Dogs outside? What is the problem?

I know many people with outdoor dogs. It's definitely a personal or cultural choice as you mentioned. As long as they have food, water, shelter, and some lovin' then they should be happy. Plus they get to be outside and free to run around which they probably like.

Outside Dogs

When people hear things about outdoor Dogs they think of Dogs who have no shelter or just a Dog house in the open and a Dog on a short chain and never gets any attention. This is not true, I have an 11 year old Bluetick Coonhound who lives outside, he does get to visit the house, he`s not tied up, and he sleeps in the shed in an insulated Dog house at night, and we gets lots of attention when we`re outside. And we have to have a big Dog outside in the yard because we live in a rural area. Many people think it`s bad that I have two Poms who live in the house and a Hound who lives outside, I understand that, but where I live we need some thing to protect the yard, were I live there are Bears, Raccoons, Weasels, Bird of Prey, and the rare Cougar who can snatch my Poms even near the house, so when we hear the pacific bark of Blue`s, we know to bring the Poms quickly back in, he also send warning to wild Animals to not come near the house.

No problem if they are well cared for and not left tied to a tree and ignored. I work for a shelter and we keep 5 dogs outside inside they were very unhappy sometimes depending on the dog and breed outside is the perfect place for them

I think its a cultural thing, and that people link the word outside with some sort of image of a dog being chained, not being feed or cared for. It also depends on the climate in your area.

I have know plenty of outdoor dogs who were feed interacted with and health cheeked by vets that have lived to an old age. I am also Australian. I think tis personal choice, and as long as your caring for the animal, food, shelter, vet care, water and interaction its up to you.

Nothing wrong with it, as long as the dog has enough space, has its needs looked after and still gets walked.

Same goes for one living in a house.

I did get annoyed with someone saying they had an "outside dog" that lived on a bit of "dirty concrete"(persons words) and wasn't allowed out in the rest of the yard.

Would say the same if someone kept a dog in a dirty room, in a house with no other space.

There are plenty of outside dogs in the US too. It doesn't mean it's right. The main reason I am against it is because dogs are pack animals and wants to be with their human pack, not alone in the yard.

I know people whose dogs live on a ten foot chain, standing in mud and their own poop and they are also convinced that their dogs are prefectly fine and happy too.

I'm australian too, yes it is very common here in australia to have outside pets. I think it because our weather is more hotter, not so chilly, even moderate temperatures in winter and no snow in our area. Where as snow is pretty common in america which if they had outside pets they freeze to death.

Many of our domestic pets are NOT born to live in the wild, breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs cannot fend for themselve due to there short face nose, they cannot breath properly, and have trouble heating and cooling themself. They die of starvation or heatstroke in the wild.

Chihauhua because of it so tiny size would DIE if they were out in the wild, they be prey for animals such as Snakes and other carnivorous animals

Foxies have a very short coat so the are prone to sunburn leading to skin cancer. They don't have alot of fur so they still feel the cold, even if you don't realise it. It be a good idea to provide a small kennel rug that goes over the top of your dog.

I have an outside dog due to my parents rules and renting.

She must be outside 100% as that is part of the rental aggreement, if we let her in we maybe kicked out. She 14almost, so i put a weatherbeta all weather coat on her, as she does feel the cool. She a lab mix. She gets daily walks apart from the days i'm at tafe, she get at least 30mintues-80mintues every day, plus a range of toys roster on to keep her mentally stimulated, and i'm there all the time talking to her, and playing with her, as well as my 5yr old sister. She has a backyard that i pick up dogs mess at least twice a day-sometimes 3 times a day if my sister have friends over

Gets groomed at least twice a week if not more often, porch is swept for dog hair, then use a blower to vaccum up tanbark at least daily unless i have tafe. SHe also has a kennel with a foam mat inside.

Pugs, Chihuahuahua, Bulldogs, and short faced dogs are not outside dogs. Strangely enough we have a 2chihuahua that have just moved into the neighbourhood, and there 100% outdoor dogs, you can hear what they are from there barks, oddly enough we have a Bulldog that also living outside at another neighbouring property

The reason alot of people don't agree with outside dogs is many people simple forget about them. Many outside dogs even in australia are surrended for being unwanted. Alot of people who own outside dogs simple don't bother with the obedience trainning, socialisation, and exercise. They simple feed and forget and of cause the dog desplay unwanted behaviour and then the dog is dumped for excessivbe barking, digging, behaviours that indicate bordem from neglect.

My four dogs have their own quarters at the back of the dirty kitchen. I'd say my dogs are pampered having elevated beds and tap water in their "dorm". I don't leash my dogs and they don't even wear collars. They usually stay locked up at daytime to avoid contact with people but they get loose the whole night in my huge fenced yard. Herding them in is pretty simple. All it takes is a glass of milk for each dog and they automatically retire to their quarters to sleep for almost the whole day.

How many Mini Fox Terriers roamed in the wild? they have been breed and domesticated to suit our requirements, she is no longer an outdoor creature. Before mans intervention when dogs roamed wild, we lived in caves and the dogs had each other. We have moved out of our caves and our dogs need us for companionship and love. Dogs have always been pack animals, now we are their pack.

Dogs who live outside can be attacked by other animals, stolen, lost or abused. I appreciate that you care for your dog and that lots of dogs are kept outside, nevertheless you cannot compare her with a wild dog and you should share your cave with her.

EDIT. I have just read one of your other questions, you have asked about getting another dog because your dog is lonely. I wonder why.