What do you think of "outside dogs"?

Depends - there's a difference between owners who put their dogs out for practical reasons (working animal for instance) and owners who throw their dog out because they can't house train it or because "the dog's too destructive." IMO there are too many "outside dogs" that are outside because they have lazy owners who want the novelty of having a dog but don't want to put the effort into training, exercise, stimulation, or socialization.

I personally know a family who had a pair of hunting Beagles that had their own out outdoor run complete with heated/cooled dog house. The dog never went in the house, but they got their exercise and play time with the family. Then there's another family i know that keeps their PUGS outside on a chain. I never see those dogs off the chains and i rarely see anyone outside with them.

Like i said, some owners can swing it while others can't.

Depends on the dog more than anything. To explain that better, my dane would be miserable if left outside without humans, while the pyr I met the other day refused to join the rest of the pack inside.

So I guess my answer would be along the lines of I think outside dogs are okay as long as they fit the dog and the owners provide the dog with what it mentally and emotionally needs.

It depends. The inside/outside/kennel or crate/not crated are not the issues for me. The questions I ask are:

*How long is the dog alone each day?

*How much dedicated or passive "people time" does the dog get and how regularly?

*Is the dog receiving sufficient food, water, shelter, and mental and physical exercise?

I worked at a gundog training kennel for several years as a teen and my boss kept his personal dogs in the kennel facility. Those dogs got to play with other dogs for at least a half an hour 2-3 times a day, were well fed and watered, and every day they got to work birds and chase the four-wheeler around the property. They were in doggy heaven! Never saw the inside of the house and lived much happier, fuller lives than the average suburban "pet".

Sled dogs are another example, if they are being worked almost every day and have their basic needs met, then they are very happy dogs living in their runs or tied to their dog houses. Again, in many cases, a Husky that gets to do what he was born to do and lives outside is 100x happier than a husky kept crated all day who exercised himself in the suburban backyard when someone finally gets home from work.

Dogs are more resilient and versatile than we give them credit for, if they have their basic physical needs met and receive attention and socialization time with both humans and dogs for a decent amount of time every day (like virtually all farm dogs) then I don't care if they live inside, outside, in a kennel, etc.

Because of my lifestyle and goals, my dogs are all indoor dogs and I will probably have only inside dogs for the foreseeable future, but if I end up with livestock and livestock guardian dog or a kennel full of dogs I'm training, then I will make sure their needs are met and keep them where they can do their job - outside.

To each his own....I don't like the idea and I probably never will be completely ok with it. BUT after looking into temperament testing and obedience problems, there is a such thing as an outside dog. Some dogs just can't get with behaving indoors. And as long as the owner is responsible enough to safeguard their yard as well as keep their dog ppl friendly or socialized its ok. Not to mention having a place for the dog to go wen its outside (a dog house ) to escape from the elements and a place indoors were the dog can go to get away from extreme weather conditions. In my opinion, that's the only time I would agree with a dog being classified as an outside dog.

Depends on the dog. Our small dogs were only outside when we were and never left alone because of their size. Now my German Shepherd Dog prefers being outside. There are exceptions tho, if the weather is freezing or really hot he is in the house. At nite he is also in the house with me. He has access to the garage where his water is kept and it does not freeze in the winter, also has carpet strips to lay on and his bed. My neighbor on the other hand has a collie that he leaves chained up, she has water, and never walks/plays with her, so why the h--- bother.

I have mixed feelings in general on the whole inside/outside thing. But what keeps me in check is the reality that "inside" companion dogs are a recent thing within the last couple hundred years, where outside working dogs have been around for centuries.

It really depends on the dog and its role. For example, large groups of Foxhounds kept kenneled till the big hunt makes a lot of sense as does any working animal in which their chief role in this life is to be part of a group of dogs doing a job. Even dogs with solitary jobs kept in kennels with other dogs is fine (it's that social aspect). That's the "fine and dandy" end of the spectrum from my point of view.

Then there is the family pet, all alone out in the backyard on a chain, ignored and alone. THAT is not cool. Dogs are social beings and need interaction. Even the formerly mentioned have other dogs in which to associate with. Any creature devoid of mental/social interaction will suffer emotionally and then physically. In my view, this end of the spectrum enters the "cruelty" realm of things, ethically speaking it's akin to leaving a toddler in their crib day-in and day-out. We all know how those studies turned out.

Then there's many shades in between when it comes to being an outdoor dog. My folks always had 2 dogs and they lived outdoors with access to the garage for warmth and soft bedding or escape from the summer sun. I didn't consider it "ideal", but the dogs were happy, well cared for and got lots of attention from my retired parents.

I don't condemn anyone for choosing to have their dogs live outdoors for whatever reason. It's their choice, clearly, and I respect that. So long as it's done with care and consideration for the being living outside, that's all I ask.

depends on what the dog is like... if it likes to destroy things then it is a good idea for it to be an outside dog. i personally dont think much of outside dogs, im a dog person so i think of them as family and them being inside makes them feel like part of the family. i find they are more happy inside, but then again it could be a very energetic dog so lots of walks would be good but i suppose it could be left out during the day and brought in in the afternoon and night..... outside dogs look more scruffy ad feral.....

I have two dogs outside and two dogs inside the larger breeds are outside and the smaller ones are inside and there really is no problem with the dogs being outside, as long as they've the apporiate shelter and water available at all times.

Personally, I think why have a dog if your going to leave it out in the back yard. Dogs are social animals and want to be with their people.

I personally wouldn't have a dog if i was gonna keep it outside 24/7. I don't see the point in owning one if that's what your going to do with it. Your just gonna end up with a dog that's miserable and has issues.