Would you think having two outside dogs to keep each other company is a good solution?

Question

The kids really want a dog, but I'm allergic and my allergist has told me that I should only have a dog that's kept outside. I would like for my children to enjoy having dogs, but I'm also thinking about how happy the dogs will be outside. We live in a nice climate. The yard is also spacious and the previous owners have installed an invisible fence. What are your thoughts on using the fence as well? Thanks to all who answer, and ten points goes to the best answer.

Answer 1

I have 2 big dogs that live outside they love it!!! They keep each other company and do there job of protecting the house! Please if you decide to get outside dogs I urge you to make sure that your children take them on walks and/or play with them daily!!!!! (if dogs get ignored they COULD become mean aggresive and act like a totally diffrent dog then you remember at the pet store!!!!) please dont make the same mistakes as countless others, give your dogs attention and love that is there love language!!!(I would suggest getting 2 bigger family dogs with friendly personalities.)
I own a female boxer and a male AMERICAN bulldog both of these breeds are great all tho they offten get mistaken for there aggressive cousins known as the Pitt bull these breeds are totally and completly different! (if you have seen the movies cheaper by the dozen or the little rascles those are AMERICAN bulldogs! if your interested in them check 'em out online!!!

PS: Good luck hope I hope I was a help and God BLESS!!!

Answer 2

Only get a fence along with the invisable fence if you feel its really necessary. Im young (under 20 is all im gonna say) but i live with 3 dogs, a once abandoned kitten, a hamster, and a turtle who's about a foot long now. And depending on the climate you live in, you shouldnt leave dogs outside when you live near the New England region. Plus, if your allergic to dogs and your going to get a dog some worries you may have is

if the dogs get sick
if the dogs get out of the yard and you husands not home with know one to help but your children
the state you yard might look like years after they arive
never being able to set foot in your backyard without being cautious of the dog coming over to you
if the dog get let in the house bye accident
if you get a dog that cant come inside then what are you going to do about if you kids want a pool?

but if you know sollutions to those problems and you still not sure then you could get them something like a hamster or a turtle or a rabbit. Something that your kids also like. But you can give them Nintendo DS's and buy Nintendog's for them so they can play with a dog the way they would with a normal dog exept you can even play with the dog too and not get sick.
I hope i helped!

Answer 3

When you get your dog you first need to make sure that the invisable fence works. Some dogs can run back and forth across them all day.

But about getting a dog. Because of your allergies having an outdoor dog is really the best option. I know many people that keep their dogs outside, and it always works out well. You just have to make sure that Dog has plenty of space, a place to eat and a really nice place to sleep. Make sure that the sleeping place is covered. If you have a covered patio, then you should keep the food/water and bed here. If not, you can get a little dog house type thing where you can put Dog's things, including food and water. A large kennel works well for this.

To truly have Dog be part of the family, make sure that you don't just live your life inside, the dog's outside and interact only for feeding. Make it a comfortable place for you and your kids to hang out in. Go out there whenever you can, and play with Dog a lot. As for getting two dogs, that's your decision. If you feel that the dog isn't going to be getting enough attention, but not too little that another companion will help, then by all means go for it. Just remember that now you will have two dogs to feed, care for, walk, and play with. I would alse recommend getting a short haired breed, and talk to someone about dogs that will really thrive living outside.

Good luck with your new pet(s)!

Answer 4

Dogs have been living outside without any help from us for about 100,000 years, and some breed like the wolf, Fox, and so on still do. So that is not the problem. The invisible fence simply does not work as a 24/7 alternative to a real fence. It will work for letting a dog out to go potty, etc,etc. The battery will run dead, and good bye dog.
With an outside dog it is absolutely necessary that they be provided proper shelter, because being fenced in eliminates their ability to go find shelter for them selves. Heat is far more of an issue than cold is for an outside dog. People naturally worry about a dog getting to cold, but dogs don't get to cold. Their own body heat will keep a proper sized dog house warm even in sub zero temps. (just like a person in a snow cave or igloo) Without shade a dog can die from overheating even on a cool day. remember that a dog can't sweat. If your climate is humid this even becomes a greater problem, because panting looses it's efficency.

Answer 5

First thing, put up a real fence. Do not think your dog is really contained in an invisible fence. Many dogs will run right through it and other dogs/kids can come in.

If it is hot where you are I would avoid brachiocephalic breeds like Bulldogs/Boxers/Pugs, due to the short nose they do not do well with heat.

2 dogs could be good depending on the breed, they will entertain each other. It also could be a nightmare if you get a breed that is hard to handle, 2 can be alot harder than one, especially if you get puppies.

If you plan on getting a dog from a shelter, you will likely NOT be allowed to adopt if you tell them you plan on keeping them outside. Some shelters will only adopt if you are home 24/7 and plan to keep them inside. Stupid shelters would rather euthanize than adopt to a home where it will (gasp) live outside.

Answer 6

First, they do offer shots for pet allergies. My new boyfriend gets the every other month because he is so allergic to my dogs and realizes he comes 2nd, haha.

Animals love the outdoors and aren't as bored as you think. If you get another dog for his company they might bark and be rowdy together and neighbors might complain. Also, if you get a different breed dog for the first dog, make sure they get along. Dogs are like kids. Different personalities. Do you really want to train another? Pay vet bills for another? I have more than one dog. One is big and the other small. I don't think I can handle two large ones nor two small yappy ones. My breeds compliment each other.

As far as fences go, as long as a dog has adequate space they are fine. Dogs adapt to almost anything, just like people.

Answer 7

If you can only offer a dog a life as an "outside" dog, please don't get one, it isn't fair to the dog.

Invisible fences work well with "some" breeds. I have seen dogs run back and forth through them also! Personally we always had a six foot chain link around our property for our dogs.

You may have another choice. There are some breeds of dogs that may not bother your allergies as much as others might.

Our son was allergic to dogs but the poodles never bothered his allergies. I'd check with your allergist to see what he thinks.

Again, I hope you can work something out so your kids can enjoy sharing their lives with a dog. But, please don't bring a dog home if all you can offer is an "outside" life, it isn't fair.

Answer 8

i understand the whole outdoor dog concept my boyfriend has an outside black lab and i have a inside black lab as long as they can interact and they have some place warm to sleep, his dog sleeps in an inclosed back porch, and they have shelter and plenty of food and water and they can room and aren't changed to a short leash and aren't in harms way of traffic or other neighbors they will be ok. just make sure to give them planty of love and attention everyday and feed them around the same time every day. and they will be fine.

Answer 9

only if you think the kids will spend plenty of time with them, dogs have feelings like people and can have strong feelings of lonliness, dogs that are not shown love, get over hyper when they finally are shown attention this in return irratates a lot of owners resulting in the dog being sent away, please just think long and hard wether or not you can provide the dogs with a good happy healthy life

Answer 10

IF THE DOG WILL LIVE EXCLUSIVELY OUTSIDE, GET A LONG HAIRED DOG. ST BERNARD, NEWFOUNDLAND, SHEEPDOG, ETC. BUT MAKE SURE THE DOG HAS A SPACIOUS DOGHOUSE. POODLES COME IN ALL SIZES AND MOST PEOPLE WITH ALLERGIES HAVE THEM. THEY'RE HYPOALLERGENIC. BUT THEY'RE NOT ALL CLIMATE DOGS.