large breed dogs such as Old English sheep dogs, huskys, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Pyrenees, and dozens more were bred to withstand cold weather and harsh elements and were never house pets until just recently (the last 60 years or so) wouldn't the breed have died out if it couldn't handle cold weather? why is it that everyone is concerned that a dog with a thick coat that has lived outside for hundreds if not thousands of years is going to freeze to death? i mean i agree that they should have a nice dog house but isn't it a bit over kill trying to have a 85lb house dog?
2007-11-08 17:36:31 · 10 answers · asked by Shelby L 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I don't live in a big city, i have a large yard, i have two dogs and most people in my town have outdoor dogs. I also know that it doesn't lower the life span of a dog to keep it outdoors
2007-11-08 17:57:57 · update #1
and i didn't say that I keep my husky outside(i don't) i just don't see a problem with it if your out of town for the day or whatever. sheesh!
2007-11-08 18:24:38 · update #2
hahaha, yes im sure all those big dogs will survive with a doghouse and fresh food and water outside.
as for myself, im a big softie and i hate the cold myself. id rather have my 70 lb lap dog sleeping on my toes keeping me warm rather than outside in a doghouse. thats my choice, though.
2007-11-08 17:50:01 · answer #1 · answered by Alyssa J 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are pack animals. When you bring a dog home, YOU become his pack. When you put him outside and never let him in, he feels that he has been BANISHED from the pack. He doesn't understand why, he doesn't know what he did wrong. He is confused, lonely, bored and sad.
It's ABUSE to make a dog feel like that.
Just because everyone else keeps their dogs outside, just because it's 'always been done this way' does not make it right. NO DOG should be kept outside, no matter the weather, no matter the breed. (Except professional sled dogs and they are kept in sheltered kennels with lots of other dogs.)
Why even bother HAVING a dog if you don't want to have him inside with you? Dogs are SO wonderful. If you keep your dog in the yard, you don't get to enjoy his great personality, so why spend the money to feed him? I will never, ever understand that...
2007-11-09 02:18:48 · answer #2 · answered by luvrats 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the problem is with the temperature. The problem is dogs are social animals. They need to belong to a pack and that can be human or other dogs. Just like people they need other dogs or people to be with. If they are left alone in a persons back yard for days on end they get vicious because they want companionship. The majority of people now live in cities so we can't let dogs run free and form packs. So the only way they can have a pack is if their people stay outside with them or they come inside with their people. A lot of people just leave their dogs outside for so long then bring them in at nights or when ever they can pay attention to them. Even the sled dogs as Josie mentions, they are not alone there is a pack of sled dogs.
2007-11-09 01:46:57 · answer #3 · answered by wherewhenwhatwhywho 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
we have come a long way over the years and even though those dogs lived outside most of the time doesn't mean it was right. I'm sure all dogs are happier being inside during bad weather. I also agree that if you can't keep a large dog inside then you should not have one. I love all dogs and I have one that is perfect size for my home. Also, dogs that stay out in the cold all winter long don't live as long as dogs that are loved and welcome in the house on cold winter days/nights!
2007-11-09 01:54:18 · answer #4 · answered by islandgirl0521 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Over time dogs have adjusted to our living. They are no longer wild and their bodies are no longer completely capable of handling the cold. Plus their are to many cross breeds. All in all dogs cant withstand things after so many generations and cross breeding and imbreeding. As for a dog house. If the dog has enough room and is excersized enough I dont see any reason and 85 lb dog cant be inside. It's all a matter of it the owner can handle it. To each their own
2007-11-09 01:49:54 · answer #5 · answered by Jinx 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why would you buy a pet then leave it outside? Why bother?
That never made sense to me.
Dogs need families, the same way, and for the same reasons that people do.
How would you feel left outside, tied to a sturdy, warm dog house while your family is indoors laughing, talking and just being together? You wouldn't like that one bit, would you?
It's not about temperatures/how much hair the dog has.
2007-11-09 01:45:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, even the sled dogs used in Alaska are kept in dog houses or sheltered areas and they are considered some of the heartiest dogs around. A dog should have a house big enough so that he can turn around comfortably and that will keep him out of the wind, rain, snow and intense heat. If the dog does not want to go into it, then that is the dogs choice.
2007-11-09 01:43:24 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If one has a problem keeping a large breed dog inside, they should probably get a smaller dog. It isnt certain that the dog wont survive, but it is definitely unhealthy and uncomfortable.
2007-11-09 01:43:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Dogs live in packs, that includes a human family. "Outside dogs" are often forgot about & end up with behavior problems. One of my current housedogs weighs 90lbs. They are easier to housetrain then smaller dogs.
2007-11-09 01:48:32 · answer #9 · answered by redneckcowgirlmo 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it's no problem keeping ur dog outside. coz they can adapte with the weather. in cold season their feather are growing or thicker. and they also have a fat which can warm their body. but u can let ur dog go inside sometimes. just make sure ur dog in a wealth conditions.
2007-11-09 02:26:55 · answer #10 · answered by glicious 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋