How to Build a Dog House

Building a dog house for your furry pal can be a gratifying experience for both you and your pooch. You can build a house from a simple kit or get creative and craft a dwelling specifically tailored to fit your best friend.
Dog House Building Tips
1. Make sure the house you choose to build is large enough for your dog.
2. Consider matching the dog house to the colors of your own home.
3. You can sometimes find paint in the mis-tint or clearance section which can save you money on the project.

Introduction
- Whether you are an educated do-it-yourselfer or if this is your first time tackling an at-home construction project, building a canine castle is doable for most dog owners. A dog house can be a simple kit-built structure or an original design all of your own. Even the simplest house designs can be fairly challenging, but if you stick to the basics you won't find yourself in a heap of wood scraps, tools and dog fur by the end of the project! It is incredibly important that your dog's house is reliable and durable enough to keep your best friend safe and warm in a wide variety of weather conditions.
Step 1: Choose House Type
- The first thing that you need to do is decide what type of house you would like to build.All About Dog Houses: Dog House Names You will need to figure out an overall house style, draw out plans or order blueprints, figure out measurements that compliment the size of your dog and start laying out the overall project plans.
Type
1. Decide on a house style: There are as many different kinds of dog houses as there are types of houses for people. You can build a lean-to, chalet or a simple box home.
2. Choose a project plan: Dog house kits are available and can make building a dog house a relatively simple endeavor. However, many people have successfully built dog houses from scratch by using a blue-print and instructions.Ezine Articles: Building A Dog House - Is It An Easy Task? It is important to choose whether you prefer using a full kit or a basic blueprint before starting your project.
3. Decide whether you want a dog door: In extreme environments, it is incredibly important to include a dog door at the entrance of the house, rather than an open hole. You can purchase a basic metal or plastic dog door from catalogs or pet stores, which can then be easily fitted to your dog house.Wikipedia: Dog Door You can also custom-build a door by using door hinges and a swinging piece of rubber.
Size
- Although the overall size of the house is a personal preference by some degree, you want to be sure that the house is large enough to accommodate your dog or dogs.The Tidewater Kennel Club: Ideal Doghouse For Canada's Outdoor Dogs
- Measure Your Dog
1. Measure the length of your dog from the tip of it's nose to the end of it's rump.
2. Measure your dog's height from the floor to it's front shoulder.
- Calculate House Measurements
1. Take the length of your dog and add 1 foot. This is the smallest width your house should be.
2. Add 1 1/2 feet to the length of your dog. This is the smallest length of your house.
3. Add the height of your dog plus 9 inches. This is the shortest height of your house.
Step 2: Assess and Clear Location
- It's very important to have a flat area cleared before you begin the building process. You want to make sure you have considered the actual location for the dog house. Be sure that it is dry and free from water run-off.
1. Clear and level the building site: You want to remove thick ground cover and clear the building area down to short grass or soil. Make sure to level the ground where the house will be set.Mikestrong.com: Dog House construction
2. Consider your home's environment: Decide whether insulation, air conditioning and flooring is necessary.Mikestrong.com: Dog House construction In extremely hot or cold climates, you may want to consider adding extras to the house, such as air conditioning, heating or insulation, especially if your dog is an outdoor dog. For ease of cleaning, there are different types of flooring that you can put in place, such as treated lumber, vinyl or decking.
3. Decide if the house should be raised: Raising the house off the ground will prevent small animals, insects and water to enter.Flower Pot Heaven: Dog House Plans
4. Choose the type of shingling: There are different kinds of shingling for dog houses which should be chosen dependent on your environment.Monster Guide: How To Build A Dog House You can have a basic wood roof or you can choose to finish the roof with shingles or steel.
Step 3: Begin Building
- This is the step where you will begin the actual project, building a dog house. The most basic dog house to build is a raised rectangle—a one room house with an A-frame roof.
- Whether you decide to go with a kit, follow a blueprint or freehand it, you will walk through the following steps while building a home for your beloved canine:
1. Assemble your materials: Which materials you assemble will depend on the kind of project you undertake. Unless you purchase an all-in-one dog house kit, you will need to consider materials for your house's walls, roof, molding, finish and any extras you'd like to include like air vents or a dog door. The following links provide lists of materials based on the type of house you'd like to build:
  1. WoodZone.com: Free Doghouse Plans
    Beginner plywood and shingled A-frame project. Few tools required. Can be undertaken as a family project with kids.WoodZone.com: Free Doghouse Plans
  2. PetsUnleashed: Pet Projects: Basic Doghouse Plan
    Basic plan for larger dogs. Can be adjusted for small to mid-sized dogs by subtracting a uniform number of inches from the blueprint's instructions. Plywood A-frame.PetsUnleashed: Pet Projects
  3. CornerHardware.com: Building a Dog House
    Advanced plan with slanted "saltbox" roof and porch. Provides a basic, underlying structure that can be customized.CornerHardware.com: Building a Dog House
  4. All About Dog Houses: How to Build a Dog House
    Advanced plan with insulated floor, roof and walls. Cedar deck and removable roof for easy cleaning. Optional inner wall.All About Dog Houses: How to Build a Dog House
  5. BuildEazy: A Dog Kennel
    Advanced plan for large dogs. Made with treated pine. A-frame roof.BuildEazy: A Dog Kennel
  6. Lowe's: In the Doghouse
    Advanced plan with molding, A-frame roof and air vents.Lowe's: In the Doghouse
2. Frame it in: The frame provides the house's structural integrity and must be built correctly to ensure its durability over time.
3. Add the walls: If you're not using a kit, take care when measuring and cutting your walls. They need to lie flush to prevent leaking.
4. Add the roof: Whether you go with a flat roof or A-frame, metal or shingles, remember that once a dog house is enclosed, it is difficult to re-open without disassembling the entire house.
5. Attach extras: Have you opted for a dog door? What about air vents or decorative molding? Now is the time to add your extras.
6. Finish the house: You want your dog's home to be beautiful as well as livable. Consider painting your dog's home the same color as your own house, or get wildly creative and have the house reflect your furry friend's personality.