Make sure the dog house you select is the right size. Now this would seem like a no brainer. However there are several dimensions that need to be taken into consideration. Door opening, ceiling height, floor space ...length x width x height. When measuring the door opening remember it is wise to go with approximately 3/4 of your dog's height so your dog is protected during harsh weather. Take a lesson from canines in the wild the den opening is smaller than the interior of the house to protect against predators and the weather.
To get an accurate dimension for the floor the next time your dog is laying down tape off the area they take up and that will give you guidelines for the interior floor space required for them to be comfortable, yet not too big so it is hard to heat.
You don't want it too small either; would you want your feet hanging over the edge of your bed?
Material used in construction!
Cedar is an excellent wood to use for dog house construction because it is a natural insulator from the harsh elements. It will not heat up during the hot summer months like a plastic house will. During the harsh cold winter months cedar will retain the heat from your dog better than plastic houses or other types of materials. Western cedar is an excellent choice because it is preferred by the construction industry because of its structural integrity considering the weight of the wood. Since there is no resin presence in this wood it can be painted to match any other buildings in your backyard dcor.
Consider using insulation!
Selecting an insulated cedar dog house makes sense for several reasons, not only will it keep your pet comfortable during the winter months but also cooler in the summer heat.