Dogs- keep them inside or out?

Question

When my father was a little younger than me his family kept a dog to take care of vermin (they had a cat too, but it was too fat and slow to catch anything not already dead- the whole street fed it apparently!).

He tell me how, back in the day, dogs in the country were kept to work rather than look pretty. His old dog slept in a nice dry brick kennel (with heating from the house, I add), ate purely what the family left after meals (no junk food then, remember- it was all cooked meat and veg) and was never sick enough to need a vet. In exchange for it's board it caught all of the rats and saw away any unwelcome people off of the doorstep.

It sounds to me like his old dog had a great life but didn't have any of the luxury that todays pets do; so was this wholly a bad approach?

The dog was a whippet

Answer 1

When I had the farm, my dogs were allowed to be indoors or out. They chose outside about 1/2 the time, but most of them came in to sleep at night. However, two of them preferred to be outside with the other animals they watched over...One only came in to 'visit' as he loved his job of caring for the exotic livestock.. He was uncomfortable after just a few minutes indoors.(Great Pyrenees) The other one loved the feral cats.. they would sleep ON him when it was cold out.

However, we have always had little dogs, as well as the large breeds..The little dogs only wanted to be where we were, whether in or out..

Answer 2

Life was probably a little safer back when your father was young. Actually, except for the food, our dogs were pretty much the same while I was growing up. We lived out in the country and had a very self-sufficient German Shepherd. We could cut open a 40 pound bag of dog food, leave the food in the garage, and leave on vacation. There was a stream at the bottom of the hill, and Stash went there to drink or cool off in the summer, then went into the garage and ate when he wanted. He'd patrol the property several times a night, then sleep in a box by the front door. I don't remember ever taking him to the vet, and he lived to be about 10.

Answer 3

That works well for farm dogs. Most people today live in urban/suburban areas and that would not work at all. We have laws against dogs running wild and probably for good reason. Also, most people want a pet for companionship. You would miss out on a lot of love that a pet has to give if you leave it outside. I guess it depends on your climate also. Here in Chicago area it gets WAY too cold to leave a dog outside without some kind of heat even if there is shelter.

Answer 4

It was legal but not kind-dogs should be kept indoors as they love human company-especially whippets they are an affectionate breed.

I bet it didn't live as long as it would have as a pet either.

He saw off unwelcome people?I'm sorry but who the hell would be scared of a whippet!They are known for being poor guard dogs as although they can catch people-being sighthounds they are fast-when they catch them they want to be patted.It's a sighthound thing.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like he was well taken care of! Things back then where different then they are now. Most people get dogs to be a companion not a worker. not saying that it was wrong just a different way of life. As long as a dog is take care of and well fed then there is not problem, I personally treat my dog as a member of the family, he only goes outside to potty and play!!

Answer 6

Your father's dog most likely died earlier than if he'd been property taken care of. The fact that he never needed a vet was probably because no one paid enough attention to him to know if he needed a vet or not. The dog was most likely full of worms, parasites and ear mites. I think its probably not all that great a feeling being covered in fleas and ticks, having worms, and anyone who's ever seen a dog with ear mites knows how that bothers a dog by the constant scratching. I doubt he had all that great a life, I'm guessing no one noticed how he was doing one way or another. So yeah, it's a bad approach.

My dogs would love to have people food all the time, but I know its not healthy, so they get dog food. They're both spayed and have had all their vaccinations. They get flea and tick preventative, we watch for worms, check their ears for mites, clean them regularly, and then theres that horrible bath thing we go thru, washing two large dogs who don't want a bath. But we do it anyway, because they need it. They go out when they want, the come in when they want, but quite honestly, they rather be wherever we are. They are part of our family and keeping them healthy is our job.

Answer 7

if you have a dog for house keeping then pretty well what you said but if you have a dog for a pet its only natural he is going to be in with the family and pampered but the old dog was happy he had all the scrapings and any old bones from the butcher FREE no tinned food in those far off days

Answer 8

It wasnt a bad approach as such. I was brought up on a farm and have seen many happy dogs in the situation you describe.
I think as long as they get companionship,comfort and enough to eat then that is all they need.
Im a softy with animals though and would rather have my pet in the house with me than think of it lying alone outside.

Answer 9

No sounds fine to me. Dogs now-a-days are over pampered!! Hence why dogs are getting fatter. There is nothing wrong with leaving a dog outside so long as it is not too cold, and still looked after!! Sounds like your father's dog was well cared for!!

Answer 10

It worked for them. It just depends on what you need and want. My westie is an indoor dog because I like her companionship and my husband and I enjoy having her sit on the couch to be petted. I've had dogs in the past (growing up) that were outside similar to what you describe. It doesn't really matter if the dog is taken care of and provided for.