How to Build a Dog House for Big Dogs

Large dogs often sleep outside in a doghouse and the doghouse should be large enough to accommodate your dog when he is stretched out, but also protect him from the cold or keep him comfortable in inclement or hot weather. An arch in a doghouse roof along with skids on the bottom allows airflow in their house. The skids also enable a large heavy doghouse to slide on the ground for easy repositioning or moving.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Marking pencil
  • Circular saw
  • 1 2x2 treated stock, 12 feet long
  • 3 1x6 treated stock, 8 feet long
  • 12 2x2 stock, 8 feet long
  • 1 4x8 sheet exterior plywood
  • Galvanized screws
  • Drill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your dog before beginning a doghouse. These plans will create a doghouse that is 48 inches long and will accommodate a dog up to 36 inches in height. Measure the 2x2 treated stock with a measuring tape and mark with a marking pencil at 48 inches. Measure, mark and cut three pieces this size with a circular saw. These three pieces will make skids underneath the doghouse on which to attach the floorboards.

    • 2

      Measure, mark and cut eight pieces of the 1x6 treated stock at 31 1/4 inches for the floorboards. Set one floorboard on the ground or a sturdy surface and attach with galvanized screws and a drill to one of the skids perpendicularly placed. Line the first board up flush with a skid on each end and a skid in the middle and attach to all three skids with screws and the drill. Lay each floorboard next to the previously attached one and screw to the skids to make a solid floor and obtain 31 1/4 inches by 48 inches.

    • 3

      Measure, mark and cut two 31 1/4 inch pieces of the 2x2 stock. Screw one on the front and one on the rear of the floor to form the front and rear bottom plates.

    • 4

      Measure, mark and cut eight pieces of the 2x2 stock 14 inches long. These will serve as the vertical studs. Screw one on each corner of the floor. Place two additional studs in the front of the dog house far enough apart for your dog to enter the house easily and screw down. These form the front door. Place the last two studs in the same position as the doorway on the back wall and screw into place.

    • 5

      Measure, mark and cut two 31 1/4-inch pieces of the 2x2 stock for the top plates. Screw onto the studs at each corner in the front and back of the doghouse. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of the 2x2 stock 44 inches long and screw onto the corner studs at each corner to form the top plates on each side.

    • 6

      Measure, mark and cut six pieces of 2x2 stock 22 inches long. Cut one end of each at a 45-degree angle to form the rafters. Place two together with 45-degree angles touching each other and screw together. Repeat for the other two sets of two boards. Screw one rafter at the front edge of the top plate on each side, one at the back edge and one in the middle.

    • 7

      Measure, mark and cut the plywood to obtain two sidewalls that are 20 inches by 48 inches. Screw one on each side of the doghouse. Measure the remaining plywood and mark two pieces that are 32 inches wide and 32 inches tall with a 45-degree angle starting at the 20-inch height from the bottom. Cut a doorway out of one of these pieces that is 16 inches tall and centered in the front piece. Screw the solid piece onto the back of the doghouse and the front piece onto the front.

    • 8

      Measure, mark and cut 10 60-inch boards out of the 1x6 treated wood. Starting at the peak of the rafters, screw one board onto the top of the roof into the rafters. Screw four more on this side touching each other and attaching to the rafters. Complete the other side of the roof in the same manner with the last five boards.