dog and dog house under the sun

If your dog is going to be spending a lot of his time outside, you might want to give him a dog house so that he can get out of the sun and rain.

However, buying a dog house isn't cheap, and you may balk at having to plunk down a large chunk of change just to give your pup his own home. Luckily, learning how to build a dog house is fairly easy — provided you have the right plans before you start.

Below, we've rounded up 23 of the best free DIY dog house plans and material lists that you can use to get started today.

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The 23 DIY Dog House Plans

1. Recycled Wood A-Frame DIY Dog House Plans

  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

If you're looking to be environmentally conscious (or you just have a bunch of old pallets lying around you don't know what to do with), consider this classic A-frame from 99 Pallets.

It's easy to make and has a classic elegance that visitors (and your dog) will love.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking

Tools Necessary

  • Pallets
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Wood glue
  • Saw

2. Modern Builds DIY Dog House Plans


  • Difficulty Level: Hard

This house from Modern Builds requires a bit more know-how, but the end result is well worth it, as it's one of the biggest and most elegant houses you'll find anywhere.

The off-set door looks good, but more importantly, it will provide your pup with some much-needed shelter from the elements.

Skills Needed

  • Advanced woodworking

Tools Necessary

  • Plywood
  • Furring strips
  • Pallets
  • Acrylic sheeting
  • Paint
  • Liquid nails
  • Circular saw
  • Miter saw
  • Nail gun
  • We thought you might also enjoy: Best Igloo Dog Houses 2020: Reviews & Top Picks

3. Crooked DIY Dog House by Ana White


  • Difficulty Level: Advanced

The problem with building a dog house that's too nice is that all your friends will ask you to build one for them, too. That's not an issue with the crooked dog house from Ana White.

Don't worry — it's supposed to be crooked, as that gives it added charm without subtracting from your pooch's comfort. Even better, no one will be able to tell if you screw it up.

Skills Needed

  • Advanced woodworking

Tools Necessary

  • Plywood sheeting
  • Various boards
  • Screws
  • Finish nails
  • Wood glue

4. DIY Dog House with Deck by Jen Woodhouse


  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

This charming little hacienda from Jen Woodhouse has everything your pup needs to relax, including a deck, built-in bowls, and toy storage.

You can even put a welcome mat out front reminding guests to wipe their paws.

Skills Needed

  • Moderate woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Miter saw
  • Table saw
  • Jig saw
  • Drill
  • Pocket hole jig
  • Nail gun
  • Various boards
  • Paint

5. Metal Roof Puppy House Plans by Notadeckofcards


  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

This house from notadeckofcards was made for an indoor puppy, so the metal roof is more decorative than utilitarian.

The dog house blueprints are fairly easy to customize, though, so you can make it to fit any-sized dog, regardless of where he sleeps.

Skills Needed

  • Moderate woodworking skills
  • Basic metalworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Corrugated iron
  • Drill
  • Hexagonal head tek screws
  • Rubber washers
  • Saw
  • Hammer
  • Various boards
  • Casters (optional)

6. Tropical Dog House Plans by iwanebe


  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

Give your dog his very own tropical hideaway, right in your backyard, thanks to this house from iwanebe.

The bamboo makes it lightweight yet resilient against rain, while also ensuring the house doesn't trap too much heat in the summertime.

Skills Needed

  • Moderate woodworking skills
  • Basic crafts skills

Tools Necessary

  • Bamboo
  • Artificial turf
  • Plywood
  • Bamboo screen
  • Wood glue
  • Bolts
  • Screws
  • Screwdriver

7. Dog House Gazebo by Jen Woodhouse


  • Difficulty Level: Easy

Another charming entry from Jen Woodhouse, this gazebo is spacious and easy to make.

It won't offer much protection from the freezing cold, but it'll give your pooch a nice place to lay on hot summer days.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Drill
  • Wood
  • Wood screws
  • Paint

8. Insulated Dog-House with Removable Roof by Andrea Arzensek

  • Difficulty Level: Advanced

Courtesy of Andrea Arzensek, this house has a removable roof that makes cleaning a breeze.

It also boasts a classic, rustic A-frame appearance, and it's insulated to keep your dog nice and cozy year-round.

Skills Needed

  • Advanced woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Cedar boards
  • Router
  • Wood glue
  • Chisel
  • Clamps
  • Sander
  • Hammer
  • Wood nails
  • Wood screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Chop saw

9. DIY Dog House by Handyman Tips


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

This house from Handyman Tips is fairly simple to build, but it's classic and attractive nonetheless.

The frame is insulated with foam, which helps trap heat without adding too much bulk.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Wood
  • Wood screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Foam
  • Glue
  • Paint
  • Corner braces

10. Mobile Dog House by Roughley


  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

You can put this house from Roughley wherever you need it in seconds, thanks to the wheels on the base.

Despite the fact that it's easy to move, this is a well-built, formidable house, and it should serve you for years to come.

Skills Needed

  • Moderate woodworking
  • Basic masonry

Tools Necessary

  • Angle grinder
  • Cement sheeting
  • Casters
  • Hinges
  • Liquid nails
  • Plywood sheeting
  • Insulation
  • Molding
  • Paint
  • Screws
  • Nail gun
  • Table saw
  • Circular saw
  • Clamps

11. DIY Double Door Dog House by Intelligent Domestications


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

If you have multiple dogs to house (or if you just want to give your pooch entrance and exit options), this house from Intelligent Domestications might be just what you need.

The design is fairly basic, but that doesn't stop it from being seriously comfortable.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Plywood
  • Various boards
  • Roofing felt
  • Asphalt shingles
  • Angle brackets
  • Screws
  • Nails
  • Roofing tacks
  • Heat lamps with clamps

12. Pallet Kennel with Sun Deck by Saffery


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

Give your dog multiple places to stretch out with this quirky kennel from Saffery.

There's lots of room inside for big pups to stretch out, and the comfy roof gives them another place to lay if they feel like working on their tan.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Various boards
  • Saw
  • Screws
  • Drill
  • Paint
  • Roofing felt
  • Windscreens

13. Cardboard Dog House by Cardboard Crafting


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

If you want cheap and easy, it's hard to beat this option from Cardboard Crafting.

Don't let its appearance fool you, though, as this is a surprisingly durable house. No, it won't survive the snow or rain, but it'll last a lot longer than you'd think during the summer.

Skills Needed

  • Basic crafts skills

Tools Necessary

  • Cardboard boxes
  • Scissors or box cutter
  • Glue gun
  • Cartridge paper
  • Black marker

14. Geometric Dog House by Homemade Modern


  • Difficulty Level: Advanced

If you have a smaller dog with unconventional tastes, the Geometric Dog House from Homemade Modern should be just eccentric enough to appease him.

It's not the biggest house in the world, and it probably won't survive long in the harsh outside world, but there's no denying how adorable it is.

Skills Needed

  • Advanced woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Plywood
  • Various boards
  • Drill
  • Screws
  • Circular saw

15. Simple A-Frame by HGTV


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

You won't find anything more classic than this A-Frame from HGTV. It's relatively easy to make, durable, and your pup will love it.

In fact, it's such a nice house, we'd say it's good enough for Snoopy.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Various boards
  • Wood screws
  • Roofing paper
  • Plywood sheeting
  • Roofing nails
  • Roofing cement
  • Asphalt shingles
  • Stapler
  • Miter saw
  • Sander
  • Clamps

16. Dog House with Porch by Build Something


  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

The only problem with this house from Build Something is that it might be more attractive than your house.

The porch gives your pup a place to rest his head if he wants to check on the outside world, or he can just peek out one of the two windows if he gets curious.

Skills Needed

  • Moderate woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Clamps
  • Jigsaw
  • Miter saw
  • Nail gun
  • Sander
  • Circular saw
  • Pocket-hole jig
  • Boards
  • Fence pickets
  • Plywood sheeting
  • Dowel rod
  • Screws
  • We reviewed the best bedding for dog houses – find out our top picks here!

17. Mini Ranch House from Sunset


  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

Even if your dog's never been called upon to herd cattle, he'll feel right at home in this Mini Ranch House from Sunset.

It's big enough for a large-breed dog, and it offers plenty of shade, making it a smart choice for pups in arid climates.

Skills Needed

  • Moderate woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Carpenter's square
  • Protractor
  • Drill
  • Tin snips
  • Hammer
  • Plywood
  • Various boards
  • Lattice
  • Stain
  • Panel adhesive
  • Wire brads
  • Metal drip edging
  • Asphalt shingles
  • Roofing nails

18. Insulated A-Frame Dog House by scottfromscott


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

There's not much to this A-frame house from scottfromscott — and it won't put much of a dent in your pocketbook, either, as you can make it for less than $100.

You can either set it on an existing base, such as your deck, or build one for it.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Drill
  • Table saw
  • Circular saw
  • Jigsaw
  • Tin snips
  • Paint
  • Roofing nails
  • Screws
  • Asphalt shingles
  • Drip cap
  • Foamboard
  • Various boards

19. Breezy Dog House by shanty-2-chic


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

It's obviously not ideal for cold or wet climates, but the Breezy Dog House from shanty-2-chic is perfect for escaping the heat on relentless summer days.

As you might expect, it's fairly inexpensive to construct, too.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Various boards
  • Wood screws
  • Finish nails
  • Wood glue
  • Finish
  • Drill

20. Dog Tree House by DIY Network


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

This simple little house from DIY Network has a ramp to keep your dog off the ground, so he won't be exposed to frozen terrain in the winter, hot dirt in the summer, or bugs year-round.

The ramp also makes it easy for senior or arthritic dogs to climb inside, so they won't feel left out in the cold (literally).

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Circular saw
  • Chop saw
  • Drill
  • Jigsaw
  • Paint
  • Lag bolts
  • Screws
  • Corrugated roofing
  • Plywood

See:The best dog houses for outdoors

21. DIY Concrete Dog House by Homemade-Modern


  • Difficulty Level: Beginner

This simple concrete house from Homemade-Modern has everything your dog needs to stay protected from the elements, and there's minimal woodworking required (you will need to build the frame, though).

Just make sure it's stable, because at around 100 pounds, this is not a house you want falling on your mutt.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills
  • Basic masonry skills

Tools Necessary

  • Cement
  • 2x4s
  • Screws
  • Drill
  • Table saw

22. In the Dog House by Ranum


  • Difficulty Level: Advanced

The idea behind this house from Ranum is that it should be big enough for you, too — just in case.

Your dog should love his little chateau, even if he does have to entertain an unexpected roommate every now and then.

Skills Needed

  • Advanced woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • 2x4s
  • Nail gun
  • Angle brackets
  • Asphalt shingles
  • Various boards
  • Chop saw
  • Circular saw
  • Drill
  • Not much of a DIYer? We reviewed the best dog house's of this year! – check them out here!

23. Custom Insulated by Ron Hazelton

Difficulty Level: Beginner

While it's super easy to build, this dog house from Ron Hazelton offers your pup everything he needs to stay warm and cozy, including two rooms, insulation, and plenty of privacy.

You can easily customize the plans to fit a dog of any size, or you can make it even larger to accommodate several pups.

Skills Needed

  • Basic woodworking skills

Tools Necessary

  • Plywood sheeting
  • Asphalt shingles metal drip edge
  • Saber saw
  • Foam insulation
  • Wood glue
  • Various boards
  • Clamps
  • Angle brackets
  • Table saw

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Which One Will You Build?

The dog house kits on this list range from the incredibly basic to the frustratingly difficult, but they all have one thing in common: learning how to build a dog house will be worth it when you see the look on your best friend's face.

Then again, unless you're an experienced carpenter, you may just find yourself teaching your pup a lot of new words, too…

  • You can also see our guide on how to heat your dog house here!

Featured Image Credit: Polarpx, Shutterstock