We have a Bassett Hound (daughter's dog) that we consider an "outside" dog. But that doesn't mean she stays outside
all of the time. And we're outside with her tons. The second the kiddo gets home in the afternoon, she's outside playing with her until I have to drag her in. Heck, half of the time when she IS inside after 20 min or so she's pacing or standing at the door to be let out. She LOVES being outside...she barks back and forth to the Bassett 2 doors down and she LOVES the rain. If it's raining outside, she stands at the door and whines and when you let her out she runs and rolls in puddles and runs around barking and rolling in the grass.
She's a pretty big dog so I can imagine being confined to the house is no fun.
In her case, it would be cruel to keep her couped up in a room all day.
That being said, she is NEVER chained, which is wrong wrong wrong!
She has a nice fenced yard to run in and she's not mistreated in the least. When we head to the park or hiking, SHE is the one that gets to go along while the others stay home. And if it's too hot or cold for me outside, she's only outside for a few minutes to eat or go to the bathroom. I DON'T think it should automatically be considered "neglect" if you have an "outside dog." You can't really make that call without knowing the situation.