Winter will be upon us before we know it. While a lot of pooches get to spend the majority of their time inside during the winter, other dogs have to deal with the outdoors in inclement weather. The question then is what is enough shelter to keep you dog safe from the elements? In general any shelter that can keep the dog dry and out of the wind is adequate unless the pet has extremely short hair. Dog houses, insulated or not, need to be large enough for the dog to stand up in and turn around. Keep bedding such as straw, shavings, beds, or blankets clean and dry. Try to face the opening of the shelter away from prevailing winds. In most areas this will mean facing the opening to the south, east, or southeast. Geriatric dogs, sick dogs, short-haired dogs and puppies will likely need additional warmth depending on the temperature and wind chill.
