The Best Dog House Stores

Tuesday, March 28th

2023 Dog House Store Reviews

Wayfair

• Cost: From $20 to $10,000
• Selection: More than 100

Wayfair often comes in first place when we are looking for a store that carries practically everything - and at great prices. They proudly claim that they sell "a zillion things home", and their selection of dog houses doesn't disappoint. With over 100 to choose from - in almost every imaginable style and price point - Wayfair is sure to have something that will get your dog's tail wagging.

One thing we love about shopping for a dog house at Wayfair: you won't have to wade through related accessories like kennel pads and plastic doors to find what you're looking for. Everything listed in their inventory for that category is actually a dog house.

You'll also have plenty of ways to sort through the possibilities. Use the categories at the top to narrow down the results by construction material, size of your dog, price, features, and customer ratings.

If money is no object, there are several dog houses offered by Wayfair that are definitely high-end. We're a little mystified by the most expensive model, the Rizo Outdoor Dog House by Tucker Murphy Pet. For the not-so-bargain price of $9999.10 (payment plan available!), you get a plastic dog house. For that price, we were expecting some novel features like air conditioning or a webcam for anxious pet parents, but no - just a standard plastic shelter.

On the other hand, the next two models on that end of the spectrum made much more sense: Little Cottage Company's Cape Cod and Victorian Cottages look like mini versions of your own gorgeous home (and with a lovely $5000+ price tag to go with it).

Taking a look at the opposite budget range, you'll see that Wayfair has options galore. From pet tents and ottoman/dog house combos intended for inside use, to contemporary wood designs complete with a pet balcony, this retailer has dozens of choices under $200.

Because so many shoppers buy from Wayfair, you can take advantage of numerous customer reviews on many of the dog houses on the site. One of the most popular models is the Augie by Archie & Oscar. At a bargain price of $46.49, this dog house has an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars over more than 340 customer ratings.

Across the board, Wayfair almost always comes in first with respect to prices. It's hard to find another retailer with a considerably lower price on anything Wayfair sells, including dog houses. You'll also get free shipping on all orders over $49.

On the other hand, Wayfair isn't quite as competitive as some of the stores we reviewed when considering their return policy. You'll only have 30 days to make a return if you don't like the dog house you bought, and it has to be returned in original condition. You'll also be on the hook for any return shipping fees, since Wayfair doesn't have any brick-and-mortar store locations where you could bring it back yourself.

Other than that, however, Wayfair is the absolute best for selection and variety when shopping for a dog house. The online store has a clean design that's simple to navigate, and with everyday pricing that's the lowest on the market, Wayfair has a dog house for every Fluffy, Fido or Fritz. This store earns our highest ranking.

Petco

• Cost: From $43 to $450
• Selection: 30+ models

Petco is a household name when it comes to pet supplies, with thousands of retail locations throughout the US and a robust online store to boot. Compared with similar retailers - pet specialty stores with in-person stores as well as an online presence - Petco has a much better selection of dog houses, with more than 30 in stock during our most recent shopping trip to the site.

We love the range of options this store offers: from mini pet palaces to economical plastic shelters, you're likely to find something appropriate for your puppy pal here. On the fancy end of the spectrum, Petco carries the Houses & Paws Wooded Lux Pet House for $448.49, complete with asphalt roof, hinged window, and even a porch. The Petco site makes it easy to see details like product weight, dimensions, and estimated delivery date. You'll see several other styles by the same manufacturer, as well as styles from Trixie and other brands.

On the budget end of the inventory, there are several options for under $100. Some are the plastic type that look more like a crate you'd use for air travel with your pet, and others are made of wood and what you'd probably picture when thinking of a typical dog house. Watch for the "more options available" button too; the image may show a single size, but other sizes are also sold by Petco.

Some dog houses might be available for in-store pickup. Look at the top of the site and make sure that your preferred location has been entered there; you can then check the box to limit the results shown to those models that are in stock at that store.

Petco has a stellar return policy. You'll have 60 days from when your dog house shipped to return it for a full refund. Returns can be made by mail or in-store. You can also return it after that 60-day period, but you'll get a store credit instead of a refund. Given that pets can be fussy, we love that Petco lets you return your dog house - or any other purchase - for any reason. In other words, you won't be stuck with a dog house that Fluffy refuses to use!

For all-around selection, excellent return policy, and easy-to-use website, Petco comes out as a great option when shopping for a new dog house.

Home Depot

• Cost: From $49 to $400
• Selection: 60+ models to choose from

Home Depot has everything you need for your house - including a smaller-scale home for your pet! You already know that this home improvement retailer has products ranging from light bulbs to landscaping equipment, but it may surprise you to learn that they offer an impressive selection of dog houses as well.

Shopping for your pet's new living arrangements is a breeze on the Home Depot website. You can use the categories across the top to go directly to a particular size or price range, or use the filters on the left side to narrow down the available products by brand, price range, or "Get It Fast" (to see only those options that are in stock at retail locations near you). There's also a helpful Compare button at the top of each image, so as you browse you can select the dog houses you like and see them side-by-side.

Looking for something economical? Home Depot offers almost a dozen options that are under $100. In this price range, the most popular model is the Suncast H Dog House. Made of resin, this style looks almost like one of those kids' playhouses you might see in a typical suburban backyard. At $67.09, it's easy to see why this dog house is one of the most often purchased; Home Depot customers gave it an average 4 out of 5 stars. You'll also find some cute, sturdy wood dog houses in the $100-or-less category.

On the luxe end of the spectrum, you'll find a cedar cabin, a sturdy igloo style, and several wood models with fun detailing like painted window frames and bone-shaped decorations on the sides. Most of the higher-end dog houses are still under $250. No matter which one you choose, you'll get free shipping - or you can choose to pick up in-store with free "ship to store" on some models.

Home Depot welcomes returns within 90 days of purchase, either by mail or at any one of their retail locations. However, unlike some of the stores in our evaluation, Home Depot requires the merchandise to be new and unopened. That means that if the canine cabin isn't to Rover's liking, you probably won't be able to take it back.

Home Depot is a good choice if you'd like a wide range of dog houses to consider, as well as the flexibility of purchasing online and picking up (and/or returning) in-store. Their prices are comparable to their competition, and free delivery on all of the styles they carry is a plus. Just keep in mind that their return policy isn't as broad as some of the pet supply stores in our review.

Chewy

• Cost: From $33.99 to $122
• Selection: 10 options

Chewy is one of the newest names in the pet supply industry and is one of the only retailers in our review that is 100% online. That means they can get your order delivered in a hurry: instead of spending money on overhead on brick-and-mortar locations, they distribute their warehouses throughout the US so that no matter what you purchase, it'll be delivered quickly.

You won't find a ton of options for dog houses here: just 10 styles ranging from a plastic "pet barn" (which looks like an airline cargo container) to basic wooden cabin and cottage models. Be sure to click on the "More Choices Available" if the dog house that interests you isn't the right size for your pet: many of Chewy's models come in sizes beyond the one shown in the image.

Chewy keeps their prices competitive. For each of the dog houses they sell, you'll have a hard time finding any rival selling it for less. This retailer also makes a strong name for itself with an ironclad satisfaction guarantee: if you're not 100% happy, you can return your order. Given that most stores won't let you return your dog house if you've already assembled it, that's a pretty amazing perk (especially if Rover refuses to sleep in it, or worse, develops an allergic reaction to the materials used!).

We've heard fantastic things about Chewy's customer service, and our own experience backs that up: on a recent purchase, the company made a mistake with our billing, charging us for the entire cost of the order and then charging us again as each item shipped from their different warehouses. After calling their toll-free, 24/7 customer service number to report the issue, we were contacted by a Chewy rep just a few hours later who apologized profusely and refunded all of the charges - including the original order.

For most of the dog houses they sell, Chewy will get it to you fast - 1-2 days - and free, since all orders over $49 have no charge for shipping. Chewy also offers an Autoship program that can save you 30% (maximum discount: $20) when you set up recurring, automatic deliveries. Of course, this applies more to consumables like dog food and treats; most people aren't going to need a regular delivery of a new dog house!

When it comes to pet supplies, Chewy is a great place to shop: more than 1600 brands overall, terrific customer service, and low prices. However, their small selection of dog houses may not meet the needs of every shopper, which keeps Chewy towards the middle of the pack in our ratings.

Petsmart

• Cost: From $62 to $270
• Selection: Approximately 12 choices

PetSmart is one of the largest brick-and-mortar pet supply stores in the US - which is why we were caught off-guard by their relatively limited online selection of dog houses. Our search during our most recent shopping trip to the PetSmart site turned up only 18 results - several of which were accessories like dog house floor mats and doors.

Of the approximately one dozen actual dog houses in their online store, prices range from low $60s to upper $200s. On the lower end, you'll find models like the Petmate Indigo Igloo-style - with an average of 4.5/5 stars over 30+ customer reviews. The higher end of the spectrum leads you to Trixie's Rustic Dog House, which comes in two sizes and is made of pine.

PetSmart didn't have the lowest prices, either. We spotted that same Trixie's model on a competitor site for 5% less. On the other hand, you'll get free shipping on orders of $49+, which applies to all of the dog houses they sell. And, since PetSmart matches their competitors' everyday prices, they would probably honor that lower price we found. Or, if you didn't want to go through the hassle of making the price match request, PetSmart also offers a 5% discount on all items ordered online and picked up at a local store. (Whether or not you'd want to do that on a larger item like a dog house is up to you.)

PetSmart offers extra savings through their rewards program, Treats. You'll earn 8 points for every dollar you spend online or in-store, including local pet services like grooming and Doggie Day Camp. Your points are valid for a full year and can be redeemed instantly at checkout (also online or in stores). You'll also earn a free surprise on your pet's birthday and get exclusive deals and discounts not available to the general public. There's no cost to sign up for Treats.

This retailer also has a generous return policy. You'll have 60 days from the date of purchase to either send back your order or take it to a brick-and-mortar location near you. You'll need your packing slip or order confirmation email, and all products have to be in their original packaging.

When it comes to selection, PetSmart is not the top choice for buying a dog house. But, if they happen to have a style you like, their customer-friendly policies and ease of making returns in-store are factors that make this store a decent option for your purchase.

Walmart

• Cost: From $20 to over $2,000
• Selection: Several dozen styles

Walmart is often a customer's go-to store for, well, everything! It should come as no surprise that the retailer also offers a wide variety of pet products, including dog houses.

How does Walmart compare with other retailers you might be considering? At first glance, you might feel overwhelmed, seeing that there are more than 600 options in the online store. But, this being Walmart, you'll need to expect lots of results in the "Dog House" category that don't have anything to do with giving your furry friend a place to take a nap. (Our personal favorite was the dog house cookie cutter.) In fact, when we clicked on "Large Dog Houses", "Insulated Dog Houses", and the other subcategories shown, there were usually only a dozen options to consider.

That's why your best bet is probably to click on the type of dog house you need, since there's no way to filter the results by your pet's size. (And clicking on "All Dog Houses" takes you back to that results list with items like the cookie cutter, dog-themed magnets, and even miniatures for your doll house!).

Walmart has a better selection than some of the specialty pet stores we evaluated, but their prices weren't very competitive. For example, we found the ECOFLEX Lodge Style Dog House (XL) on the Walmart site for $216.08 but on rival sites for under $200. Add the $34.03 delivery fee to Walmart's price, compared with the competitor's free shipping, and you'll see what we mean.

Another factor to consider when shopping online at Walmart is that many of their items, including dog houses, are sold by third-party retailers. That affects your ability to make returns and get refunds. So, for every dog house you're considering, you'll want to be sure you know if it'll be fulfilled by Walmart or by a partner business, and read the fine print on the return policy.

In general, we like that Walmart carries a broader range of dog houses than some of the stores we reviewed, and that shoppers might have the ability for easy in-store returns - but only when they buy one of the styles that is specifically fulfilled by Walmart itself. On the other hand, Walmart isn't the easiest online retailer to navigate, and you'll have to wade through lots of unrelated products just to get to the dog houses that might work for your four-legged friend.

Dog

• Cost: Up to $478
• Selection: 10-20 models to choose from

Dog is one of many companies under the TABcom umbrella, including Bird, Horse, Ferret, Fish, Garden and 1800PetSupplies. Overall, the brand group enjoys an "A+" rating on the BBB site, which is a plus.

The shopping experience using Dog isn't the best. You're going to have to wade through a lot of accessories and irrelevant products when trying to find a dog house. For example, our search of "dog houses" also returned matches for heated pet beds, collapsible carriers, and even hair clippers. Out of more than 80 results, only a dozen or so were actually dog houses.

Also, many of the product images are very small, making it hard to get an accurate idea of each dog house's features: it almost felt like a photo of a photo, with all of the reduction in image quality you'd expect. Then it was frustrating to find a dog house we liked, only to find out after clicking on it that it was "temporarily oversold" and that Dog recommended that we "order at a later date". Not many customers are going to do that - they'll just shop elsewhere. It would be more helpful if the thumbnail images in the results were marked as "out of stock", saving people the time and hassle of only finding out after they click for more information.

When we visited the Dog site most recently, a pop-up told us that we had a coupon automatically applied to our shopping cart, saving us 20% (or 30% if we spent more than $69). If we wanted to use the code on a future trip instead, we had the option of signing up for their email notifications and having the code sent to our inbox.

But, even with savings like this, Dog isn't priced to compete. They do offer a price match guarantee, but why jump through the hoops to request one when you can buy the same dog house at a lower price elsewhere? For example, even with the 30% discount code, one model of dog house was priced at $285.59 on Dog - and $179.99 on a competitor site.

Dog's return and refund policies are just average. You can return your dog house within 30 days of delivery if it's in the original condition and packaging; you won't be charged the 10% restocking/processing fee as long as you get an RMA prior to making the return. If you assemble your dog house and don't think it meets your expectations due to defective manufacturing, you'll need to make your claim with Dog within 10 days; otherwise, Dog will require you to take it up with the company that made it.

And, despite the solid reputation with the Better Business Bureau, Dog has its share of unhappy customers. Charging credit cards when items were out of stock and not shipped, refusing to accept returns and issue refunds on clearly defective products, and less-than-friendly customer service experiences are just a few of the complaints we found.

At the end of the day, Dog just doesn't keep up with the competition. You'll find lower prices, easier-to-navigate websites, and stronger commitment to customer service with the higher-ranked retailers of dog houses in our review.