Dh and I are going to build the new puppy a dog run in the back yard so he has that plus the fenced in front yard to play in and go potty. He is a small breed dog-max size is probably going to be around 12 lbs. We have everything we need, but we cant decide on what size to make it since neither one of us have done one before. I, of course, want it huge and dh is thinking small. So what do you think would be an ideal size for a small dog. TIA!!!

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Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.
Jon Bon Jovi

DH's two hunting labs are outside, and he built them a HUGE "dog condo". Since they stay outside permanently (unless there is a cold advisory), it's large enough for them both to sprawl out in easily, they don't have to duck their heads when inside, and their food dishes all fit will, with them in it. Theirs has two openings because they like to sit in the opening and that makes the other one bark. Because of where we live, the opening faces south - that way it's less likely for snow and cold wind to blow in. The openings are large enough to comfortably fit them, but small enough that they can lay in the house without having wind blow on them.

Their living quarters are 4'wide, 8'long, and 4' high - a full sheet of plywood. It's also raised up so that water doesn't get in and it's off the ground, double walled for insulation, and has a slanted roof to let rain pour off the back, not into their fenced area.

And just in case someone wants to jump us for having "outside" dogs, they are worked/exercised frequently, trained, and I check on them daily. They are not left outside to just sit and bark.

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booker81-Thanks for your input. I have been searching the internet for some site that has some recommendations too.
FYI-I think it sounds like your dogs have a nice place to be outside-out of the cold and everything.

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Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.
Jon Bon Jovi

Honestly, if you have the front fenced I don't know that you would need anything else. My puppy usually doesn't go more than a few feet from me. He really likes to be close to me and he minds pretty well so I even when we're in front, without a fence, he stays close.