21 Free DIY Dog House Plans You Can Build Today (with Pictures)

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 the best free DIY dog house plans and material lists that you can use to get started today.

Top 21 DIY Dog House Plans

1. 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.

• We thought you might also enjoy: Best Igloo Dog Houses: Reviews & Top Picks

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Recycled Pallet Dog House by Surviving Teacher’s Salary

• Difficulty Level: Beginner

The Recycled Pallet Dog House by Surviving Teacher’s Salary is an easy-to-build project that uses recycled wood pallets and plywood to help keep costs down and make construction faster. Basic woodworking skills are all you need, and there isn’t any requirement for any expensive tools. It provides shelter from rain and sun and can be quite comfortable with a soft cushion.

19. DIY Modern Dog House by The Awesome Orange

• Difficulty Level: Moderate

The DIY Modern Dog House by The Awesome Orange project is great for a beginner looking for something more challenging that still uses basic tools. The instructions are easy to follow, and the finished project is sturdy, attractive, and comfortable. There are plenty of illustrations to see if you are building it right, and you can finish it in a few sessions.

20. Large Dog House by How To Specialist

• Difficulty Level: Beginner

The Large Dog House by How To Specialist is the perfect project for owners of larger dog breeds, and it can also work for people with two smaller dogs. The instructions are extremely easy to follow, with plenty of illustrations for each step, and the author claims that you can complete it in a single day. It uses primarily 2x4s and plywood, so it’s not too expensive, and you can paint it or stain it so it looks great in any yard.

21. Simple Dog House by WikiHow

• Difficulty Level: Beginner

The Simple Dog House by WikiHow shows you how to build a simple doghouse that will last many seasons due to the roofing materials and steep slant. It will protect your pet from rain, snow, and sunlight while providing a comfortable place for them to rest and relax. It’s easy to construct, and even a beginner can complete it in a day or two without expensive tools.

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...

Not much of a DIYer? We reviewed the best dog houses of this year! - check them out here!

• See also: How To Heat a Dog House - Vet Approved Tips & Advice

Featured Image Credit: Polarpx, Shutterstock