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Dog House Plans
A modern dog house with a flat roof, built from exterior plywood. The floor stands on two runners, clear of wet ground; the door is framed by three front panels with a sill that keeps the bedding in; and the roof lifts off so you can clean inside. Size it from your dog, and every panel follows. The plan works for any dog, from a small terrier to a large breed: type its height and length and every panel follows.
- Default size
- 900 × 700 × 700 mm
- Parts
- 12 pieces · 9 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 2 carcass
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Build time
- About 6 hours
- Edge band
- 8.6 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor | 1 | 900 | 700 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Runner | 2 | 700 | 60 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Side wall | 2 | 700 | 700 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
6 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- The floor sits on two 60 mm runners so it stays off wet ground; the walls stand on the floor.
- The front is three panels around the door: a sill, a header and one panel on each side, tied together by a cleat inside under the roof.
- The roof overhangs 60 mm all round and rests on the walls: fix two small blocks under it so it lifts off for cleaning but cannot slide.
- Cover the roof with a roofing membrane or shingles and paint every face and edge before assembly.
Common mistakes
- Building the house far bigger than the dog: it cannot warm the air inside in winter.
- Using interior board or leaving edges unsealed: plywood edges soak up rain and delaminate.
Tools you need
- Circular saw or track saw
- Drill/driver
- Clamps
- Sander
- Paintbrush
Frequently asked questions
What size dog house do I need?
Inside, about 25% longer than your dog from nose to tail base, and a little taller than its head when it sits. A house much bigger than that stays cold in winter.
How big should the door be?
About three-quarters of the dog’s shoulder height and slightly wider than its chest. Keep the sill 50–100 mm high so bedding stays inside.
What board should I use?
Exterior-grade plywood, painted or oiled on every face and edge, and a roofing membrane or shingles on the roof. Never use MDF or particle board outdoors.
How do I keep it warm or cool?
Place the door away from the wind, keep the floor raised, and line the walls with rigid foam behind a thin plywood skin for winter. In summer, shade and ventilation matter more.
Related guides
Dog House SizeWhat size dog house does your dog need? Measure-your-dog rules, a size chart from small to giant breeds, door sizes and why a house too big is cold.How to Build a Dog HouseHow to build a dog house from exterior plywood: size it for your dog, raise the floor, frame the door, add a lift-off roof, insulate it and weatherproof it.
