I still recall the day our lone mutt strutted in with two friends and parked right in the middle of my shop floor. Three noses, six paws, total chaos. One weekend later I rolled out a triple kennel that looked like a sideboard and the vibe in the house mellowed. You can copy that calm feeling with a clear plan, a sharp blade, and a bit of patience.
Why Pick A Triple Kennel
Life feels smoother when each dog owns a snug nook. No more circling beds. No more late night shoving. A shared piece of furniture also saves floor space, so the room stays open. Add a smooth top and you pick up another surface for plants or mail.
Core Wins
- Order so you never trip over random crates
- Style that matches other furniture
- Easy care because every panel wipes clean
Check The Fit
A sweet spot sits at eight foot long by thirty inch deep by thirty inch tall. That profile slides through most doors and hugs a sofa back without fuss. Each stall lands at twenty seven inch wide by twenty nine inch deep with twenty eight inch head room. Dogs near fifty pounds stretch out fine in that pocket. Push the depth to thirty six inch for bigger breeds.
Gather Your Stuff
Lumber
- Eleven one inch thick by ninety six inch long solid boards make the frame
- Three sheets of three quarter inch plywood shape the top and bottom
- Three sheets of half inch plywood finish dividers and back
Mesh And Bars
- Hardware cloth with quarter inch gaps keeps small paws safe
- Welded wire with half inch gaps works for mid sized pups
- Three eighth inch rebar lines up for a bar look
Hinges And Latches
- Three heavy duty hinge sets
- Three positive catch latches
- Magnetic catches for a gentle close
Fasteners
- Pocket screws at one and a quarter inch for thick parts
- Pocket screws at one inch for thin parts
- Wood glue rated for interior work
Tools
- Table saw or track saw for long straight cuts
- Miter saw for short clean chops
- Drill driver plus pocket hole jig
- Orbital sander with one twenty and one fifty grit discs
- A fistful of clamps
Cut List For The Eight Foot Build
| Part | Count | Size | Stock |
|—|—|—|—|
| Top | 1 | 96 x 30 x 0.75 | Plywood |
| Bottom | 1 | 96 x 30 x 0.75 | Plywood |
| Back | 1 | 96 x 24 x 0.5 | Plywood |
| Dividers | 2 | 24 x 28 x 0.5 | Plywood |
| Center Posts | 2 | 24 x 3 x 0.5 | Plywood |
| Face Rails | 4 | 96 x 3 x 1 | Poplar |
| Face Stiles | 6 | 24 x 2 x 1 | Poplar |
Write labels on every chunk with painter tape. A tiny arrow shows grain and keeps glue ups smooth.
Build Sequence
- Sand every panel to one fifty grit. Break sharp corners for safe paws.
- Dry fit the face frame with pocket screws and check for square.
- Glue and screw the face frame to the bottom panel.
- Stand the dividers using a twenty seven inch spacer stick and drive screws through the back.
- Drop the top in place. Clamp from side to side and drive screws up through the dividers.
- Hang doors with three hinges each. Check reveals with playing cards.
- Set latches and magnetic catches. Bumpers hush the close.
A long clamp across the face guards square door openings while glue cures.
Door Details
Build each door like a cabinet door. Rails and stiles run at two inch wide. Use mortise and tenon joints if you own the gear. Pocket holes also hold fine once you drop a dab of glue into each hole. A shallow groove traps mesh. Cut thin strips that screw over the mesh edge for tidy lines.
Air And Quiet
Dogs need fresh air yet you want a peaceful room. Keep two inch gap above the back panel so warm funk flows out. Stick closed cell foam under beds to knock back thumps. Felt dots under the top mute dish rattles. Screw leveling feet into the base so the box never rocks.
Removable Dividers
Time shifts and so do pack dynamics. Cut a three quarter inch wide slot in the bottom panel and a matching slot in the top. Drop a divider panel with a cap strip into those tracks. Slide it out when two pals crave more floor.
Finish Strong
Water based enamel dries quick with little smell. Roll light coats with a foam roller and tip off with a soft brush for glassy flow. Clear polyurethane also shines. Hold the dogs back for one week so the film cures rock hard. For hardcore chewers brush a thin band of clear epoxy on door edges.
Outdoor Upgrade
Need a yard run. Scale the footprint to twelve foot by sixteen foot. Frame it like a small shed and add three insulated boxes inside. Use composite deck boards in the run for quick hose down. Run electrical in metal conduit so wires stay safe.
Cleaning Routine
Weekly
- Vacuum hair from corners and beds
- Wipe panels with mild soap and water
- Rinse bowls then dry the shelf
Quarterly
- Snug hinge screws
- Dab mineral oil on latches
- Touch paint on scuffed spots
- Check leveling feet
My oldest build hit five years last spring. Doors still shut tight. Paint still bright. Dogs still happy.
Common Questions
- How big should each stall be*
Medium dogs love twenty seven inch by twenty nine inch floors with twenty eight inch head space. Big dogs need more. Measure the bed then add one inch around.
- What wood paints best*
Poplar sands smooth and takes paint like a dream. Soft maple also works. Pine fits tight budgets but needs extra prep.
- Is water based finish safe*
Yes once fully cured. Wait the full time on the can. Hard film resists claws and wipes clean.
- Can I add drawers*
Yes. Frame shallow drawers above the center stalls. Keep a vent path so air flows.
- How do I hush the doors*
Stick felt bumpers on stops. Use magnetic catches. Thin felt strip along the stop kills clack.
Style Hints
Paint the base dull white then stain the top warm oak for a farmhouse vibe. A deep charcoal base with walnut top reads modern. Bronze wire pairs with leather pulls for a softer tone. Match overall height to your sofa back. You gain a console and the kennel fades into the room.
I keep a small lamp on one end so evenings feel calm. Toys drop into a basket under the top. Friends often ask where I bought it. That question always sparks a grin because I cut every piece myself.
Ready To Build
Sketch your room. Mark the spot. Pick up plywood and poplar. Follow these triple dog kennel plans and watch square on every joint. Pause if numbers drift. Spacers save the day. Dogs will thank you and your space will look sharp. Snap a photo when tails wag in unison.