Any thoughts on 'Outside Dogs' ? Discussions

The dog that we were supposed to have from Kerry Blue resuce was left outside with another dog in kennels all day as the owner was working and travelling all day. They were bored and unhappy and people opposite were complaining about the noise. Unfortunately the day we were going to look at Muffin he changed his mind about rehoming her.
He had the top male Kerry in the U.K at the time. We were very upset about not getting Muffin at the time.

Fortunately he eventually rehomed her but we couldn't wait for ever in case he changed his mind and we ended up with 2 Kerries from rescue!

Someone nearby keeps her 2 Labradors outside all day as she doesn't like the mess they make indoors as they are quite large and clumsy dogs. Personally I think she should have got a stuffed dog!! They don't make a lot of noise or mess either!! Kennels are ok for occasional use in my opinion but you have to be careful about noise issues if you have close neighbours.

Poor things!

Our farm dog only ever came in the house on odd occasions (but then so did the odd horse, sheep etc etc...). He didn't like it much but then he grew up outdoors.

Personally I love the company of my animals and can't imagine not waking up with one next to my bed (and usually one on my head as well), I find them so much more entertaining than TV to watch.

You're right but there's a difference between using a kennel and dumping the dog in a kennel all day. I don't think the OP was suggesting that.

Well dogs are Social creatures and you will be his pack, so unless your going to spend a goodly part of your day out there with him, it is not a great idea, especially if you not in the middle of nowhere, as dogs in the garden may react to outside stimulus (callers, neighbours) by barking/howling and causing a nuisance.

This can certainly work fine if you have several dogs, as they will have each other for company, but unless they spend all the time you around in the house with you, you will not have the close bond you may want.

Most people in my breed that use kennelling do so to split up male dogs that might not get on if both sexes ar3e kept, or confine bitches in season away from males, and the dogs are rotated in the house.

It's the only way to have a companion relationship with you dog, in my opinion.

Four out of five of mien sleep in the kennel, but are always in with us in the day or in kitchen if we go out, but we live in a suburban semi, so neighbours have to be considered

I think it depends on the dogs and the individual lifestyles, my Beardie would NEVER tolerate being an outside dog, and would certainly let the whole street know about that she likes being around us 2 legs and also revels in being left in peace and quiet when the rest are out and we are out... she is a great gaurd dog too, the rest are outside all the time and the LOVE it , Raven used to sit watching outthe window all the time before we built ht erun and then they where allalways hanging over the stable door perusing their empire, they enjoy nothing better than watching the world go by all day from their des res kennel up on the hill.

Raven used to have skin rashes with the carpets etc in the house....no more problems, I think for them they have so much more stimulation and play than they ever would if they where inside but our garden is in amongst the woods and the public path where there is always dog walkers etc.... they so love telling ALL other dogs that they actually OWN the whole of our village They are all double coated and seem so much healthier being outside. They have quality time spent with them and they have each other to keep company (4 of) they are in and out the house in times of serious cold weather, girls in season, if their not well etc, and all where house trained prior to going out ... it suits me and them perfectly and honestly they have never looked happier...

I must admit I miss them around my feet in the house (and lounging around he livingroom ) but its more me than them and i cant wait til Raven is old and I can bring her back in but honestly the dogs are so much happier out than in

This is purely my personal view, but I believe a dog needs to live with you as part of your family (however many are in your family). By having them free around the house and garden I believe you can achieve the closest of bonds. Teaching them to be acceptable members of your family is part and parcel of having a dog around and the rewards far outweigh the initial effort. It is nice to have somewhere to keep them whilst they are dirty and need cleaning off, but ultimately I would not want to keep a dog outside for any reason. My dogs have always had the freedom to be inside or out as they wish, but I have found that if I am indoors so are they and vice versa.

Agree 100%

I agree 100%.

Very valid points but also what is the point in having dogs with coats for outside and have them live inside a central heated house I think it just depends on the dogs and the breed and also what they are...ie just pet, pet and working dogs, etc etc... Im sure if my lot where lounging around the house all day they would die of boredom, be too hot and they would miss the boisterous play that fills their days with only their own rules to abide by... just personal preference I think with pros and cons from both sides I suppose it also depends on what you want out of your pet too, I want mine to be independant and Dogs not to be up on furniture, nor to be too clingy, I like to work for their respect in their domain rather than have them comply to rules in mine... if that makes sense

IMO keeping a single pet dog as a completely outdoor irrespective of breed is not fair. I would have to question the point of having a dog to be honest. I think with pet dogs that are kept alone it is all too easy to 'forget' about them (not directed to anyone on this forum by the way...I would call most people on here above average dog owners!)...put the walk off for another day because it is raining, put the training session off because you are too tired, etc. You can 'forget' so to speak because the dog is out of sight and not underfoot. With house dogs, they ain't gonna let you 'forget' walk time, feeding time, etc. ;-)

I also have to wonder about pet outdoor dogs in the wintertime, when the weather isn't so nice. What happens then? personally, unless I'm walking my dogs, I spend hardly any time outside in my garden during the winter months. I couldn't imagine having to spend hours outside in the freezing cold with my dogs in kennels, just for them to get the companionship they need. Realistically, I'm guessing that people with pet outdoor dogs probably don't do that, meaning the only time the dog is interacted with and has company is when on walks. :?

I am planning to have kennels, but I will always let them have access to the house. I do think that's as much for my benefit as their's though. I don't agree with single dogs being kennelled either. Dogs need some kind of company, whether human or canine. That also applies to house dogs too. How many single house dogs are left alone most of the time?

For me, my dogs are pets, they are not my children and they are not family. People have cats who spend a good deal of time outdoors including being out all night. People own rabbits, guinea pigs, aviary birds who are kept outside so I dont see the difference. Jed suffers terribly indoors with the heating on because his coat is so thick and he constantly wants to be outside lying down, no matter what the weather. All of the dogs suffer with dry noses due to the central heating which isnt good for scenting abilities not to mention dry coats, irregular moulting etc.

I'm sure my dogs wouldnt love or respect me anymore if I let them on the sofa or in the bed just so we could be together, in fact, i'm sure they'd take the p**s.

Has it actually been considered that a dog who doesnt spend large quantities of time with it's owner but does spend regular quality time might actually value that time more? We often see it in human relationships. You spend every available hour with your partner and they can start to get on your nerves yet if you see each other perhaps 2 or 3 times a week, you look forward to that time more because you get a chance to miss them.

I'd be more than happy for my dogs to have access to the house so they could come in whilst we were in but my problem is I wont be living in a house. My new home is a static caravan that barely has room for 2 adults, nevermind 4 dogs as well and thats why my circumstances force me to kennel them.

I dont agree with having dogs, locking them up in a kennel and forgetting about them and I dont agree with single dogs being kenneled either.

My dogs are used to each others company at times when they dont have mine and I think it's important for dogs to spend time on their own in their own space to gain independence. I would find it difficult to own a dog who suffered with SA.

You really can't compare the social needs of cats or other small animals to dogs. None of those animals you mention are really fussed over human company. Dogs, on the other hand, thrive on it.

I don't buy the quantity vs. quality time thing when it comes to dogs. Of course you don't have to spend every waking second of time near them, but for a social, group living animal like a dog, it isn't a natural circumstance to spend long periods of time alone. Just because some dogs put up with it doesn't necessarily mean that it is in their best interests.

Really??? Not having a go, and my dogs are definitely not my children, but they are definitely part of my family.

As I have said, I don't have a problem with people keeping their dogs outside, so long as the dogs have canine company, as well as plenty of time with their owners and are exercised, stimulated, loved and looked after.

It wouldn't be for me and mine, but can see the benefits of not having to hoover every single day

My dogs are flatcoated retrievers - a very active and working gundog breed. I think one of the true "natural behaving" breeds around today - certainly no couch potatoes. I have found their coats are quite adaptable for living inside or out, as long as it is properly groomed. They love to swim in the coldest of winter water, play in snow, mud, sunshine or rain. They enjoy all outside activities; hunting and retrieving is their obsession and will go over any type of ground - When they come in they suffer no hardship by being warm and comfortable. If they get too hot they simply move away and go into the conservatory which has a tiled floor. Mind you I find moving away is the last resort for them and usually they are in the most cosy place they can find during the evenings. Regular daily exercise with free running and sensible training is the key I think, plus the stimulation of having something interesting to do. As far as absence making them more appreciative of the time I give them, I cannot subscribe to this line of thought. Without human company and intensive input all you would get with a flatcoat would be an unruly hooligan, instead of the well integrated partner that was hoped for. It is quite well known that the more input you give with a flatcoat the better dog you will have. I know dogs (including flatcoats) are kept in kennels, but quite honestly I cannot see the point, unless you have a professional establishment and have to kennel for practical reasons. My dogs will work (and work for no reward except that they love to do it). They do not thrive on being kept separate from the rest of the family and given "special" sessions of attention. The rules they live by are a co-operative result of a dog living with humans - but they are still being dogs in the truest sense of the word. A bit of dog hair and muck is a small price to pay for such a worthwhile relationship with an animal.

I think a question that a lot of people are overlooking is 'why are you considering keeping your Mal outside at night?'

I'll echo the sentiment that it would be better for your Mal once he has a companion to enjoy the night time with, socially. But in terms of the reasoning for bringing the question up, if it's a case of the size of the dog in your home with knockable furniture, then you don't need to worry as much.

Mal's are extremely intelligent, sure footed and nimble. They are not known to be clumsy when walking/squeezing past tables with vases on them for example. My house is relatively small for any other type of breed, but even at 8 weeks and searching the house, he nimbly bypasses my cup of water on the sofa beside me, work his way through the laptop cable without pulling it off the work service (although he did briefly try to start chewing on it which I negatively reinforced him to not do). If your worry is about your valuables being opened up to a large dog lumbering around, the Mal shouldn't be a problem in that regard.

Alternatively, it'd be a good idea if you have your heating above 30 degrees every day

LOL Some Malamutes are increedibly clumsy - wait until yours is a gangly teen