More often than not dogs that live outdoors are put on the back burner as life gets in the way. Since they are outside,their care becomes secondary to everything else. I agree that you should wait until your own home or if you don't want a dog inside maybe you shouldn't get one at all.

 

I will most definitely keep him a large kennel in the basement or my room, but a dog house will be built outside in case the dog a get loves the out doors more. My dad works and is around the country 6 days a week sometimes he isn't home for two weeks. What I was pretty much asking is would the dog mind being out doors twice in a month. Anyways thank you all for your answers and have a nice night.

 

Oh please dont feel slighted; most of the members on this forum are HUGE dog lovers and advocates and would give an arm and a foot for their dog. Their opinions on how to raise a dog are invaluable and should be given some thought.

I've also kept a dog inside and outside-- my family dog from when I was a child was primarily an outside dog. He was not well behaved, was neurotic, and as a result kept even further apart. If you want to equate it to something, think about solitary confinement, even for a couple hours at a time, with nothing to do, nobody to see. It gets really old, really fast.

Dante, my current pup, follows me around everywhere, and you definitely feel the special bond there. It's something that you don't really get when you just leave a dog outside. If it's a matter of having to keep him outside for a few hours every day, I think that would be fine. After all, when I have to leave him during work hours, he has to deal with it. But I think they need close human contact for extended periods of time, even if you're not doing anything with him.

 

Beno95,

No need to get frustrated. I was raised partially in Asia, yes, the part of Asia where dogs are routinely eaten as food. Will I in a million years ever consider doing that? NO WAY!!!

So where you were from, or where you live now, are irrelevant when it comes to what is best for a GSD.

Your dog is your dog, you are going to do whatever you want anyway. But if you are at a GSD-focused forum asking for advice, just be aware, the answers will be given based on the best interest of your future dog, not you.

No one is calling you a bad pet owner (how can we, you don't even have a dog yet ). It is just that a lot of us here take care of our dogs better than we take care of ourselves. If my dog gets sick, my hubby and I will not hesitate to take a day off to take her/him to the vet. If we get sick? Well, we will usually wait until we do get a day off to go to the doctor.

I would not consider keeping my GSDs outside because I am worried that they may get poisoned accidentally, or eat something they are not supposed to, or not feel well without me knowing because I am not outside all the time, or get stolen, or get bitten by insects/spiders/whatever. Too many bad things can happen when I am not outside with them. Why chance it?

A co-worker's relative kept her GSD outside, the next morning when she woke up, the dog already died of bloat Had the dog been an inside dog, she would've heard his moaning/whining

 

A co-worker's relative kept her GSD outside, the next morning when she woke up, the dog already died of bloat Had the dog been an inside dog, she would've heard his moaning/whining

Glad you brought that up, I was thinking about that myself. I have another dog that suffered bloat. It was such a trauma, for both of us, and if I hadn't been there to get her to the vet immediately, she would have died also. Bloat/torsion is a horrible way for a dog to die.

So many things can go wrong with a dog that lives outdoors.

And honestly, how much time do we spend outdoors anyway? I live in an area that is bitter cold in the winter and horrid hot and humid in the summer ... I spend far more time indoors than I do outdoors. Seriously, if you keep your dog outdoors, how much time each day will you actually be outdoors with it? Except for people who work a regular job side by side with their dog, most people spend very little time with a dog that is kept outdoors. If they are honest.

 

You have missed the point of what all of these posts are trying to tell you. You are looking at it from YOUR prospective. It's easier for YOU to have an outside dog. What these people are trying to tell you is from the dogs prospective which you are not getting is german shepherds are very much pack animals. And their owners are part of their pack. To be separated from their pack ,YOU, is bad for them. Let me put it this way. One of my german shepherds got a virus that almost killed her. I didn't understand at that time why the vet just didn't take her and keep her in the clinic. My wise vet told me," I have see this before. German shepherds are powerful dogs, but take them away from their families, they give up and die. I've seen it happen." They are very family devoted. Imagine this. I'm sure you love your dad and the rest of your family. All the sudden they say," you know what? Go somewhere else and stop bothering us. You can call once a month maybe." How would YOU feel? Well german shepherds are very smart dogs. And they have strong feelings. You admire the german shepherd breed ? Well their protective instincts come from love of their owners. They are not lap dogs. They are not an easy breed to own. But every second is worth it. If you are not willing to see and accept these dogs for what they are or understand what they are, I'm sorry but you don't deserve to have one. You can want what you want, an outside dog that you hang out with when your in the mood. Well then guess what? You don't want a german shepherd. And the really sad thing is because of your additude and "outdoor dog" ideas, you will never comprehend what magnificent dogs this breed really is. It's sad.

 

If the dog has company (ie, another dog or two) I don't think it's as bad, but as pack/family oriented as GSD's are, I think they would be really lonely living outside by themselves.

Some people are of the mindset that "big dogs belong outside", & I run into this a lot, with various neighbors, who make comments that they don't see my dogs outside, (hinting that I should leave them outside).

On nice days, I can leave my back door open (I have a 6ft wooden privacy fence) & they may play around outside for a few minutes, but they always end up where ever I am, & if I'm inside, they're usually with me, even with the door open.

I'm not saying you're a bad owner if you leave the dog outside, I just wanted you to consider the fact that GSD's are very family/pack oriented, & in my experience, they're much happier with their people.

 

Most of our working SAR dogs stay outside during the day while we are at work. It is essential for acclimitization to the outside temperatures for working.

Several stay in secure runs with concrete floors and covered pens as the bored GSD is very much crafty at tearing apart some of the most secure structures and digging out. THey really do not like being alone and must get into things. A friend watched my own dog for me and while she was getting my second dog, he took apart her chain link kennel for her (the one with the concrete floor). Never the problem at HOME but he ran around to check on my other dog and, apparently, knew how to do it - this was in the time it took her to go from the dog pen back to the truck to get the 2nd dog. Once they were together, he was fine.

The GSD is not so independant and aloof of its owner like the husky's are. (at least per breed description)

My dog is in the back yard with a 6 foot privacy fence but I work from home and go out every hour or so to check on him and play with him a bit and inspect the fenceline a lot and my office window overlooks the back yard. Normally he plays then comes by the window to check in then plays some more or naps in sight of me.

All of our dogs sleep inside. Unless you live on a large peice of property they will dig and bark etc not something the neighbors want. A lot of good dog working folks keep the dogs out while they are at work for temperature acclimitazation. But that means we are out before work and after work spending time with out dogs working them.

I don't see a problem with asking the dog to stay outside IF you are spending plenty of time interacting with it. THere is a fellow on another board who lives in St Louis area with his dogs and he must make provisions for heat (which I think we are hotter than in Eastern Europe?) and high humidity. Constant Fans running, Extra bug control (you are in an area full of heartworms and and insect and tick borne diseases), SO he runs fans 24/7 for the dogs. Food......there is a lot of varied opinion on best foods for dogs so I would visit the feeding section.

 

No dog, regardless of breed, should live outside, separated from its humans. The only reason the domestic dog exists is because of its extremely close bond to people. To relegate a dog to a life of solitude, loneliness, and boredom in a backyard is cruel and ignorant. Why get a dog if you don't want it to live in your home with you? Get a goat instead.

 

Get a goat instead.

Stuff like this is not answering any questions, but talking down in an arrogant manner to board members. Warning now that any further attacks and insults and condescending posts will be edited and members will receive warnings.

 

I've always wanted to have a GSD I just love the breed, and everything about them. I've done many research on this breed for the past year and half since I have decided I'm getting one. I know the answers to most of the questions I am about to ask, but I would like to ask them again to confirm. Anyways...

I plan on getting a puppy, 8 weeks or a little order. I have a fenced yard it isn't huge but according to my girlfriend who has owned two Siberian Huskys my yard is perfect for the GSD. I do plan on keeping him (Btw planning on getting a male) out side once he gets a little older and used to me and his surroundings. I plan on building him a decent sized doghouse that is insulated and has a fan and heater (connected to the dog house, he wouldn't be able to get to it.

Anyways would I be able to have him as a outside GSD but at same time keep him healthy and happy?

It's possible to keep them outside, as far as healthy and happy...? The ones around me that are kept outside I usually see them after they have jumped the fence and is wandering loose

I guess the only question I have left is why GSD in America are treated like lapdogs? I'm originally from Eastern Europe and grew up there. All the GSD there are kept outside and I guess that's what my father and I are used too. I don't understand stand why a few simple questions, if it is possible for them to live out doors, what food is best, and about vet costs, etc. has lead to people giving there opinions if I should get a GSD or if I'm a good pet owner. All my neighbors are animals lovers and I have spoken to them already and asked for there permission. I have had pets all my life and still do, and all have amazing lives and are happy. I also don't fully understand why my thread was re named when I have more than one question not regarding if they can live out side or not. I highly doubt I will get the GSD since in USA you don't qualify as a good pet owner unless you treat the animal as a human being and treat a large working dog as a chihuahua.

You asked for opinions and received them. Luckily opinions aren't restricted to simple yes and no answers, you learn more that way. As for lapdogs and comparisons to chihuahuas, save the insults.

For food, you want a high quality food, either grain free or corn and wheat free. Many here feed raw.

I will most definitely keep him a large kennel in the basement or my room, but a dog house will be built outside in case the dog a get loves the out doors more. My dad works and is around the country 6 days a week sometimes he isn't home for two weeks. What I was pretty much asking is would the dog mind being out doors twice in a month. Anyways thank you all for your answers and have a nice night.

Your initial post contained different information - you plan on keeping him outside once a bit older and used to the surroundings. You received opinions based on that.

There really isn't a need for the sarcasm. You posted with questions 'that you already knew the answers to' and recieved responses you didn't like.

 

There really isn't a need for the sarcasm.

Actually, some of the posters have been pretty condescending and borderline rude, so I can see where the sarcasm came from, though still not justified.

But that won't be a problem from now on, right? Polite and respectful posts from all around, RIGHT??

 

I am familiar with the dog culture in Eastern Europe.

Dog stays outside, but then, especially in the country, most people are outside in the yard a lot. The dog is not lonely.

Keeping a dog outside in the US presents a challenge because the neighbors might feel differently about the barking. In Eastern Europe, it is expected that dogs will bark. It is just a fact of life. Yes, there are people who keep their dogs inside and care for them as we do, but the majority are outdoor dogs. They are expected to protect the property from thieves and intruders.

 

I'm from Eastern Europe...I was just there 2 months ago. I didn't see a single German Shepherd or large dog outside in a yard. Trust me, those neighbors have wised up also and a barking dog will get you just as many issues there as it would in the United States. I actually only saw one GSD in the week I spent back home, most dogs were little lap dogs. Large dogs are a liability there, people weren't used to training them, they were used to having them just sit outside, and back then, your dog bit, it had a reason to do so. Now, its the way it is in the United States, except there is probably more fear/respect of a German Shepherd than there is here (people know/understand what the dog is capable of, but also don't trust that it is well trained, in America, I've noticed most people trust that a dog out in public is friendly). I actually think that in most areas, a large dog needs to be muzzled to be outside (in public). My dad's family was quite shocked that we can just walk our dog without a muzzle and take him to busy public places.

I'm not trying to be mean with this part, just explaining a little about dog psychology. Most dogs will learn to like whatever their environment is. So a dog that is "taught" to live outside, will look like it enjoys it, but it doesn't know any better. I think you asked for advice and what people are saying is that you will learn more from your dog and have a better dog experience if it is inside. If you're looking for "protection" out of this dog, an outside dog might protect its territory (the yard) but not you (the owner), and inside dog (well balanced/good nerve) will protect you. This is one of those questions that although your way would work, it won't work as well, which is what your question originally asked.

Food wise, a good high quality kibble is easiest, Fromm, Blue Buffalo, Orijen, Acana...stuff like that. If you want to do the research and spend the time on raw feeding, it is probably the best, but also costs more and takes time to learn and also put into use.

 

Hello,

I had two outdoor dogs who are indoors now. Both of mine were happy and healthy outside. In fact they dislike the house life now I stayed with them probably about 3-4 hours a day and longer on the weekends. Make sure you have good locks on your backyard doors and that the walls/fences aren't so low that the dog can jump over. Build a dog run if you can. We didn't have ticks where I used to live but depending on where you're at you'll have to protect them from that kind of stuff (do some research to find out if your area has ticks). Get the dog used to the outdoor life early so he knows that's where his place. I'm glad you run 2+ miles and of course have your pup join in slowly and not to early (I'd check with a vet and do some online research to see how early a dog can start jogging with you). Um so yea if you have any other questions about doggie outdoor life, feel free to ask me I did it for almost 3 years...

 

Our last gsd hated being indoors. She had free access to the garage and large laundry room and the kitchen but chose to stay out most of the time. She came in overnight when it was really cold or hot or raining but other than short visits to the kitchen she preferred the outdoors. But we live in a rural area so issues of disturbing the neighbors or worries about her being taken weren't a factor. Stosh is a different story- he loves being inside and close to us. Even if you choose to have the dog live outdoors, and it's happy that way, you should train it to be comfortable and mannerly indoors for times when it's necessary

 

most breeders i know and all rescues i work with will not let a person get a dog from them if the dog is going to be kept outside. There is also issues like the dog escaping from yard, dog being stolen from yard and there have been cases of children tormenting a dog left outside (throwing rocks etc) theres just so much that can go wrong when a dog is unsupervised

 

...and irrate neighbors poisoning your dogs. It's really not safe to leave them outside, but the main reason has already been expressed.

Livestock guardian dogs can live outside, and they do, because they are guarding their sheep,or goats. A GSD is not like this, though.

 

I found that keeping my first two shepherds out in large runs (10'x20') while at work or running to town very satisfactory-they were in the fresh air and received loads of sensory input-they were with me when I was home whereever I was at-currently I do not offer that type of accomadation to my six as I have not been able to construct what I want-thus they are confined to large crates whenever I have to leave the premises and I do live in the country on five fenced acres but the dogs are only at liberty under supervision-I have a blacktop road on two sides which people drive too fast on and the dogs have garnished too much attention from by-passers. Outdoors is a dog's natural habitat as long as they are properly attended to-not ignored in a kennel or a chain 24/7.

 

I'm going to be a voice of dissent here. To the OP: As long as you spend a lot of time with your dog, training, exercising, playing, etc, I see no reason why he can't sleep outside sometimes.

I think a lot of people have unfairly jumped down your throat. From your posts, this is what I gathered:

Your father doesn't mind if a young puppy is in the house.

Your father is out of the country most of the time, and doesn't mind if the dog is in the house when he's gone.

You have a fenced yard and a climate-controlled garage the dog has access to.

You simply want to know if it's okay to leave the dog outside a couple days a week.

I say, yes, as long as your yard is safe and secure. If you can build a covered kennel within the fenced yard, so much the better. People have given you warnings about insects, nasty neighbors, poisoning, etc... but you know your neighborhood better than they do, and if it's a good safe neighborhood, the risks are pretty minimal. Obviously you'd address concerns as they came up: fly control, bark control, etc.

Now, I will agree with the others on this: GSDs become very attached to their people, and want to be with them ALL the time. Your GSD would naturally stand at the door and whine if you went into the house and left him outside. HOWEVER, if your dog is of stable, solid temperament, he will get over it, and learn that the world will not end if he is left alone for a few hours. This of course is assuming you're spending a lot of quality time training and playing with him.

Another valid concern is that puppies and dogs tend to be destructive when left alone. They love to chew on things, dig, bark, tear stuff up, etc. They can eat through a wooden fence, tear the siding off your house, dig up your landscaping, etc. A sturdy kennel and some good chew toys will help mitigate this. And if the pup is tired out from lots of exercise and activity with you, he is less likely to suffer from boredom, which is the main cause of destructive behavior.

My GSDs are inside/outside dogs, generally they are where I am, but they won't wither and die if left out in the fenced yard by themselves. They are well cared for, but aren't treated like Chihuahuas or hothouse flowers. Given a choice, they'd rather be with me at all times, but they don't suffer from separation anxiety--if I go inside the house and leave them outside, they don't flip out--they usually just lie down by the door, so they can be as close to me as possible, and after a learning curve during puppyhood, they don't complain.

I hope this makes sense.

 

When I am not at home, there is nothing in my home that my dog needs.

When I am at home, my dogs know exactly where I am and what I am doing. Oh sometimes they nap, but they know when I head off for bed, even if they are out in their kennels. They all yell, "G'night Susie!" I swear they know when I open the fridge too. They yell, "CHEESE! Bring out the cheese!

Not to get the wrong idea, my girls are generally really, really quiet, but even though they are none of them alone, they are very focused on me. Yeah, maybe that does have a lot to do with being the one with the food bucket and the praise and pets.

When Ninja got her Hematoma and I took her to the vet for her surgery and she came home with her cone, she was staying outside beause I have had puppies. But I could let her in, without bathing her, and let her sleep in my bed (cone and all). They are in kennels with concrete bases, covered over, with cots and houses, and a shelter for their comfort and to keep them clean.

A dog left to run loose in a yard, at least around here, will become a muddy mess in hours.

Before I built the kennels, while I was building them, I had my girl and my brother's bitch who hated each other. They would KILL each other. I had to leave one in and one out. And as Jazzy had gone through the window three separate times, it was she that had to be out. No, she could not be left in the back yard, she would go through my window and kill Arwen. Temporarily, while the kennels were built, she would have to be chained. Yupp, that's right, as a temporary measure, I decided to chain the dog.

I wanted to do it so she would have a nice area etc. So I got a runner with the little pully thing, and tied it to the tree in my front yard and to the post outside my front door. I put a dog house out by the tree, and a bucket of water. After feeding her, and giving her pets, I went to work. As I was driving, it began to rain.

When I got home, it looked like something you would see on Animal Cops. The dog was covered in mud, she was standing up to her hocks in mud. From the tip of her nose to the end of her tail she was full of mud. The yard was no longer a happy grassy field, it was a pit of mud. I could just see myself explaining to the Animal Cops in front of my mobile home, "Really Officer, all this happened in just eight hours."

Plan B was to move her up behind the shed, the ground was firmer there. I moved the house and attached a chain to a ring in the corner of the shed.

Now I had used horse fencing to fence in my back yard. The stuff is only 5 foot high, and the ground is just earth so a determined dog could dig under, climb over, or jump over it. To combat this, I put an solar powered electric fence around the perimeter of this fencing, just go mark the fences as off limits to the dogs. And they respected that fence. They would rush up, screech to a halt, look for the wire and then come only close enough so they would not touch that wire. This actually worked pretty nicely:

I don't think you can see the electric wire, but obviously, the back yard was not safe for dogs to run loose in, as I had construction going on. But I put some cheap fencing around her area, and added wood chips to help keep down the mud.

Anyway, the next day I came home from work and immediately went to check on Jazzy.

She was in her dog house.

She would not come out.

She was moving in there.

I called to her. She stuck her nose out. She was trembling.

I am thinking, what the???

I looked at the chain, and followed it back, somehow it hooked on the electric fencing on the other side of the horse fencing -- should have NEVER happened, but it did. Uhg! Poor dog. I put the pully up and that worked until I could get the kennels made up.

Yes, the dogs both came in in the evening but these were two bitches put together as young adults, and they had to be kept separate at all times. so one had to be crated inside while the other was loose and vice-versa.

Anyhow, keeping a yard safe enough to let dogs be in hour after hour is not really that simple. A good six foot fence does not guaranty that your dog will not decide to climb. If a five week old puppy can climb over a 2' ex-pen, a full grown GSD can climb over a six foot fence. They do not all climb. if their area is comfortable and they are not bored and lonely, they might have no desire to climb over. But if they do, and the go splat in the road, you just can't take shtuff like that back. It frankly is not worth the risk.

Believe me when I say that after a long day at work, and you come home thinking about having dinner and plunking yourself in front of the set for a few hours, you are not going to want to give your dog a bath and then clean the bathroom and the carpet where the dog trapesed through with all its mud, and the furniture his body or tail hit, and the walls where he spritzed.

If it doesn't ever rain where you are, then you can disregard this post.

 

I think some of the responses to the OP were over the top.
It is fine for German Shepherds to be outdoor dogs in many circumstances.
The main reasons for them to be kept indoors is the potential for neighbors to complain about barking, and the potential for them to be harmed/teased/poisoned /stolen.
Several requirements for an outdoors dog: secure fencing, weather proof dog house, understanding neighbors and a safe neighborhood.
Outdoor dogs tend to be healthier especially paradoxically in places with extremes of weather. It gets pretty cold where we live but GSD coats are marvelous at keeping them warm. Once they have their winter coat, they hate being inside a heated house warm enough for humans.
I have noticed posters assume that an outdoor dog is neglected. That does not have to be the case. Sure, some people unfortunately have the habit of keeping a dog outdoors primarily so they don't have to pay attention to it but not everyone with outdoor dogs are like that. When I am inside the house I am primarily working behind the computer, reading or doing chores, ie, not paying attention to the dogs. When I am outside I am interacting with the dogs. The number one reason I go outside is to do something with the dogs.
I have visited the best breeders in Germany. Guess what, almost all their dogs are kept outside the house in kennels. They may rotate a favorite dog or two inside the house at times but most of the time the dogs are kept in impeccable kennels outdoors. You don't see half a dozen dogs lounging around the house.

 

I agree with the last few posters.

It's about time spent and what you do with that time if your dog is staying outside.

Your set up doesn't sound so terrible to me I'm sure there are dogs living in way worse situations.

My dogs live in the house, they choose to and I choose to, it certainly doesn't mean I am against dogs living outside as long as they aren't thrown out there and neglected.

Good luck with your new puppy

 

You really aren't going to get the response you want on this board.....most think that unless the GSD sleeps on your bed he will not have a happy life.
Our GSD "comes" inside but he does not "live" inside. I have been told that this is not how I should raise my dog but really I don't give a ......
Our dogs are happy well adjusted dogs HOWEVER we spend HUGE amounts of time with them on our farm and that is the key......it is not where you keep your dog but the quality of the time you spend with them.
I am proud of the fact that my "working" GSD feels he can take a dump and a pee without me having to be there.....he loves his life spending the majority of his time outside.....it can be done and done well IMO. Good luck.

 

:thumbup:

 

I think it may be hard for the dog to be an inside sometimes, outside sometimes dog. It sounds as though the dog would be inside more often than out, and my concern there is that the dog will be more used to being inside and perhaps -- very unhappy once relegated outside.

Time will tell. I brought a previously always outside dog inside and that boy does *not* like being outside alone now. He honestly has a preference to be in the house.

Not saying a dog's preference should rule how he lives, but in the case of a dog that would prefer to be inside, I can easily see them becoming destructive or attempting to escape, dig, bark, etc.

I'm not against outside dogs, provided their companionship, exercise, housing and health needs are well met.

 

First of all, sorry if this is a repeat post, because i haven't read all of the posts that were on this thread. If it is, by all means, ignore me.

I don't understand why everyone got mad at you for keeping your dog outside. I keep my puppy outside (Since she's just a puppy, she's
in a playpen when I can't watch her, and she is also allowed downstairs, since that's where her crate is.)
And she loves it. Granted, she is not a german shepherd. She is a border collie. (I had originally planned to get a GSD, hence the account
on this forum, but border collie was second on my list. )
I originally wanted her allowed in the house, but my mom didn't, and since I have terretorial cat, it is better this way.
Anyways, what I'm saying is, I agree with the other posters who have said that it is 'inside or outside' that matters, but the relationship and
the time spent with your dog.

Anyways, whatever you decide, the best of luck!

One thing is, to everyone, this is a thread for someone asking advice from people they beleive know about GSDs.
Before you or we, loose their respect, start answering the questions with the best advice for their situation (they want
a dog, but can't keep it inside)
and stop freaking out over something that really isn't that important. They're making a dog house with air conditioning,
for goodness sakes! Lots of people live worse off than that!

 

It will sound silly of me to say this -- and may catch some griff -- but part of my bonding with my dog is sleeping with him. Yep. I said it.

I say "bedtime," and Tucker goes to his crate and Bailey goes to the bedroom door and immediately squishes himself under the bed.

Bailey sleeps under my bed, but sometime in the wee hours of the morning, he gets out and gets on the bed and spoons with me.

Best couple hours of my day.

When my alarm goes off, he's stickin his snout in my armpit.

Best few minutes of the day.

I cannot imagine not having this.

 

It is more interesting with a cone head though.

 

Beno,
I keep my German Shepherds in outside kennels during the day and they are just fine, one of them prefers to be outside all the time, just because a dog is kept outside doesn't mean it's any less a loved family member, many people like me have to work and can't have our dogs with us 24/7, that thing called life gets in the way, luckily dogs are extremely adaptable and thrive on routine, as long as you spend quality time with him he will be as happy as any other dog, I recommend a nice shaded kennel with mats and a nice hammock to lie on. A dogs quality of life is as high as the owner makes it, you sound like you have a lot to offer your dog, Good Luck on your puppy and post pictures!!

 

So much anger and bitterness over this issue. You'd think we're talking about speutering.

I make no judgements on those who keep their dogs outdoors. Never have. Have only stated mine prefer indoors. If that makes me or the dogs wimps, I don't care.

And I needn't be right there to watch them poop and pee, but actually I usually am. One is borderline/suspected/possible EPI so poop watching is my norm.

It's interesting to see these threads work their way out. Those with inside dogs generally bash the outside dogs as having uncaring owners. Those with outside dogs typically bash the inside dogs as wussy types.

Interesting.

 

It's not bitterness.....I just read through 5 pages of how if you keep your dog outside then you shouldn't own one.....get a goat!!!
It is only fair that the OP hears another side of the debate from those who are successfully housing their dogs outside AND keeping them happy is it not??.....the side that says he is perfectly in his rights to own a dog, that he is not going to be an awful owner and that it can be done without neglect......not sure where in my post I "bashed" anyone but anyway.....
Good luck to the OP....hope you find the perfect puppy