If dogs are indeed "mans best friends", why do we continually treat them like the enemy? We house them in hot plastic bunkers in summer and frigid wood or tin structures in winter. When you think about it, you can only begin to imagine the discomfort that pets feel when left to brave the elements inside an un-insulated doghouse.

Most dog owners allow their pets to stay indoors, particularly in foul weather. While it may give great pleasure to humans, it is not always best for the dogs. Despite their love and loyalty to their people, many dogs simply prefer the comfort and independence of their own personal space.

Your Dog's Happy Place

Like a human home, a dog house should be a welcoming place of comfort and safety. There are some key factors that must be in place to create the perfect home for your pet.

The most important point is to choose or build an insulated doghouse. The health and safety of your dog depends on having proper insulation, no matter where you live. Even the mildest climates will have wet days and chilly nights, and all pets need to generate their own body heat from time to time. In other parts of the world, it gets downright cold during both daytime and nighttime hours. A properly insulated doghouse keeps the cold outside and the warmth inside.

On the other hand, an insulated doghouse is also important when temperatures begin to soar. The insulation acts will act in reverse, keeping the interior of the doghouse nice and cool, even during the blistering heat. This is vital to the health of your pet, as extreme heat can cause dehydration and heatstroke. UV rays can also cause irreversible damage to your pet.

Simply insulating your existing doghouse is not enough. The structure must be waterproof, and inside humidity must be able to quickly evaporate to discourage the formation of mildew. That's why many pet owners give their dogs an "inner sanctum". This is a second entrance placed inside the doghouse that's not directly aligned with the outside entrance. With this additional entrance, the dog is able to hide from high winds and inclement weather inside the second room. It also enhances the capacity of the doghouse, providing more comfort and protection in both hot and cold weather.

Build your insulated doghouse to accommodate the full height of an adult dog. Make sure that the structure is as tall as your adult pet, plus no less than 1/3 of his or her size. To calculate the ideal size doghouse for your pet, you will need to measure the dog (or find out how tall he or she will be at full adult size) when standing, and also measure the length of your dog when lying down. Then, add on an additional one-third of these measurements on all sides.

The opening to the doghouse must be visible to your pet while he or she is standing and sitting. Also, be sure that the entrance is large enough for your pet to use without effort.

One point that is often overlooked is the air circulation of the doghouse. It's a good idea to build the doghouse on top of stilts or an open foundation, allowing air to circulate beneath the house as well. This will help to prevent unwanted pests from infiltrating the doghouse, and will make sure that the structure remains warm and dry.

Your best friend deserves the best. An insulated doghouse provides the protection and security that your pet needs, whatever the weather.