Doggie Digs

It’s time to spoil the canine members of the family with a smart new kennel (and cupboard on the side). We love this concept of a doggie digs.

Materials
Kennel
Tongue and groove pine planks,
as follows:
Side panels (2): 14 @ 490 x 100 x 12 mm
Back and front: 12 @ 460 x 100 x 12 mm
Floor: 7 @ 605 x 100 x 12 mm
Gable: 14 @ 300 x 100 x 12 mm
Plain pine wood, as follows
Frames: 5 @ 1800 x 32 x 21 mm
Legs: 2 @ 715 x 42 x 31 mm
9 ply plywood sheets: 2 @ 890 x 270 mm
45 x 25 mm panel pins
5 litre Super Laykold and membrane
wood glue and contact adhesive
1 litre universal undercoat
1 litre enamel paint – we used Plascon
Velvaglo in Golden Daffodil
25 screws (30 x 4 mm)
2 carpet tiles (490 x 490 mm)

Cupboard
Tongue and groove pine planks,
as follows
Side panel: 5 @ 305 x 100 x 12 mm
Front and back: 10 @ 365 x 100 x 12 mm
Floor: 4 @ 450 x 100 x 12 mm
Plain pine wood, as follows
Frame: 2 @ 1800 x 32 x 21 mm
Legs: 2 @ 470 x 31 x 42mm
9 ply plywood sheet: 610 x 575 mm

Tools
jigsaw, hammer, combination
square, cordless drill, paint brush

Make up the back, front and side panels as follows:

Back: lock 6 planks together to form a panel then use the plain pine to build a frame to fit the panel. Nail the frame to the panel with panel pins.

Front: repeat above process.

Sides: lock 7 planks together then use the plain pine to build a frame, but make the frame 30 mm shorter than the height of the panel so the panel ‘sticks out’ 30 mm to support the roof structure. Repeat. Screw the back, front and sides together, forming a box.

1.To make the floor join the 7 planks together then attach to the frame at the bottom with the panel pins.

2.Using a jigsaw, cut an opening in the front panel.

3.Screw the legs to the framework underneath the kennel.

4.For the roof, make a frame as per the adjacent diagram, joining the wood with wood glue and panel pins.

5.Next, do the gables – lock 7 planks together, mark at an angle to fit the roof frame then cut. Attach to the frame with panel pins. Repeat for other side.

6.Complete the roof by nailing the 2 plywood panels to the frame with panel pins. Waterproof the roof by painting the plywood with a coat of Super Laykold, covering it with strips of membrane and then applying another 2 coats. (Allow to dry between coats.)

7.Paint the kennel, including gables, first with  undercoat and then 2 coats of colour – make sure each coat dries before applying the next.

Building the Cupboard
The cupboard can be used to store your dog’s dry food, brushes, spare blankets and any other accessories. The open side can simply be placed against the kennel, or permanently attached to the kennel. Use the same method to construct the cupboard as above. The side panels are cut at an angle once assembled, to allow water to run off. The roof is not secured to the frame, allowing it to be lifted off when you want to gain access to the cupboard.