Any thoughts on 'Outside Dogs' ? Discussions

Hi just wondered what peoples views were on having their dogs as 'outside dogs'. I know of quite a few Mal owners (& other breeds) who prefer this method. Obviously a sizeable pen and a good quality shelter is important.
I have a new Mal pup and am considering bringing him up as an ouside dog. We have a large secure garden and have just finished a 10 x 4 m pen for him..
Would like to hear what you think..

Thanks

Kev

I see nothing wrong with it going by your preparation.

Good luck.

hi
i have a kennel and run,shame the dogs have forgotten what it looks like ;-) ;-)
although,redundant at the mo ,it used to only be used for sleeping at night,if i had to go out or whilst they dryed off from mud/rain.
is he the only dog you have? if he is ,he would be a sad lonely sled-dawwg imo :-( :-(

Ill be honest Bruce was initially expected to be an outside dog but it didnt take long for him to have his own sofa and more inside time than either of my cats.he is only really out now for his wee and poop and when we have lots of company over. if its only a few people they will have to put up with him

In principle I don't think keeping dogs outdoors (especially northern breeds) is a problem. Personally though, I would never keep an only dog outside - actually, I wouldn't keep any number of dogs outside as I absolutely love the company of my dogs and would find it strange if they didn't share our home - as you can see:







Ours usually have the run of the downstairs area - the backdoor is always open (except when it is really cold) and the dogs that don't sleep on the bed, sleep in the kitchen or in warm weather, in the garden.

Mick

Mick, love the fotos!!
I personaly dont see the point in having an outside dog.
I guess it is possible to give them a good life but you would have to work extra hard to give them plenty of attention
I do think a only dog would be lonely
I enjoy my snuggles too much anyway

Thanks guys, my last mal had free run of the garden all day and back door open, but spent evening time and slept inside at night, think I might miss the company at night too much as well. Wasn't thinking of bannishing him to the garden at all times, there is someone at home most days and being a Mal would enjoy being out a lot during the day anyway, rain or shine if my last boy was anything to go by, just having a think about sleeping in kennel.. have another pup due in a couple of weeks but will be a couple of months before we get her. As I said I probably would fold within a few days Ha ha just interseted in some other views

That is what I was going to say!! I personally don't see the point in having a dog if it isn't going to share your home with you. Imagine not having a furry face lick you first thing in the morning or not having a furry cuddle on the sofa of an evening?

Besides which as has been said a single dog would be very bored and lonely and I don't think that is fair on the dog.

in the past I have had outside dogs, when I got royce he had lived outside and did not want to be indoors,

I do think its best if there is more than one outside dog though, so when royce died I brought kaos back indoors,

I don't think there'd be a problem with your arrangement, I certainly don't think your dog would be any less loved or well cared for if kept outside. I'd agree, however, that if the dog was to be outside permenantly (which doesn't sound like it would be the case anyway) it would probably benefit from a little friend to keep it
company.

Not a choice that I would make personally. I don't really see the point in keeping a pet dog outside...I'm not sure how they can be companions if they are shut away 24/7. Obviously there is a big difference between someone who uses kennels but also has the dog(s) inside, but I would never keep a pet dog outside permanently. That said, I have very people oriented breeds and might consider otherwise if I had more independent breeds that naturally preferred outdoor living. For the breeds I like though...no, definately not!

i love this post! seems the best laid plans hey..

Thanks, he will have a little girl companion in a couple of months, definately agree he'll be happier with a wee companion.. bring on the toilet training again !!

Hi,

I also do't see the poin tof having a pet dog if it's to live outdoors. I can understand fo rworkign dogs to a certain extent but i fyou enjoy dogs, wehy would you keep them outside anyway?

My lot are all inside dogs through and through. they've "stolen" the big sofa and sleep where they want to (not allowed upstairs though).

The only time they get shut outside is in the summer when they refuse to come in at night time. If they do refuse, they have the big kennels that have carpet all roudn the inside and lots of hay to keep warm (although in July and August they don't need it), they havethe "den" (an area just ousside the kitchen) and they have their own room (th eold concrete shed) which is kept at around 15 degrees. From here they have access to the house and to the garden, but a person couldn't get into the house from outside unless they were the size of a 4 year old or smaller!

That said, after what happened with Yiannis last September, I won't be allowing them to spend tim outside at night without me. They'll just have to come inside when I go to bed, cos there's no way I'm sleeping outside too (I draw the line there!).

Laura xx

I dont have a problem if the dog is not permenantly kennelled, and has plenty of access to enjoy the family, sibes/mals are family orientated and love the company of people, I have 5 mals all live in the house, I personally dont see the point of having a dog as a companion if its locked away from me all the time.

Mo

As long as he is getting plenty of interaction I don't see the problem with kennelling dogs. I agree it would be best for him to have a companion, otherwise he will be lonely and bored. I would also install CCTV and other security measures. Mals don't guard their property so he could be subject to theft.

I echo this entirely. I have to say I cannot understand why people want to have their dogs living outside, especially Springers! I know alot of them are bred to work but they are such people orientated dogs and need a lot of human interaction. But of course it's only my view/opinion.

Mick, I love your pictures. Your wife looks in heaven with all those beautiful fur balls around her and how cute are they begging with your daughter like that!

I don't think you will have a problem keeping your Malamute outside, but was heartened to see that you will be getting him a companion in the future, as I hate to see dogs left outside alone.

My hubby's working dogs live outdoors and are fine, but mine are pets and so have to suffer all the luxuries of living indoors :-D

Mine will be living outside in kennels come spring time (they are currently indoor dogs who have never lived outside). I find the implications that kennelled dogs somehow suffer from lack of companionship annoying. My circumstances are forcing me to kennel my dogs, it's either that or I rehome them. However, given a choice I would kennel my dogs anyway.

As my dogs are shut away in the kitchen and do not lie on the sofa etc with me anyway, I cant see it being much different for them, except for being colder. Just because they will be living outside doesnt mean they wont get the walks/playtime/grooming/petting that they currently do. I personally dont like my dogs living in my pockets, they would drive me insane milling about whilst i'm watching tv or taking over the sofa whilst i'm trying to chill out. They all stopped at our future new home a couple of weeks back but indoors as the kennels arent built yet. They drove me beserk. I like spending time with my dogs but I need my own time without them and I think they need their own time as well.

My thoughts therefore on outside dogs is...I dont have a problem with it if they get the interaction they need.

Isn't the point of having companion dogs having them around you? :? I couldn't imagine keeping my dogs shut away in one room at all times. Watching them goof around with each other (and me), relaxing with them, snuggling on the sofa with them, are IMO some of the best parts of dog ownership. Each to their own though I guess.