Are these some good looking dog houses or what? They were created by TAP Architecture, an Oklahoma-based architecture firm who participated in The Central Oklahoma Humane Society (OK Humane) My Life as a Dog Challenge, which was held last September.

OK Humane challenged local folks to chain themselves up to dog houses to create a unique reality TV-style contest. The last person to withstand living chained to an eco-friendly dog house won a new natural gas vehicle donated by Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

Sounds silly, but it was all for a good cause — they wanted to raise awareness about the negative social and behavioral effects on dogs who are left chained up. According to OK Humane, “From October 2003 through August 2008, there were at least 257 children killed or seriously injured by chained dogs across the country. Chained dogs, un-socialized with humans, can become very territorial of their tiny space and any child who wanders into this space can be attacked and killed before adults can intervene.” Heather Winlock aka “Beast” from Seminole Oklahoma won the car.

These fantastic dog houses by TAP were part of the event. I kind of wouldn’t mind being chained to one of these versus the typical boring old dog house…but I get the idea that it’s no fun being confined to a small space.

The dog houses were sold after the contest to private owners for personal use.

Photos by Simon Hurst Photography.

Jesse Doquilo’s Mutt dog house (above) is one of my favorite modern dog house designs, and he’s come out with a brand new one called Moddy Doggy (last photo). Both houses are priced at $1250 (including shipping). Moddy Doggy will soon be available for purchase online.

The Hund Travel Carrier is made from hand-sewn chocolate brown calf-skin with comfortable hand-stitched leather handles, detachable woven shoulder strap, and nickel-plated brass hardware. Suitable for pets up to 20 lbs. Produced by R. Horn’s Wien.

The Rucksack is a hand-sewn chocolate brown pebbled calf-skin bag with woven shoulder straps perfect for carrying tiny dogs or maybe even books and a laptop…?

By Han Feng for Neue Hund, this Hip Satchel has an interior security strap with chrome harness clip. The lining is detachable and washable, too.

These soft, fabric bones are hand-tailored, 100% organic cotton-filled and available in six Wiener Werkstätte textile designs.

The Doggie Weekender is a chic travel case of hand-stitched pebbled calf-skin produced by R. Horn’s Wien. It is available in red, black, or brown, with green silk moiré interior and contains organic homeopathic essentials by SAINT CHARLES Apotheke.

The Resort Harness is 100% linen with cotton twill detailing, nickel D-ring and Velcro closures in your choice of six Wiener Werkstätte textile designs. It is shown in Josef Hoffmann Rectangles, designed 1909. The Day Bed is a hand-tailored, organic cotton-filled daybed with removable slipcover in your choice of six Wiener Werkstätte textile patterns, and is shown in Josef Hoffmann Rectangles.

The Glitterwerk Bowls were inspired by a Josef Hoffmann design, ca. 1910. Made of ivory white enameled cut-metal frame with bone china bowl — available in two sizes.

This Glass Bead Evening Collar is for the most exclusive doggies on the block. Starting at $600, it’s quite a splurge.

The proceeds from the sale of Neue Hund go to support the Neue Galerie New York, benefiting the museum’s exhibitions, scholarly publications, and public programs such as lectures, concerts, and the film and cabaret series. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of select items also goes to support The Humane Society of the United States.

The Cube bed from Pet Interiors comes in leather or imitation leather in three sizes and a handful of neutral colors. The classic, ultra-modern design features stained beechwood and a padded tufted interior for extra cushion.

Oddly enough, I think the cream one would be the perfect complement to my sofa (except that it costs just about as much as my sofa!):

I first spotted Bowsers’ Contour dog bed over on Phetched and now I can’t stop thinking about how much I like this trellis pattern. The Contour bed is part of an outdoor collection that also includes a rectangular bed, a round cushion and a patio lounge mat — all in this sweet modern trellis fabric! Hmmm…I wonder if humans could use that patio lounge mat…

You can get the trellis collection at Puplife or DogBedWorks.

No, not my Lulu. She’s too big for this house. Lulu’s Hideaway is one of the modern dog houses by Danish company The Pet Project. The Pet Project began when designer Lene Nendel got some cats and, not unlike me, was very picky about their accessories. So, she partnered with store-designer Michael Ryding to develop a series of six products for the first collection of The Pet Project that would suit her specific taste.

Etsy seller madshome has created a bedside table that also doubles as a stylish pup nest called the Hunde Hus. The home is available in left or right configurations as well as custom colors, and fits a smallish-sized dog. The sheepskin is optional.

This pooch-sized camper from Straight Line Designs was clearly created with the life-sized Airstream in mind. I’d totally park this baby out back for my pup. It is made from fiberglass and aluminum stainless steel. If you’re interested in one, give Judson Beaumont a holler and maybe he’ll make you one.

[via Born Rich]