Of course, it goes without saying that the blue plastic barrels are by far the cheapest - as far as dog houses go.  But that’s not the only reason we use them.  Most commercial dog houses are made with people in mind - and aren’t really designed for dogs.  There are several photos attached to this post - with a few different plastic commercial dog house designs.  The wooden houses are sturdier, but are prone to rot, chewing, and are heavy as lead. 

There are many ways you can create a dog house using a plastic barrel.  You can find them in white or blue. We prefer the blue over the white because the white deteriorates faster; although it is still a better option than a commercial dog house.  We are currently in the process of upgrading all of our dog houses to the following:  The front opening on the barrel is cut completely out;  a half moon plywood cut-out is then installed about 8” or so inside the barrel - which also creates a self-contained rain barrier.  This method leaves plenty of room for the dog to climb up and over into a den-like setting; and keeps shavings inside the barrel - where it is needed.  Other benefits of using a barrel include low maintenance; no painting; and no rotting wood. 

Side note on winter weather and outdoor dogs:  While we agree that the ideal situation during the winter is a nice, warm bed in the house, please keep in mind that drastic changes in temperature can sometimes do more harm than good. If you bring an outdoor pet indoors, keep it inside for longer than overnight. They get used to the indoor temp, and putting them back out first thing in the morning (the coldest part of the day) is subjecting them to a super drastic change in temperature. It's not healthy for them. They do acclimate to the cold (or heat), and drastic changes complicate things for them.  Also - many think adding a heat lamp inside the dog house helps keep the dogs warm.  If the dog house is big enough, and the lamp isn’t too hot - then it could possibly work short-term; however if the dog house is the correct size, then adding a heat lamp would actually be too hot and would force the dog to stay out if it - defeating the purpose.

If a dog house lacks adequate ventilation, the air will become hot and stifling during the summer, creating an uncomfortable, and possibly dangerous environment for your pet. During the winter, poor ventilation may result in excessive moisture buildup from the dog's breathing. This moisture will condense on the interior surfaces creating a clammy environment and inviting bugs and mildew to take up residence. So, proper ventilation is essential.  The doorway opening obviously provides a certain degree of ventilation but if a door flap is used, the ventilation will be restricted. This is one reason we do not use door flaps; the other being that the dogs would most likely find it a challenge to tear them off!

To keep the barrel from rolling, you can place a brick on the side(s); attach a steel or wooden plate to the front/back; or get extra creative and create a platform or frame to set the barrel in.