HI i have 2 dogs who live and sleep outside in kennels.i dont believe anything cruel about that.if go farms etc you,ll see other farm animals out in the feilds even when its heavy raining or snowing.as long as u spend plentyof time with ur pets and look after them properly it makes no differnce where they sleep.

Mine sleep downstairs - two in the kitchen and two in the utility room. Upstairs is for people!

Four of my five dogs sleep in kennels outside. The fifth and oldest sleeps in the conservatory.

To the original poster, i'd just say to do whatever you are happiest with. The dog wont think any the more/less of you whatever you decide.

i dont care where my dogs sleep as long as they do.lol

My dogs are both crate trained and to be honest if I was to put a crate in a room and a double bed I know that mine would go into o the crate and sleep for hours, they like to have a den.  I wont deny that I have tried to let mine sleep upstairs but aside from having hairs everywhere, they snore, scratch, lick, pant, drool, fidget and generally keep me awake most of the night.  I have learnt that they are more settled and happy downstairs in the utility room (youngest in a crate as he is partial to a bit of skirting board).  In the summer they sleep outside in the kennel as they are far cooler and I would rather keep my dog's comfortable than worry if they feeling left out!

Rose, I do think you were wrong to say that people who crate or make their dogs sleep downstairs should basically not have them, if you choose to let your dog rule your life that's up to you but I choose to be in control of a situation and make me hierarchy of the pack!

What do you do with your dog if you go out in the car, does it roam free in the front seat - I personally choose to have mine in a safe crate, having used this in every day life makes my dogs journey in a car far more relaxing!!

We love our dogs and I would not be without mine but I do not love chewing on hairs and hoovering all day long!

Not even my cats are allowed upstairs for the exact same reason, should I not have them either?