In the Doghouse, Please

Sept. 27, 2007 — -- Can't get enough distressing news about the real-estate meltdown? "20/20" found one area where the housing market is booming. But this property isn't for human occupancy, it's for dogs.

The late Leona Helmsley's pampered pooch, Trouble, stands to inherit $12 million. But the Maltese has no home of her own. For $6,000, however, Trouble could nibble her kibble in one of Manhattan designer Betsy Boggs' high-end canine creations.

"The dome is all bent carved wood, and this is gold leafing, hand-done, it's all been varnished, so the red comes through, and then an upholsterer comes and puts on the velvet," Boggs said of the Marie Antoinette model.

To anyone who questions why you'd spend that much on your dog, Boggs replies, "They're ornaments of furniture for your home."

Inspired by Precious, a stray she picked up on a Georgia highway divider, Boggs named her creations Precious Palaces. They're hand-crafted homes designed for the upscale, small-size urban dog.

The Asian-styled Pagoda runs $3,100.

And for a $5,600, your puppy can sleep in his very own Louis XVI-style four-poster bed.

"It's on Velcro, so it can be cleaned easily. It is faux-painted, a little dust ruffle in the cushion, which are all custom, and a beautiful silk brocade," Boggs said.

According to Boggs, the princess of Dubai owns two of the Louis XVI models, one for each of her Pekinese dogs, Killer and Candy.

Then there's a funky model called the The S&M Ottoman.

"It's made out of faux-leather, and it has biker studs around the trim," Boggs said. "It has a nice little link chain, which I bought at the Pleasure Chest in L.A., with a little collar for the puppies."

But the collar isn't necessarily meant for a dog. "It's really for an owner," Boggs said.

Nothing comes between builder John DesMaris and his dog Calvin. DesMaris considers Calvin his best friend, so it was with great pleasure that DesMaris spent 300 hours building a Rottweiler's paradise that looks like a colonial house. The fancy railings on the porch, the fluted columns, and the stunning slate roof all demonstrate sensational attention to detail.