14 Best Modern Dog Houses — 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Dogs tend to spend most of their time outside, and we can’t always be around to let them back in or supervise their play sessions. They might also want a sheltered spot indoors to hide away from rambunctious children. Regardless of the reason that you need one, a dog house can provide shelter and a cozy bedroom for your dog whether they’re inside or outdoors.

Many dog houses have the traditional sloped roof and round door, but this simplistic design doesn’t always match your décor. That’s why these reviews are for 14 stylishly modern dog houses that are perfect for indoor or outdoor use.

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The 14 Best Modern Dog Houses

1. Frisco Modern Wooden Outdoor Dog House — Best Overall

The Frisco Modern Wooden Outdoor Dog House provides a sleek, modern design that keeps your pet sheltered from the elements without it being an eyesore. It’s available in medium and large to suit most dog breeds.

Unlike many plastic houses, this one has adjustable feet to keep it level on uneven ground, whether you place it in the yard or on your porch. With an extended slanted roof to provide shade and direct snow and rain away from the open doorway, this is the best overall modern dog house.

A few owners have been surprised by the size of the house due to the extended roof. The dimensions for the design are the roof size rather than the main dog house, and there might not be enough room for large dog breeds.

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2. Frisco Deluxe Plastic Outdoor Dog House — Best Value

Weatherproof and fade resistant, the Frisco Deluxe Plastic Outdoor Dog House is a cozy way to keep your dog dry during bad weather. Instead of relying on the outdated look of classic kennels, it’s designed to look like a house to let your dog shelter in style. The durable plastic construction gives it a reliable sturdiness and makes it the best modern dog house for the money.

Besides being easy to clean, the Frisco Deluxe uses simple snap-together pieces for easy assembly. It’s available in medium and large to suit most dog breeds.

This design is weatherproof but doesn’t have any insulation. Also, the plastic construction might not be enough to keep your dog warm on cold, snowy days.

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3. Frisco Craftsman Wooden Outdoor Dog House — Premium Choice

The Frisco Craftsman Wooden Outdoor Dog House is more expensive than some other kennels, but it’s a weather-resistant and durable shelter with a sleek appearance. It’s raised off the ground by a few inches to keep water out without making it difficult for dogs to get in.

Featuring a sloped roof to direct snow and rain away from the entrance, the house is easy to assemble, though it does require tools that aren’t included in the package. Unlike many other dog houses, this one comes with a door flap that you can install to provide extra shelter from the elements.

Unfortunately, the Frisco Craftsman doesn’t include insulation. If you live in an area with cold winters or prefer your dog to have a warmer house overall, you’ll need to insulate it yourself.

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4. TRIXIE Natura Classic Dog House — Best for Puppies

Puppies also need a place to hide from the elements or just to take a break from exploring the garden. The Trixie Natura Classic Dog House is made with pine wood to provide a safe, weatherproof shelter. To suit puppies of all ages, it’s available in small, medium, and large.

On warm days, the raised floor helps keep the dog house cool, and the roof can be propped open with the built-in locking arms for extra ventilation. The house also has a removable floor for an easy way to clean up any accidents.

Although the construction uses real wood to make sure the dog house is sturdy, the wood is thin and unable to hold excessive amounts of weight. Due to this, the Trixie dog house is best suited for small dog breeds or puppies.

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5. Zooba 2-in-1 Elevated Extra Large Dog House

If you like to go camping and have a large dog, the Zooba 2-in-1 Elevated Extra Large Dog House is a lightweight and portable home away from home. Sturdy and big enough for dogs weighing up to 178 pounds, it’s easy to assemble and take down again once your camping trip ends. It comes with a carrying bag for easy storage and portability.

The framework is made of metal, with a middle bar for the base to ensure stability and prevent sagging. It has an elevated design to keep the dog house cool during hot summer camping trips and dry during damp weather. The polyester cover is scratch resistant and waterproof and has windows that you can cover or open depending on the weather. It can also be removed entirely to make a fully open bed.

Due to its lightweight construction, the Zooba isn’t heavy enough to withstand strong winds unless it’s secured to the ground. The material also isn’t durable enough to stay outside year-round.

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6. Frisco Classic Wooden Outdoor Dog House

The Frisco Classic Wooden Outdoor Dog House combines an old-style dog kennel with a sleek, modern design made with durable materials. Available in two sizes, this dog house suits most small and medium breeds weighing up to 70 pounds.

The design has adjustable feet for stability on uneven ground, a removable floor panel for easy cleaning, and a sheltered porch to keep out the rain. It’s made with wood, metal hardware, and PVC for a durable, weather-proof finish.

Although the Frisco Classic dog house can be used inside if you have space, it has been noted to have a strong, unpleasant smell that can be overpowering indoors. Some dog owners have also had issues with the included screws being too short to hold the house together securely, and they might need to be replaced with longer screws.

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7. Frisco Outdoor Wicker Dog House & Bed

The Frisco Outdoor Wicker Dog House & Bed is suitable for medium and large dog breeds provided that they weigh under 100 pounds. The unique wicker design gives it a stylish, modern appearance that gives it an edge over classic plastic kennels.

While it does require assembly, the instructions are easy to follow and don’t require any specialized tools. It also has an included cushion that’s removable and weatherproof, so it’s suitable for use outdoors.

Although there is assembly hardware included, the screws are low quality and replacements might ensure better stability. Also, the cushion sold with this house should only be washed by hand.

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8. Pet Teepee With Cushion for Dogs & Cats

Toy breeds might not spend much time outside on their own, but they still deserve a special house of their own. The Pet Teepee With Cushion for Dogs and Cats is perfect for use as a glamorous bed for your dog, whether you’re at home, in your yard, or on a camping trip.

Made with cotton canvas, it’s durable and machine washable and comes with a pillow for extra comfort. The design is simple to ensure that it’s easy to assemble without the need for tools and to allow for portability.

Unfortunately, this Pet Teepee isn’t big enough for dogs weighing over 25 pounds or for large breeds. Despite being machine washable, the padding in the cushion can flatten during the cycle. Also, this dog house shouldn’t be left outside year-round due to the minimal weather resistance.

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9. Merry Products Room With a View Wood Dog & Cat House

The Merry Products Room With a View Wood Dog & Cat House offers plenty of lounging space for small dogs by providing two floors. Your dog can take shelter inside the hut on the covered ground floor or sunbathe on the veranda. It’s made of real cedar and can be used both indoors and outside, and the floor and roof panels are removable to provide easy access for cleaning.

Designed for small dogs—and cats—it’s too small for large breeds. However, some dogs struggle to climb up and down the stairs to reach the veranda and might not use the top floor at all. There is also limited weatherproofing on the wood, so you might need to weatherproof the material yourself before using it outside and add insulation for cold winters.

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10. Petmate Barnhome III Dog House

Designed for small breeds that love being outside in all types of weather, the Petmate Barnhome III Dog House is made of strong plastic and comes in extra-small or small sizes. It has a simple construction with easy assembly, and the top and bottom pieces are designed to snap together without requiring tools. The plastic is easy to clean with a garden hose and has elevated interior flooring to keep out water and ventilation holes in the back panel for airflow.

Some users have found that the ventilation holes let in water when it rains, and the lack of insulation means the house doesn’t stay warm enough in cold winters. The plastic is durable but sometimes has sharp edges that need to be filed down, and it can also be difficult to snap the top and bottom pieces together securely.

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11. LEMBERI Durable Waterproof Plastic Dog House

The LEMBERI Durable Waterproof Plastic Dog House is available in several sizes for small to large dog breeds and in gray, blue, or red to suit your décor. Made with plastic, it’s lightweight and easy to assemble by snapping the pieces together and securing them with the included hardware. The raised base has stabilizing feet to prevent sagging and ground nails for stability.

This dog house is easy to clean due to the plastic construction and removable roof. You can also fit a doggy flap—sold separately—to the door to give your dog extra privacy.

Despite being intended for outdoor use, the plastic walls are thin and aren’t insulated, which can make this house incredibly cold during winter. Several owners have tried to return faulty products only to find that the return shipping fees are more expensive than the dog house itself.

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12. MidWest Eillo Folding Outdoor Wood Dog House

Many wooden dog houses come with assembly instructions, screws, and pre-drilled holes that might not match up. While this can be dealt with if you have the right tools, it’s still inconvenient.

For the less-handy dog owner, the MidWest Eillo Folding Outdoor Wood Dog House doesn’t require any tools or additional hardware for assembly. It’s a simple, fold-out design that is held in place with the roof, which can be removed for easy access for cleaning.

The MidWest Eillo has a raised, slatted floor to provide cooling in summer and protection from flooding, and it’s waterproof and suitable for dogs up to 42 pounds in weight. It’s not strong enough to withstand heavy dogs, though, and some owners have noted a strong chemical smell coming from the house. The wood is also thin and can be easily damaged during shipping.

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13. Petsfit Outdoor Dog House

Designed for small dogs weighing less than 50 pounds, the Petsfit Outdoor Dog House is a cute, modern way to provide shelter for their outdoor explorations. It has a covered porch and a removable roof to make cleaning the interior a breeze. The asphalt roof is tilted to direct rainwater away from the entrance, and the adjustable feet enable you to keep the dog house flat on uneven ground.

While this option is only suitable for small breeds, it’s expensive, especially compared to dog houses with more space. Some small dogs might find the interior space too cramped for comfort. The wood also hasn’t been treated to ensure that it can withstand harsh weather.

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14. FLL Large Dog House

The FLL Large Dog House is a reliable option for dogs up to 100 pounds. It’s made with durable plastic that’s easy to clean. The design is weatherproof and can be used outside and indoors. It has a non-slip silicone base for stability and a raised interior to keep out water.

Although it claims to be big enough for large breeds, some owners have found that it’s too small for their dogs. Several people have also had issues with fastening the snap-together pieces securely, despite the no-tools-necessary assembly. If you need to return a damaged product, the shipping is incredibly expensive due to the size of the package.

Why Do You Need a Dog House?

A sturdy, reliable dog house doesn’t just provide shelter for your outdoor-loving dog; it also gives them somewhere safe to sit while they’re outside. If you leave your dog in the yard while you’re at work, a secure kennel can give them somewhere to hide if they get startled, a dry spot to wait out the rain, or simply a quiet place to take a nap away from the sun.

An outdoor home for your dog doesn’t mean they shouldn’t come indoors and cuddle with you, though. Dogs love to be included in family activities, and their outdoor shelter shouldn’t replace their spot on the couch.

Conclusion

Choosing a dog house that’s reliable enough to provide shelter for your dog isn’t easy, which is why these reviews covered various options that have a modern flair. Our top choice is the Modern Wooden Outdoor Dog House due to its stylish design and extended roof that gives your dog plenty of shelter from the weather.

If you can’t stretch your budget that far, the Frisco Deluxe is an affordable alternative made with easy-to-clean plastic. There’s also the Frisco Craftsman for dog owners who prefer a simple but reliable design that blends in with their existing décor.

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Featured Image Credit: angel6000, Pixabay