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Dogdominium
susie
Member Posts: 7,603 ✭✭✭✭
Temps are finally flirting with the 30's so it was time to build a house big enough for seven dogs. They will be warmer if they all sleep together so I built them a dogdominium.
I'm leaving for St. Louis tomorrow morning and ran out of time. I'm putting casters on it when I get back. My plan is to finish the sides shiplap style and do something with the top so I can use it as a bar in the summer when grilling on the deck. A twofer! 😆 There is an 8 inch overhang on the front.
It took a full day, but I got it done to the point that the dogs can use it. Dog beds are now inside to encourage them to check it out.
Comments
Very nice! Consider adding a board to the right of the door opening that extends straight inward, halfway to the back wall. It will act like a kunnysuk and keep cold air from blowing in.
Good Job! In addition to Nanuq's suggestion, hinge another piece of plywood over the large door with a smaller opening. It will help keep the heat in & you can open it up to go in & clean it up.
If you're concerned about really cold nights, you can heat it with a couple incandescent light bulbs. Just install them in simple (cheap) jelly jar fixtures to protect the bulbs against breakage. Now normally, the bulbs won't last long, but if you run your power thru a dimmer switch, the bulbs will last the season. I'm not talking hardwiring it. Just use the leads from an old lamp cord to the switch. And, if you install the switch with the little button/shaft on the outside, you can adjust them based on the temperature.
Nice work. I bet that lumber was pricey.
If a dogdominium is for dogs, a condominium is for... ?? Cons?
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
They are going to love you more than they already do.
...They should like that, good job!...slap a couple of coats of exterior paint on it and should last for years...My two Dobies, Dak & Zoe, would think I abandoned them if they had to sleep outside...they love being outside, but when its bedtime, they want in...Zoe to her bed, and Dak in my bed, up against me..
...A friend of mine had a Great Dane, he had the biggest dog house I've ever seen, huge...
Okay good work. With 7 dogs there is no need for a heat bulb they will stay warm as you built the floor with an air space under it and not making contact with the ground. Unless you really have a tall dog in the mix I would close off the top half of that door. It lets to much heat out both by being larger than needed and by allowing the warm air at the top out. In real cold weather I install a rag rug over the door to hold in extra heat.
I usually build a dog house to fit the dog. Not to small of course but also not to big as a dog can be comfortably warm if the house fits the dog it stays dry and has good bedding. I'd say with 7 dogs they should do fine in yours,
Highs are in the 70s and lows in the 40s. Shiggles will be in the house at night so only six dogs will actually be in the Canine Cottage. Temps are still too high for me to enclose it at the moment. Once it starts staying cold I will put up a flap for them to come and go at their leisure.
I will be finishing off the outside with an exterior paint if I don't get siding on it. It sits on the deck under the roof so for the moment it is weather tight.
Happy to report that when I got up at daylight this morning and let Shiggles out the pups came running out of the Pup Penthouse.
Nice!!