A steel dog kennel doesn't have to be pricey with do-it-yourself designs.
Dog kennels are necessary for some dog owners, but large and custom kennels can be pricey. With a weekend's worth of sweat and minimal materials, a steel dog kennel is fairly simple to build. For someone needing kennels for multiple dogs, just add materials and space to the design.
Instructions
1. Lay out the floor. To prevent dogs from digging under the kennel, provide flooring. The best material to use is concrete. Lay 2-by-4 wood to build a temporary encasing for where the concrete will be poured. The dimensions of the kennel should allow plenty of room for the dog to move. Each kennel should be at least twice as tall as the dog and at least three times larger than the square footage the dog would take up while lying down. For an average-size dog, a typical kennel should be 7 feet high, 10 feet wide and 5 feet long. Double the space if two dogs will be sharing the kennel.
2. Insert metal poles into the floor's four corners and at the middle of each side. Dig holes at least 6 inches into the ground for maximum stability. Leave gaps around the poles to fill in with concrete.
3. Mix and pour concrete around the poles and inside the wood frame. Let the concrete set for at least 24 hours. Once the concrete is semi-hard (typically 5 to 6 hours), remove the wood frame.
4. Attach the steel. Use either chain-link or sheet steel, but chain-link works best to allow the dogs to see out and the owner to see in. Wrap the steel around the poles, and secure about every inch with steel screws.
5. Provide a roof to shield your dog from the weather. Place a dog house inside the kennel, or attach a roof to the entire kennel. A dog house can be purchased from most retail stores. To attach a temporary roof, purchase a tarp with eyelets, and attach it to the top of the kennel with zip ties. Make a more stable roof by taking a piece of sheet metal slightly larger than the kennel and attaching it to the poles with steel screws.
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