How to Build a Concrete Dog House

A concrete dog house is a sturdy structure that will protect a dog from extreme weather conditions. Buying a concrete dog house requires locating a specialist and likely paying a large sum of money for the dog house to be transported to your property. However, one can be built at home with a few simple supplies and a weekend to spare for a fraction of the cost.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Plastic igloo-shaped dog house
  • Concrete
  • Mason's trowel
  • 5-gallon bucket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay a large sheet of chicken wire over the exterior of a plastic igloo dog house, pressing it firmly down so that the wire takes the shape of the dog house. Use wire cutters to cut away any excess chicken wire from this sheet.

    • 2

      Repeat the above step with a second layer of chicken wire, placing it over the first layer.

    • 3

      Remove the two sheets of chicken wire from the igloo dog house. You should have a dog house-shaped structure of chicken wire. Bend the edges of the chicken wire inward so that the two layers are held together and the sharp edges are no longer facing outward.

    • 4

      Mix the concrete in the 5-gallon bucket according to manufacturer's instructions. Allow the concrete to sit until it becomes very thick.

    • 5

      Use the mason's trowel to scoop concrete out of the bucket and onto the chicken wire dog house frame. Some concrete might drip through, but this is OK; simply continue to layer on the concrete until you have at least 1 inch of concrete covering the wire. Allow this to dry overnight.

    • 6

      Mix another bucket of concrete according to manufacturer's instructions.

    • 7

      Use the mason's trowel to add a second layer of concrete to the dog house's exterior. Make this second layer at least 2 inches thick. Allow to dry overnight.

    • 8

      Use the tip of the mason's trowel to break away any drips of concrete which might have dried on the interior of the dog house.

    • 9

      The dog house is now ready for use. You might choose to add a blanket, straw or hay in the interior of the doghouse so that the dog is not lying on the ground.