Build A PVC Dog Cart

Learn how to build a PVC dog cart to create hours of fun and exercise for your dog!

Although we haven't built one ourselves, we scouted around and found a couple of people who have. Both of them used Schedule 40 PVC, which is a sturdier kind used for furniture.

Here are plans for Michael Marcus' Original Cart. He is shown as a member of the Columbia River Newfoundland Club.

Michael found the wheel and axle to be the most challenging part. He mentions you may have to adapt the height of the shafts according to:

• The size wheel you use (he used 24-inch wheelchair wheels)
• The type of harness your dog wears

• Wheels are sized according to the outside diameter of the tire
• Common bicycle sizes in the U.S. are 20, 24, 26 and 27 inches; wheelchair wheels are usually 24 inches
• *For metric sizes and other bicycle tire info, click here (scroll down to the"Fractional Sizing" chart)
• Make sure your wheels match, i.e. don't use a front and a rear, or two different size wheels!
• Use front wheels where possible since rear ones contain unneeded gears which may catch on things and are heavier
• Be sure the wheels move freely on their axles, without much wobble
• If they do wobble, check for broken or loose spokes
• Use a spoke tool or ask a bike mechanic to make adjustments
• Check to see if the wheels still have all their bearings
• Make sure you have nuts to fasten them onto the cart axles
• Knobby tires and thicker tubes are more resistant to punctures
• Quick release wheels will make it easy to disassemble the cart for stowing or transportation

The instructions and photos for Angie's cart are very clear.

We will continue looking for other plans until we are able to build a dog cart ourselves. In the meantime, we hope you can build your own PVC cart from the information provided.

Return from Build A PVC Dog Cart to Dog Carting for information on training your dog to pull a cart.