I feed my chocolate lab Ol Roy Premium dog food. We have friends that work for a major dog food company one of the premium dog foods. I will not name any names as not to get anyone into trouble. We were told by our friend. That the Ol Roy Premium dog food is the same as this well know premium food just packaged by Wal Mart exact same ingredients. So this is what I have been feeding my lab for years. She has a gorgeous coat and have never had any problmes with her.

I'm not posting this to make anyone mad. So please don't take it the wrong way. This is just what we were told.

I guess on this one we will have to agree to disagree. I have a chocolate lab and she stays outside exclusively because myself & my son have asthma and allergies. It's not worth the risk having to rush him to the hospital because of dog hair. I love my lab as much as my yorkie she gets treats all the time and gets her fair share of belly rubs we have almost an acre fence in completely with a well insulated dog house, 2 5 gal waters full of water all the time and she gets fed twice a day. There are plenty of trees for her to lay under and we have a concrete patio and porch so she has plenty of areas to get cool. If it does get supper hot or cold I do bring her in. I don't see anything wrong with this. I love her dearly but, I am not going to let her live inside and possibly have to make a trip to the emergency room with my son. She is not neglected. Someone is outside with her several times a day.

I'm not posting this to make anyone mad. But, not everyone can have big dogs especially ones that shed inside. I would rather have it this way than to give her up.

Sheila

I have read this entire thread and I understand how everyone feels. I personally don't believe in leaving a dog outside all the time -- regardless of the size. When I lived at home, my parents had a male German Shepherd named Blacky. He was the heart of our family. My parents feed him premium food, gave him monthly heart worm pills and took him to a groomer to have a bath and his nails trimmed every 6 weeks like clock work. My parents spent $3,000 on Blacky when he needed 2 tumors in his stomach removed. He was pampered and spoiled and loved until the end when my parents had to put him to sleep because of old age (15) and cancer. Blacky was allowed in the front yard during the day. There was a HUGE padlock on our gate so my parents were never afraid of Blacky getting out or being stolen. My mom had a big doggie door so that Blacky could come and go in and out of the house as he pleased. They also bought a baby pool and a sand box for him to play in. And my parents to this day mourn his loss and they still keep framed pictures of him around the house. He was my dad's best friend and he saved my mom's life from a fire in her laundry room. They both always get misty eyed whenever we talk about him. I have so many pictures of me and my sister as little babies kissing him and laying next to him. He was a gentle giant, a beautiful family member.

My outside dog gets everything that my inside ones do just not the luxury of being inside all the time. I do not skimp on heartworm preventive or flea control. The only luxury that she dosen't have is being inside all the time. I personally see nothing wrong with this. Now if you have a dog outside that is being mistreated not having a dog house adequate food or water and tied up all the time. That is totally different.

Your dog does sound very loved. I just personally don't think a dog should primarily live outside. But then again, I live in Brooklyn (NY) so there is really (imo) no way a dog could happily live outside. We don't have large grassy lawns or things like that. We have cement. :D

I would never "judge" anyone for feeling that an "outdoor life" is okay for their big dog because they have to make that decision. Our rotties when we owned them only came in for about an hour each evening unless the weather was bad. Frankly they loved it outside and they had posh quarters with lots of room to run and play, really nice dog houses and a fabulous view of the entire neighborhood so they could watch what was going on all around us.

When the thread about the breeding kennel, Puppy Haven, was posted and I defended that breeder's accomodations for his dogs because they contained large indoor kennels with a very large outside run for each kennel, almost everyone was appalled that I would think it was possibly okay for a dog to live like that, "outside all the time", but I do think there are a lot of people in this country who have strictly "outside dogs" and I was just making the argument that, if they are well provided for, as Suecass does for hers, I think it can work and not be abusive. JMHO

Kristy~

I am curious about the law in Chicago that says dogs cannot be kept outside. Have you read it or just heard about it? Is it possible to find it and post the link so zi can read what it says. I have never heard of a law like that and maybe it is because of the extreme weather or maybe it is just the urban city area for noise control or whatever.

I most definatley see your point. My dog dosen't like to come inside. The only time she does is over the 4th of July or New Years Eve she hates fireworks. So of course we do let her in in circumstances like that.

I am one of those that has an outside dog all the time. But, she has it made there is no way I would leave her outside if she did not have the right accomodations. She has a huge insulated dog house and 2- 5 gallon waters with water in them all the time. She is feed twice a day. Someone is out there several times a day. She likes it better outside. So I can't see making her & us miserable. Plus my son has asthma and this is a Chocolate Lab we are talking about. So I must put his safety first in this situation.

Very nicely said. I don't think anyone should be offended. You were polite and to the point. :thumbup:

I have never had a big dog but I agree with what you just said Centralnewyorki...IF the dog prefers it outside ...great - Shecass & others ....your dogs have their own HOUSE - I can agree with THAT ....but if it's only due to size or convienence that someone keeps them out & they have no shelter or house - I think that's wrong.

I think the Chigago Law is great because it DOES protect the larger breeds and I know there are many many people who do keep outside dogs and never pay attention to them - Not saying that's the case here - because what I just read of large dog owners it sounds like they were all well cared for - but I've had neighbors who didn't care and they had the most miserable dog chained to a tree 24/7 ...their excuse was no one but the Man in the family could handle him - but really - he was super confined and lonely & not useed to ANY people ...it was no wonder he was as mean as he was. This was long ago and if I could do it over - I'd have reported them in a hearbeat

No one on here as ever offended me. Every one has different opinions and feels strongly about them. I hope that I have never offended anyone if I have I'm sorry that is definately not my intention.

Well had big dogs and they didn't like being the house. Most big dogs need more space to run than little ones do! My big get the same as my little one do! I would never leave any size dog in the car when it it's hot or cold! lily

I agree with you completely. I did the same as you with my big dog.

:thumbup:

I totally agree. I think sometimes we can tell ourselves that they LOVE the outside but I think sometimes we don't want to feel guilty for leaving them out there so we think they prefer it. Which dog would prefer to sit alone outside when they could sit in the warm indoors with their favorite people? I think if you get a dog that's outside most of the time, whats the point, even if you do have playtime when you go outside? They need human interaction, even if it's just following you around or sitting with you on the couch, like our furbabies do. That's why I would never get a big dog. I'm not comfortable leaving them outside and I wouldn't want a huge dog inside my house. So yorkies are perfect for me.

You didn't offend. You sound like you really love your dogs a lot. We need more good pet owners around. :p

Yes we do they are members of our family not just pets as it should be.

Thank you.

First I'd like to say that noone has offended me. Your opinion may differ from mine but it is our right to have differeing opinions. No matter how strong anyone's opinion is it will not offend me because it is just that an opinion.

I actually agree with many of your points. I believe that you should consider the size of a dog as well as personality and requirements before you get a dog. I also have to say that I don't believe you should put a dog out for your own personal reasons alone. However I also feel that how you said a dog will just get used to living outside can go the same for inside. If you put a dog inside and never give it the option to live outside than they will adapt to the situation, they will not have necessarily choosen it but rather live with it. I think big dogs need and want room to run. I feel that they are cramped inside a house. Now I do think that some dogs naturally want to be inside dogs, just like some want to be outside dogs.

Someone also mentioned cats should be kept indoors as well. I honestly have to say that I completely disagree with this one. My cats would be in hell if they had to stay inside all the time (they come and go as they please, we have a cat door for them). Cats are hunters, they want to be out exploring things, catching things, watching the birds, the bugs, and anything else that will move. Its part of their instincts. I don't think its just my cats either, sure there may be a few that are completely ok inside but the majority want out. My neighbors had indoor cats(they were some expensive cats, I dont' know what though) and they would sit at the windows and just watch, I swear they longed to be out. In my opinion, I almost think its mean to keep a cat inside all the time, I realise there are exceptions and special circumstances to this though.

I have to add my big dog well not let you give a bath! That one main reason she stays out! Now she lets me shave her down in the summer , but he-- no to a bath! We tryed and I thought she was going to pull the wall down in the kennel! lily

I have big dogs and small dogs... my big dogs shed- I didn't know that my son had allergies to dogs when I got them, to the point that his allergies caused asthma for him (mold, dogs, dust ect)

I have had my big dogs for 10 years, my sons allergies to dogs happened last year.

I refuse to give up my animals to a shelter and since they do enjoy time outside, they are just outside more. They eat inside, take naps inside, sleep all night inside, and hang out with us... right now my sons allergies are pretty bad, so the hanging out inside is less, we hang out outside more with her. I only have one big dog left.

I will not buy another big dog or any dog that sheds, because of my sons health/allergies.

But at the time we got them, we had no idea, he had no allergies.

My son is 16, he will probably be out of the house at 18 (wants to join the military) we will work through the allergy problem until then, and once the pets have passed away we will not get any more that he is allergic to... so when he comes home to visit or whatever, his health won't be compromised.

Sometimes you are dealt a hand, and you have to deal with it the best you can. Now if my sons allergy to dogs was apparent before we bought shedding dogs, we never would of gotten them.

There is another person who has replied about allergies, and she had a remark directed to her about not owning the pet to begin with, or using allergies as an excuse or something like that.... that is why I explained in depth about my sons allergies... sometimes you don't know, until it is years after your pets have moved in.... and we all do what we feel is best in our situation.

Now my shedding dog, isn't outside in bad weather, she is inside, just more confined, (not tied up, or in a small space, just not in the main part of the house, kitchen, living room) She has plenty of time with the family, because it is more quality time, because she isn't always just hanging out with us, we make a point to have quality time with her, and the time is just hers, her time is not shared with the computer, phone, cooking, cleaning, ect, ect.... it is just you and her, or dad and her, or all of us and her, ect.

She is never tied up, eats the exact same food as the yorkie... except more of it... has the same prevenative meds, same treats only bigger and more expensive ect. same vet care, same loving from us.

Anyways, my point is, don't come down on someone because their circumstances are different than yours, I don't think any dog lovers treat their big dogs as less animals than small ones... if you are going to neglect a big dog, I would bet you are also neglecting the small ones... I doubt anyone here is neglecting their dogs.

Allergies are not an excuse, allergies can develop at any age, even after owning the same dog for 8 years... and in my opinion, getting rid of the dog isn't always the best answer... should you buy a dog when you know you have allergies... no. Allergies do lead to asthma, if you don't believe me, ask my sons allergist... we worked with the allergist to come up with the best solution. We did however have to get rid of the birds, there wasnt' a way to work around them, because their little feathers end up all over the home no matter how hard you try. The birds are in loving homes, and will live at least another 30 years... dogs on the other hand (well my "big" dog, has a life span of 8-10 years, I was not going to change her home when she was already 3/4ths into her life)

Sorry for the ramble, but hopefully at least those who believe "allergies" should not be a reason, have a little more understanding as to why, even with the children with allergies/asthma, try to do what is best for our pets and children.

I agree with you completely. That is why our lab who loves it outside and is not comfortable inside anyway, is out my son has asthma and did not develop this until 4 years ago and my lab will be 6 in Dec. so rather than give her up like several people I know have we just adjusted our lifestyle around this and came up with the best possible solution for her and us.

Thank you for this post very well said.

My shepherd is an inside dog he hates being outside. He will only go outside when he has to go potty or when we are outside. Thats not to say i treat him any better then the person that has thier dog outside all the time. I really think it depends on the cirumstances. I know of people who do keep their bigger dogs out doors but they have excellent shelter and an endless supply of love and socialization.

As for those with comments about allergies. I am 36 and growing up never ever showed signs of allergies. Well guess what i have now? yup allergies.
As of now none of my children show any signs of allergies but if they did in the future My shep would have to go outside cause there is no way I could ever give him up and it would kill my children to let him go as well.

As I said before every circumstance is different, and every dog is different. The only wrong i see really is when a dog is kept outdoors chained up with no adequate shelter,food,water, or socialization. Heck Ive seen dog runs/shelter that are nicer then some of the houses i see(im a realtor).
So I guess really you cant judge a book by it's cover.