Create a custom dog house for your best friend.
Whether you have a Labrador Retriever or a mutt, building a dog house for your furry friend can be a rewarding experience. You can use these plans to create a home specially customized to fit your best friend. Building a canine home is possible for most dog owners.
Instructions
Construct the Base
1. Determine the size of the doghouse based on the size your dog is likely to be when full grown. For a good fit, make sure your dog will be able to comfortably turn around and lie down.
2. Create a square base frame in the dimensions you need for your completed doghouse using the 2x4 boards. Screw the boards together at the corners.
3. Using the ½ inch plywood, measure and cut a piece so it fits on top of the base frame like a floor. Using your drill, secure the plywood to the frame with screws.
Construct and Attach the Walls
4. As was done in the base frame, create two square side wall frames and a square rear wall frame with the 2x4 boards. For the side frames, include a center stud or support beam. The center stud on the rear wall needs to be 2 inches off-center to allow the roof strut (angled support beam) to be secured. Create the front wall frame with 2x4 boards. The center stud should be omitted on the front wall to permit room for an entrance.
5. Measure, cut and screw 1/2 inch plywood to the outside of the four wall frames. Cut the entrance with a jigsaw, making certain it's large enough for your dog to pass through easily. Depending on the size of your doghouse, you may be able to use one piece of plywood for two walls.
6. Situate the finished walls on the base frame. Screw the walls into place at the bottom of the frame.
Build the Roof
7. After deciding the pitch of the roof, cut roof struts to your chosen height using the 2x4 boards. Center the front and rear roof struts on the wall frames and nail or screw them in place.
8. Cut a 2x4 to create a top ridge board the same length as the doghouse, adding a bit extra if you want an overhang. Secure the ridge board in place with screws.
9. Cut three rafters to create your roof for the front and back using the 2x4 boards. Using a miter saw, miter the ends of the rafters to the angle of the roof's pitch. Grip each rafter so it is even with the ridge board to determine the angle. Cut the boards and screw them in place.
10. Cut 2 2x4 boards for each side. The boards should fit horizontally between the rafters. Screw them into place. Cut 1/2 inch plywood into fascia boards matching the overhang along the sides of the doghouse and fasten to the bottom ends of rafters with screws. The fascia boards are used to cap the end of the rafters so rain will not enter the doghouse.
11. Cut the overhang rafters using 2x4 boards. Screw the overhang rafters to the side fascia and the ends of the ridge board. Cover the roof with 1/2 inch plywood cut to size. Cut triangular sheets of plywood to fill in the front and back roof openings.
Shingle the Roof and Customize the Doghouse
12. When shingling the roof, begin at the edge of the roof rather than the point. This bottom row of shingles near the edge should be two shingles thick. Using a staple gun, secure the shingles in place, continuing to add rows until the roof is covered.
13. Trim the edges of the shingles with a utility knife as necessary.
14. Now you are ready to make the doghouse a home. You can paint it, add a nameplate, and even put a piece of carpeting inside for your dog.
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