Dog House For Bulldog | Best 5 Bulldog Houses

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A dog house gives a bulldog a dry, shaded place of its own in the garden. It is not a place to leave a bulldog on its own for long periods, and it is no help in hot weather on its own. Bulldogs are flat-faced, and that changes how you choose and use one.

On heat, the RSPCA explain: “When a dog gets too hot and can’t lower its temperature by panting, it can develop heatstroke. This can be fatal”. They list the risk factors, including: “certain brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds are unable to pant as effectively, due to their shorter snouts.”

On where a dog lives, the RSPCA say: “While we don’t necessarily agree with dogs being kept outside, it’s not illegal to do so.” They also advise a “comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean and quiet place to rest undisturbed” and warn that “Living in a cold or wet place can make your dog unwell.”

So think of an outdoor house as a shelter for supervised time in the garden, with shade and fresh water nearby, and keep your bulldog indoors with the family in very hot or very cold weather. Below are five houses to consider. Details come from the Amazon listings and we have not tested them. We earn a commission if you buy through our Amazon links, at no extra cost to you. Listings are for the US store, so check availability where you live.

Is A Dog House Worth It For A Bulldog?

A house is worth it if your bulldog spends supervised time in a garden or yard and needs somewhere to get out of the sun, wind or rain. It does not replace a bed indoors. See our guides to the warmest dog houses and outdoor kennels and runs for more.

• Shade and shelter: a roof over your dog in sun or rain.
• A place of their own: somewhere quiet to settle during outdoor time.
• Not a heat fix: a closed house can get hot inside, so put it in shade and watch your dog.

Using A Dog House In Hot And Cold Weather

In summer, put the house in full shade, keep water out, and do not rely on it to keep a bulldog cool. Bring a flat-faced dog indoors on hot days and see the RSPCA page for the signs of heatstroke and what to do. If you think your dog is overheating, cool them down and call your vet.

In winter, a house gives shelter from wind and rain, but bulldogs have short coats and little body fat to spare. A house is not a reason to leave your dog out in a freeze. Our guide to keeping a dog house warm covers insulation and bedding.

How To Choose A Dog House For A Bulldog

• Size: your bulldog should be able to stand, turn round and lie down comfortably. Check the inside measurements and the weight range on the listing against your dog.
• Material: read the listing for what it is made of and how it is sealed. Raise the floor off the ground on bricks or blocks to keep damp out.
• Door and ventilation: a doorway that is wide enough for a broad chest, and vents so air can move.
• Cleaning: a removable floor or hinged roof makes cleaning easier.

Where To Put The Dog House

Put it in full shade, out of the wind and off wet ground, for example beside a wall or under a roof overhang, with the door facing away from the prevailing wind. You can also use a house indoors, which keeps it out of the sun and weather.

How To Get A Bulldog Used To A Dog House

Use treats and praise, and never push your dog inside. See our guide on whether bulldogs are hard to train for the general approach.

1. Put a few treats near the house and let your dog eat them.
2. Put treats in the doorway.
3. Toss treats a little way inside.
4. Give your dog time and space to go in on their own.
5. Stay close at first, and praise calm behaviour.

5 Dog Houses To Consider For A Bulldog

Check the weight range and inside measurements on each listing before you order. Lengths and weights below are converted from the listings.

#1 Petmate Indigo Igloo Dog House

The listing describes a weatherproof, igloo-style plastic house, made in the USA, for dogs 50 to 90 pounds (about 23 to 41 kg), with no tools needed to put it together. Whatever the material, put it in shade and do not rely on it in hot weather. We could not confirm current stock, so check the listing.

See the Petmate Large Indigo Igloo Dog House on Amazon

#2 Large Dog House Lodge With Porch

The listing describes a solid fir wood house with a porch deck, sold as insulated and rain-proof, and gives the size as 67 inches wide, 31 deep and 38 high (about 170 × 79 × 97 cm). That is a big house, so check that you have space for it. We could not confirm current stock, so check the listing.

See the Large Dog House Lodge with Porch Deck on Amazon

#3 Precision Pet Extreme Outback Log Cabin

The listing describes a large natural-wood log cabin house. It showed as in stock with an add-to-cart button when we checked. Check the door size against your dog’s chest and the weight range on the listing.

See the Precision Pet Extreme Outback Log Cabin Dog House on Amazon

#4 Petsfit Wooden Dog House

The listing describes a large wooden, weatherproof house with a hinged roof, for outdoor use. The size is 45.6 × 30.9 × 32.1 inches (about 116 × 78 × 82 cm). It showed as in stock when we checked. A hinged roof makes cleaning easier.

See the Petsfit Large Wooden Dog House on Amazon

#5 Pets Imperial Norfolk XL Insulated Kennel

The listing describes an insulated wooden kennel with support rails and a removable floor for easy cleaning. Check the listing for the insulation details, and still put it in shade. We could not confirm current stock, so check the listing.

See the Pets Imperial Norfolk XL Insulated Wooden Dog Kennel on Amazon

Before You Go

A dog house is shelter for supervised outdoor time, not a home for your bulldog. Choose a size that fits, put it in shade, and bring your dog indoors when it is very hot or very cold. More in our dog care guide.