Why do some pet owners keep their dogs outside all the time.Dogs are meant to be part of the family arnt they.One family living near us, have a 8 month old Lab used to being in the house with the rest of family.Now it is living in a Kennal in the garden why? becouse they are to move house shortly to a new  one and most likely dont want their new carpets dirty. Shame on my Brothers family who did the same thing but whent one step better they gave away their Westie dog which they had in their family for 8 years all for the sake of a carpet.
                                                                    IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!

Hi,

I have 4 Goldens that have a luxury kennel and run that also come into the house thrive in our large family 6. 2adults,4 children one on the way.Never short of human or other animal company and these dogs which very much loved family pets I also show and want for nothing.

However they love their kennel and run as much as they come into the house they enjoy watching over our very large koi pond and waterfall and can see into our conservatory.
The breed is a gundog there temperaments are fantastic they do not stress and willing wander into their run when gate left open they could eneter the house or rest of the garden but where do we find them sunbathing watching world go by.
in their run.

So I think it depends very much what your dogs are like and what you do for them.

I imagine a dog locked up in akennel and run on his own with little contact  is a prison sentance,but please don't think for one minute because someone has a kennel their dogs are antthing less than loved and look after.
Its also place I put them when a number of childrens friends are around and not all of them have been brought up or as fortunate my children  to have been around dogs.

Briony:-)

I agree with you on that one

I totally agree with you. When I first met my hubby he came with a shepherd collie then we got Taz our hybrid, both big dogs but Taz takes the cake lol :D ... Anyhow they both lived outside and everyday I would take them for a walk/run/play ball, then just let them run around the yard, they also came inside at times but would whine and howl till I put them out. They didn't much like it inside cause it was probably way to warm. They were/are very much people dogs and love attention. Sadly Cuervo passed away just over 2 years now and we really didn't want another outside dog so decided to bring Taz indoors he was around 8, we had a couple of accidents and now he is great and at the ripe age of 10 1/2 years old :) He loves it in the house which would be very lonely being outside on his own. By then we had 4 boston's so took awhile for him and Junior to get along with out fighting, but since Tiva has been fixed and all toys picked up (long story Junior lost an eye and he started it) but now they play great together and get along so all is happy in the family. Taz still loves it outside but will not go out unless we are with him, he follows us around and will whine if we are out and he's in or the other way around. Iam very happy to this day that I have had this time to share with him, and I truely think you really get to know your dogs more when they live indoors just sad that it took losing one to share this time with the other one. I'm sure if we still had them both they probably would of still be outside dogs because that is where they liked to be. Taz would dig holes in the snow and lay in them even tho they had a well insulated doghouse he just loved the snow.

Well, everyone will probably hate me after I say this, but it is in fact my opinion.

I don't think having a dog live outside is too horrible. As long as the dog has warm shelter from the cold and rain and has a cool place to retreat if the weather is too hot, it's not too bad. Also, the dog should get plenty of attention from it's family. If a dog living outside all the time doesn't get all of these things, I believe it has a poor life.

My family owns two older male dogs of mixed pedigrees. We didn't buy these two dogs as puppies or anything, they both showed up at our doorstep as young dogs and adopted us. At the time, we weren't really dog people at all and so didn't bring them inside to live. We did give them both doghouses and a little pool full of cool water to lay in. They also get plenty of attention as we are outside a lot. These dogs do very well living outside and freak out when they are brought inside.

When I got my Siberian husky, my family was more interested in dogs and this is why Kieron was raised inside.

I am just rambling on and on, but my point is, a dog living outside isn't that horrible. As stated above, as long as he has good shelter, good food, and lots of love, he does just fine outside!

I guess this kind of matters with breed, though. A tiny Chi might not do so well living outside since they are so delicate... Oh well, you get my point.

-Tara

We have some dogs that live in doors and others that prefer to be out, The newfoundlands decided that about 4 years ago when young they did not want to come in on a night and in that summer it was hot and they decided for themselves that they would rather be outside in the cool, if we tried to get them to sleep in, they would batter in the door and whine to be out at 2am, the grooves are still in the door to prove it, as soon as we let them out they would flop down and refuse to come back indoors, even when we tried bribary with biscuits etc, so we bought a kennel and left the door open on a night for shelter and they made it home, then Kujoe the dogue de bordeaux would go and lay in there run  around 10.30pm about bed time ,when the door was open and he tried to take over the kennel, this summer he too has taken to wanting to be out at night so we bought another kennel and run and he made it his home, they just do not like being confined, I think that it would be more cruel to try and make them stay when they do not want to. In the daytime the back door is open and they come and go as they want, but it was there choice, they are house dogs, but when they want to be

Hi,

I work from home,so my dogs get my attention probably more.My keenels are made out oak and pantiles are double brick thick that have diamomnd leaded double glazing the same as our house will have airconditioning fitted next summer and heat will be run from a log burner from the next room which is a dog room which has tv,washing machine sink setee in which my children are always in and out of also a bath to wash dogs before shows and any trimming.
The dogs have acess to the whole garden during the day because I choose to leave their run gate open they can come into the house ,have accesssto the whole garden they also choose go back and lie in there kennel if they choose.
The dogs are not allowed upstairs or to beg from the table they do enjoy a swim in the koi pond.

So despite my dogs having a large kenneland run it is clearly obvious they thrive in my situation and often enjoy the company of themselves as well as the family.
We do not treat them like mini children .They still have dog toys plenty of love and affection well exercised and if I have to leave them in kennels they do not stress.

I know my dogs  just as much as those who have a dog in the house all the time.I also have a utility room so when the dogs do come in house if unwell very rare with mine or young dogs are in the house there is bed there too.

Briony:-)

Just because my dogs live outside that doesn't mean they are any less loved or any less part of our family.  We love them dearly.  My dogs are working dogs and were bred especially to do a job and that is what they think of first and foremost.  I can assure you that when I let them out in the morning they don't think "can we come inside?" but more "are we going out to find something?". 

The kennel and run they live in is insulated, clean, dry, draughtproof, comfortable and spacious.  People who have seen it recently with our new pups have often commented "Gosh, you could live in here"!  And they do.  They do come in the house (and are in at the moment sat by my feet waiting to go out) but often choose to be outside.  They were both born in a kennel and have never lived inside.

There are many breeds of dog that I wouldn't put in a kennel, can't imagine a kennel with any of the miniature breeds, but then again there are other dogs who have coats bred for being out and who are bred for doing a specific out of doors job.  To me, it's a bit like saying that farmers are cruel for keeping cows in a field and not putting them in a barn.  Then again it is essential that any dog who is kennelled is cared for properly, mine are let out several times a day and have free run when we are at home.  They are exercised extensively.

Many people have their dogs as pure pets, for company, etc and therefore kennelling doesn't seem appropriate, but dogs have many uses and people must do what they feel is right.  Please don't tar everyone with the same brush.  My dogs are loved and cared for but they wouldn't choose to share the house with me, why should they when they have their own house?!! :-)

I think as long as the dog is well cared for - plenty of attention, exercise, food etc, it's fine to kennel dogs 24/7.  It may be a different story if your house pet is suddenly turfed out for no reason and doesn't get the same attention.

I have a kennel for some of mine which they go in when I'm out.  All I need to say is kennel and they run in, wagging their tails. 

Maybe some dogs don't want to be around people all the time, maybe they want a rest from us.  I live in a rural area where there are a lot of collies who are kenneled all the time - some better than others admittedly.  They are given a run in the morning, taken out working all day, run at night.  I think the last thing they want is to be surrounded by noise and not be able to go to sleep.

I don't think you can say that it's cruel to kennel ALL dogs 24/7, you have to look at each situation.

Helen

Can I come and live in your kennels Briony :-D

Helen

<<<Why do some pet owners keep their dogs outside all the time.Dogs are meant to be part of the family arnt they.>>>

I think it does depend whether the dog is kept in a run/kennel or outside with no protection/shelter from the elements.
Also as to the attention that the dog recieves during the day with regard to walks, playing, human attention etc.

I have heard of the "rehome the dog because of new carpet" scenario too and also about dogs being kept on chains in the garden with no shelter whatoever and also no attention except for the dogs food bowl being shoved out there.  :(

Hi,

I know we must be mad,but  very fortuante that my partner was able to do all the woodwork and roof himself saving a fortune when it was really hot I took to being in with the dogs because it was the coolest place until I was doscovered bang went the peace.
The puppies are brought into the house fulltime once they are housetrained they go with the others and sleep in the kennel at night.
When I bring a dog in fulltime it causes no problem except they paw at my consevtory doors to get back out.
When I have a litter they are in the back dog room which is attahed to the main kennel but in this room is a logburner,sink washing machine ,units tv,settee then off it a small bathroom for dog use with toilet for our use.Puppies are therfore well socialised with children with all the familiar noises of a kitchen /lounge.
our cottage is not big so the kennels and the dog room provide the dogs with more space and the children love it too.Without this building I couldn't have the 4 Goldens or show them .Will say one thing my dogs all have the correct double thick coat which when I look at many Goldens are sadly lacking and not typical of the breed.Whether the central heating has something to with this unsure or whether also the breeding .

Briony:-)

I think we have a difference here with sleeping quarters and true outside dogs that are never alowed in the house.

In a modern society I think the latter situation will make for a dog that is less easy to manage, as there will be times when the dog will need to go inside buildings where there are a lot of people and things he is unfamilar with.  Rather like trying to take your Pony into the house or a hotel, vets waiting room etc.

all 5 of my dogs have slept outside, now I have five the old girl of 12 sleeps inside as that gives two per kennel outside, but she wasn't too happy about coming indoors at night.  What decided me was that she did some nights need to go to the toilet and I didn't always her her little barks in the night, aqnd she had the odd accident.  With her indoors I can hear her winge quick enough to let her out.

In the day though they are always in the house only nipping outside for a pee :D  As the back dor is open most of the year around except in the worst of bad weather they6 usually take themsleves off to bed after about 11am, and I only go out to put down the pop holes to stop any night time wandering and possible barking if some animal goes by.

Well I have to say that Henry has the run of the house and sleeps on the sofa at night!  He is a part of my family, one of us.  In return for his life of luxury, he gives me 100% loyalty and love and also tries so hard to please me.  I do obedience with him and in return for his wonderful lifestyle I expect him to work hard for me in the ring, which he does and that is all I ask.

My GSD sleeps outside and is outside when we are at work, he is allowed in the house when ever he likes but gets way too hot and much prefers lying on the patio, we just leave the patio doors open if he does this. We only ever leave him inside the house if we are going out for no more than 2 hours because he would get way too bored. Our garden is very enclosed and shut off from everyone so he has the run of the garden, much more fun for him than being cooped up indoors for hours :) When inside he is never allowed on the furniture or upstairs, although he has never tried to get on the furniture anyway.
Forgot to add that obviously he has shelter too :)

Hi,

I guess we all have different rules for our dogs, there is no way my dogs are allowed on chairs or sofa s or beds upstairs they are dogs not humans and it also means if i visit someone else home or old folks home my dogs do not jump on to any furnature I show my dogs as well as much loved pets however they are not allowed to beg or greed near the table or the children and my children are taught not to give thenm food unless its their own titbits or dinner.I hate tos ee another dog licking a childs lolly or whatever.
My dogs sleep outside unless they are unwell my rules exsist for good of my dogs and my children.
My dogs work well in the showring and wherther placed or not are extrmely happy and devoted to this family life and remain loving and loyal also.They are ver bit part of family life but I keep all 4 paws off furnature and beds.I think my dogs still also have luxury with the children ,a pond to swim in,thier showing,lovely kennels.

But a dog does not need to have grand kennel and so long as all his phsical and emotional needs are met loved and much wanted he can still have a wondferful lifestyle even if he has a basic kennel and run outside.

Briony:-)

I personally dont use a kennel for my dog and doubt I ever would, but then I only have one dog and it suits me to have Jazz indoors.   I do understand that every dog is different and everyones lifestyles aren't the same.  I feel it is better for a dog to have a kennel and a loving family than no home at all.  I heard the saddest story today of a bullmastiff that had been starved and then fed a sock so the poor dog died :( , I bet that dog would have much rather had a kennel and a loving home.

Michelle :)

But what if you have a dog that doesn't like in house because it's too hot (due to heating on for older dogs in winter) who has a kennel and run with a LARGE wooden box, raised 6 inches from the ground, with about 3-4 layers of carpet and numerous softer bits of bedding to nest into, a "corridoor" in the box so wind doesn't blow into the "bed" part etc....tell ya what I have said I will be quite happy sleeping in their....all it needs is a TV and a PC!!!!! lol

Briony - I think your dogs have it better than I do!! Can I live in their kennel? Sounds fab...I am fast running out of space in a 2 bed house with 3 humans, a large puppy and 2 cats. Time for a move shortly I think!

Charlie,

I think my OH is  so keen on the project its for him, so he can sleep with the dogs as well lol
We don't intend moving for number of years so we thought we will built it to best that we can with my partner who is a cabinet maker doing nearly all the work so its  a fraction of the cost if someone had to rely getting tradesman in to do all the work.

Briony:-)