Free Dog House Plans?

I recently had a look online for free dog house plans and what I found was not very encouraging. I came to the conclusion that this might be one of those instances where the quality of the product offered matched the amount paid.

I got nothin’ for nothin’. Actually what I got was a very generic “dog box” that would do little more than offer the most rudimentary shelter.

Now rather than spend time telling you how bad the plans were and what was missing I thought it would be more constructive to list a few design and construction considerations that may be important for your pooch’s health and well being.

- Size of the house, size of the run – More than one dog? How well do they get along? As with people, bullying can make a dogs’ life miserable. It may be best to separate them when they are left alone.

Do they normally choose to sleep close to each other or do they like their own space?

The size of the dog(s) will determine the size of the house. Too small and they won’t want to use it and may overheat, too large and they’ll be cold in winter.

Will the house be enclosed in a run or will they have the run of the entire yard? A run is a good idea for when no one is home. You have a smaller area to clean and they won’t tear up your entire yard when they get bored.

- House design considerations – Can you get into the house for cleaning or to lift an injured or ailing dog out?

At different times of the year the dog will need ventilation, shade, protection from rain, heat, cold and wind and perhaps a secure place to go to get away from bigger, aggressive strays that wander in.

Will it be built from wood and if so what kind? What about the floor? A cold, hard floor will, besides being uncomfortable, hasten the onset of arthritis and bladder ailments.

The importance of these design considerations for your dog house will depend on the dogs’ size, length of hair, and the climate you live in.

The ideal doghouse will be built of wood (cost, portability, ease of construction). The floor will have a piece of carpet on it (insulation and comfort). The walls and roof will be insulated (protection from heat and cold).

The roof will have plenty of overhang (shade and shelter from summer rain), and only a slight slope (to shed water yet allow the animal a place to “perch”). It will be hinged to allow access and a secure way to allow it to be propped partly open to allow ventilation, yet not get ripped off by wind.

Another possibility in warmer climates would be raise the dog house up on posts. The dog would then have a cool sheltered place (underneath) to sleep away a hot afternoon. A layer of pea gravel could be leveled for a “basement” floor.

A ramp up to the main floor and the roof would give the dog some exercise. Fido would then have a dry house in times of heavy rain.

It wouldn’t have to be more then a couple of feet off the ground (depending on the breed, the dog needs to be able to walk underneath). This would work in a cold climate but I would be sure to insulate the floor very well.

The wood (with the exception of the floor) will not be pressure treated and I would leave the interior unfinished. The exterior walls would be painted and the roof would be coated with a rubberized deck paint.

I have found these deck coatings to be very durable plus they afford a decent grip and are utterly waterproof. They last longer than regular paint. It could also be used on the exterior walls.

I hope that this article has been helpful to you. I would welcome any useful comments or suggestions that you may have.

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