A doghouse or dogshed is a small shed commonly built in the shape of a house, a shelter intended for a dog. It is a structure in which a dog is kept and it is intended to provide a safe place to dogs outdoors. Doghouses are also used for other pets, such as rabbits in enclosed yards.
Humans often build "houses" for domestic animals, often resembling smaller versions of human domiciles. These include bird-houses, hen-houses/chicken-coops and doghouses; while housed agricultural animals more often live in barns and stables. A doghouse is a simple dwelling for a dog. Building houses for the domestic pets has a long tradition. Dog houses are often used in when the dog is kept outdoors in the garden and on areas around a farm where the dog guards the possessions of the owners, against unwanted or unexpected people or animals. A doghouse is made of insulating material (often wood), padlocked, to prevent loss of heat except for an opening front where the dog will enter. The roof is almost always waterproof material. The roof of the doghouses is built to prevent snow or rain from collecting. Often the owner of the pet should be able to open the roof or take it off.