"Outdoor" Dogs...Is there such a thing?

[hha]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

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.

[kl1977]

We have a blood hound and a min pin, these dogs have a wonderful time outside, lying in the sun, running and playing. My husband has a sawmill and hes outside all day long, these dogs ride on the 4 wheeler and play by the creek and explore the woods. We have a wrap around porch that they are Welcome to come on anytime they are ready to. Making a statement like this is the same as saying, I dont believe that any dog should live indoors.

[Lexi Rae]

just my input, pets should not be crated as adults or outside if they dont
prefer it... why have them? crate them just for training and thats about it.

[lilstar63100]

i think one thing we have to remember is that these are dogs we are talking about, and although we think of them as family they are animals. some dogs it is actually not good to keep them inside at all times. the stimulation of birds flying by, chasing bugs, laying in the sun is much better for a dog then laying in a house all day long. laying in an unkept yard chained to a tree all day is by no means a good way to keep a dog. but having a dog outside (as long as they are getting the right attention and care) is not torture. i have an akita and a pointer who are outside all day. they come in at night to lay with us and watch tv, but most of the time end up wanting back outside after a half hour. (my akita gets over heated if shes inside for too long)

it breaks my heart when i hear about people who buy a dog, throw it in the back yard and only throw food out to it every day. but that doesnt mean that ALL back yard dogs are treated this way. as long as theyre getting plenty of attention, and the right care i dont think theres anythign wrong with it.

[Lexi Rae]

right, if they want to be outside thats a different
story.. loose, not chained up..and not all night either

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by Lexi Rae

just my input, pets should not be crated as adults or outside if they don't
prefer it... why have them? crate them just for training and that's about it.

Gina It is Great to see you I haven't seen you posting to much lately HI

[BabyFidgette]

Thanks for all that info! That's exactly what I was looking for. I wish it were better news, though. Man! I want to say something so bad, but I don't want to make her an enemy. Even though I never see them or talk to them, I don't want to sound like a crazy lady. Maybe what I'll do is mention something nicely if I see them. But I won't go out of my way to knock on their door. (sigh)

Originally Posted by Itspuppyluv

I don't want to make you feel bad but probably not. If you read the breed information, they prefer being inside dogs.

"Although they were originally developed as farm dogs, they do best when housed indoors and treated as one of the family. These are people dogs and will always want to be where the family is. They will not do as well in outside kenneling situations and most breeders recommend that they sleep indoors, in the owner's bedroom."



They do better in the cold than the heat.

"Wheatens are good in cooler climates and are popular in such northern countries as Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Normal cold weather care should be taken, including regular inspection of pads for iceballs. As mentioned above, they are mostly indoor dogs and most of them enjoy excursions into cold and snowy weather.
They do not do as well in hot weather and may be noticeably less active. They should always be given access to both shade (if outdoors) and water and strenuous exercise should be avoided. Indoors, they may prefer to lie on cool tiles or linoleum, sometimes in bathrooms. Trimming the coat slightly shorter is OK, but not so much that the sun can reach the skin."
__________________________________________________ _____

It's the lack of attention that is so sad. I have the same situation. My neighbor's dog is well taken care of when it comes to food, water, medical care, he has a place to run and he is brought in at night (caged) but he is neglected. He is alone all day, every day. The kids play with him for what amounts to minutes a month, if that. It breaks my heart since mine are so spoiled and we see him just begging for attention. I tried to help once (I'd explain but this is long enough), it didn't work out.
I don't understand why people get a dog if they never want to spend time with it.

[browniesmom622]

i saw someone say that its better for them to outside then crated all day inside Why would a large dog need to be crated inside it should have free roam & be with its family

[Lexi Rae]

thats right

[lilstar63100]

Originally Posted by browniesmom622

i saw someone say that its better for them to outside then crated all day inside Why would a large dog need to be crated inside it should have free roam & be with its family

sometimes its not safe for a dog to have free roam of a house if no one is home (school, work, errands) especially if they like to get into things... so being outside would prolly be a better option during times like this as long as the yard is safe for them as well.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by browniesmom622

i saw someone say that its better for them to outside then crated all day inside Why would a large dog need to be crated inside it should have free roam & be with its family

I think maybe they meant when no one is home, or at night?

[hha]

Our old golden retriever used to come in occasionally..2 times she had diarrhea, once on the living room carpet, and once all over in the kitchen, it took me a whole roll of papertowels to clean that one up, and I had just gotten done working 20 hours straight inserting newspapers around Christmas...that's NOT something that is a joy to come home too..at least with little dogs, you can clean it up a lot easier.

[MindieRose]

Originally Posted by lilstar63100

i think one thing we have to remember is that these are dogs we are talking about, and although we think of them as family they are animals. some dogs it is actually not good to keep them inside at all times. the stimulation of birds flying by, chasing bugs, laying in the sun is much better for a dog then laying in a house all day long. laying in an unkept yard chained to a tree all day is by no means a good way to keep a dog. but having a dog outside (as long as they are getting the right attention and care) is not torture. i have an akita and a pointer who are outside all day. they come in at night to lay with us and watch tv, but most of the time end up wanting back outside after a half hour. (my akita gets over heated if shes inside for too long)

it breaks my heart when i hear about people who buy a dog, throw it in the back yard and only throw food out to it every day. but that doesnt mean that ALL back yard dogs are treated this way. as long as theyre getting plenty of attention, and the right care i dont think theres anythign wrong with it.

Exactly. Dogs need to be treated like (and respected as) dogs. That means providing the dog with an environment that is suitable for the breed and size, not what you think is comfy and cozy for a YT or even a child. I don't think its fair to treat a dog like it is human, or expect it to be human. To expect a big dog to be in a little house day in and day out leads to health problems. Big dogs cannot freely run they way our little YTs can in the house. Even taking them for a "walk" every evening doesn't provide them with the exercise they need. Big dogs need big space.
We had a chocolate lab that we ended up rehoming not that long ago. He was an outside dog, but he wasnt getting enough attention. He had adequate space and shelter, but we just dont spend enough time outside in the winter and I felt really bad for him. There is no doubt in my mind that he is better outside. He is enormous and was good inside for very short periods of time. He is a very active dog and loves to run run run. I cannot imagine how depressed he would be if he were couped up in a house all day long and couldnt run, or how overweight and unhealthy he would be.
I grew up on a farm and never had a small dog. All of the dogs in the area would all run and play together freely outside. Everyone knew everyone, and everyone knew everyones dogs. Never any foul play. I wouldnt let my dogs freely run now, even though the people down the road do, but our lab was in our fenced in (probably almost an acre) backyard. I live in the country, know my neighbors, and no one has ever had anyone mess with their pets here.
If you choose to have an outdoor dog, and take care of it well, then I see no problem at all. I would never dream of bringing my horses (I have 2) in the house, and they "human companions".

[celstu1]

I grew up with a Samoyed who was MISERABLE indoors... she had to be outside all the time. My parents would bring her in when it was freezing out, too cold where it would seem like animal cruelty to leave her out and she would whine by the door to go back out. So some dogs are meant to be outdoor dogs and love it out there... and thats ok, as long as they still have plenty of love and attention!