What Is a Dogtrot?
A dogtrot is a house design that is found in many areas around the rural Southern section of the United States. The concept of a dogtrot house includes an open expanse in the middle of the structure. That open area spans from the front to the back of the home, allowing air to circulate through the space unencumbered. The fanciful name for this wide center passageway comes from the fact that a household pet could easily use the space to traverse from the front to the back of the house with ease. In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the dogtrot cabin was one of the most popular home options during the 19th century. Cabins built with this basic floor plan normally had sleeping and sitting areas in one big room on one side of the center passage. The opposite side would house a kitchen and eating area. Depending on the preferences of the owners, the center passage was either left open to allow traffic through or would feature doors at each end of the passageway. Often, the open de
