What is wrong with having an "outside" dog?

Question

Ok, after seeing and answering a question about keeping a dog outside, I have to wonder why most people in this forum have such a problem with it.

I have two dogs, both are outside. I live on 1,065 acres of land and have a small country home.

My dogs get regular vet check-ups, they are not neglected or ignored in any way, and I work with them for the majority of the day doing tasks on the ranch.

They have proper housing for winter and summer months, and I take them inside should the weather be hazardous: storms, weather exceeding 100 degrees or falling below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Please tell me, what is wrong with my situation?

I'm sure many people who keep their dogs outside live in similar situations. My dogs are large, and I think stuffing them in my 3 bedroom home is more cruel than letting them have free range to roam on my land.

I understand that many people chain their dogs and neglect them, and I agree that those situations are unacceptable.

However, I think we need to give the people who post questions like this on Y!A the benefit of the doubt.

The people who post questions about keeping their dogs outside ask because they care about their animals and want to know what it best for them.

It is the people who do NOT ask these questions that we need to be concerned about, because these people are the real culprits who abuse their animals and have no conscience to the environment their dog lives in.

I suppose my point is, we need to stop attacking people who are asking these things like this. If we have an opinion on the matter, we should express it maturely and not grind out the ever popular: "OMG yur a aminal abuzer!"

Roni, I've already stated that I spend the majority of the day doing ranch work with them. One is a Shepherd, and works cattle for me. The other is a Lab, who sometimes retrieves, but mostly walks the rounds with me checking fences or follows near my horse when we go riding.

Debby J, you make a very strong arguement, and kudos to you for making your strong counter-arguement while still maintaining a mature and logical approach. :)

To give a little more information to your points:

As far as breeds, one dog is a yellow Lab, the other a black and tan Shepherd mix. The Lab has a relatively thin coat, the Shepherd moreso, so I really don't have a big fear of them overheating. As I said, if the weather get exceedingly hot I'll bring them in. Many times I'll give them a bath to cool them off, or wet the porchboards to cool them down. I had a kiddie pool once, but they didn't take to it. We have 2 lakes on the property as well.

For the good point of leaving the property, I am surrounded on three sides by ranchers' adjacent lands. I'm friendly with all of them, and they've met my dogs frequently and can recognize them. The other side is connected to a dirt road, which runs for a few miles in either direction.

Sorry, ran out of room. ^^;

You're right about the rabies situation--my dogs have encountered one too many skunks for my liking. They're always out on the prowl for wild animals, and once they even caught and killed a fox. Very good point.

The small town that I live nearby has a population of about 2,000, so it's very small, and people are usually low income. Research labs are not common here...the citizens had to fight just to keep a doctor's office alive and standing.

My dogs are working animals. One herds my cows to the pens for the night, and the other sometimes (but not very often) collects quail and dove from hunts.

I'm glad I asked this question. I see a lot of interesting opinions. :)

Answer 1

I personally don't see anything wrong with an outside working dog. I grew up on a 50 acre farm and all the dogs were outside, fixed, up to date with shots and given food and given better shelter when the weather called for it. Otherwise they had a small, strudy,insulated leanto built onto the house where they slept and they were never chained, they always knew to come when called.

(I'm playing devils advocate here)
I think the issue a lot of people have can boil down to a "city mouse" vs "country mouse" situation. A lot of city people just don't understand me when I try to explain that dogs function perfectly well outside and that pack order is actually strengthened by it. Pack leader gets best sleeping spot but will share when it's in the best interest of the pack, makes sense to me. But as a country person I am confused to no end by people who dress up their dogs for fun or carry them around like rag dolls. To me they're living creatures that should be treated like living creatures not toys. Granted I have a snowsuit for my dog but it's to keep her from freezing when the snow flies. I think the thought of keep a dog outside instead of coddling them is just a confusing concept to city people. They see it as torture. And as a country person I see all this dog mania as close to cruelty with the clothes and rediculous coddling and designer breeds.
Again, playing devil's advocate here people.

Answer 2

Well, alot depends on the breed, and other information that is not listed. A black dog in the heat, will feel the affects of sun alot more than say a white dog. A long coated breed may become wet in the weather. If the coat is not dried to the skin, it may start to mildew and rot, and create hot spots, which can then form sores on the skin. Not all dogs know to come in out of the rain.

While you having alot of acreage is nice, there are in all states leash laws requiring owners of dogs to contain them.
If your dogs are to leave the property, you would be responsible for any damage they may impose. They may wander onto a road, and become victim to a car accident, which you may be required to pay any damage to the owner, because of your not properly controlling your dog.

Your pets safety should be of primary concern. While you may think your dog will not leave your property. Other animals may come onto your property. Your dog could be attacked by other wild dogs or loose dogs from neighboring areas.
Your dog could come into contact with a wild animal that has rabies, or leptospirosis or distemper. Even if your dog is vaccinated for rabies, this only means they cannot pass on the disease, they stay will contract it and could die.

Other issues are the fact that there are people who steal dogs for research purposes. You could be the victim of a dog napper. You would not want your pets to fall victim.

Also, your pets could become bored with life as usual and start bad habits like chasing cars, or livestock. Many states have laws that allow farmers to shoot any animal that is harassing livestock. Your dogs could be shot if they take to chasing sheep or chickens or cattle. In herding breeds what may be responding to the herding instinct, may be seen as chasing the livestock.

The safety of your pet should be foremost important. Your pet should not be unattended and left in a position of danger. My personal belief is that a dog belongs with its master. If that is in the house part of the day and outside part. So be it. But legally, unless the dog is working sheep or something, it is your job to contain your pet.

Answer 3

You said;
"I'm sure many people who keep their dogs outside live in similar situations."

The problem is that they don't - and the majority of people who have outside dogs are not responsible, are not living on large farms or ranches, are not socialized, are chained, not spayed or neutered, not vetted, not well fed and ignored.

They are left vunerable to all weather with poor shelter, are flea and tick bitten, lonely, frustrated and many go insane.

An outdoor dog has an address, not a home.

These are not dogs with jobs who work all day. They are generally not dogs who were bred to do certain jobs and live outside the way dogs did 100 years ago. Very few owners of outside dogs are responsible, they are ignorant. AND... I am not saying ALL, so please don't get all bent out of shape.

The more a dog is outdoors, the less behavioral control you have. It's easier to solve four or five indoor problems than one outdoor problem. The reason is valid and simple: The more you control the stimuli that reaches your dog, the more you control the responses. You've got a lot more control over your living room than you do over your entire county! When your dog is bored, but teased by every dog, cat, bird, squirrel, motorcycle, paperboy, airplane, firecracker and backfiring truck in the county,

When a dog is alone indoors, you are still 30% there because your scent and things he associates with you constantly remind the dog of you and your training.

When he's out, your dog is alone whether you're home or not. Unless people have daily, working dogs, why have one at all if it lives outside? Even then why can't they be inside?

Answer 4

1) Dogs are pack animals and are very social and should not be separated from the pack (meaning you and your family) for long periods of time.

2) Exposure to the elements such as excessive rain, wind, snow, and heat and cause injury or illness. In the wild dogs have free range to hide where they need or migrate.

3) Parasites are everywhere. Keeping a dog outside puts it at a greater risk of exposure to ticks which can carry lyme disease, mosquitos that transmit heartworm, and fleas which can cause minor bacterial infections and sking problems.

4) Rabies and leptospirosis are both fatal diseases which can be spread through wild animals. Lepto is contracted through bodily fluids and can easily be contracted through licking plants that have been urinated on by other forms of wildlife. Parvo is another big factor and while you may have had your dog vaccinated the vaccines are not 100% guaranteed and are simply meant as a preventative measure.

5) Your dog is left outside where local kids can easily abuse the dog or dog fighters can take your dog and end up fighting it or use it as "bait."

6) Each breed is designed for a specific climate. For example Saint Bernards are meant for cold climate and Labradors for warmer climate. If a dog is not designed for the climate it is in it can dehydrate faster and die of heat exhaustion.

Answer 5

Your situation seems okay to me, but one question, do you spend lots of time with them? Because they really thrive for that attention! If you do, then you seem to be giving your dogs a great life!! Also dogs love that "pack" feeling and they get it better when they are able to sleep in the same place as their owners; multiple dogs are left outside, it makes it easier for the dogs to cope. Especially if the owner spends a lot of time with them!

Though I disagree with you when you say that many people who keep their dogs outside line in similar situations. Not many people are able to keep there dogs in situations like that. Every person I have known that keeps their dogs outside doesn't do that, they leave them in a small yard and hardly care for them. I think that is why most people have a problem with leaving dogs outside, because many people do it in a cruel way. Though I am sure that there are other people out there who treat their dogs as wonderfully as you do and keep them outside.

I have never called someone on Yahoo an animal abuser, so.. yeah.... But I agree, we need to worry about the people who don't ask the questions, because the people who do ask, generally have good intentions and are caring for their animal.

Answer 6

Personally I have no problem with how your provide for your dogs as this sounds ideal for them. You do need to remember about them being pack animals and being familiar with you lest ways you could be attacked by your own dogs. It does happen as owners forget to befriend the animals they have in their care.

However, when you have a little dog like the one that lived behind me in a cage that was no bigger than 3x3x3, and the fleas, biting flies, and mosquitoes were eating him up. His food he had to fight the birds for, and he would turn his drinking water over because there wasn't enough room for him to turn around. There was no exercise for him much less anyone coming out to see him or play with him, these are the things people have problems with. He was so matted and dirty that he didn't look like a dog. I called the animal shelter several times, till finally they took him away. This poor dog cried and barked himself silly from the lonliness. Every time they got a dog after that, I made it my business to make sure no other dog was ever mistreated like that in their care by checking on their dogs. They finally gave up and no longer have one. I don't feel bad either because of the suffering that they put their animals through. We live in a hot humid part of Texas, and it was inhumane to see what was going on.

Answer 7

I don't see any problem with it, provided they have everything they need to live a healthy, stable lifestyle. It sounds to me like you are a very responsible owner, and I applaud the way you raise your dogs.

My only qualms are when a dog is tied up in a backyard 24/7, or gets little to no attention from the owner.

Or even if there's no chain, but the dogs still get no attention. Dogs are pack animals. They need to be around their pack and pack leader. Even if there's many dogs in the yard, they'd still need the attention of owners.

Just throwing a dog in your backyard, regardless of how many there are, and not socializing, training, or spending time with them is no life for them.

Answer 8

For a lot of dogs, outside means the dog is often neglected, lonely and bored. I used to be a dog groomer and remember a client that literally forgot about his dog for about a month and the dog was literally dying- completely matted and very very skinny and weak. We told him to take it to a Vet immediately, asked which Vet and checked with the Vet to be sure it went in there. It was serious abuse. I have also seen many yard dogs that are chained up are who spend hrs on end in yards where they get occasional attention, but mostly just someone feeding and watering them.

You work with your dogs and they have all that you say they have, that sounds like doggie heaven on earth! I am sure they are very happy and well cared for by you. I would much rather have your situation of all that land and working with the dogs like that than my urban life for them, but mine are well cared for in our urban lifestyle.

Sounds great to me.

Answer 9

Your dogs sound like they have a wonderful life.I think the animals that people are talking about on Answers are the dogs who are kept chained for their entire lives,or kept in tiny kennels,and never get any attention.I have had outside dogs all my life,too,and they have always been well treated,fed and had regular vet care and exercise,and they were LOVED.Some people should never have pets,indoors or out,as indoor dogs are often left in crates for hours,or locked in the basement and never get outside.So,there are good and bad owners in each situation.You are obviously a good owner,and your dogs are lucky.

Answer 10

Dogs are pack animals and want to be with their family (you). Keeping them outside robs them of socialization and being with the pack. they need to have a pecking order established with you at the top, if you are always inside an they are out, then it doesn't happen. Invest in a doggy door, or let them roam for a few hours a day and still come inside with their pack leader (you). Also having a lot of land is great but you still need to walk and exercise your animals like throw a ball or frisbee. They need at least 60 min of exercise a day. Also never chain an animal, chaining makes them agressive. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water and food if you do keep them outside. Sometimes they tip over the bowls or ants get in them. I don't like the idea of keeing a dog always outside though, nor do I like keeping them always in. I know that sometimes my dog pretends he has to go potty only to sunbathe, so there should be a middle ground.