How to Develop a Structural Plan for Your Doghouse

Doghouses are simple structures, but it's always good to have a plan. With graph paper and pencil, sketch out your doghouse before you build.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pencils
• Graph Papers
• Pencils
• Yardsticks
• Pencils

1. Decide on the dimensions of the doghouse based on the size of your dog and on the following rules of thumb: Length should be no more than 1 1/2 times body length (minus the tail); width should be 2/3 to 3/4 body length (minus the tail); and height should be about 25 percent to 35 percent taller than your dog (from the floor to the top of its head).

2. Decide on the shape of the roof. A flat roof will not drain water; see "How to Build a Doghouse Roof" for instructions on building a simple slanted roof.

3. Plan a door opening that is a few inches wider than your dog. A door that's too small will obviously be problematic, while a door that's too big will allow too much weather inside.

4. Consider locating the door away from the center of a wall. Placing it next to a corner will help protect against direct drafts.

5. Decide whether you'll need siding and roofing; if you live in an area that gets "real" weather, a real roof of shingles, roll-roofing or even tile is a good idea. Roofing also adds insulation value.

6. Consider using insulation; in colder climates, it becomes critical, particularly under the floor. You may want to insulate the walls and ceiling, as well. The best insulation for the floor is probably sheet polyurethane or its equivalent.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider a simple hallway inside, or a baffle, in cold climates. Similar to a mud room or double entry in a human house, these will slow down any direct drafts and will better contain the heat generated by your dog's body.
• Everything inside the doghouse should be nontoxic.
• Experts recommend not painting the inside, where moisture (mostly from your dog) will condense on the ceiling and walls and drip to the floor, where your dog lives.

on 11/22/2005 The Humane Society has a web page with a drawing for a dog house. It is designed to specifically accommodate the size of your dog and includes a "mud room" as recommended in your article. You can find the drawing at http://www.hsus.org/programs/companion/dogs/dog_plan.html