Where do people get the idea that it is cruel to keep dogs out doors?

Question

My German Shepard Mix stays out in all kinds of weather and he is thriving. After all wolves, coyotes, rabbits, deer, and all kinds of animals stay out doors.

My dog knows how to take care of him self outdoors. Just because he is a tame animal, doesn't make him stupid.

Answer 1

My German Shepherd loves to be outside. Yes she likes to come in and sit in a chair by the TV. She takes a nap for an hour or two and then she is headed for the front door. Of course we live in the country on a gravel road. There are no leash laws. She loves to chase rabbits, crack and eat pecans, guard the property and follow us to the cars, the mailbox and go for walks with us. She has a building and a barn, but prefers sleeping under the house with the cats. She has fields to run through and does what she wants, when she wants. She is the most loyal dog I have ever seen. She barks if something is not right outside until we come. She often reminds me of Lassie as she is so smart. She is well fed, watered and medicated with shots and etc. I think she has a wonderful life as freedom seems to be important to her. We used to live in town where she stayed in the house more. She is now 7 and bounces around happy like a puppy. I don't think all breeds are outdoor dogs, English Bulldogs, chihuahuas and others could not enjoy the freedom she does. Maybe indoor dog vs. outdoor dog depends upon your situation - country vs. city and the breed of the dog, local laws as well as other factors I haven't thought of.

Answer 2

star_gaz gave u an excellent reference site, go there and read it. Do u know ur dog "thrives" outdoors in all kinds of weather? Because he is alive doesn`t mean he is thriving, he feels the cold and the heat the same as u do. But the ultimate cruelty, is a dog chained outside with no human contact other than to give it some food and water...period. Forced to live its entire life chained in the backyard. Now if u don`t think thats cruel, then I get the idea that ur the one thats cruel here. Your dog may live in a nice insulated doghouse packed with straw for the winter and has a nice shade tree to lay under in the summer, and u may spend time with him and see that he gets exercise but not all dogs have that luxury and thats where people get the idea that it is cruel to keep a dog outside.

Answer 3

Well...for hundreds of years people survived outdoors without any of the luxeries we have today. How about you go live outside in the heat, cold, rain, and snow? Dogs are PACK animals, this means they want to be where the family is, which normally means being INDOORS. No dog likes being stuck outside alone all or most of the time. Even a standard plastic dog house only shelters a dog so much...they really don't keep a dog very warm, or cool for that matter. Have you ever watched your dog outside when it's really cold? I bet he shivers. We as humans domesticated these animals, and thus we owe them some level of respect...we have a choice of treating them well and treating them like a part of the family or simply giving them minimal and basic care i.e. a dog house, food and water. Wolves, coyotes and all other wild animals care for themselves because they have no one else to do so...and they have no choice but to live outdoors, but you're dog is domesticated. That means he depends on you to give him everything in his life. Just because he is an animal does NOT mean that he is better off outside alone than indoors with his humans and being much more comfortable than he would ever be outside.

Answer 4

I don't get that either. I have two small dogs that stay inside (a pug and a Yorkie...the pug isn't at all attuned for being outside with a small snout, he can't breathe well enough to cool himself in hot weather and in the cold weather, his coat just doesn't cut it). But I have an 11 year old Irish Wolfhound mix that has always been an outside dog and he loves it. I have tried on several occasions over the years to bring him in and make him a part of our indoor "pack" but he's so uncomfortable being in the house. He paces around, looks out the door and whines, he hates walking on the tile or wood floor, etc. I gave up trying to do what I thought was best for him and let him decide what was best. He has a heated doghouse and water bowl in the winter and plenty of shade and room to run in the summer. We walk 5 miles together every day so he definitely is living the good life...he's a happy dog. I don't pay attention to people that make generalized statements judging folks that allow their dogs to live outside. They are animals first and foremost, dogs second, and our pets third. They have it in their genes to be outdoors, it's us humans that have made them our "babies". All my dogs are quite happy. I think it's up to the individual dog. As long as your shepard has plenty of fresh food & water, shelter and shade, with room to run and play and you give him attention, you are doing great! Good luck!

Answer 5

As long as they have adequate shelter, food, water and attention it shouldn't really matter. But why would you get a dog just to leave it outside? Does it have a purpose such as guarding the property or did your kids beg for a dog and you just leave it out there so you don't have to be bothered with him? Dogs who live outdoors are more aggressive than indoor dogs, especially German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Chows (Not saying these breeds are bad) and many more that are bred as watch dogs. Your dog is a pet, not a wild animal he may be tamed but dogs are pack orientated, they need to be in a pack environment and being tied up outside isn't.

Answer 6

In some cases it is! The reason people generally take this stance is because a lot of people abuse the outdoor thing by leaving them outside without proper shelter or food and water! In some cases regardless of the type of dog they shouldn't be outside (such as EXTREME weather).

Most people lack common sense when it comes to pets. You would think that people would realize that a pug or a dachshund is an indoor pet and shouldn't be outside all of the time, but you would be surprised how many people leave them out.

Its just easier to say "DONT LEAVE YOUR PETS OUTSIDE" than saying "don't leave your pets outside... unless you are capable of using common sense then its okay".

Some dogs (I have friends that have Great Pyrenees) just refuse to be in the house. So you have to leave them outside because as soon as you try to keep them in, they whine, paw at the door and then destroy things when you don't let them out!

Things like this, there arent clear cut right and wrong answers. Only opinions of what is right and wrong. People always think they are the exception, regardless of what it is.

But overall I do not feel it is cruel to leave a dog outside all of the time.... as long as common sense is exercised!

Answer 7

Wolves, coyotes, rabbits, deer and other wild animals stay out doors and do fine because they are in their natural habitat. A polar bear would not survive at the equator nor would a parrot survive at the North Pole. Many short haired dogs would not survive freezing weather outside. It is, in my opinion cruel to bring a St. Bernard to a hot climate.

Answer 8

Well, I think that if you have every day socialization and contact with the dog, it's alright.. but if you just leave em out there alone all day, it's not that good. Especially dogs with a more aggressive nature. Plus, German Shepherds are more hardy than say.. Dalmations, so I guess some people would be against it because of different reasons.

Answer 9

It isn't just the outdoors people have a problem with. Dogs are pack animals, to spend 90% of their time alone in your yard is not meeting the dogs needs. I do not understand why people get dogs and just leave them outside, what is the point in having a pet.
Dogs are not wild animals, they are dependant on man for there survival. Not all dogs were bred to live in cold conditions, and yes they can get very cold outside and can die without proper shelter. While a dog house may keep them from dieing I think they would be a lot warmer in the house.

Answer 10

Some dogs are happier that way, it's true. But not most.

Dogs are pack animals and it IS cruel to keep them alone in a backyard, separated from the human family that is the only pack they know. They are social creatures who thrive on interaction. Most dogs will choose to stay out in the cold to stay with their people, many choose to obey owners rather than take food directly in front of their noses, and sadly, return to masters who beat them rather than stray alone.

Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, bred to not only enjoy but NEED the companionship of humans. They aren't wild animals anymore and shouldn't be compared to them or treated like them.