Reader Project: How to Build the Ultimate DIY Dog House

Reader Corey Hosick built the ultimate DIY dog house for his two German Shepard dogs. It's equipped with so many bells and whistles for his fur babies. Check out all of the great photos from Corey!

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German Shepard dog house

DIY Dog House

Lexi-Lou and Ranger-Roo are Corey Hosick’s German Shepard fur babies. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. So he built them the ultimate DIY dog house shelter to not only protect them from the elements but to provide the creature comforts of home. Here is his process of building a DIY doghouse.

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dog house structure

How to Build a Doghouse with a Porch

The frame of the DIY dog house is made from two 4w9 I beams crossed with 3×5-in. and 2×2-in. square tubing with brackets I made to then tie in the wood for the build up.  Using old scraps was challenging on some levels due to warped boards. I then used 4 PT 4×4’s for the uprights and then jointed my horizontal beams to fit on top of my four posts.

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decking for dog house

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

Next, I added the decking for the front porch.

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dog house construction

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

I built the walls from split 2×4’s, and I installed the windows. The siding was done with cedar fence boards. Let your furry friend peep outside with this dog fence window.

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trusses for dog house

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

I built standard trusses for the roof.

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dog house construction

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

For the sheathing, I used old shiplap from my remodel project in my 118-year old Victorian house.

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dog house interior

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

The DIY dog house is insulated, floors and walls, with R-13 insulation.

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dog house front entrance

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

Here is the front entrance to the DIY dog house.

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dog house base

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

I originally put the house on wheels, but once it was time to move the house to a permanent location, the wheels failed in the soft dirt. I then used my Bosch laser level to set and level the cinderblock foundation. That house is probably the most level house in town!

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dog house exterior

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

There is running water to fill a stainless steel automatic water bowl. I didn’t think I would have liked the look of PEX or PVC in view front the front porch, so I improvised with a classic copper method. It was my first time sweating a copper pipe and I am proud to say, no leaks the first time around!

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dog house chow hound feeder

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

I put a Chow Hound automatic dog feeder on the side of the doghouse. Here are a few tips for building an automatic dog feeder.

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dog house exterior

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

Venting was added to the back of the DIY dog house.

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dog house lighting

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

The house features a 70-ft. 12/3 extension cord to an exterior single-gang box with an exterior toggle switch that is the main switch for the house, which more or less controls the porch light. It also has an additional switch for the two interior lights.

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dog house

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

Finally, the completed project!

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dogs enjoying dog house
Family Handyman

How to Build a Dog House with a Porch

Ranger-Roo and Lex-Lou enjoying the comforts of their new home.