Our Dogs World 101

How Do You Build A Simple Dog House?

Did you know a professionally built dog house can’t cost anywhere from $350 on average, and you could pay over $8,000 or more for a high-end custom-built model or dog mansion…? And yes, people do pay that kind of money!

If you are handy with power tools and would like to have a go at building your own simple dog house, you could follow a Lowes “How to Build a Dog House” plan by Mr. Brian G.

What I’m thinking, is if you’re thinking how do I build a simple dog house then spending days or even weeks trying to build this is probably not the simple you had in mind.

The Ikea of Dog Houses

Hands up if this sounds like you!

You see a piece of wooden furniture you love and think to yourself how easy would it be to make this? I know I have!

You get all the materials, buy a few extra power tools you know you will never use again, and download some so called “Easy to Follow Plans” for making your own TV entertainment unit, (I have used this example as it is exactly how my story went)

Rottweiler laying in a dog house3 weeks later and roughly $2000 poorer I had finished my project, OK the doors didn’t close properly, one of the legs was slightly shorter than the others, some of my cuts were a little rough and honestly my wife refused to have it in our living room.

While I was feeling a little let down by my wife’s brutal honesty, I had to agree it probably was a bit of an eyesore!

That was the day that I realized I’m not a handy man and Ikea was now my best friend!

That week we got a flat packed TV unit from Ikea, almost resembling the exact thing I had built, only the doors closed on this one and funnily enough all the legs were the same size! It cost us $1200 including delivery!

So, How Do You Build a Simple Dog House?

Just like my Ikea experience I learned when it came to building my two dogs their dog houses that a high-quality ready-made timber dog house that was delivered in a flat pack would be the go.

Today I am going to review what we think are the best 3 high quality, best-selling flat pack dog houses on the market at the moment.

We have done some extensive research on all 3 of these dog houses covering:

  • Value for money.
  • Workmanship.
  • Durability.
  • Fits dogs of all sizes, including the Giant Breeds.
  • How it stands up to the elements.
  • Popularity.

So, in no specific order lets jump in and take a look on How Do You Build a Simple Dog House.

Petmate Precision Extreme Outback Log Cabin

This log cabin lookalike is the perfect outdoor home for your dog.

It is made from solid wood and a stainless-steel frame making it extremely strong and sturdy and is perfect for dogs of all sizes.

It is weather, pest (Termites), rot and rust resistant.

What I love most about this dog house is it actually looks like a traditional log cabin and with self leveling feet it can be set up to balance even on the roughest of surfaces!

The craftsmanship on this dog house really is top class and has a rain resistant asphalt shingled roof to make sure your best friend is always sheltered from the elements.

The extreme log cabin has a slanted roof design and a raised floor to make sure your dog stays dry and the dog house gets plenty of air circulation.

High quality workmanship of this stunning dog house allows it to provide shelter not only from changes in the weather but also other elements such as dust, dirt, and debris.

With a stunning and beautiful natural or gray wood finish and with the edges and the roof finished in a rich black, this Outback Log Cabin will compliment any backyard landscaping!

EcoFlex Rustic Lodge Dog House

As the name suggests, the Eco-Flex Rustic Lodge Dog House
is an Eco friendly dog house made from non-toxic recycled plastic-wood polymer composite materials that won’t warp, crack, or split no matter what weather conditions it faces and will last a lot longer than the traditional wooden dog houses.

What people really love about this dog house is that it is super simple to assemble, you don’t need any tools and can be fully erected within 10 minutes!

With its super strong and sturdy build this dog house is suitable for all dogs up to 200lbs.

It is fully insulated to make sure your dog stays cool in the summer and warm and dry in the winter.

Another great thing with this dog house is the roof design. With its strength it means that your dog can easily lay on this getting their summer tan ready!

The Eco-Flex dog house is 100% non-toxic and does not absorb any moisture, so unlike the wooden model will not require any sealing for wet weather conditions.

With its 10-year warranty and a surface than can be easily painted to match any landscaping décor this really is awesome value for money.

The Midwest Folding Outdoor Wooden Dog House

If only they had had this available in Entertainment units!

The Midwest is the easiest and simplest dog house on the market to set up.

You need no tools and can be set up in minutes, simply unfold the dog house and sit back with your drink of choice and admire your work!

The Midwest is constructed of high-quality water-resistant stained timber (Can be stained or painted in your choice of color or look) it comes with stainless steel hardware so it won’t rust, and strong roof top shingles.

Much like the Petmate Precision Extreme Outback Log Cabin, the Midwest comes with an elevated base which increases the air flow and a dry surface for your dog.

Each of the four legs has an adjustable foot to again create a level house on the roughest of surfaces.

The strong and durable construction means this dog house will most definitely stand up to almost everything mother nature can throw at it!

The Midwest folding dog house is the ONLY wooden doghouse on the market that boasts a no tools required assembly, all you need to do is pick the area you would like your dog to have its home, unfold, and your work is done!

What if I Don’t Like Any of These Dog Houses?

At Our Dogs World 101 we do extensive research to make sure we bring you the best advice and products available on the market today.

I have bought you what I feel are 3 top quality, well priced and popular dog houses, however I know everyone’s taste (Along with their beloved dogs) are different.

So, if you are in the market for a new dog house but none of these are what you are looking for, then you may want to have a look at the best-sellers list to find your dog’s forever home.

Did you find this article useful? Feel free to share your thoughts. We would be happy to hear from you!

Stay tuned for more posts on dog care and much more!

“May Your Home Be Filled With Love And Dog Hair”

Any/all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through one of them, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full affiliate disclosure here.

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Mark

Founder of Our Dogs World 101

20 thoughts on “How Do You Build A Simple Dog House?”

  1. My family’s dogs never had a dog house… our house was the dog house! With that said, I can see why it is important to plan and take stock of the options when considering a separate unit for canine friend. I personally like most the aesthetic and resistance of the Petmate Precision Extreme Outback Log Cabin, even though it is the most expensive. If a dog is going to have a dog house, it should most certainly look nice!

    Reply
    • Yes the Extreme Outback Log Cabin would definitely be my choice, and you are spot on in regards to a dog house also looking nice while making your dog comfortable.

      Mark

      Reply
  2. I have always loved Snoopy. And the picture of him on top of his dog house is one of the most memorable picture ever, in my book. So, I would like to have a new dog house for my new little puppy. And even take pics of him laying on top of his house. The EcoFlex Rustic Lodge options is really cool. I think I will go with that one.

    Reply
  3. Wow – I will try Petmate Precision for my dog. I hope their cabins are available in different sizes to accommodate all sizes of pets. I am just worried if we might need to reinforce the bottom as my dog like to hop right in. I am planning to get the accessories for this, including the insulated liner for when the winter comes!

    Reply
  4. Wow, there are some neat-looking (modern) style dog houses available these days! We don’t yet have a fenced yard for our dog, so we can’t let her outside on her own yet, but I do have family members whose dogs get to go outside and roam their yard for large parts of the day. These dog houses look like something they would love to build for their dogs. Thank you for sharing these options!

    Reply
  5. Thanks for this post.   I don’t own a dog but I was intrigued to learn that a dog house can cost $8000 at the top end.   I suppose there are people with that level of discretionary funds to purchase that and good for them for giving their pet the utmost comfort.   If I had my choice I would select the Midwest given the convenience and ease of putting it together.

    Reply
  6. Hi Mark, I had to smile at your TV project story as I could so totally relate to it. We did build our first dog kennel and the wood cost more than a ready made, flat packed one would have cost! We have found that the wooden dog houses look beautiful, but they do need to be weather proofed, so we keep ours under cover. 

    I do like the Eco Flex dog house which is made from recycled materials, and can be assembled without using any tools. Thanks for sharing some great choices.

    Reply
  7. Thanks for this post.   I don’t own a dog but I was intrigued to learn that a dog house can cost $8000 at the top end.   I suppose there are people with that level of discretionary funds to purchase that and good for them for giving their pet the utmost comfort.   If I had my choice I would select the Midwest given the convenience and ease of putting it together.

    Reply
  8. Thanks for writing about build a simple dog house. I’m actually interested to build one after being inspired by certain cartoons on the TV. Building a dog house looks like a fun activity too. I want to know the consideration if our dogs will like the dog house. Any tips to gauge their interest in their future small home?

    Reply
    • Hi Alblue,

      Depending on the size of the dog, I have often found that if you use a big cardboard box with an entrance similar to that of a dog house cut into it and some bedding inside works really well as a gauge.

      If your dog/puppy is happy to go into this then they are going to love the real thing!

      Reply
  9. This looks amazing, when I was younger our dog used to sleep in the laundry room. That was just outside the front door and was pretty warm. Especially after the washing machine finished, the old days. Do the new dog houses have any heating available for cold climates. It would be nice to think that my best buddy could be warm as well. Also are they easy to clean.?.

    Stephen.

    Reply
    • Hi Steve,

      Some great questions.

      The models I mentioned don’t have heating, however there are more expensive types on the market that do.

      Most of the better quality dog houses are very easy to clean as they have a removable roof structure.

      I hope this helps?

      Mark

      Reply
  10. I appreciate your brutal honesty in your efforts to build a dog house! It sounds like purchasing a kit of parts for a dog house like you would for any other type of furniture from IKEA makes sense. 

    We have three dogs that are quite small. If we wanted a dog house the chances are we would buy ready-made ones. However, I like the idea of purchasing one to be assembled from IKEA. 

    The fact is we keep our dogs indoors all the time except for walks and runs. Hence, we do not need any dog houses. But for those who do, this post will come in very handy.

    Cheers.

    Edwin

    Reply

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