How to Build a Basic Dog Kennel

Building a dog kennel doesn't have to mean creating a miniature house. You can make a basic kennel very simply and still provide the shelter and comfort your dog needs. Building your own dog kennel is generally cheaper than buying a ready-made one and isn't too complicated.

Things You'll Need

  • 6 lengths 8-foot lumber, 2-by-2 inches
  • 3 plywood sheets, ¾ inch, external grade
  • Saw
  • Miter box (optional)
  • Wood glue
  • Clamps
  • 160 nails, 3-inch, galvanized
  • Hammer
  • Drill
  • 10 screws, 3-inch, galvanized
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut your lumber on the saw to nine lengths at 36 inches; three lengths at 44 inches and two lengths at 21 inches. Cut your plywood to three rectangles of 48 by 36 inches and two equilateral triangles of 36-inches on all three sides. Cut out a 15-by-15-inch door into one of the triangular pieces of plywood, 2 inches from the base of the triangle.

    • 2

      Miter the ends of six pieces of the 36-inch lumber to 30 degrees; you can use a miter box to get the angle, but many power saws have miter gauges built in. Arrange these six pieces into two triangular frames; the mitered ends should join to form the corners of the triangle. Glue and clamp the corners together; let dry. Hammer two nails through each joint to secure the two frames.

    • 3

      Assemble two 36-inch pieces of lumber and two 44-inch pieces into a rectangular frame; the ends of the 44-inch pieces should abut the inside edge of the ends of the 36-inch pieces to form the corners. Glue, clamp and let dry. Hammer two nails through each joint of the frame. Insert the remaining 36-inch lumber piece into the center of the frame for a support; nail in place. Insert the two 21-inch pieces of lumber perpendicular to the 36-inch support and nail in place. You should have a rectangular frame with a cross support.

    • 4

      Center one 48-by-36-inch piece of plywood over the rectangular frame and nail down with one nail every 6 inches through the plywood into the frame and supports. This is the base of the kennel. Position the two triangular pieces of plywood over the two triangular frames, making sure the corners meet up. Nail in place using one nail every 3 inches. These are the front and back walls of the kennel.

    • 5

      Position the two triangular frames upright on either end of the base; clamp in place. Drill five pilot holes through the triangle frames into the base then screw in place. Insert the remaining 44-inch piece of lumber between the two points of the triangle frames; nail in place for the roof support.

    • 6

      Center the remaining two pieces of 48-by-36-inch plywood over the open sides of the kennel, one end on the roof support, the other on the base. Hammer in a nail every 3 inches through all four sides of the plywood to secure the side panels in place.