How to Build Sled Dog Houses

Building a doghouse for sled dogs is different from those built for a family pet. Sled dogs are pets, but they also work for their owners. When you think about building a doghouse for a pet, stilts are not commonly part of the plan. However, because sled dogs live in a climate that includes snow, elevating the doghouse is practical. Usually constructed from 2-by-4-inch lumber and 1/2-inch plywood, sled doghouses do not take a long time to complete.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 piece of 25-by-20 1/4-by-1/2-inch plywood
  • Framing square
  • Jigsaw
  • 2 pieces of 2-by-4-by-31-inch lumber
  • Variable speed drill
  • Philips head screw tip
  • Small box of 1 1/4-inch drywall screws
  • 2 pieces of 2-by-4-by-29-inch lumber
  • 1 piece of 23-by-20 1/4-by-1/2-inch plywood
  • 2 pieces of 2-by-4-by-17 1/4-inch lumber
  • 2 pieces of 34-by-25-by-1/2-inch plywood
  • 16-penny nails
  • Hammer
  • 1 piece of 33-by-20 1/4-by-1/2-inch plywood
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the 25-by-20 1/4-inch plywood on the worktable. Measure from one 25-inch edge and make marks at 4 1/8 and 16 1/8-inches. Put the framing square on the marks and draw 12-inch lines on the plywood.

    • 2

      Set the framing square on the ends of each line and draw a line connecting the two 12-inch lines. Cut this out with a jigsaw. This is the front for the doghouse.

    • 3

      Lay the 2-by-4-by-31-inch lumber on the worktable and put the front of the doghouse on them. These are the front legs. Make the ends of the lumber even with the edge from which you cut the opening. Make the long edges of the lumber even with the 25-inch edges of the front. Secure the plywood to the lumber with the drywall screws.

    • 4

      Put the 2-by-4-by-29-inch lumber on the worktable. These are the back legs. Lay the 23-by-20 1/4-inch plywood on them. Set one 20 1/4-inch edge on the ends of the lumber and the 23-inch edges even with the long edges of the lumber. Secure the plywood to the lumber with the drywall screws.

    • 5

      Slip the 2-by-4-by-17 1/4-inch lumber between the legs on the front and the legs on the back of the doghouse. Make them even with the bottom edge of the plywood. Secure the plywood to them with the drywall screws. Next, put the 34-by-25-inch plywood on the worktable.

    • 6

      Measure from one of the 34-inch edges and mark the 25-inch edge at 23-inches. Put straightedge on one corner of the plywood and the 23-inch mark and draw a line. Cut the lines with a circular saw or jigsaw. These are the sides to the doghouse.

    • 7

      Secure the sides to the front and back with the drywall screws. Lay the doghouse on one side and place the 2-by-4-by-31-inch lumber between the front and back legs. Make them even with the bottom of the sides and secure them through the front and back of the doghouse with the 16-penny nails and then through the sides with the drywall screws.

    • 8

      Mark the 20 1/4-edges of the 33-by-20 1/4-inch plywood at 3 1/2-inches from the corners. From the same corners, mark the long edges at 1 1/2-inches. Use the framing square and draw the pattern of a 2-by-4 from those marks.

    • 9

      Cut the notches out with the jigsaw, place the plywood in the doghouse and secure it to the lumber on which it rests with the drywall screws. Secure the 41-by-27-inch plywood on top of the doghouse with the drywall screws.