Whatever type of climate you live in, be it blisteringly hot, biting cold, somewhere in between or - like the UK - all three on the same day, your dog should never be left alone outdoors for long periods without proper living conditions and access to adequate shelter. This might be as simple as leaving the back door open or, if that is impractical or unacceptable, by giving your dog an outside home and exercise run.

Exercise

All dogs need exercise. A small breed might get enough by merely running around a back garden, but larger dogs will still need proper exercising even if they have the run of a large backyard. Please don't use your yard as an excuse not to walk your dog properly!

If your yard is not fenced you should consider making a suitable running pen for your pet. Even if it is fenced you might have valuable plants or carefully tended flower beds that do not mix well with a boisterous animal. Some sort of separation between dog and flowers might be a good idea!

Shelter

Your dog's health is super important. Good outdoor dog houses will provide shade on hot days and shelter from wind and rain on bad days, both necessary for Fido's welfare. Make sure that the access door is placed out of the prevailing wind, and perhaps provide a movable screen or curtain over the door to keep out wind and rain as well. You could add an awning over the entrance for more shade, or make sure that there are other shady areas in the garden such as trees or trellises.

Food and Water

Fresh drinking water is a must. If your dog tends to be a bit clumsy (a Cocker Spaniel comes to mind!) try to anchor the water bowl so that it can't be turned over too easily. It's also a good idea to place the bowl on a patio slab or other hard surface, so that the inevitable water spillage doesn't make the ground around it turn to mud. And then migrate to muddy paws!

Try to feed your dog indoors if possible. Apart from keeping food scraps away from garden pests and perhaps uninvited guests of the wild animal variety, this has the advantage of making your dog feel part of your family. Dogs are, after all, companionable animals and like to feel they belong.

Dog Houses

Dog house design is up to you but can be a good opportunity to make something really beautiful for your pet. Start with the size required. If your dog is less than a year old you need to know what size it will eventually end up, or make an inspired guess.

The dog house will need to be big enough for the animal to lie down and turn around in, but not too large so that the dog will get a little lost in it.

Then you need to consider things like easy access for not only your dog but also you, to clean out and generally keep the inside healthy and comfortable. There should be good ventilation, to control humidity and damp. A dog's breath contains a surprising amount of water! And the dog house must be dry and weather-proof. All joins should be sealed properly, no holes, no rotting or mildewed wood.

Avoid pressure-treated wood because it can be poisonous for animals.

It is probably a good idea to mount the dog house off the ground, to prevent cold ground temperatures and rising damp from affecting your dog.

There are many different dog houses available to buy but, apart from saving money, building the kennel yourself has many advantages. Yes, you can make one simply by screwing a few bits of scrap wood together but the result will be unattractive and disappointing for both dog and owner. Far better to design a dog house that not only meets all the basic requirements outlined above but also becomes an attractive feature of your garden or backyard in its own right.

Do you want to know how to build a doghouse? There are plenty of simple dog house plans available on-line, some free and some costing a few dollars. Free ones tend to be a little basic but can be perfectly adequate. At least they won't have cost you anything if you decide to ditch them!

Buying a good set of doghouse plans usually ensures a wide range of designs, proper construction drawings, clear assembly instructions and useful materials lists. Even though building a dog house is simple and straightforward it is still good to get one designed by an expert so that you know it will meet all the necessary care requirements and be good enough for your dog.

A Happy Dog!

Looking after a pet is every owner's responsibility but one that everyone will want to perform to the best of his or her ability. The reward will be a healthy, happy and loving canine friend.