Step-by-step description of building a dog house with your own hands. Making a doghouse for your beloved German Shepherd Consumables for making a German Shepherd doghouse

  • 27.10.2023

The German Shepherd is one of the well-known and widespread breeds in service dog breeding. Like any living creature, a dog needs its own corner where it will eat, sleep, and which will protect it during the cold season.

Therefore, every shepherd dog owner living in a country house or dacha must take care of purchasing or building a doghouse with his own hands.

Choosing a location for the booth

The location for the booth should provide the guard dog with as much visibility as possible of the area, especially beyond the entrance and exit from the yard. At the same time, the booth should not be located at the lowest point of the yard, where moisture will accumulate during snow melting and heavy rains.

Often the dog house is located close to the fence, next to the main entrance. This should not be done: dogs are very sensitive to extraneous sounds and smells, which is why they can endlessly bark at every passerby.

You should not place the booth next to the house, outdoor toilet or buildings with other animals. This arrangement will not have the best effect on sanitation in the shepherd’s habitat.

You should definitely think about protecting the dog’s house from the sun and drafts. If there are a lot of trees in the yard, the booth should be located in a place where there will be the least sunlight during the day.

Required materials and tools

The best material for building a booth is wood. It is recommended to use pine clapboard, then the shepherd dog house will be durable.

This material will not irritate the animal with its smell, it holds heat well and is easy to process. In addition to the lining, you will need insulation, a couple of sheets of chipboard and paints and varnishes for wood processing.

The most common tools needed for working with wood are:

  • roulette;
  • pencil;
  • level;
  • screwdriver;
  • self-tapping screws;
  • metal corners;
  • saw;
  • sealant.

Kennel sizes for a German Shepherd

The size of the booth for a German Shepherd should not greatly exceed the size of an adult animal, since in winter the booth will be heated by the heat generated by the dog’s body.

Most people adopt a dog when it is still very small, so it is very difficult to predict the dimensions of the future building.

Experienced shepherd dog owners advise building according to the following dimensions:

  • Length – 125 cm;
  • Height – 100 cm;
  • Width – 70 cm;
  • Entrance – 40×60 cm.

The roof of a kennel for a German Shepherd can be single-slope or gable, then its angle of inclination is recommended to be 15 or 30 degrees, respectively.

We build the frame

  1. Before erecting the frame, we clear and, if necessary, level the site for construction.
  2. Next we assemble the base. We make the perimeter of the base from beams fastened with self-tapping screws; we strengthen the perimeter with boards that serve as the floor.
  3. We install vertical racks from beams. To securely fasten the racks, we connect them to the base with metal corners. We fasten the rack beams on top with crossbars along the entire perimeter. As a result, we get the main frame.
  4. To add rigidity to the structure, you can make additional crossbars in the middle of the racks.

Decorating a dog's house

We line the outside of the booth wall with pine boards, and use chipboard sheets on the inside.

If there are sub-zero temperatures in the region, we lay insulation between the boards and the chipboard.

Between the roof and the main space of the booth we sew a sheet of chipboard over the entire area. Then you can further insulate the booth using a layer of insulation between the sheet and the roof. We cover the roof with clapboard, cover it with roofing felt and slate.

We carry out finishing work

After erecting the booth, you need to perform a number of finishing works. First, we inspect the dog house for the presence of protruding sharp elements, clean up the chips and knots with sandpaper or a sanding machine. We fill all the cracks with sealant.

Finally, we treat the finished booth with an antiseptic and moisture-resistant impregnation, and cover the outside with varnish or paint.

How to insulate?

You can choose almost any insulation, the only thing you need to think about is its environmental friendliness - your friend and security guard will live in the booth. Most breeders use regular mineral wool or polystyrene foam.

If there are severe and prolonged frosts in the region, it is worth additionally sheathing the booth with felt.

Proper care

The health of any dog ​​directly depends on regular preventive measures to maintain it and on hygiene procedures. Therefore, at least once every six months it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning of the booth.

Cleaning should include a complete replacement of fabric material, treatment of the internal walls of the booth with non-aggressive chemicals, and renewal of the external paintwork.

Does a German Shepherd need a chain?

Whether or not to keep a German Shepherd on a chain is up to the owner to decide. But it is worth understanding that the breed needs high activity and freedom of movement.

Shepherd dogs that are kept on a chain are characterized by apathy, aggression and low immunity.

The best option would be to build a special enclosure.

Basic requirements for enclosures

The enclosure for a German Shepherd should not contain sharp elements. During construction, you should use bolts and nuts or a welding machine.

The size of the enclosure should be such that the German Shepherd can move more or less actively.

The enclosure must provide protection from rain, wind, sun and high humidity.

The dimensions of the enclosure are set based on the number of German shepherds and their size. For one individual, it is enough to make an enclosure 3x3 meters.

Building an enclosure for a German Shepherd

After tidying up the area for the German Shepherd enclosure, manufacturing includes the following steps:

  1. We level the area for the enclosure, or place bricks under the base.
  2. We weld the base from iron corners.
  3. We lay a board on the base from the corners.
  4. We install vertical posts (you can also use corners); the length of the posts should allow you to create a pitched roof.
  5. We close the frame at the top with the same corners.
  6. Next, we weld the rods on three sides of the enclosure.
  7. We cover the fourth wall with chipboard sheets or boards.
  8. To lay slate sheets, we make additional overlaps.
  9. We lay slate or corrugated board.

Finally, you need to take care to protect the enclosure from negative environmental influences.

We must paint the metal structure, and treat the wooden elements against pests and moisture.

If you are the owner of a German Shepherd, then you are very lucky, because this is a true friend and thoughtful companion. He is ready to share his love with you every day. Do you want to please your four-legged friend? A self-built German Shepherd kennel is a great way to show care and attention. Shall we try?

[Hide]

Booth dimensions

Perhaps someone will say that building a booth with your own hands is a thankless task and it’s easier to buy this product in a store. But it happens that the pet is not very comfortable in its new home, and the standard dimensions may not at all correspond to the true size of the dog. Building a booth yourself means making it specifically for your pet, taking into account all its individual characteristics.

Where to start construction? Of course, from the pet's measurements. In order to make a house for a German Shepherd, you will need a drawing, which means that you need accurate data.

How to take measurements correctly? The most suitable option is for the dog to lie on its side with its paws spread out and occupy the largest territory. Separately, you need to measure your height at the withers to find out what the height of the kennel will be.

We give you the data that is suitable for a standard size German Shepherd, so:

  • width - 1.35 m;
  • depth – 1 m;
  • height – 0.95 cm.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the parameters of the entrance to the dog house. Typically the width is 0.4 m and the height is 0.6 m.

If your dog is clearly larger than the specified sizes, it is advisable to increase all “indicators”. This will help you build a kennel that really suits your dog. In the photo you can see what the drawing of the booth looks like.

How to build?

To build a kennel with your own hands, you will need a little skill, as well as an understanding of what you are doing. You should be familiar with some design features.

What are the main points to follow when building a booth with your own hands?

  1. First of all, it is worth remembering that it will be located on the street, which means that the dog’s house must have insulation.
  2. You need to use only natural materials so that your dog does not develop allergies.
  3. It is important that the floor is removable or the structure has a liftable roof - this will help during cleaning.
  4. It is most convenient to make a gable roof: this will make it possible to store dog brushes, a leash and other paraphernalia in it.
  5. You cannot build a completely closed version of a pet booth, otherwise the animal may end up in a “box”.
  6. As an option: build a kennel in an enclosure so that the pet feels comfortable in its home and at the same time does not lose touch with the outside world.

Tools and materials

In order to build a house for a shepherd, you will need some things, namely:

  • wood for the booth (it can be pine) - timber, boards, lining;
  • roofing felt;
  • roofing material - metal tiles, corrugated sheets, etc.;
  • hammer;
  • hacksaw;
  • screws;
  • plywood;
  • insulation;
  • bolts, nuts, self-tapping screws;
  • screwdriver;
  • chisel;
  • carpenter's corner.

Step-by-step instruction

Once you have the necessary measurements and materials, you can start working. The sequence of actions performed is described below.

Please note that all wooden parts must be treated with an anti-fungal agent yourself.

Step 1. You need to build a frame

  1. In accordance with the dimensions of our booth, we knock together a rectangle from timber - a frame for the future floor. If you are afraid that the floor will sag, you can add a couple of timber joists at an equal distance from one another.
  2. At the corners of the structure, beams made of timber are attached to the height of the booth (in accordance with the dimensions). They are tied with timber on top.
  3. You need to secure the structure with your own hands using metal corners or self-tapping screws.
  4. We make the perimeter of the roof from timber, and fasten the rafters between them - 3 on each side. Make sure that the ridge is slightly longer than the total length of the booth, so that a kind of canopy is formed over the entrance.

Step 2. Sheathing the dog house

  1. Subfloor boards are tightly packed onto the floor joists. A layer of insulation, for example, polystyrene foam, is laid on them with your own hands. A finished floor is made of plywood or planed boards on top.
  2. With your own hands you need to line the inside of the booth walls with boards or plywood. Don't forget to leave room for entry. Then the walls are insulated using polystyrene foam, laying it on the sheathing boards between the support bars. And only then the structure is sheathed on the outside with clapboard, board or plywood.
  3. The ceiling is made of plywood. Foam plastic is also laid on top of it, and then another sheet of plywood is attached.
  4. The roof frame is covered with plywood, waterproofing (roofing felt) is laid on it, and then the roofing material is laid.

Step 3. Finishing work

  1. When making a passage for your dog, take care of a curtain of the appropriate size so that the pet does not feel cold during windy weather.
  2. The final touch: you need to varnish the wood. This should be done only on the outside, while the inside remains unchanged.

So, the booth, built with your own hands, is ready. This means that now your four-legged friend can calmly “move in” to his new home and keep watch, guarding you and your property.

Photo gallery

The request returned an empty result.

Video "Making a house for a shepherd"

This video will talk about how to make a doghouse for a German Shepherd with your own hands.

Sorry, there are no surveys available at this time.

In private homes, German shepherds are usually kept for protection, since this breed is universal and specially bred for these purposes. Due to the presence of a thick undercoat, the German Shepherd can be kept outdoors throughout the year. For a comfortable stay, a shepherd dog needs an enclosure with a booth, where it will be as comfortable as possible. You can, of course, purchase a ready-made product, but there is also the option of creating an enclosure for a shepherd dog with your own hands.

Choosing a location for the enclosure

For an enclosure with a booth, you need to choose the most advantageous place in advance and prepare it. So, here are the basic recommendations for construction:


Making an aviary with your own hands

An aviary is a large cage containing a dog house and space for the shepherd to roam freely. It should be as comfortable as possible for the pet and, if necessary, protect it from adverse environmental influences. In such conditions, the watchdog will be able to calmly guard the area. You can only make an enclosure for a shepherd just the way it’s suitable with your own hands, so let’s look at this process in more detail.

Optimal enclosure sizes

An enclosure for a German Shepherd can be made in a size that is convenient for the owner and the dog itself, but there are minimum dimensions. For example, the width of such an enclosure with a dog house cannot be less than 2 meters, and the area depends on the height of the pet’s withers. So, if the shepherd is up to 50 cm high, an enclosure with a minimum area of ​​6 square meters, 8 square meters is suitable for it. meters will be needed for those individuals who reach 62 cm at the withers, and for those who are taller than 65 cm, the enclosure is made with a minimum area of ​​10 square meters. meters.

These enclosure sizes are the minimum recommended values, but the owner has the right to make a much larger enclosure with a booth for his dog, depending on the capabilities and area of ​​the area where the structure is located.

Features of the construction of enclosures for dogs

When independently constructing an enclosure for a shepherd dog, you must adhere to some nuances that are inherent in such buildings:

  1. When building an enclosure for a shepherd, it is best to use only natural raw materials. Metal is used in minimal quantities.
  2. It is not recommended to use nails to fasten the elements of the enclosure and the booth; it is better to make the joints by welding, self-tapping screws or bolts with nuts.
  3. A lattice is installed on the front side of the enclosure with the booth so that the shepherd dog can see most of the area and does not feel locked in. Moreover, the enclosure grid itself must be made of galvanized metal or painted so that corrosion does not affect it.
  4. It is advisable to make the floor in the shepherd's enclosure made of wood.
  5. The door for the enclosure is hung in such a way that it opens inward.
  6. To prevent the shepherd from escaping, the gate latch must be as strong as possible and be well fixed.
  7. The housing is constructed in such a way that the resulting structure is reliable.

Construction algorithm

Before making an enclosure, you need to make a massive foundation of stone or brick, on the basis of which everything else is built.

Floor installation

Many owners make a very serious mistake when decorating the floor - they simply fill it with concrete and do not decorate it at all. But in the winter months, such a coating will freeze very much. It is best to make a wooden deck on top of a concrete screed.

Important! When creating a concrete screed, it is necessary to make a slight slope towards the facade, which will allow melt and rain water to drain from the enclosure and not stagnate inside.

In addition, the presence of a slope will make it easier to maintain the floor surface inside. This way, you can wash it with a hose, and the debris will be collected at the edge, where it can be easily collected with a dustpan.

Execution of walls

To begin with, supports are installed around the perimeter of the future enclosure, which are made of metal and securely filled with concrete.

As previously mentioned, the facade wall should give maximum visibility to the dog, so it is made of mesh or metal rods, which are pre-primed and painted. When welding elements, you should pay attention to the strength of the structure, since a powerful shepherd dog can break out if it is not fastened securely.

Advice! If you have a choice, it is better not to use mesh for the facade, since the dog may break its teeth when trying to chew through it.

The remaining walls in the enclosure are made of metal profiles, wood or other strong material, but usually preference is given to wood. Boards for walls are purchased no thinner than 20 mm, cleaned of knots, sanded and impregnated with antiseptic solutions.

Roof decking

Roof rafters must be sanded and created in such a way as to be as reliable as possible. Any roof covering can be chosen according to the owner’s wishes. But it is best to give preference to flexible options for roofing materials, for example, bitumen shingles, since they do not make strong sounds when it rains or gusts of wind, which does not bother the dog.

Door installation

The doors are always mounted in the front part of the enclosure and are equipped with two locks. They must open inward, as mentioned earlier. In addition to the main locks, it is worth installing lugs for padlocks, which can become useful if the main ones fail.

A booth is already installed in the completed enclosure shown in the photo, which can also be done independently.

Making a doghouse for a shepherd

A warm, well-designed and hand-made doghouse for a German shepherd will become a real home for the shepherd, where he can rest and hide from bad weather without any problems.

Basic nuances during installation

In terms of area, the dimensions of the booth for a German Shepherd should be equal to the dimensions of the pet. In no case should you make spacious booths in those regions where winters are harsh, as they do not retain heat well inside. The space inside the booth should only be enough for the shepherd dog to turn around and lie in a position with his body extended.

To create a booth, coniferous tree species are usually used, as they contain resin that has antiseptic properties and are able to maintain a special atmosphere inside, suitable for living.

In those climatic conditions where there are frequent gusts of wind and frost, the walls of the booth are made of two parts, laying a layer of insulating material between them.

Advice! For additional heat retention inside a small room, the booth is equipped with a ceiling.

To make it easier to keep order inside the booth, the roof is removable. In addition, it will be convenient if the pet suddenly gets sick.

For shepherd dogs, a convenient roof design for a kennel would be flat with a slight slope so that the pet can sit on top, as if on duty.

For a German Shepherd, the correct box sizes are:

  • Height -95 cm.
  • Width - 135 cm.
  • Depth - 100 cm.
  • The height of the booth opening should be 60 cm and its width 40 cm.

Construction materials

Before you begin, you need to create a drawing, purchase all the necessary materials and prepare the necessary tools. So, to install the booth you will need: a hammer, a hacksaw, a utility knife, a circular saw, a cord for marking, and a tape measure. The materials you will need are screws and nails, thick plywood, 2*4 boards, paint, and flexible tiles.

Installation of a doghouse for a shepherd

First of all, as in the case of the enclosure, we carry out the bottom of the booth. To do this, you need to put together a rectangular frame from boards, which is supplied with a sheet of plywood of a suitable size.

For each of the walls of the booth, frames are also built with a lintel in the middle so that the structure is stronger. It is worth remembering that in the rear frame, the middle bar is shifted 3 cm to the side so that you can easily install the roof on the booth. For the front wall, a jumper is not needed, since it is equipped with a manhole.

Sheets of plywood are attached to each frame with screws so that the edges coincide with the dimensions of the frame. In the front part of the shepherd dog house, a hole of the required size is pre-marked and cut out.

The finished walls of the booth are placed in their places and attached to the bottom. For additional stability, they can be fastened to each other with metal corners.

2*4 boards are used to create the ridge, rafters and front and rear pillars of the booth roof. The frame posts are mounted to the front and rear walls of the booth and secured with screws.

The ridge beam is made according to the length of the booth with a small margin. It is mounted on top of previously installed racks. Each side of the roof is equipped with three rafters. The upper ends must be processed in the form of a bevel in accordance with the angle of the roof. The rafters are installed in their places, the connection areas with the booth are marked, where triangular grooves are subsequently cut out. Afterwards, the lower part of the rafters is connected to the walls of the booth.

The frame racks on each side are connected by horizontal strips. A plank is also mounted on the lower parts of the rafters, each of which will protrude beyond the structure of the booth. Additionally, several more rafters are made to make the roof triangular. Plywood is stuffed onto the finished frame, and then the roofing is laid.

The finished booth is decorated in accordance with the owner’s wishes, painted or equipped with decorative elements. Some options for shepherd dog booths are shown in the photo.

Conclusion

A comfortable enclosure and kennel for a shepherd are required if the dog is kept outside. This way the pet will feel comfortable and defend itself all year round. In a properly designed booth, he will be warm and comfortable, and in the space of the enclosure, the German Shepherd will be able to walk and breathe fresh air. The tips in this article for self-installation of enclosures and kennels are universal and will help you create a reliable home for your German Shepherd. But in each specific case, before construction, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the climate and terrain.

If you are the owner of a German Shepherd, then you are very lucky, because this is a true friend and thoughtful companion. He is ready to share his love with you every day. Do you want to please your four-legged friend? A self-built German Shepherd kennel is a great way to show care and attention. Shall we try?

[Hide]

Booth dimensions

Perhaps someone will say that building a booth with your own hands is a thankless task and it’s easier to buy this product in a store. But it happens that the pet is not very comfortable in its new home, and the standard dimensions may not at all correspond to the true size of the dog. Building a booth yourself means making it specifically for your pet, taking into account all its individual characteristics.

Where to start construction? Of course, from the pet's measurements. In order to make a house for a German Shepherd, you will need a drawing, which means that you need accurate data.

How to take measurements correctly? The most suitable option is for the dog to lie on its side with its paws spread out and occupy the largest territory. Separately, you need to measure your height at the withers to find out what the height of the kennel will be.

We give you the data that is suitable for a standard size German Shepherd, so:

  • width - 1.35 m;
  • depth – 1 m;
  • height – 0.95 cm.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the parameters of the entrance to the dog house. Typically the width is 0.4 m and the height is 0.6 m.

If your dog is clearly larger than the specified sizes, it is advisable to increase all “indicators”. This will help you build a kennel that really suits your dog. In the photo you can see what the drawing of the booth looks like.


How to build?

To build a kennel with your own hands, you will need a little skill, as well as an understanding of what you are doing. You should be familiar with some design features.

What are the main points to follow when building a booth with your own hands?

  1. First of all, it is worth remembering that the dog house will be located on the street, which means the dog house must have insulation.
  2. You need to use only natural materials so that your dog does not develop allergies.
  3. It is important that the floor is removable or the structure has a liftable roof - this will help during cleaning.
  4. It is most convenient to make a gable roof: this will make it possible to store dog brushes, a leash and other paraphernalia in it.
  5. You cannot build a completely closed version of a pet booth, otherwise the animal may end up in a “box”.
  6. As an option: build a kennel in an enclosure so that the pet feels comfortable in its home and at the same time does not lose touch with the outside world.

Tools and materials

In order to build a house for a shepherd, you will need some things, namely:

  • wood for the booth (it can be pine) - timber, boards, lining;
  • roofing felt;
  • roofing material - metal tiles, corrugated sheets, etc.;
  • hammer;
  • hacksaw;
  • screws;
  • plywood;
  • insulation;
  • bolts, nuts, self-tapping screws;
  • screwdriver;
  • chisel;
  • carpenter's corner.

Step-by-step instruction

Once you have the necessary measurements and materials, you can start working. The sequence of actions performed is described below.

Please note that all wooden parts must be treated with an anti-fungal agent yourself.

Step 1. You need to build a frame

  1. In accordance with the dimensions of our booth, we knock together a rectangle from timber - a frame for the future floor. If you are afraid that the floor will sag, you can add a couple of timber joists at an equal distance from one another.
  2. At the corners of the structure, beams made of timber are attached to the height of the booth (in accordance with the dimensions). They are tied with timber on top.
  3. You need to secure the structure with your own hands using metal corners or self-tapping screws.
  4. We make the perimeter of the roof from timber, and fasten the rafters between them - 3 on each side. Make sure that the ridge is slightly longer than the total length of the booth, so that a kind of canopy is formed over the entrance.

Step 2. Sheathing the dog house

  1. Subfloor boards are tightly packed onto the floor joists. A layer of insulation, for example, polystyrene foam, is laid on them with your own hands. A finished floor is made of plywood or planed boards on top.
  2. With your own hands you need to line the inside of the booth walls with boards or plywood. Don't forget to leave room for entry. Then the walls are insulated using polystyrene foam, laying it on the sheathing boards between the support bars. And only then the structure is sheathed on the outside with clapboard, board or plywood.
  3. The ceiling is made of plywood. Foam plastic is also laid on top of it, and then another sheet of plywood is attached.
  4. The roof frame is covered with plywood, waterproofing (roofing felt) is laid on it, and then the roofing material is laid.

Step 3. Finishing work

  1. When making a passage for your dog, take care of a curtain of the appropriate size so that the pet does not feel cold during windy weather.
  2. The final touch: you need to varnish the wood. This should be done only on the outside, while the inside remains unchanged.

So, the booth, built with your own hands, is ready. This means that now your four-legged friend can calmly “move in” to his new home and keep watch, guarding you and your property.

Photo gallery

The request returned an empty result.

Video "Making a house for a shepherd"

This video will talk about how to make a doghouse for a German Shepherd with your own hands.

Sorry, there are no surveys available at this time.

In the modern world, there are a great many options for a sweet dog’s life. The variety of food, clothing and toys is very large. Keeping small indoor dogs in an apartment is quite comfortable. But how to keep a large breed pet in the house? A Caucasian Shepherd, Alabai or German Shepherd will feel uncomfortable in an apartment. If the dog owner lives in a country house, the right decision would be to build a house for the German Shepherd.

For large dog breeds, the first consideration is whether to place the dog outside the home. What is better to choose - an aviary or a booth?

An aviary implies a room, where the animal rests and lives freely. Some enclosures contain a fenced area for walking.

Dog houses are also distinguished by a variety of designs, for every taste and color.

Shepherd doghouse has the same functionality as a house for a person, it has walls, a floor and a roof.

It is important for the animal that the booth warms in cold weather and provides the necessary coolness in hot weather. To make the dog comfortable in the kennel, the room is made taking into account the size of the dog. Usually, 10 cm is added to the height and width of the pet so that the dog can comfortably move and turn from side to side in its house. Such dimensions of the structure for a German Shepherd will most closely correspond to normal conditions for a dog.

When choosing a design, it is necessary to consider roof features. It is advisable to make the roof removable - liftable, so that you can clean the room inside and ventilate it in sunny weather. The roof structure can be anything. You just need to take into account that German Shepherds really like to inspect their surroundings from an elevated position, which means that it is most convenient to make the roof flat and pitched. In addition, physical exercises such as climbing and jumping off the roof are very useful for a dog that is generally limited in its movement and tied to one place.

Start of construction

Before starting construction, it would be nice to draw a drawing of the booth. With size calculations. The dimensions of the booth for a German Shepherd should take into account its height, length and width. The booth should be comfortable and designed to protect the animal from cold, rain and wind.

Materials for construction, it is better to choose natural ones. You can make a structure from a thick OSB sheet. Glassine or any known mineral insulation can be used as insulation.

Having drawn a drawing and marked out all the dimensions of the booth for a German shepherd, you can begin building a dog house.

Necessary materials

  • Bars.
  • Boards.
  • Sheets of plywood, or OSB sheets.
  • Glassine or other material for hydro-wind protection.
  • Mineral wool, or sheets of polystyrene foam, or other insulation.
  • Iron or other roofing material.
  • Hinges if the roof structure is supposed to be removable.
  • Siding, or other material for covering the outer layer.

First you need make a frame. Then the floor. An OSB sheet or layer of plywood is attached to 4 bars connected in the shape of a rectangle. The floor is ready. At 4 corners, vertically, nail 4 bars, these will be load-bearing for the walls. In the wall where the hole is supposed to be, the bars are also nailed along the border of the entry hole.

Next, a sheet of material is nailed onto the bars, which can be insulated on the outside with insulation, having previously covered the sheets with waterproofing. The outside can be finished with siding, or another sheet of plywood or OSB can be nailed.

It is better to make the roof removable, or on hinges, which will allow the roof to be folded back, like a hatch. This will allow the building to be cleaned and ventilated.

Optimal sizes

Optimal doghouse sizes for a shepherd:

  • width:1.35m.
  • length 1 m.
  • height:1 m.

Don't forget to insulate the building. The dog should be warm, even in the most severe winter.

How to choose a place to install a booth?

Careful planning is necessary to ensure your dog is comfortable in his new home. booth location. The dog must control all movements outside the house, it needs a good overview.

In order not to disturb the person and so that the person does not interfere with the dog, it is advisable to place the structure no closer than 10 meters to the house.

It is advisable that the animal's home be in a lighted place. But it’s good if this place is in the shade, so that in the hot summer the dog can hide from the heat. Do not install the structure directly on the ground. Try to build a slight elevation.

What tools are needed in construction?

In addition, stock up on self-tapping screws and staples for the stapler.

It is necessary to prepare insulation- mineral wool, waterproofing and vapor barrier.

A box for a German Shepherd should be strong enough - who knows what kind of body movements the dog will make inside.

It would be very good to set up a pedestal for your dog to hold bowls of food and water. It can be mounted next to the dog house, or built into the vestibule. A vestibule for a dog is also a necessary design. It is designed to protect the dog's entrance from wind and snow, with an attached vestibule, direct wind currents will not be able to blow into the dog's room and harm it. If the design of the vestibule is not provided, try to make the roof wider so that there is a sufficient canopy in front of the entrance to the shepherd's kennel.

During arrangement and construction, try to make it 100% safe. There should be no protruding screws, splinters or other obstacles in the walls, floor and ceiling that could harm the dog’s health. Both walls and other parts of the structure for a German Shepherd must be carefully sanded, primed and, preferably, covered with colorless varnish.

The floor must be installed so that there are no gaps in the floor. If a dog gets a claw stuck in a crack, it can pull it out and thereby cause injury to itself, which will then take a long time to heal. In addition, wind can blow from the cracks in the floor and the room will be cold.

If you choose a special type of material to build a dog house, choose coniferous wood. It is more environmentally friendly, its aroma will not distract the pet and harm the dog, because it is the natural smell of wood.

The booth should not stand directly on the ground. You can build a pedestal for it from foam blocks, or make a wooden platform. This will protect the booth from cold and wind, and protect the dog from ants, bedbugs and other blood-sucking insects moving on the ground.

If the pet weighs too much or is larger than standard, the floor of the kennel may sag and even crack. In order to eliminate this phenomenon, it is necessary to secure several bars under the floor of the booth to prevent the boards from sagging.

For special comfort, you can make the floor plywood, or lay linoleum on it. This will protect your pet's paws from unexpected injuries.

The opening of the booth, in the cold season, can be equipped with a curtain. It will prevent cold air from penetrating inside and prevent warm air from escaping from inside the booth.

Quick Tips:

How to measure a dog correctly

Measure your dog while he is lying quietly on his side with his paws spread out. This is the most optimal and correct size, the volume of which is as accurate as possible.

It is very important to make the booth the right size. After all, a dog is unlikely to want to stay in a cramped, uncomfortable kennel for a long time. A comfortable room, with proper walls, a pleasant aroma of a coniferous forest, will surely please the German Shepherd and become its favorite place to hang out.

If the booth is designed correctly, the dog, will be happy to enter it and settle down in his new house. If the kennel design is too narrow or short, the dog will not live in it. But even in a room that is too spacious, although the dog will be at ease, in winter it will probably freeze. A doghouse for a German Shepherd should be a reliable shelter from cold, wind, rain and heat.

I would like to note that on very frosty days, or on damp, dank, rainy days, it is best to take the dog home, where there will be additional space for it. This will protect the dog from colds, illnesses and bad mood. A happy dog ​​will serve its owner faithfully. And the booth, which the owner made with his own hands, can be shown to guests as its own attraction.