For many families, the dog is part of the household, not just a pet that sits in the back yard. If you have a nice house, why shouldn't your pet? Sure, you can go to the pet store and walk down the isle of doghouses looking for which of those mediocre wooden or plastic pieces to choose.

But, if you really treat your pet like family, you need a dog house that is more than a boring box with an entryway.

How about a custom dog house? Just as there are builders of regular homes, there are also builders of custom homes for dogs. These dog houses are much more than a couple of walls and a doggie door. They can be homes that are built to match yours, to go with the theme of your backyard or suit the personality of your pet.

When you think you are ready to have a custom dog house built in your backyard, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. First you need to know what you want in a dog house. While having an idea of what you want the outside to look like is a good start, do you know what else the dog house should have? Depending on where you live there are options you may want to look into. If you live in a very warm or tropical climate, there are custom dog houses that come with air conditioning. On the other hand, if you live in a colder area, you can get a dog house with a heater, or heated floor, so your dog always has somewhere warm to lie down and stay safe from the cold.

Next, you need to talk to the custom dog house builder. You need to know the home they are going to build for your dog is as high quality as a home they would build for people. You need to be confident the home will stand up to bad weather, as well as typical wear and tear. Don't forget a foundation. Many builders like to construct a dog house on the ground, or on a wooden base. It's worth the extra money to have it set on a cement foundation, just as your home is. That foundation will provide extra support to the structure and also keep your pet high and dry if there is a lot of rain falling or snow melting.

Another benefit of having a custom dog house is if you do a lot of entertaining in your back yard. Think about it. If you have worked to have a beautifully manicured yard to greet your guests, do you want to mar that look with an eyesore of a dog house, or would you prefer an attractive dog house that adds to the beauty instead of detracting from the view? This is what custom dog houses can offer.