New House for Sammy
Written: Oct 07 '04 (Updated Oct 09 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Hefty, sturdy, insulated
Cons: Not the cheapest plastic dog house at the store
The Bottom Line: The Ruff Hauz XT is a good house for your "rough housing" dog! (Corny, but true.)
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| mashimaru's Full Review: Doskocil Ruff Hauz XT |
I had built a dog house for my pup. It was the first (and only) thing I've ever built. Or rather, it was the only thing I've ever built that anyone ever used. I bought some lumber from Home Depot, made a floor, made some walls, and made a roof. (So, a box with a opening.) Then I used plastic awning material to make a cover, which made the house waterproof, and also hid my shoddy carpentry skills with my better sewing skills. Lined with premium carpet scraps. I was quite proud of my handiwork, and Sammy loved to sleep in it.
Unfortunately, the day came when my homemade dog house needed to be replaced – unfinished wood doesn’t fare well near the ocean. Instead of trying to build another one, I decided to buy a plastic house from the pet store that will be easy to wash.
There are two basic kinds of plastic dog houses: those that look like a house, and those that look like an igloo (Called Dogloo! Cute.) I preferred the house-shaped variety, because I like to look in on Sammy, and the dog disappears into the Dogloo. Of the house-shaped plastic houses, there are three kinds I found at the pet store:
- Barnhome II
- Ruff Hauz XT
- Homestead
All these dog houses have a removable roof which snaps on and off, so you can clean it easily. You can also separately buy doors and pads for each type of house. They are all made by a company called PetMate (subsidiary of Doskocil). This company also makes the Dogloo houses. There are other brands of dog houses, but I only saw PetMate products at my local pet store – they seem to be dominating the market.
I wanted to get a house that looked most similar to Sammy’s old dog house so that he will get used to it faster. Of the three types, the Barnhome II was the most similar, being that the old house was just a square box. Aside from looking like a square-ish barn, Barnhome II was also the cheapest and just happened to be on sale. So I brought it home right away.
Sammy didn’t like the Barnhome II, however. It was a very cute dog house, but a bit too lightweight. Sammy often runs into the house, and when he would, the Barnhome II would shift and rattle. When I took it back to the pet store, the clerk suggested a Ruff Hauz XT, which was heavier. So I brought it home, and Sammy liked it right away. He went in, sniffed around, and settled right in. Hurray!
The Ruff Hauz XT has a thicker layer than the Barnhome II, and has a stockier shape, with a nice, wide opening. It’s hefty and sturdy enough that it doesn’t move when Sammy bolts through the door. Sammy's been using it for a month now, and he sleeps in it every night and it keeps him toasty and warm. All in all, I’m happy with this purchase and expect to be using the Ruff Hauz XT for a long time.
Another factor to consider is that both the Barnhome II and the Homestead houses have a "chimney" which is a vent located on the roof, while the Ruff Hauz XT doesn't. While this is good for ventilation, wouldn't water leak through it when it rains? Sammy (unlike my other dogs) hates water. So for that reason alone, Ruff Hauz XT was probably the best choice.
My Shopping Experience:
- Price:
I did some online searching to see if I can get a good deal. The two biggest pet store chains seem to be Petco and PetSmart – the Large Ruff Hauz costs $99.99 at PetSmart.com and $89.99 at Petco.com (special sale price). DogHouses.com has the most variety of dog houses I’ve seen anywhere, but they also seem more pricey – the Ruff Hauz was $109.97 for a Large, and they also charged $17.50 for shipping (to California). The best price for the Ruff Hauz I found was at JBPet.com, but they currently only carry the Small and Medium sizes. I ended up buying mine from my local pet store, Centinela Pet Supplies.
- Color:
Petmate dog houses don’t have variable colors for each model, but each model has its own specific color. The Ruff Hauz XT has a dark green bottom and a gray roof.
(Also, according to the Petmate.com site, there is a Ruff Hauz and a Ruff Hauz XT, but I couldn’t tell you what the difference between them is, except the color - the Ruff Hauz is blue, the XT is green. And the various online sites that sell them don't make any distinction between them.)
- Size:
The labels on all the Petmate dog houses indicate that:
Small - is for dogs up to 45 lbs.
Medium - is for dogs up to 75 lbs.
Large - is for dogs up to 100 lbs.
Since Sammy only weighs 45-50 lbs., I thought that he will only need a Medium. But Sammy ended up needing a Large – he’s a bit claustrophobic, and also likes to stand up in his house, which the Medium was too small for. And the house I had built for him was shabby but roomy. I guess each dog’s needs are different.
Petmate.com has some good information about which models and sizes are suitable for various breeds.
Conclusion:
The Ruff Hauz XT is a fine plastic dog house. I was told that Dogloo houses provide better protection against the weather. And the Barnhome II is great for daintier dogs then Sammy who don’t dive into their houses. But if you want something in between, the Ruff Hauz XT will be a good choice for your furry best friend.
Recommended:
Yes
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mashimaru
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 in Electronics |
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Location: California
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"Heavy is the head that eats the crayons!"
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