A doghouse, also known as a kennel, is an outbuilding to provide shelter for a dog from various weather conditions.Collins Dictionary: Definition of "doghouse"
Background
Humans and domesticated dogs have been companions for more than 15,000 years, beginning with the wolf and hunter–gatherers.Frantz, Laurent A. F.; Bradley, Daniel G.; Larson, Greger; Orlando, Ludovic (2020). "Animal domestication in the era of ancient genomics". Nature Reviews Genetics. 21 (8): 449–460. doi:10.1038/s41576-020-0225-0. PMID 32265525. S2CID 214809393. Initially, dogs would inhabit the outdoors staying close to humans.Evolution of Doghouses Mud was used to construct the earliest known doghouses. Over the millennia crude doghouses were built from the scrap material that was available to owners at the particular time and place.
During the Industrial Revolution, economies of scale allowed manufactured doghouses to become a standard commercial product that could be sold to the mass market. Mass production allowed manufacturers to improve the design and quality of materials used to construct a doghouse.
During the 1800s, the animal rights movement began creating legislation for animal rights and animal welfare. This allowed the creation of organizations like the humane society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which have set standards of care for dogs that live outdoors including a properly designed doghouse that is structurally sound, weatherproof, insulated, of adequate size and appropriate for the dog's use, at all times.Ontario SPCA: Requirements for the Ideal Doghouse Municipalities enforce legislation to protect dogs living outdoors with the animal control service.What Services do Animal Control Provide?
A wide variety of materials are used to make doghouses, including: hardboard, hard wood, plywood, and plastic. Do it yourself (DIY) projects allow owners to construct the doghouse to their exact design specifications using the best possible materials for their dogs' needs.Free DIY doghouse plans Recent advancements in technology have led to the development of smart dog houses, which offer features such as temperature control, automatic doors, and environmental monitoring. These smart shelters can automatically adjust temperature, humidity, and air quality to ensure pets' comfort, with some models also allowing remote control via mobile apps. According to a report by Research Nester, the pet tech market, which includes innovations like smart pet houses, is expected to reach a revenue of USD 37 billion by 2035, reflecting the growing demand for technology-integrated pet care solutions.
Gallery
See also
Animal shelter Eddie's House Kennel
References
External links
Ontario SPCA - Ideal Doghouse for Outdoor use in Ontario, Canada Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls—Includes step-by-step video instructions and free blueprints for a custom doghouse. Building a Small Dog House Includes detailed images with the construction process, as well as a list with the materials and tools needed for the project.