An insulated dog house can greatly assist in keeping a dog cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Protecting your dog from temperature extremes is especially important during the summer because more dogs die from overheating (heat stroke) than from freezing. If you are unable to situate the dog house in an area with adequate shade, give serious consideration to building or buying an insulated dog house. Long-haired dogs such as Collies, Labs, German Shepards, Rottweilers, Retrievers, and Saint Bernards will especially appreciate the gesture. Conversely, short-haired dogs such as Boston Terriers and German Shorthaired Pointers will benefit from an insulated dog house during the winter time.
Although double-wall plastic or metal is sometimes used, most insulated dog houses are made from wood. In fact, wood by itself is a very good insulator; certainly much better than plastic or metal. Rigid foam panel, sometimes with a foil backing, from 1/4" to 2" thick is a common insulating material. Ideally, it will be installed in the walls, the floor and the roof . A plywood facing should be in place to keep the dog from chewing, licking, or otherwise coming in contact with the insulation.
Other ways of improving the insulating qualities of a dog house: leave a "dead-air" space of 3-4 inches under the floor, make sure the walls are wind-proof, use a double-flap wind-proof door, offset the door to provide greater sheltered space inside, keep the inside filled with cedar chips or other suitable dog bedding, and positioning the house so the door is not directly exposed to the prevailing wind or sun.
