This section is from the book "Everything About The Dogs", by Alvin George Eberhart. Also available from Amazon: Everything About Dogs.
If you have a large dog and prefer him to sleep in your yard, provide a suitable and comfortable dog house for him, a shelter and proper protection in wet and cold weather, properly ventilated at the top, so that he does not sleep in a draught. The size you can determine easy enough. Have feet on it so that it stands several inches off the ground, and make the floor double with tar paper between floors. Small wheels on it in place of feet are best, as this will enable you to move it to different locations, so if it is damp weather you can place it in a part of the yard that will be dry. Watch out for dampness, which causes rheumatism. Cellars or basements, unless you are certain they are not damp, are a dangerous place for a dog to sleep. As to bedding - in hot weather the bare floor is the one the dog will prefer as most comfortable. Pine shavings are a good bedding for medium weather in spring and fall, as no fleas can live in them. In winter straw is the best, and don't be stingy with it; give him plenty, so he can make a hole and cuddle up in it and keep warm. This should be changed at least three times a week.
 
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