The typical German Shepherd weighs about 75 pounds and is 27 inches at the shoulder. The kennel should be big enough for the dog to get in and turn around. She should be able to lie down comfortably and be far enough from the door in order to be protected from the elements. The kennel can be built to sit directly on the ground, or it can be placed on a cement pad or on top of bricks. All measurements are based on dog measurements.
Measurement and setting
Step 1
Measure your dog from the tip of his ears to the ground and from the tip of his nose to the end of his exercise. Add 12 inches to the length measurement and 24 inches to the length measurement. These measurements will determine the length and height of the kennel walls.
Step 2
Purchase enough lumber and supplies to build the dog house to the size you need. You will need enough for four walls, roof and roof. Don’t forget to draw enough 2-by-4-inch boards for the trusses for the roof.
Step 3
If you are placing a dog on a cement pad or raising it on bricks, purchase enough of this material to create the platform of your choice. If you have an air compressor, a nail gun will make the job go a lot faster.
word building
Step 1
Using the length measurement from Section 1, Step 1, cut the boards 2-by-4-inches to make a perfect square. Stand the boards on their side, so that the 4-inch side of the board is perpendicular. Nail the boards together in a box.
Step 2
Square measure on the outside from one side to the other, side to side and front to back. Cut a piece of pressure-treated plywood to these measurements. Measurements should be 4 inches more than the measurements in Section 1, Step 1.
Step 3
Make sure the box is completely square, then saw or tap pressure-treated plywood to the top of the box. Turn the box over so the plywood is against the ground.
Step 4
Make two floors supports. Measure across from one side to the other. The supports need to fit between the sides, so take the measurement on the inside of each panel. Cut a 2-by-4-inch plate of pressure treads to fit. It should fit snugly and may need to be inserted into place. Nail or screw the brackets out of the box.
Step 5
Turn the box over. Using nails or nails on the outside, make a chalk line on the floor where the support is. Screw the plywood into the supports along the line. Evenly space at least five nails along the chalk line. Turn the box over to make sure you don’t miss the supports. Turn the box over so the plywood is on top.
Construction of frame walls
Step 1
Mark the word with the letters A, B, C, and D – one letter for each side. Make sides A and C, front B and back D. Measure each side and write its measurement next to the letter.
Step 2
Cut a 2-by-4-inch board for sides A and B according to the measurements. Lay the boards on the appropriate sides with the 4-inch side facing horizontally (do not attach them yet). Measure from the inside edge of the sides to get the proper measurement for the front and back (C and D). Cut a 2-by-4-inch board to these measurements. This is the basis of the frame for each wall.
Step 3
Using your height measurement, cut the 2-by-4-inch boards to the height of the frame. Depending on the length of each wall, you will need three or four studs – one for each end and one or two in the middle (studs). For each wall frame, create a box. The 2-by-4-inch boards should be oriented so that the board’s width faces 4 inches inside the square. Insert and hollow out the wall screws or put them into the frame.
Step 4
Nail or screw each of the four frames to the bottom of the plywood. The frames should be small enough that they will stand without support, but not lean on them, because they will not be strong yet.
roof construction
Step 1
Build roof trusses if you want a gable roof. Measure from A to B and add 8 inches to the measurement. This will give you a 4-inch overhang on each side. Cut a board 2 by 4 inches to measure. Cut the corners of the triangle supports. The steeper the angle, the steeper the pitch will be on the roof. Tape the panels together to make a triangle.
Step 2
Attach the struts to the frame walls with twister straps.
Step 3
Cover the roof with plywood. The plywood does not have to be pressure treated, as it will be protected by roofing felt and shingles.
Put it all together
Step 1
Measure each wall frame and cut a piece of plywood to fit. Screw or nail plywood into the frame. For the front of the doghouse, before attaching the plywood, cut an exit door out of the plywood.
Step 2
Sand the rough edges of the entrance. Paint the doghouse or, if you want to add siding, add the siding now.
Step 3
Attach the roofing sheet to the roof with roofing nails. Starting at the bottom edge of the roof, lay a row of shingles. Attach shingles with roofing nails. Work even toward the height of the roof with the shingles, row by row. Complete the other side of the roof in the same way. At the top of the roof, flex a board over the top so that no water seeps into the kennel.
Step 4
Add a soffitt to the underside of the roof rack if you want it. You can also add a rubber cover on the door. Make sure the rubber can easily be pushed aside from the dog.
