A dog s life, in some quarters, is not all that bad. If there were such a thing as a Barkitectural Digest, these are the doghouses that would be featured on its pages. More than just a simple boxlike shelter from snow or rain, some doghouses have become year-round residences boasting a list of amenities.
Luxuries range from radiant heat to air conditioning.
Decorative elements have become elaborate too. There are even professional doghouse designers available to the discriminating dog owner. He has received e-mails from as far as Germany asking for information on his dog domiciles. For the more rugged individual, an attractive option is a dog cabin made of weather-resistant Western pine, providing the classic look of an American pioneer s log cabin. The ones I ve talked to treat their pets like their kids, says Mowrer.