How to Build a Large Dog House Outdoors
Dog may be man's best friend, but large breeds need an outdoor home of their own. Your canine companion will be happier being able to control his movement in and out, and you will be more confident of his protection from inclement weather. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 4 sheets 3/4-inch plywood (4-foot-by-8-foot)
- 9 econo-studs
- 4 rectangular bales of straw
- Nails
- Bush or vines north of dog house location
Instructions
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Building a dog house
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1
On a sheet of paper, sketch out the plan for the dog house. It should be about three foot by four foot, with the door at one of the narrow ends for a moderately large dog breed such as German shepherd. The roof should be about 6 inches higher in the front than in the back, with a long overhang to provide shade in summer and protection against blowing rain or snow, making it about 5-feet-by-3-feet. The back wall should be 3-feet-by-3-feet. The side walls will be 4-feet long at the bottom, 3-feet tall at the back and 3-feet, 6-inches tall at the front. The front will remain open. To create an insulated space, plan to cut two pieces for the back and two for each side. Plan a bottom frame made of 2-by-4-inch wood. The front and back rails will be 2-feet, 8.5 inches long, the side rails will be 4-feet long. Plan two uprights 3-foot tall for each back corner, and two uprights 3-feet, 6-inches tall for each front corner. You will also need two 2-feet, 8.5-inch braces cut from 2-by-4 stock to use as braces for the roof. Cut or purchase pre-cut one 3-by-5 piece of corrugated roofing. Although asphalt shingles or roofing are easier to work with, many large dogs have a chewing habit which will destroy your work very quickly.
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2
Lay out the plywood and draw the pieces on the plywood, using your drawings as a guide. Cut out the pieces using a saber saw or circular saw. Cut the 2-by-4 stock to the correct lengths.
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3
Nail the bottom frame together. This will be the two 2-foot, 8.5-inch 2-by-4 pieces and the two 4-foot 2-by-4 pieces. Place the cut edge of the short piece against the inside of the long piece, creating a 45-degree angle. Nail together by driving a sixpenny nail (2 inches long) through the 4-foot board into the 2-foot, 8.5-inch board. Nail the other 4-foot 2-by-4 to the other end of the 2-foot, 8.5-inch board. Place the second short piece between the other ends of the 4-foot 2-by-4s and nail it in place. Nail the flat edge of the 3-foot uprights to the back outer corners of the 4-foot 2-by-4, and the 3-foot, 6-inch uprights to the front corners of the 4-foot. Place an uncut econo-stud from the front edge top corner of the front upright past the front corner of the back upright. Nail in place, cut off the "ears" or triangles of wood that now stick up above the econo-stud. Repeat on the other side. Cut off the excess length of the stud. Wedge the roof braces between the front and between the back uprights and nail in place.
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4
Notch the floor plywood to fit around the uprights. Nail down. Nail the inside wall liners, back and sides, (if planning to insulate) to the inside of the uprights. Nail the outside walls and back to the outside of the uprights. Use a snap line to mark the roof angle and cut off the excess wood using a saber saw. Stuff the resultant cavity with straw, packing it tightly.
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5
Nail the roof plywood to the top of the structure. Nail the corrugated metal roofing to the plywood. Place the house with the short end pointing north or toward the prevailing winds, preferably where it will be backed by a larger structure, a bush or an incline to help keep the wind off the house. Layer clean straw inside for bedding.
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Tips & Warnings
A front brace may be added just under the overhang. A curtain may also be added, if desired.
The metal roof will cause this dog house to heat up in summer. Be sure to provide some other sort of shade for hot days.
References
- Photo Credit dog house image by MichaelJordan from Fotolia.com
