More than fifty percent of owners permit their Shikokus to live indoors and sleep on the sofa or in the bed. For those of you who are wanting to know how to build a dog house for your Shikoku, below are some easy rules to follow when figuring out what type of house you want to provide for your Shikoku.
Building a House for Your Shikoku: Size
1. You should begin your house building process by ensuring the house is large enough to fit your Shikoku’s potential adult size. Humans enjoy having about two feet of air above us in a room to live without feeling boxed in. The Shikoku will also enjoy having that much space. The comfort zone for both humans and Shikokus is approximately thrity-three percent of their standing height. To figure out how much room the Shikoku will need get out a tape measure and measure your Shikoku. Measure him standing straight up, resting on his haunches and above all measure the full dimension of the Shikoku when he is in the most comfortable, relaxed and stretched out position he can get into. Your Shikoku should be able to look out the front door when both standing up and sitting. So the Shikoku won’t have to significantly lower his front shoulders or drag his belly, make sure that entrance is high enough. Stand over the Shikoku and measure the breadth of the widest point of the animal’s shoulders.
How to Build Your Shikoku a House: Elevation
2. Remember to elevate the house several inches from the ground to allow air and water to flow underneath. To dissuade bugs from entering the dog house, and taking your Shikoku’s health into consideration, remember how vital fresh air is. Put in a few nickel-sized holes in the walls underneath the eaves. Install a wind block inside the dog house so the Shikoku can use the warmth of its body to warm the space if it is really cold or breezy outside. Think about adding a partial wall which will help your Shikoku to escape the bad weather. Your Shikoku can choose to just sleep in the front room or go around the inner archway maze wall into the inner room. Your beloved Shikoku would probably love having a pillow or some sort of pallet to snooze on.
Building a Dog House for Your Shikoku: Weather Resistant
3. To prevent rain coming into the dog house make the floor just a bit slanted toward the door and build the roof a bit angled, as well. Make sure the house is well insulated but you shouldn’t paint the interior.
4. In the US most storms come from the south and west so ensure the house faces a different direction. Most house plans suggest that the house entryway faces east. The cold air will not be able to rush through the door then.
Add Hinges to the Roof of Your Shikoku’s House
5. It is recommended that you place hinges on the roof when you build your Shikoku a house. This makes it easier for you to empty out your Shikoku’s home. You should empty out the Shikoku’s house as often as you give your Shikoku a bath.
Shikoku Dog House: Conclusion
If your Shikoku stays outdoors then he needs to have a pleasant place to sleep and get away from harsh weather. Hopefully these easy tips on building a dog house for your Shikoku will help you get going.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Shikokus.
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