Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 25, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Entity File Number	001-34728
Entity Registrant Name	DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-4275891
Entity Address, Address Line One	7777 N 73rd Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Milwaukee
Entity Address, State or Province	WI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	53223
City Area Code	414
Local Phone Number	354-2310
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
Trading Symbol	PLOW
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,795,578
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0001287213
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 907