Is it cruel to leave a dog outside all day?

Outside at least 4 hours a day?!

My hound would think that is far too little, he'd look (if you couldn't see that the door is generally open) like he was abandoned if you could see into my back yard. He likes to lie by the gate, waiting for Godot I think..

My saluki though... she'd DIE if she HAD to be outside all that time. She's an out -piss -in dog. She will sunbathe for half an hour during a heatwave but otherwise shes on the sofa upside down, legs in the air for 90% of her day.

She can go almost 18 hours without a wee too if its raining. We do not DO getting wet. Ugh.

Point is, blanket rules for all dogs, just do not work. Each dog has individual needs which must be met. What suits one would be horrid for another.

You might like to meet my dog he would absolutely go daft if he wasn't left outside all day. Yes there's always someone around but he's happiest just lying in the sun.

We had a nightmare in a severe heat wave trying to keep him out of direct sunlight, even keeping him inside meant he searched out a spot of sun via a window, he's a complete sun worshipper.

If there is a tree he can shelter under it, both from sun and rain. But I'm sure he must have a kennel somewhere even if you can't see it.
But there is no guarantee he likes the kennel.

I think you are worrying about nothing. But that is something that comes from a good place.

My dog can open the back door by herself, it's a lever handle so she just paws at it. She also lets herself out into the garden, I know she's popped out as there is a sudden breeze.

Exactly this. This is how dogs are meant to live. It’s deeply unnatural for most dogs to stay inside all day. No wonder so many succomb to illnesses and don’t make old bones ( labradors etc) as they are not meant to have a life of inactivity and lack of vitamin d etc!

You know what’s very very very cruel? Keeping a dog alone in a house on a sofa or crate each day.

there are tens of thousands of people who genuinely love their dogs and don’t realise the utter mental boredom and torture their dogs go through while they go to work or school.

It is like a padded prison cell.

unless a dog is being run and played with for at least 2 hours in the morning the again at least two in the evening OUTSIDE it is simply animal cruelty ( for any mid to large breed) very minimum they should be outside for 4 hours a day.

a husky will not be happy inside. Hopefully, he gets taken for long runs and walks for a couple hours Morning and evening. Ideally they would have another dog to play with him in the day, but absolutely cannot be left inside it would be beyond unhappy.

Do you know the dog is on its own? One of my dogs spends all day outside from choice - but there is almost always someone in the house and the door is either open for her to come in or if it's closed she would bark to come in (which she doesn't do through the day). She has access to shade, shelter and water (though she prefers to drink rainwater than the water in the bowls we put outside). We also don't walk our dogs until the evening when it's cooler as they don't cope well with even moderate heat. So if you were looking into our garden you might also conclude that my dog is neglected.

Of course it could be as you fear and the dog is shut out when it would rather be in, doesn't have access to shade, shelter and water, and is never walked. So you could try reporting to the RSPCA.

You've only been watching for a few days so you don't know if this is the norm.

In all the countries I have lived in, the vast majority of dogs are kept outside in all weathers. They are able to roam though and socialise with other dogs. I don’t think being outside is the issue. Being stuck in one place all alone seems worse but there are plenty of dog owners who crate their dogs or leave them stuck indoors all day.

It's not cruel if you have a very large garden with lots of stimulation, multiple dogs to keep each other company. In that case, dogs could happily go many hours in the garden - especially huskies. Common sense needs to be employed.

However, it is true that not everyone has common sense. Huskies are usually bought for aesthetics rather than as a heat fit. They are high energy working dogs. Being alone in a boxy garden for 8 hours is not ok.

So, it depends.

Did you read the thread though? A lot of people have commented that they have dogs who are happy being in the garden. Despite owners being wfh and having open doors and enrichment activities and comfy sofas to sleep on. They want to be outside. I'm sure some dogs are practically abandoned in the garden from sunup to sundown but it's not necessarily the case here.

According to the RSPCA, dogs living outside isn't cruel and is up to the owner. I looked into this recently as a neighbour does the same. It's heartbreaking but their choice and not something the RSPCA would step in about.

100% cruel - and I would absolutely report it. People shouldn't get dogs if they can't be arsed to look after them properly and be there for them. And never EVER have a dog if there is no-one at home for more than 4-5 hours a day. If you work full time work (and you're out from say 8.15am/8.30am or earlier to after 5pm,) you should not have a dog.

It's breathtakingly cruel to leave a dog outside all day. And I am shocked at the poll results. I hope the posters who clicked on YABU don't have dogs.

I wouldn't leave my dog outside all day, but I think huskies are a bit of an acception and do really well outside, as long as they have access to shelter and water.

We have a husky and she spends most of the day outside as well as walks. She has toys, water shelter etc. When she is inside she is constantly asking to be let out- hence we tend to just leave her out there. She would let us know if she wanted to come back in. She's much happier outside. The only time she won't go out is in the rain. My husband WFH so she is never locked out. How do you know there is no one in the house?

@Glittertips I'm a Huskie owner and my girl has a favourite spot to lie in the shade watching the world go by (when not sleeping), she's out there all day unless it's raining (she doesn't like getting wet) and won't willingly come into the house during the day even though the door is always open for her, unless ive got the lawnmower out. She has 2 long walks 1 in the morning and the other at night and all the company she wants but she's just typical of the breed and is happier outside, it's the same with all the other huskies I know.

Does it have shelter? Ours are out all day but they are kennelled (working dogs, very extensive exercise and training and plenty of time on the sofa too!). They are very happy outside.

my dogs have constant access inside and outside except in really cold weather when I have to shut the kitchen door; one of my dogs spends 90% of the time outside from 7am until 9pm. By choice! She’s happy, she gets good walks and she has the choice. Like huskies, my breed is pretty bloody vocal if they aren’t happy..:

Yes but 1 by itself isn't going to be happy.

Need 2 or 3 if they're staying out + large garden

Big garden to run around with food/ water/shelter and walks before and after work, probably fine.

Small terrace yard in the rain, not so much

My neighbours have a husky type , doors open all day as they are in and the dog is outside 90% of the time just laying about . She gets walked and is very much loved and cared for , she likes being outside .

I hope it's a happy husky because those fuckers howl when they're lonely. They're pack animals.

A husky is more likely to be able to cope with living outdoors than most other breeds - it should, however, absolutely have shelter. It needs a dry, comfortable shelter with plenty of bedding. It should also have access to fresh water at all times and plenty of toys and any poo needs clearing up on a daily basis.

Assuming it has shelter, water, toys etc, I would say that the main welfare issue here would be the fact that its left alone all day, every day and isn't being walked. No dog should be left alone as much as that, indoors or outdoors, and a husky is a very, very active dog that needs a lot of exercise.

My dog has the complete run of our house and access to anything he needs, including our superking bed. He will happily lie on the front garden all day watching the world go by though. He gets walked before 7am and after 7pm tlas well.

Maybe it has a kennel and access to water.