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Dog houses are more than just a shelter — they’re your pup’s home away from home. Even if it’s only a spot to snooze during a backyard barbecue, you want your dog’s house to be both comfortable and durable.
Buying a dog house is always an option, but premade houses are often pricey and hard to transport. This has led many owners to build their own DIY dog house from scratch.
Building a dog house DIY style allows owners to address any of their dog’s specific needs, add extra insulation when needed, and end up with a long-lasting lair any pup will love.
Let’s check out a few doggone awesome DIY dog house plans and blueprints to see if this is a paw-ject you’d like to undertake for your four-footed friend.
We’ve scoured the ruff real estate market for the best DIY blueprints, so let’s see what all the tail-wagging is about.
The Lowe’s Beginner’s Basic Dog House has a one-size-fits-all design and is suitable for most breeds, though it can be sized up or down as needed. The classic dog house look fits in any backyard motif, and its all-weather design will withstand the elements.
This a great template to follow if you’re confident in your building chops but not advanced enough for heavy-duty carpentry.
You can easily tweak the design to fit your needs, as the roof materials can be swapped or insulation can be added depending on your area’s weather. The large opening is an area of concern in cooler climates, however, as you may need to install a wind-blocking cover or door flap.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
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This pawesome decked-out DIY dog house by Jen Woodhouse is a pup’s dream hangout. The insulated interior keeps your pup cozy in cooler months, while the outdoor deck is great for summertime snoozing in the sun.
These good looks aren’t easy to attain, however, as this design requires builders to be comfortable in their carpentry skills, given the numerous cuts it requires. The plans are easy to follow, but the tools and skills needed aren’t too common.
As-is, the plans are designed to fit most medium-sized breeds, so you will need to scale up for jumbo-sized pups. This is a heavy design, too, so make sure you assemble it where you want it to be, to avoid back-breaking lifting.
Difficulty Level: Hard
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Sunset’s mini ranch dog house plan is a simple yet stylish design that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to build. The metal roof stands up to the elements, while the small wooden overhang provides a touch of protection from rain that may try to whip inside.
The size is adequate for small to medium-sized dogs, but you’ll have to resize it to accommodate larger pooches. This design does require some woodworking, but not as much as some of other options listed here.
It’s rather straightforward and doesn’t require as many cuts as some blueprints. The end product is adorable, with slight human-like touches providing additional personality
Difficulty Level: Moderate
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The crooked dog house by Ana White is a quirky pick that howls with style. The design is made for a medium-sized dog, though you can size it up as needed to fit your pooch.
It is functional as well as fashionable, with the slight overhang blocking potential drips, and the heavy-duty roof defending your pup against the elements.
As this is an irregular shape with a multitude of cuts, this project requires above-average woodworking skills. Framing will take a bit of time and close attention, especially with the non-parallel trim areas.
Difficulty Level: Hard
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Roughley’s portable dog house is a modern take on pupper real estate with a simplistic, squared design and mobility. Its wheeled nature is great for scooting around a patio or deck, and the thick walls are well-insulated against the wind and cold.
This project is designed for large pups, though it would work well in multiple medium or small-sized fur friend families too. The small deck is perfect for pups who like a little sun in their life, though the lack of a door overhang is a bit of a drag in the rain.
The modern look of this dog house does require a fair amount of skill to pull off. It requires you to make specialized cuts and use advanced building techniques that other options do not.
The interior may need an additional layer of plywood to hide the insulation as well since some curious canines might find it too tempting not to scratch or chew.
Difficulty Level: Hard
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The DIY Network log cabin design gives your dog a cool place to hang out. It isn’t as insulated as some other designs, however, and its stone floor and wide door opening make it less than ideal in colder climates. It’s a great place to catch a nap, though, and the cool stone will feel great during the summer.
For a log cabin, it’s rather straightforward. The cuts are somewhat repetitive, making it an ideal pick for those with some construction skills.
The heavy-duty filling with chinking compound might seem hard, but it’s much easier than struggling with nails and screws.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
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The DIY Network A-frame dog house plan has the classic canine look with a heavy-duty finish.
The sturdy roof repels the rain, making it an excellent choice for a backyard relaxation station. This plan is intended for a medium to large-sized dog, though it could easily be tweaked to fit your doggo.
This design needs some skills to pull off, but it isn’t as labor-intensive as other DIY options. The plans are easy to follow, and wood glue can be used to make the house weatherproof and make the construction process easier.
Difficulty Level: Medium
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This affordable A-frame dog house design by ScottfromScott is a simple way to keep your canine covered.
Suitable for small to medium-sized puppers, this hound hut is insulated against the cold and has real shingles to block out rain, snow, and wind. This model does not contain a floor which isn’t always ideal, though a plywood floor can be added without much fuss.
This build does require some building skills, but it isn’t as tricky as other DIY designs. Basic cutting and hardware abilities are needed. It’s easily customizable as well, allowing you to craft a bigger house as needed with some tweaks in measurements. The opening, for instance, could use some widening for plumper pups.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
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When making a dog house, you must pay close attention to size, ensuring your pooch has enough space not only to lay but to turn around comfortably and have enough space between him and the door.
A dog house is useless if there is too little room between him and the outside, as rain and cold can easily invade and potentially saturate any bedding inside.
A good way to measure is to consider his dog bed and add a little wiggle room around it — roughly a foot in front where the door would be. You could also use your dog’s crate as a good starting point.
Don’t forget to consider your doggo’s height too! He needs to be able to stand comfortably while in his house (even if he needs to duck his head a bit when walking through the door).
If you plan on also putting together a DIY dog pen or DIY dog fence that your dog house will be placed within, keep those dimensions in mind too to ensure your pup has plenty of space.
For your DIY dog house, keep your location in mind when selecting a design and choosing the materials. This will help ensure your dog’s new home works well, keeps him comfortable, and that the house lasts too.
If you live in Florida, for instance, you will need far less insulating than a dog house in New York. Similarly, waterproofing will be a must in rainy Seattle, while less necessary in a desert environment like Phoenix.
Finally, you may want to consider the color paint you use (if any). For example, if you live in a warm-and-sunny climate, you may want to choose a very light color to help reflect some of the sun’s blasting rays. On the other hand, a dark-colored dog house will stay warmer in cool climates.
Whether you choose to go the DIY route or buy complete, your doggo will love his new abode. Have you ever built your own dog house? Did you use any of these plans? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
