the walls and a thin inner skin, and a flap over the door.
- A lift-off or hinged roof, so you can clean inside and change the bedding.
Building a dog house
Use exterior-grade plywood and paint or seal every face and edge before assembly. Our dog house plan builds a modern flat-roof house with a raised floor and a lift-off roof; type the inside size and the door, and every panel follows:
Frequently asked questions
How big should a dog house be?
Inside, about 25% longer and wider than your dog from nose to tail base, and about 25% taller than the dog standing. Big enough to turn around and lie stretched out, no bigger.
How big should the dog house door be?
About three-quarters of the dog’s shoulder height and a little wider than its chest. A dog can duck to go in; a smaller door keeps the house warmer.
What size dog house for a Labrador or German Shepherd?
About 42 × 30 in (107 × 76 cm) of floor and 30–34 in (76–86 cm) of inside height, with a door about 15 × 20 in.
Can a dog house be too big?
Yes. A dog warms its house with its own body heat; in a house much bigger than it needs, the air never warms up in winter.