From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

First dog Dash, outside of his doghouse during U.S. President Harrison's tenure.

For the record label, see Doghouse Records

A doghouse (chiefly in American English) or a kennel is a small shed, often built in the shape of a little house, in which a dog is kept or can run into for shelter from the elements.

The expression "in the doghouse" means to be in trouble; often used of a husband who is figuratively sent to the doghouse in the same way that a dog is removed from the human habitation. This is the principal usage of the two word expression dog house in British English, where kennel is used for the other sense. An upright bass violin is often called a doghouse, especially by jazz or bluegrass musicians.

Snoopy's doghouse played a large role in the comic Peanuts.

In architecture, doghouse is more commonly a builder/contractor term for a dormer. The name is derived from the appearance of improperly proportioned dormers, which do resemble dog houses. A properly proportioned dormer should neatly fit over the window it is meant to frame. A common mistake is to undersize the windows or oversize the dormer, which necessitates the use of siding or other infill material, in which case the structure should be treated as a gable end. Some architects use the word "doghouse" in a derogatory manner to indicate an ignorance of "honest" building practices, often found in low-cost residential and light commercial, developer-built structures. See also pork chop eave.

• All About Dog Houses—Information about constructing or purchasing a doghouse, the history of doghouses, doghouse terminology, and plans for a DIY doghouse.
• My Dog Houses Consumer guide to finding the right house for your pet.
• Insulated Dog House Building Plans Step-by-step instructions for building an insulated doghouse with a removable top.
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