"Best in Show" Doghouse Contest Winners!

Runners Up

1/12

Bob Vila's "Best in Show" Doghouse Contest has come to a close—it's time to announce our winner! Click through to see the submissions from the runners-up in our competition, plus the magnificent puppy palace we chose to honor with the title "Best in Show".

uniteddogs.com

Biggest Doghouse

2/12

Dubbed a "rustic mansion for country dogs" by owner Megan, what this doghouse lacks in sophistication, it makes up for in sheer size. And if this picture is any indication, the giant shelter is a big hit with its residents.

Megan Crisp

Most Easily Cleaned

3/12

Ken's homemade doggie den is a dream come true for his pooch, Toto. It has "an insulated floor with easy-to-change carpet, a covered porch with Trex decking, and—to make it easy to clean inside—the whole house lifts off its base", Ken boasts.

Ken Swanson

Best of the Classics

4/12

In his first major building project, dog owner Nicholas constructed this basic wood backyard house for his dog, Mai. The classic design boasts an added feature: "On the side of the house is a place for her water and food so the birds don't eat/drink it," he tells us.

Nicholas Rice

Best Complement

5/12

This cottage-style doghouse is the perfect size for a larger dog, featuring a "sliding window system with screens to ventilate". And to make the doghouse complement its surroundings, Gene, the dog owner, painted the exterior to match the siding and trim color of the main house!

Greg Maiorano

Most Creative Paint Job

6/12

This is a doghouse that refuses to blend in with the others. Toto will never forget which house is his, even if he's tired from exercising all day!

Melissa Leinhart

Best Picture

7/12

We couldn't help but smile when we saw this picture of the adorable Karlie and the modest home she clearly loves. Owner Christine says her Australian shepherd and border collie mix isn't particular, "as long as she can watch the people and cars going by, she's happy!"

Christine Hartz

Best Use of Unexpected Materials

8/12

This beagle couldn't be happier in its unique, indoor shelter made from an old TV set. Upcycling at its finest!

Anthony Schartner

And now... Our Winner!

9/12

This intricate, elaborate doghouse is our hands-down winner of "Best in Show". Dog owner Dan and his girlfriend started building it in 2009 and found they couldn't stop adding on...

Dan Giordano

Best in Show

10/12

"It has a dormer, bay window, wall-to-wall carpeting, lighting (solar & electric), front door, pictures on the wall, drapes, flowerbox, awning, mailbox and address plate." What more could a dog need?!

Dan Giordano

Best in Show, Cont'd

11/12

It even has a skylight and a birdhouse. Though Nikki is primarily an inside dog, Dan tells us that she likes to hang in her personal palace whenever people are in the yard. Congratulations to Dan and Nikki, winners of Bob Vila's "Best in Show" Doghouse Contest!

Dan Giordano