Cedar spends the days in a crate, and we've been feeling a bit guilty about that. We tried leaving him in the house, but he didn't do well unsupervised. I had my last dog's old house at our rental, so I went over and picked that up a few months back and on my vacation last week I began to set a few posts.


On Monday, all of the posts had finally set up in concrete....


....and it was nice enough for me to get a coat of paint on it to match our current house and I finished the cross members.


I have half of the wire up, 2x4 no climb, and will finish the other wire when the paint dries (in a few months). The house is 4'x5', and the run is 6'x16'. I'll add a roof on the left side to give cedar some rain protection, and to keep him from climbing out. I might also add a wind break, but not sure on that.

The floor is 1" thick 4'x6' stall matts, so he won't be able to dig out. Those mats weigh 150 lbs+. And yes, the house is built up on purpose so that Cedar has a place to hang out on a hot day, and still see what is going on.

I'll have to work on a waterer and feed system, but that shouldn't be so hard. If I can do that for my chickens, a project for my dog shouldn't be an issue.

He'll be in the kennel during the day when nobody is home, and then spend the night inside with us. Running power for a heatlamp shouldn't be an issue, as I already have a circuit that runs to the deck, and the kennel is only 20 feet away.

that is better than some of the places i have lived in

+10,000,000

Fish on...

Todd

Note to self: Don't show that to Boris.

That looks awesome!

I will be looking at building my own this spring/summer. One thing an old trainer told me was line the floor with grave to toughen their pads?

My dog runs on crushed blackrock in our driveway. There is no need to do that for him, as he runs all the time out there playing fetch, etc.

The rubber mats serve three main purposes. Easy on the feet, and digging prevention. They are also easier to clean than gravel. I am concerned about how hot the floor will get in the summer, but he will get some mid afternoon and late afternoon shade where he is. The roof will also help.

Looks great!

But consider this....

Dogs are denning critters by nature. A small volume, insulated DH will be heated by their own body heat in the winter. This will become more important when they get older. A chunk of old blanket for a door keeps the heat in remarkably well and can be removed and washed. Set the doorway threshold above the floor about 10" to allow for cedar chip bedding to keeps the fleas at bay. Locate the DH doorway on the leeward side of the prevailing winds. A roof and/or plantings on the south side of the run would provide summer shade.

F'ing engineers. PM for structural drawings & details....

Ahem, this is one of MY projects......

The house will be insulated, and I'll have a clear flap on the door, so I am thinking along the same design you are. There will be about an 8" high landing below the opening. Tried cedar shavings before, messy, so instead we'll use a padded raised bed covered with carpet. This lasts a long time, maybe I'll have to replace carpet once a year. A small ceramic heater will provide heat if it is really cold. Building a metal housing for that.

Prevailing winds are SW, door is on the N, and the house provides a pretty good wind and sun break. There will be hot direct sun for a few hours of the day, so he can escape that under the dog house. 100+ft tall treeline to the south, and the house is 50 feet away and maybe 30 feet tall, essentially to the SW. The run sits in a line of 20' trees.

He gets a flea pill monthly, so fleas shouldn't be an issue. Fleas started croaking after 30 minutes when he took his first one.

The only thing I may add after getting the roof installed is some sort of wind/sun break on the west side (side you are looking at).

Thanks for the offer, but I already had my plans approved by an engineer, and the City.

This thread is useless without pictures of chicken coops as well as an unfinished kennel!

'Zactly! And another fine one at that.

My short list of considerations was proffered for general consumption. This is a public forum and my post was not intended as a personal critique or offer for engineering services. Between your photos and response to my list of considerations based on building many kennels, those considering taking on such a project, and their dogs, may benefit from same. Although, the photo above does not do much toward that end....

Expect progress reports throughout the weekend, and pictures. 3 days off, and it should be sunny every day.

Got the paint finished, last of the fence it up, started the rafters for the roof. Should be done tomorrow.

knowing grays harbor i can see the building inspector showing up

Almost done. Just need a few cedar 2x4's for trim, and some wood to build his bed, and Cedar's kennel project is complete.



Got a lot of help from the boys today on clean-up. What a beautiful winter day to be outside.

Geez, nice work!
Curious....you gonna put a porch on it so the dog can easily get in and out....and lay outside elevated?

3'x2x8" lift should go in shortly.

My grandpa had a kennel similar to this but also had a rope that went through some pullies and out the side to be able to lower/raise an inside door to block the entrance. He would bring the dogs in at night to help keep them from barking and then let them out in the morning as he headed off to work. Just a thought.

Dog comes inside at night. Kennel is only a day time deal.

Nicely executed....