Building A Dog House

Dog in Tiny Dog House Buy From Art.com

Building a dog house yourself will most likely save you money while keeping your dog(s) out of the weather.

Some measuring and planning as well as reading up on building a dog house before you begin will result in a more satisfactory product. There are many design options - you can get as plain or fancy as you like!

If you don't know where to start, there are many good plans available. We've tried to organize them so you can quickly compare which one(s) may work for you. Some are free, others will cost you. See:

  General Information About Dog House Plans
  Plans for Large Dog Houses
  FREE Large Dog House Plans
  FREE Plans for Medium Size Dogs
  FREE Plans for Small Dogs


A WELL BUILT DOG HOUSE

• Is large enough to fit your dog*
• Provides adequate ventilation for either warm or cold seasons
• Has good insulation for colder seasons and climates
• Has a wind partition for severely cold climates
• Is easy to clean via a removable or hinged roof
• Sets up off the ground
• Is built of non-toxic materials in places a dog might be able to chew
• Complies with local building codes

• Highest point of roof = top of dog's ears + 3 inches [75mm]
• Lowest point of roof = top of dog's shoulders + 3 inches [75mm]
• Width and length = dog from nose to tail + 12 inches [300mm]

See here for our first attempt at how to build a doghouse

Here are some ideas regarding insulating a dog house

If you have difficulty visualizing how things will be put together, you can practice with a Cardboard Dog House

In an unshaded yard, your dog may appreciate a covered porch attached to his or her dog house.

A dog house is set up off the ground to keep the bottom dry and keep crawly critters and dirt out. A ramp can be added if your dog is older and cannot climb steps anymore.

Happy building!

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