Is it animal cruelty for a golden retriver to live outside in the winter?

Question

My 3 year old golden stays outside in freezing temps during the winter months, temps occasionally down to single digits at night. She has an insulated dog house on our deck, and is always provided fresh unfrozen water. She is never tied up and has a large fenced in back yard. She is in very good health, gets alot of attention and exercise and sees the vet regularly. However i have recieved several complaints from neighbors "concerned about my dog." I realize there is a large number of people who have the no dogs outside in cold belief but personally i see no reason that a breed such as a golden retriever cannot stay outside in these temperatures. ?

Actually, one of the neighbors did call the SPCA. They came to the house and then called me. He said my dog has good shelter, access to fresh water, is in good health and is a very nice dog. He said he believes my dog is capable of living outside and that he would not be coming back out to my house unless i invited him over for a beer.

She has a heated plastic water bowl that keeps the temps above freezing and also a regular plastic water bowl next to her house that i keep filled as well. As i previosly stated, water and food is not a problem.

Answer 1

The main question: Is she warm outside? It is animal cruelty if she is sitting outside shaking- otherwise, no.
We have outside dogs, and they were outside in similar conditions (heated water bowl, insulated shelter) with our temps reaching 45 below with windchill here in Wisconsin. We went out to check the dogs and they pulled all of the hay outside of their insulated house because they were too warm in that cold of weather!
As long as the dogs are used to it and have a sufficent coat, it is no problem. I don't know where you live, but I live in rural wisconsin and most of the dogs are outside farm or hunting dogs. Our dogs (border collie mix and a pitbull/husky/shepard mutt) hate being inside, whether in the garage or house- they will whine by the door constantly.

I am sick of people complaining about one thing or another because they think they are right- and every other way is wrong. Legally- animal control said that you are ok, so you are. Ignore your neighbors. You really shouldn't care what they think. I have met people who do not even want their horse outside at all when it gets colder (below 30s)- which means that the poor animal sits in a stall all day (which I think is pretty cruel) and the horse goes nuts.

Answer 2

It seems your dog is doing fine overall. If your local animal cruelty society felt your dog was doing well, then who are we to argue?

That said, I do think you should reconsider on these very cold nights. Even dogs with lots of fur, such as a Golden, can still freeze or get frostbite (on the nose, ears, mouth area, pads of the feet, etc.). The unfrozen water you put out at night will be frozen by morning. So during these frigid night temps, bring her in just in case. But once the temps return to more "normal" conditions, you can keep her out again.

Now, on a personal note, I never get why some people only have their dogs outside. I have a Golden too and I love having him inside. He sleeps on a soft pillow on the floor right by my bed. I have a Dal and he insists on sleeping next to me on the bed (the Golden prefers the floor and rarely spends the night on my bed). I love being able to interact with my dogs inside. Yes, the house may be a bit more dirty as a result - but that's why there are vacuum cleaners and mops. On a more serious note, I also don't get why some people toss their cats out at night! These people are even worse as the don't have their cats restricted to any area. This, of course, means the cat could get attacked by other animals, get hit by cars, or do damage (kill birds). I believe that if you get a pet, especially a dog or cat, that it should be viewed as almost a child, meaning daily food, fresh water, a soft place to sleep, lots of love, exercise, and time INSIDE the house.

Answer 3

Your right, everyone does have different views on this. But the fact is, these are animals not humans. As long as they have an adequate dog house, a flap on the enterance to keep the wind out and fresh water that isn't frozen - and ofcourse food... he will be absolutely fine. I would make sure you put some straw in the dog house, my only concern is having it on a deck and the windchill/airflow under the dog house may make it too cold for him. Neighbors tend to butt in sometimes when it isn't necessary althought their intentions are good it doesn't always mean they are correct. As long as you are doing all of the above things if they feel the need to call the animal protection agency they will come out and look at your dog's situation and see that he is fine and tell your neighbor's the same. If he isn't, they will talk to you about it and make some recommendations. They aren't going to haul you off to jail. They aren't dumb and they know the difference between true neglect and someone who is caring for their pet with best intentions. If you don't want to worry about what your neighbors will do, maybe you can bring him in in the evening for a couple hours. Down in your basement even. But I do know when you start doing that sometimes they want to be in all the time and they will start barking constantly when they are outside. Then your neighbors will complain about the noise. Just keep a constant daily eye on your pet in extreme temps. and make sure his dog house is warm enough for him. I know they also have electrical warming pads you can place in his dog house. I would definatly communicate to your neighbors all the things the dog has in place and that he is being cared for just fine. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

If your neighbors are really being adament in complaining you might consider atleast giving him access to the garage when the temps really dip down at night. If someone has been out and says you're doing it right I have no doubt you've provided good shelter but the bitter cold is still not so nice. The wild animals our pets have been bred from were built for the elements but they still sought shelter in caves and dens to sleep and keep warm to rest. As your dog gets older if arthritis sets in for whatever reason the cold temps with also make moving upon waking much more difficult so at that point if you still keep him outside consider a pad designed for the dog house that will help keep her warm and minimize her discomfort

Answer 5

The way this works is that dogs that live outside are well equipped to stay outside, and dogs that live inside are not. With the dog's that I hunt with, and sometimes expect to work in sub zero temperatures, absolutely the cruelest thing I could do would be to bring them inside so that they would lose their winter coat.
Dogs have been living successfully outside for the last 100,000 years. Why someone would get the idea that all of a sudden they have lost that ability boggles the mind.
With an insulated dog house your dog has it better than a lot of dogs.
If you are worried about the temperature, install a small light bulb inside the dog house. Don't make it to big tho' or it's heat will drive the dog out of the house and defeat it's purpose.

Answer 6

When I had outside dogs, I made sure that their dog house had plenty of wood shavings in it for warmth and they always had plenty of food. The most important thing is to make sure they have fresh water always! It freezes quickly in the cold temps so either get a heated bowl or make certain you are checking on her water dish regularly and breaking the ice and giving her fresh water. This is not cruel in any way. Undomesticated animals have lived for centuries this way and managed to survive and breed. You obviously love her or you wouldn't be concerned. She has fur to keep her warm and she's fine.

Answer 7

While your dog is better cared for than most "outside" dogs, it may not be the best situation for her. Dogs are pack animals. When they live outside alone, they are unable to form the bonds they need with their people. Golden Retreivers are extremely companionable, friendly dogs that thrive on interaction. It is not a legal issue of animal cruelty, no. However, it is also not the best life for a dog. They are not solitary creatures, and should not be forced into a solitary existence.

Answer 8

Dogs are and have always been animals. Animals live outside and have adapted as such. Hence the long hair on your particular breed. If they were meant to live inside all the time they would have hair like us. I wouldnt want to live outside but then again i dont have long thick hair covering my entire body. People are going to have their opinions but who is to say which one is right. Until we can find a dog that talks, dogs who live outside and appear happy and healthy are just that. People who insist this is cruel are ignorant. I think it is cruel to keep the dog couped up inside the house in an unnatural environment.

Answer 9

it won't hurt the dog at all.i have labs that i duck hunt with.they swim in freezing water when it's single digits outside and they are fine.the only thing is don't give them a bath in the winter because the oil that builds up on there coats helps repail water.if i was you i would get some hay and put it in the dog house.change the hay about once a week or more often if it wet outside.don't worry about the dog they was bread for these weather conditions.

Answer 10

It depends on wind chill and how much space the dog has inside the dog house. Is she staying dry despite romping in the snow? If you have not already, go out and buy a bale of straw for its bedding. You can always store the extra in a garage or basement. This will insulate much better then any blanket or dog bed. It will help keep the moisture away from her body and regenerate her body heat into keeping it warm inside her house- think of livestock on a farm when you think of your dog-suburban dogs are pampered and just think how many of those neighbors have no idea where most of their food comes from. Ignorance is a factor here. Screw the neighbors. If you are truly concerned just call the local humane society and ask them what is acceptable. That is who you should be more concerned about and not noisy preaching neighbors. The only good neighbor is one who minds their own business and respects the difference of others. Some may go on and on about it being cruel but have you ever drove by a farm and see horses and cows hanging OUTSIDE of their warm barn despite the weather and the barns door left open for their choice? I have livestock and dogs. If the wind chill is below 0 They get shut inside their houses.
Good luck- unasked advice but I would be finding some new neighbors as soon as possible. But i do not play well with others anyway.