How to Build a Dog House to Match Your Home

Doghouses don't have to look bland.

Homemade doghouses don't have to be boring plywood structures with tar paper roofs. Imaginative dog owners can mimic the style of their own homes to design classier, more comfortable accommodations for the family pet. Careful design and planning will result in a stylish project that can be completed in two weekends. But whether creating a Victorian, craftsman, bungalow or ranch-style masterpiece, remember to keep your pet's comfort in mind.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-4-foot pressure-treated planks for platform
• 1/2-inch-thick plywood for walls, floor and roof
• 2-by-2-foot studs for walls
• 1-by-4-inch corner cleats
• 1-by-2-inch cleats for roof joint
• 3/4-inch plywood trim for door
• Rigid insulation for walls
• Carpeting for walls and floor
• Primer and latex paint

Instructions

1. Determine what characteristics of the residence should be duplicated in the design of the doghouse. Think about how the dimensions of the doghouse can model the home's proportions. Consider whether it should look tall and slender or long and low.

2. Observe decorative elements, whether ornate or simple, and incorporate them into the plan. Look for distinctive features to repeat, such as a front porch, on which the dog can hang out on hot days. Replicate a roof overhang and eaves. Copy the home's front door or siding for another connecting detail. But avoid real windows, because they will make the doghouse colder in winter and hotter in summer.

3. Be as ambitious as budget and time will allow. But remember, when adding turrets, gingerbread trim and arches, that the dog just wants a cozy den. Avoid common mistakes, such as building the doghouse and its door too large. This will not allow the dog's body heat to warm the space in winter.

4. Design the doghouse so the interior is no taller than 4 inches above the dog's head when the dog is standing. Install a false ceiling to create this height if the doghouse is designed to look like a 2-story house.The depth and width of the doghouse should allow the dog to comfortably circle around but feel safely enclosed. The door should be large enough to allow entry but small enough to minimize the entry of cold or hot air.

5. Elevate the floor to avoid the moisture and coldness of the ground. Place it on a platform of pressure-treated, 2-by-4-inch planks with 1/2-inch exterior plywood decking nailed on top. Use 1/2-inch plywood for walls, with 1-by-4-inch corner cleats connecting the walls. Use 1/2--inch plywood for the roof. Stiffen the joints of a peaked or shed-style roof with 1-by-2-inch cleats. Finish the door with 3/4-inch wood trim matching the residence's door.

6. Consider insulating the doghouse for extra comfort. Place 1-1/2-inch-thick rigid insulation between 2-by-2-inch wall studs spaced 12 inches apart.

7. Minimize the weight of the structure. It should be light enough for one or two people to remove it from the workshop and set it in place. Place it close to the home in a sunny location that isn't too windy. Consider maximizing insulation and comfort by carpeting the floor and walls.

8. Paint the doghouse to match the residence. This is an inexpensive way to relate the two structures. A primer and two coats of latex house paint on the walls will minimize decay caused by moisture.

References

• This Old House: 5 Doghouses Crafted in Classic American Architecture
• Lowe's: Build a Doghouse