Duchess_The_Doberman
Jr Member
Does anybody have any recommendations for a good outdoor dog house for my (full grown) Doberman? I’ve been looking everywhere and I’m not confident enough to build my own.
Outdoor Dog House
- Thread starter Duchess_The_Doberman
- Start date
I'm afraid you're not getting any responses because no one here keeps their Doberman outdoors. Dobermans are a very velcro breed who want to be with their family. They don't do well left outside on their own. Even Rescuers try to get them into a foster care as quickly as possible. They start to fail quickly if left in a shelter. Is it your intention to keep her out there 24/7? Even if she's out there 'just' during the day, I can't recommend it. She'll be very unhappy and may develop bad habits. I would also be worried about her ingesting something that she shouldn't. Being out there by herself with no one to watch her or entertain her, is just looking for trouble.
Antman408
$ Forum Donor $
No dog deserves or should be kept in a backyard for any reason other than playing or training. Specially this breed, everything @MyBuddy said I agree with.
If your intentions are to keep her out there I suggest rehoming her to someone who can provide the dog with it needs. Or if this is a “while I’m at work” thing I suggest crating or if you’re trusting enough let the dog have free roam of the house.
Not to mention their coats aren’t well suited to being out some times of the year. I see snow in the avatar
You got bombarded with full on “Don’t Do It” responses.
Everything that was posted is true and a real concern for those of us blessed to raise this breed. These dobes are extremely family oriented and are an indoor breed except for training, fun and potty. They are very intelligent and when bored will find things to get into that could possibly harm them. They will develop bad OCD behaviors like licking and chewing on themselves. They become anxious with a real possibility of developing separation anxiety that will be difficult to correct even with an animal behaviorist and trainer. They can develop fear aggression or other behavioral issues.
The ideal thing is to get a large enough crate to place them in while you are away. They will be inside and safe.
Leaving them outside alone would be like putting yourself in solitary confinement. It’s unhealthy emotionally and mentally. They need to be with their family in the home 24/7 in order to be healthy and stable. This breed has been known to shut down completely when left outside alone for long periods of time. I would figure out something other than living outside if you have to be gone for long periods.
Even though this breed is a personal guard breed and does extremely well at it, they are also an emotional breed that thrives on being with their family.
How old is your dog? Does he/she destroy your house when left alone inside?
What situations have occurred to make you want to put him/her outside?
Everything that was posted is true and a real concern for those of us blessed to raise this breed. These dobes are extremely family oriented and are an indoor breed except for training, fun and potty. They are very intelligent and when bored will find things to get into that could possibly harm them. They will develop bad OCD behaviors like licking and chewing on themselves. They become anxious with a real possibility of developing separation anxiety that will be difficult to correct even with an animal behaviorist and trainer. They can develop fear aggression or other behavioral issues.
The ideal thing is to get a large enough crate to place them in while you are away. They will be inside and safe.
Leaving them outside alone would be like putting yourself in solitary confinement. It’s unhealthy emotionally and mentally. They need to be with their family in the home 24/7 in order to be healthy and stable. This breed has been known to shut down completely when left outside alone for long periods of time. I would figure out something other than living outside if you have to be gone for long periods.
Even though this breed is a personal guard breed and does extremely well at it, they are also an emotional breed that thrives on being with their family.
How old is your dog? Does he/she destroy your house when left alone inside?
What situations have occurred to make you want to put him/her outside?
Duchess_The_Doberman
Jr Member
Wow I should’ve been clear that I didn’t mean she would be LIVING outside. She lives indoors with the family so no need to worry guys! I just want a dog house for her to lay in when she is out back with me.
Can you tell us Doberman owners are crazier than our dobes?
Duchess_The_Doberman
Jr Member
Yeah that rehoming comment really made me sad. I can’t believe everyone just assumed I’m an unfit owner because I want to buy a dog house. I really wish to delete the whole post.Can you tell us Doberman owners are crazier than our dobes?
Oh, well, in that case, you won't have to worry about a dog house! When she is outdoors with you she'll be sitting on your lap! Or sitting on your foot! Like I said, Dobermans are velcro LOL.
Don’t let it upset you, it’s hard to not take offense but sometimes when something is said in a post it is difficult to actually read the tone of it. We are glad you are here and asking honest questions. Please don’t let the comment prevent you from sharing your dobe with us. We really do care and are here to help with what we can. I think if you googled a DIY doghouse you will find some sites that offer the dog house plans.
We actually put up a sort of lean-to for shade for the Sinisters because we have a very sunny yard. I wanted them to be able to have access to shade when we are outside, but they will only go lay under it if one of us goes with them! 
blacknrust
Hot Topics Subscriber
Please don't take it personal. We are just a very passionate group about this breed and want only what's best for both the owners and dog.
I initially assumed that your pup was going to be left outside and I was wrong.
Lesson learned. Having volunteered at a dobe rescue, I have seen firsthand what it does to these dogs when their owners don't understand the breed.
Truly the thought of my Maeve being anywhere but up my butt while out in the yard is truly foreign to me 
PS Dutchess is a beauty! We love pictures!
PS Dutchess is a beauty! We love pictures!
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Good to hear! Now I can exhale! Lol.
I toyed with the idea of a cute little dog house when I saw some dogs on Facebook that were enjoying it, but I cannot really see a Doberman using it. They typically want to be close by their people. We have a cot that our dog uses and we move it around to wherever we are sitting, like outside or in the basement, otherwise he’ll just lay at our feet.
If you really want a dog house, I would suggest finding a very cheap tester house first. Like a very large box or even a second hand kiddie playhouse. That way, it’s not a big deal or big expense when the dog rejects it and you can just let the dog tear it apart haha. Can you tell I thought about this?
I toyed with the idea of a cute little dog house when I saw some dogs on Facebook that were enjoying it, but I cannot really see a Doberman using it. They typically want to be close by their people. We have a cot that our dog uses and we move it around to wherever we are sitting, like outside or in the basement, otherwise he’ll just lay at our feet.
If you really want a dog house, I would suggest finding a very cheap tester house first. Like a very large box or even a second hand kiddie playhouse. That way, it’s not a big deal or big expense when the dog rejects it and you can just let the dog tear it apart haha. Can you tell I thought about this?
Bogie would gladly use it to hike his leg on.
Any new planter I get, he has to put his mark of approval on it.
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Better than pooping on it lol.Bogie would gladly use it to hike his leg on.
That might happen too since Bogie likes to poop on elevated things.
Edit: I took them swimming and had the tailgate down on my truck and Bogie jumped in the bed of the truck and deposited his load. He is a fan of “take your shit before you split.” No littering on his watch.
@Tropicalbri's too funny! I like a well mannered dog who doesn't leave a mess behind!
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Kaiser does this too haha, the amount of times we’ve had to stop him from squatting over lawn statuesThat might happen too since Bogie likes to poop on elevated things.
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
He successfully pooped on this one. Thank goodness it was after dark when it happened haha.
Lizbeli
Hot Topics Subscriber
My family always had dog houses when I was growing up but I have no memories of the dogs actually using them haha. Id look for something that offers some sort of air flow if that is possible. The ones we had were hot and stuffy inside on warm days. So even though they offered shade the air quality in them sucked.
