How to Build a Doghouse. If your best friend likes being outdoors, they need their own
spot to keep warm and dry. You will need A tape measure A circular saw A work bench A
10-ft. spruce 2-by-4 Safety glasses A hammer A bag of 16d nails (3 1/4-in.) A bag of 8d
nails (2 1/2-in.) A 4-by-8-ft. sheet of untreated spruce plywood siding (5/8-in. thick) An 8-ft.
spruce 2-by-4 A bag of cedar shavings A hand file 1 gal. of exterior wood primer 1 gal.
of exterior enamel paint A box of roofing shingles A bag of roofing nails and two sawhorses
(optional) (optional) (optional). Step 1. Measure your pet's height, width, and length
with the tape measure. Add approximately 12 inches to the height, 18 inches to the length,
and 9 inches to the width to determine the dimensions of your doghouse. This one will
fit a medium-sized dog. Because a dog's body heat warms a doghouse, it should be just large
enough for your pet to stand in and turn around easily. Step 2. Lay the 10-foot 2-by-4 on
a workbench. With the circular saw, cut it into eight pieces: two pieces that are 22
7/8 inches long, two pieces, 20 ¾ inches long, and four 6-inch pieces. To keep your
eyes safe from flying debris, make sure to wear safety glasses. Step 3. Using the circular
saw, round one end of each of the 6-inch pieces (these will become the legs of the doghouse).
Take two of the legs and one of the 22 7/8-inch pieces. Line up the flat edges of the legs
with the edge of the platform side, and, using the longer 16d nails, nail the feet to the
piece. Repeat this step for the other side. These pieces will be the two sides of the
platform. Step 4. The 20 ¾-inch pieces will become the front and back of the frame. Hold
the side pieces so that the legs are on the inside and nail the front piece to the sides.
Repeat this step for the back side of the frame. Step 5. Lay the plywood on the workbench
or on two sawhorses and cut it into the following pieces: two bottom pieces (20 ¾ inches by
25 7/8 inches), two roof pieces (31 7/8 inches by 21 7/8 inches), two side pieces (16 inches
by 25 7/8 inches), one back piece (22 inches wide and 27 inches high), and one front piece
(22 inches wide and 27 inches high). Step 6. Cut the front and back pieces so they have
a triangle shape at one end: 16 inches high on each side and 27 inches high in the middle.
One end of each board will be flat while the other end will come to a point, like an arrow.
Step 7. About 3 inches above the bottom edge of the front piece, start cutting a door hole.
The doorway should be wide enough to accommodate your dog, flat at the bottom, and rounded
at the top. Step 8. Lay one floor piece on your frame and line up the edges. If the floor
piece hangs over the edge, trim off any excess wood. Nail the first floor piece to the frame
using the 16d nails, and repeat the process for the second piece, giving your dog a two-layer
floor. Step 9. Cut the 8-foot 2-by-4 in half, creating a pair of 2-by-2 boards. Cut each
of these boards into four 12½-inch pieces and one 22-inch piece. You should now have
nine frame elements, which will reinforce the doghouse. Step 10. Using the 8d nails,
nail two 12½-inch frame elements to one side panel. The elements should be placed vertically
at each end and 3½ inches from the bottom edge. Repeat the process for the second side
panel. Nail one side panel to each side of the frame. Step 11. Place two 12½-inch frame
elements on the back piece so that they meet at the point and nail them with the 8d nails
into place. Attach the back piece to the back of the frame. Repeat this process for the
front piece. Place the cedar shavings on the floor to create bedding for your best friend.
Check for any exposed nails and file down any pointy tips with the hand file. Step 12.
On one of the roof pieces, attach the 22-inch frame element with the 8d nails, centering
the piece so there is the same amount of free space at either end. Put the roof piece into
position on top of the house and nail it to the frames at the front and back of the doghouse.
Then nail the second roof panel to the first frame element of the first roof panel. Step
13. Paint the exterior with primer and let dry. Then, add a coat of exterior latex paint
to protect the wood and allow to dry. Step 14. Using the roofing nails, nail down one
row of upside-down roof shingles at the bottom edge of each roof panel. Lay down additional
rows on top of the first row, using short roofing nails. Did you know Two great Danes
in Gloucestershire, England live in a doghouse that has a spa and a plasma television set.