Doghouse

For other uses, see Doghouse (disambiguation).

A wooden doghouse. This dog is Dash outside of his doghouse during U.S. President Benjamin Harrison's tenure.

A doghouse, known in British English as a kennel, is a small shed commonly built in the shape of a little house intended for a dog. It is a structure in which a dog is kept or can run into for shelter from the elements.

Other terminology

Architecture

In architecture, "doghouse" is 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 with the structure 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.

In the doghouse

The idiom '(land oneself) in the doghouse' means (become) out of favour and in trouble with a person/people because of an offence/caused upset, for example 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 expression doghouse in British English.

Another possible explanation of our modern use of "being sent to the doghouse" might have its origins in U.S. railroad history. In the days of huge steam locomotives the brakeman's domain was a cabin structure rather like a telephone box or one of those portable toilets seen at carnivals and so on, which was positioned on the rear of the locomotive's tender. The brakeman's 'cabin' had no heating so in the cold months the engineer and fireman would invite the brakeman into the warm cab when he wasn't needed for his services. This cabin became known in railroad parlance as "the doghouse." If the brakeman started to get on the engineer and fireman's nerves they would "send him back to the (cold) doghouse!"

Another possible reference of "Doghouse" is a hangout place for a group of guys or any group having an affiliation with dogs as their mascot, particularly bulldogs. This reference evolved from men developing and joining clubs to get away from their families, especially during football season each year. Today sporting events tend to be watched at clubs known as sports bars and rarely aree men spending their sports season at a private male-dominated club.

Doghouse is also used as the slang term for the engine cover in the cab of a cabover big rig, so nicknamed because it's about the size of the average doghouse.

See also

• Eddie's House

External links

• Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls—Includes step-by-step video instructions and free blueprints for a custom doghouse.
• All About Dog Houses—Information about constructing or purchasing a doghouse, the history of doghouses, doghouse terminology, and plans for a DIY doghouse.
• Building a Small Dog House Includes detailed images with the construction process, as well as a list with the materials and tools needed for the project.