How to make a kennel for a dog with their own hands - diagrams, drawings, step by step instructions for construction, fun photo ideas
Warmed spacious kennel - a guarantee of excellent mood and good health in the dog. A long stay of the pet in damp and cold will certainly lead to the development of ailments.
You can make a house for the pet within a few hours, without spending money on expensive ready-made structures.
Previously, we should think about the design of the construction, choose a preferred material for the interior and exterior decoration. Inspired by ideas, you can get to work.
The dimensions of the kennel
The parameters of the construction depend on the size of the dog. In a small construction, the animal will be cramped and stuffy, in a large - cold. For the depth of the kennel to be suitable, you need to determine the length from the tip of the tail to the dog's nose.
The height of the kennel is calculated by measuring the animal at the withers, with an additional 5 cm added to the figure.
The dimensions of the kennel are calculated based on the chest circumference of the dog, plus 5 centimeters. The entrance aperture is made 3-5 cm wider in height.
For small dachshunds, pygmy poodles, Pekingese suit kennel with dimensions of 70x55x60 cm. The entrance to the building can be made with the dimensions of 30x40 cm.
For bulldogs and Rottweilers the construction format 115x75x80 cm is suitable, and the dimensions of the entrance aperture can be made 35x50 cm.
The cone for sheepdogs is built with the dimensions 135x100x95 cm, while the parameters of the manhole should be 40x60 cm.
Schemes and drawings
For a light construction you can draw a scheme with a pencil on a piece of paper with the dimensions of the building. For a more complex construction you will need a drawing with exact measurements. It is important to consider the following features:
- The inner space of the house should be comfortable and spacious, so that the dog will be able to turn freely. It is better to make a large kennel for a puppy, realizing that he will quickly grow up;
- The presence of unnecessary elements in the form of partitions, ledges and ladders will make the dog uncomfortable;
- An excellent option is a rectangular house with a side entrance and a removable single sloping roof;
- it is advisable to make one wall removable for weekly cleaning of the house;
- gable roof is optimal for a small kennel when you want to increase the size of the interior space.
Tools and materials
When the drawing is made, proceed to the choice of material. The most in demand for the construction of the doghouse is wood from soft conifers, characterized by the preservation of heat, environmental friendliness, acceptable cost.
In areas with cold climatic conditions, it is better to choose a design from a log three-layer profile with a special insulator between the panels.
In order not to be distracted by the purchase of additional tools and materials during construction, it is advisable to prepare them in advance:
- Dry beams - 10x10 cm;10x50 cm;
- A bar with a thickness of 2.5 cm;
- planks 4x4 cm;
- lath for upholstery;
- door hinges;
- sheet of roofing felt;
- nails;
- foam;
- hammer;
- antiseptic mortar.
Important: "Building materials should be well sanded with a sandpaper to avoid injuring the paws of the pet. Antiseptic impregnation of wood is desirable to conduct at the end of assembly of the house and only on the outside: strong odors can cause fear and reluctance of the animal to stay in the cabin.
Building with a single pitch roof
To protect your pet from cold weather it is recommended to insulate the house during the assembly process.
Stage 1: Assembling the floor box
Bars 4x4 cm cut based on the parameters of the bottom, spread out on a flat surface, fasten with screws in a rectangle. For a large dog the frame is reinforced with a wooden plank, and then one side with planks.
Step 2: Insulating the floor
The upholstered frame is placed so that the planks are on top. The inner part is lined with parchment, fix it with staples with a stapler, cut a piece of foam with scissors, based on the dimensions, and lay it between the wooden parts.
On top of the synthetic material cover an additional layer of rolled parchment and nail the final floor.
Step 3: Assembling the frame
A 10 x 10 cm board is sawn into 4 blanks: two at a distance equal to the height of the building; the other pair is 8 - 10 cm larger. Fix the elements vertically in each corner. The long supports are put in the front part, and the shorter ones in the back. Such a construction creates a slope of the roof.
All timbers are aligned using a measuring level and fastened with self-tapping screws. In the center of the walls are nailed additional vertical boards and two small boards on the sides of the entrance hole.
Step 4: Wall cladding
The assembled frame is finished off with planks from the outside, and the interior is insulated. The walls of the building are covered with rolled parchment, fixed with a stapler, and then proceed to fill the voids between the boards with foam or mineral wool.
After that, an additional layer of foil is nailed, and plywood is placed on top. The upholstery is nailed flush to prevent the animal from getting hurt.
Step 5: making the roof
Firstly, a frame is mounted from wooden bars 4x4 cm, equal to the area of the perimeter of the kennel. Saw the same plywood sheet and nail it to the frame. As densely as possible is placed between the boards foam plastic, lay the film, fasten over the entire area of the stapler.
On top, a plywood sheet is placed, making an overhang from the side walls on the back and front sides. Made eaves will protect the kennel from rain. With the help of door hinges, the finished roof is fixed to the structure, and a sheet of roofing felt is laid.
Step 6: Finishing
Paint the wooden kennel with a solution of antiseptic, then dry for two days. Lining the bottom of the structure with a piece of ruberoid, bending the cuts at 3-5 cm to the surface of the walls, fix on it two boards 10x5 cm. Turn the doghouse over, finish the entrance opening and the ends with platbands.
Step 7: Installing
When selecting a kennel site, it is important to provide your four-legged friend with a wide view of the area. The site should be in a dry, shady area with sufficient natural light. This will ensure that the dog lives comfortably.
Recommendation: "The owner should take care to maintain a distance between the dog kennel and the buildings where other breeds of animals are kept. Otherwise their waste will enter the territory where the dog lives, causing him aggression and discomfort".
With a gable roof
This type of awning is more suitable for small kennels, as it is inconvenient to lift a massive structure during handling.
Stage 1: Assemble the frame
Mould the bottom frame from four wooden planks 5x5 cm. In each corner mount uprights, top make a strapping of planks. To strengthen the frame to the bottom of nailing additional strips on both sides of the wooden frame.
Step 2: Fixing the roof
Combine between two equal bars 5x5 cm with an angle of inclination of 40 degrees. Then make a similar blank. Place them on top of the frame, aligned vertically, at the same level as the walls of the booth, nailed with galvanized nails.
Obtained gables paneled transverse board, protruding from one side forward on 15-18 cm. Next cut a couple more boards of the same size and nailed them to the lower rafters.
Step 3: Paneling
On the outside of the booth upholstered laths, not allowing the formation of gaps. The bottom is finished with roofing felt, put and fasten wooden footings.
Step 4: Insulation
The interior space of the frame is lined with roofing material with parchment, fixed at the corners with staples. Next insert the insulation. Once again laid the film, and upholster the walls and the floor with a sheet of plywood.
Step 5: Covering the roof
The frame of the canopy is removed, from the inside is finished with a sheet of plywood cut to the proper size, turn the construction. On top lined with rolled asphalt felt.
The voids are filled with insulation, and then fix the decking with screws. At the joints of the slopes set the ridge, masking the front rough cuts with flat strips.
For easy removal of the roof nailed one nail with sawn heads in the ends of the corner braces. Holes equal to the diameter of the nails are drilled in the eaves boards, and then the roof is put on.
Design with a vestibule
To build such a doghouse, you will need simple boards. The difference from other options is considered an insulated partition with an entrance. The thickness of the bars should be at least 2.5 cm, and the size of the bars should be 4x4 cm or slightly larger:
- First the wooden frame is assembled. The floor will be ideal if a piece of plywood is placed on top. To insulate it from below you can close the bottom with OSV - board or simple boards, putting insulation under them.
- For moisture insulation of the lower part of the booth the frame is covered with roofing felt with a stapler. To prevent the floor from getting wet, it is desirable to make under it feet or set the building on flat stones. The walls of the booth are covered with planks.
- Boards to the frame should be nailed horizontally, so that the bottom edge of the top bar overlapped the cut board below. Next, insulate the walls from the inside. To do this, the vertical boards are nailed on them and between them lay the insulation. After that, cover the top with a film and cover with a sheet of plywood.
- To simplify the manufacture of wall slabs instead of boards, you can use OSV - boards. The final step of erecting the kennel is to make the ceiling and roof.
Familiarized with the variants of kennels and assembly techniques, you can choose the most suitable for the pet. Competently built construction will serve the dog for a long time. The dog will appreciate the care, giving the owner his love, loyalty and faithfulness in return.