How to Build a Multi-Dog House

Building a multidog house is fairly straightforward, inexpensive and you can build it in an afternoon. This design is meant for medium to medium-large dogs such as huskies, labradors, german shepherds, or malamutes. This type of dog house provides the dogs with a social environment and allows for the sharing of body heat in colder climates. This design is ideal for people with multiple dogs who get along in a communal environment. The house fits up to eight dogs, depending on size and personalities.

Things You'll Need

  • 14 econo grade 12-foot-long 2-by-4s
  • 9 4-by-8 sheets of 1/2-inch plywood
  • 8 cinder blocks
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Set square
  • Jigsaw
  • Circular saw
  • Electric drill
  • Phillips bit
  • 3-inch Phillips head wood screws
  • 2 gate hinges
  • Roofing shingles (optional)
  • Water repellant stain (optional)
  • Bale of hay (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure, mark and cut 30 pieces of 2-by-4s into 3-foot lengths. Set aside six 12-foot lengths of the 2-by-4s for use in the walls, roof and floor.

    • 2

      Build the floor of the dog house. Lay out two 12-foot pieces of 2-by-4 and put five of the three foot pieces between them. One piece goes on either end and the other three are spaced three feet apart on center. Screw the frame together. Cut two sheets of plywood to 3-by-6 feet, lay them on top of the base, line up the edges and screw the pieces to the frame.

    • 3

      Build a second frame for the roof as in the previous step. Cut two sheets of plywood to 4-by-6 1/2 feet. Lay the pieces on the frame with a 6-inch overhang all around. The overhang prevents rain from dripping directly into the house. Screw the pieces to the roof frame. Mount the two gate hinges at the 4 and 8-foot marks of the underside of the front of the roof frame.

    • 4

      Build the walls of the dog house. Screw 10 of the 3-foot pieces of 2-by-4 to the floor in line with the cross pieces, forming five uprights for each of the front and back walls. Screw one 12-foot 2-by-4 to the uprights of the front wall and another one to the uprights of the back wall. Screw five more cross pieces between the tops of the walls in line with the uprights. Cut two sheets of plywood to 3 1/2-by-6 feet, align and screw the pieces to the back wall. Cut two sheets of plywood to 3 1/2-by-3 1/2 feet, align and screw the pieces to the side walls. Cut two sheets of plywood to 3 1/2-by-6 feet, mark both pieces at 1 1/2 and 4 1/2 feet. Using the marks as the center, measure and mark 14-inch wide by 24-inch tall doors at each mark. There are four doors, two on each piece of plywood. Cut the doors out with a jigsaw. Screw the door pieces to the front wall.

    • 5

      Place the roof on top of the house. Screw the two hinges to the front wall. The hinges allow you to lift the roof to clean the dog house. Place the house on the eight cinder blocks to allow for air circulation to keep the floor dry.