Registered: Dec 2007
Location: VA
Posts: 327

What is your opinion of them? I've got a couple been trying to come up with some ideas for some doors before the next snap of cold weather comes in. Do you think they are good enough when temperature get down near 0 and not above 25-30 during the day?

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Registered: Jan 2010
Location: indiana
Posts: 398

I have had them for a few years never had a problem I always pack em full of straw the dogs seem to do fine in them I had put the plastic door strips on them but they tear them off within an hour. I have never seen them shiver or carry on like they are cold.

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Tom Lynch
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Registered: Aug 2011
Location: Perrinton, Michigan
Posts: 632

Back in mid 80s I bought 4, long story short my brother is still using them (He bought family home) they have lasted from mid 80s to now. Best to face them south thou to keep winter winds from blowing in.

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Tony Beals
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Registered: Jan 2005
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 592

Guys, i used these for a number of years thru the 90's and early 2000's.. There is a small metal shop near Topeka, IN that built the nicest set of metal swinging doors you could ever ask for. I had them on all 4 of mine. pulled a pin and took the doors off in warm weather.

Sunrise Metals - it's an Amish shop, but can be reached via telephone
(260) 463-4026

Wouldn't hurt to contact them and see if they still can build some sets.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

I have really disliked these dog houses for years. The reason being dogs prefer smaller dog hoses then most people would believe. It is important that the dog enter and be able to turn around and curl up into a ball. Ninety percent of the dog houses I see are too large (tall). A dog should be able to push straw against the door, and have its body easily heat up the space. Igloo dog houses can not meet this requirement unless they are equipped with doors. The reason being the door is nearly as tall as the dog house. The dog's heat will rise and promptly escape the dog house.

I know for a fact that the proper size dog house with adequate straw will keep a dog plenty warm even in -40 below wind chills. If you have extreme temperatures, I wouldn't recommend them.

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Larry Atherton

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Registered: Apr 2015
Location: church hill tn
Posts: 5738

I live in east tn, near the Virginia border and I have igloo houses in all my kennels (12 ). I love them, as they are easy to clean and work very good in the summer and winter. I use cedar shavings in the summer and hay in the winter. Put a piece of wood 8 inches high acroos the bottom of the door entrace to retain bedding. Face the entry of house towards your most sheltered direction ( my kennels are all located in a covered shed ). We do not get the frigid or extreme cold conditions as other parts of the country, but it gets cold single digits to below zero at times. Most houses designed for extreme cold do not work very good in the hot summer conditions. Igloos are a very good compromise, especially if one does not have extreme cold weather. Dave

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Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Kilkenny, MN
Posts: 893

I have one and have thought they were too tall for a dog to heat up properly. The heat rises up into the dome and mine has a vent there to let out the heat. It can be closed but it doesn't seem like it stops warmth from escaping. I covered the igloo with deep straw one time and the dog in that kennel started sleeping on top rather than inside! I didnt use it anymore after that. I'm in MN in case anyone is wondering.

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location: Nichols Ny
Posts: 1566

I had one that I had spray foam done on the inside and it kept the dog warm for sure. He spent half his day outside laying around in winter. I have deercreek dog houses now and like them better than anything else I've had.

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: North of Panama City Florida
Posts: 1014

i bought a few for my deer dog pens when i used to have foxhounds for deer... and they ate them... cant have anything nice...

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