A Kennel for Dungfeet

We wanted to get a dog kennel for Dungfeet, so that he can relax in comfort after a hard day being a pain in the butt. It had to be a classic styled kennel, similar to the one Butch had in the Tom and Jerry cartoons, but nobody seems to supply them. All the ones we could find looked like rabbit hutches, and were made from very cheap looking materials, even though they carried a hefty price tag.

So I decided to build one...

I measured Dungfeet, at 700mm to the shoulder, and 1000mm from nose to tail root, to get the size right. Research on the web suggested that it should be 1m wide x 1m long x 70cm tall, with a door opening of just 1" more than the depth of the rib cage. However, after laying it out, I adjusted the figures to 80cm wide x 1.1m long, and 75cm high at the lowest point on the roof. I also increased the door opening height to 70 cm so he would struggle to get in.

The plan was to build something solid, using treated wood, with the sort of construction you would find in a well built house. Dungfeet would be in heaven!




Construction: The floor is decking board, mounted on 2x2 runners to keep the whole thing clear of the ground. The size calculated above was to allow for three decking boards to be cut into three lengths each, then all the resulting bits placed to run across the width. A framework was then screwed to the base, made from 2"x2" timber is screwed to this to form a box shape, with extra timbes halfway up the sides to strengthen the walls.

Then I cut roof timbers, and notched them where they met the framework. I also notched the top of them to accept a ridge piece. The walls are made from tongue and grove, stapled to the framework, and with a rounded-topped opening cut in the front. I have only been able to get hold of untreated wood for this, but I plan to soak the whole thing in wood preserver. The roof is clad with feather edge, running across the roof. Finally, I have routed a peice of timber to run along the ridge, and added a finial to the leading edge of the ridge.

It looks superb, and should last for a very long time (although I may replace the tongue and groove at some time). I just hope Dungfeet recognises the effort that has gone into it...