In the Dog House: Building for a Large Dog

When you are building a dog kennel, you need to get the dimensions of your dog first. Unlike a home, a dog house should be compact, just big enough for the dog to get in, turn around, stretch, and curl up to stay warm. If you have a large dog, you obviously will need a larger dog house. Depending upon where you live, you may need to build an insulated dog house to keep them warm or cool in the summer.

The standard for measuring your dog is to allow thirty six inches of floor space for each inch of your dog's height. You will also add one or two inches to your dog's measurement when they are in a sitting position so you can determine the proper ceiling height.

The type of wood you select should reflect the area in which you live. Pressure-treated wood is great, especially if you can get weather-resistant wood. If you build your dog house with this type of wood, be careful because it contains toxins that could be harmful to your dog if he chews on the wood. Pine wood or cedar wood is perfect for constructing a dog house. You will also need a large sheet of plywood for the walls, ceiling, and floor.

There are many different styles of dog houses that you can construct. A common dog house is an A-frame dog house. The problem with an A-frame dog house for a large dog is that it is generally small and they don't offer any protection from the winter elements. If your large dog is trained to be outside, they need an insulated dog house where they can curl up and get away from wind, rain, and snow. Take a look at all the different styles of dog homes before you begin construction. If you have more than one dog, you can consider building a two-room dog house or a larger roomed dog house where both dogs can curl up together.

Once you have the plans and the measurements of your dog, you can begin cutting the timber skids, flooring, plates, studs, and rafters to their proper dimensions. Start with the base or the foundation of the dog house. Because water can collect under the dog house and damage it, you should build an elevated dog house. This is pretty easy to do with a couple 2x4s. Be sure to drill holes in the base or foundation so the water can evaporate and you can prevent flooding. Purchase some mesh to place over the holes so bugs and small rodents don't make their own nest under your dog house.

After the base is complete, you can construct the framework for the walls and the roof. If you are doing a sloped roof, the front wall will be slightly taller than the back and the side walls will need to be cut to this angle. Once you have the framework ready, you can begin installing the plywood walls to the dog house. If you are insulating your dog house; place foam insulation in between the walls. Be sure to cover all the insulation so your dog doesn't chew on it.

Once the walls are installed, you need to shingle the roof. Start by turning the first layer of shingles upside down if you aren't using tar paper. Shingle over the top of the first layer and use a shingle knife to cut the shingles from hanging over the edge. You should overlap the shingles to prevent any water from leaking into the dog house. Use waterproof shingle glue to cover any holes or uneven spots on the roof.

Price: build a dog house, large dog, dog house, wood, shingles, roof

More products like this one: Build a Dog House    

« Tasty Dog Treats from Scratch | Only Dog Beds | Gourmet Dog Treat Meals »