Hardly.
Doggie Doors have been around for centuries.
So next time you hear someone say, “It was only recently that Dogs began living inside of the house.”
You’ll know they’re mistaken…just as historians do.
Built-in Doggie Door. Image: Celtic Terrors.
Next time you find yourself in Great Britain, check out this charming Doggie Door.
It’s in the bottom of the St. Mullion Church’s main door, built in the13th century.
And just what was a Doggie Door doing in a Church?
Letting the Dogs out, of course!
Why interrupt the service and let the cold air in, when the Dogs could just let themselves out with a Doggie Door and do their business?
Mullion Doggie Door. Image: Cornish Spirit
I noticed that the stoup (basin for holy water) in the Mullion Church, traditionally found mounted on the wall near the door, is curiously on the ground…
at Dog level.
Hmmmm. Long sermons make me thirsty too.
Pet Doors can be found in many homes and churches throughout Europe:
Built-in Doggie Door. Image: Celtic Terrors.
The Doggie Door above can be found in Cornwall at the St. Ruan Church, in Ruan Minor.
The Church dates to the 13th century, while the tower dates to the 15th century.
Church Doggie Door. Image: Geograph UK
Anyway you look at it, it’s a very old Doggie Door!
The door below might look old, but it is actually new:
Custom Dog Door. Image: Inglenook Tiles
The Doggie Door was recently created for a horse farm in Pennsylvania using reclaimed wood from the 1700’s. (The beautiful brick tile is also new and available from Inglenook Tile.)
Jack Russell Terriers have free reign to come and go as they please on the farm, thanks to the design of the door.
Modern Doggie doors can be unsightly…
Built-in Dog Door. Image: Log Homes
But, with a little consideration before your next home or remodeling project, you can design a Doggie Door that’s less conspicuous.
The built-in bookcase above provides a Dog bed and entrance & exit for the four-legged members of the family.
Charles Faudree, the southern gentleman and dog-loving designer extraordinaire, concealed his Doggie Door…
Designer Pet Door. Image: Southern Living
The hidden door was designed within the lower cabinet of a bookcase, so the Doggie Door is totally out of site.
The cabinet doors also provide another benefit: they allow control over when the Dogs can go outside.
With the onset of bad weather or the need to open a backyard gate for lawn care; the cabinet door can be closed, blocking the Dog’s access to the outside. Brilliant.
A built-in Pet Door can give you and your Dogs freedom.
Custom Doggie Door. Image: French by Design
I think Taffy, my Scottish Terrier, really needs one because, as always…
I’ve got to let the Dog out,
Taffy, our charming 
