To keep a dog outside

[curious86]

Was wondering if anyone has a dog that they keep outside in the day. We've been looking at getting a dog for a long time and now we are at the right time to give our attention to a dog we were wondering what dog breed is ok to be outside in the day, we would have kennel and stuff but I would like a small breed dog. Could somebody please give me some advice

[Shadowboy]

We have a huge garage with sofas in and carpet etc. Ours live there during the day when we are at work but a dog walker still comes at lunchtime. One is a malamute and the other a Doberman

[Coloursthatweremyjoy]

I agree with Laurie. My dog sleeps a lot.

4 hours would be fine to leave alone during the day but mine is inside. When I work from home one day a week he curls into his bed and snores occasionally looking at me as if I am invading his space.

I'd be worried about barking and security if he was outside on his own for 4 hours and he's a good dog.

[ColdCrumpetsandButter]

Only working dogs are permanently kennelled outside. They are bred to do a job and do that job most days so are out of kennels working for the majority of the day being mentally and physically stimulated so come back to their kennel and crash out.

Pet dogs generally struggle with kennels because they are pets and different to dogs with a job. If you don't want the mud/dirt then I'm not sure a dog is really for you and why wouldn't you want them indoors with you? Dogs are companions after all.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Dogs sleep fuck tons. Once it's trained, 4 hours dozing in front of a warm radiator snuggled up with a toy is fine.

No longer than that though for me.

[Slightlycoddled]

Op I think it's probably best to give a dog the option as to whether they want to be in or out (if you can) as most dogs don't necessarily prefer to be out just for the sake of being outside ifyswim!. My daschunds for example hate the rain! I leave the French windows open for them (enclosed garden) and they largely choose to stay indoors except in warm weather and even then, they prefer one of us with them as they are very sociable. They love frequent long walks though and could walk forever!

If you are getting a rescue you will need to build up to leaving them for 4 hrs (same with puppy - much longer
process though) until they feel comfortable and you can assess toileting levels etc.

We have two adoptees and I'd highly recommend getting your rescue when you are about to have time off work (we got ours before the Easter holidays and - contrary to popular opinion - just as this Christmas holiday started) because we knew one of us would be home for a full fortnight while they settled in. We were very lucky that they just happened to become available at these times though.

Good luck if you choose a rescue! We have endless pleasure (and increased fitness for us!) with ours and to give a dog a loving home is really rewarding as you will see them relax and blossom! It's not without it's challenges but really worth it.

[nevermindthebollox]

If you're going for a small breed what about a dog flap so he/she can choose if it wants to go outside?

[kissmewherethesundontshine]

Mine choose where they want to be...the wimpy Yorkshire terrier needs dragging outside to toilet, the Dogue de Bordeaux only likes to come in when she smells tea cooking the rest of the time she prefers being in the old coal house on a mattress but she chooses.
4 hours would be fine for a hardy breed if they are with you when you are in the house

[GinaCarbonara]

Being in the garden for four hours during the day is very different from living outside permanently. If it lives in the house the rest of the time and has plenty of walks and mental stimulation during the day I don't see an issue.

[HoraceCope]

personally i think 4 hours left a day would be ok in the house

[curious86]

Ok I see all your points and didn't mean to offend anyone. That's why I asked the question. My dog would be alone for 4 hours of the day but I don't want to shut him in the house I thought he would be happier in the fresh air and with plenty of room to exercise before I can take him for a walk.
I would go to a rescue home and speak to the breeders aswell and wouldn't do it rationally it would also have a kennel with all the stuff it needed

[cleowasmycat]

Just saw this

[starzig]

Do you have neighbours? Maybe they don't want a nice window view of a dog. Not to mention any barking.

[coppercolouredtop]

I have a gsd and he really loves being out when he decides he wants to be out - but his favourite place is between me n dp on the sofa. He would get very lonely I think on his own outdoors all day. He demands attention. If you are there and ignore him you suddenly get a paw on your knee and two big brown eyes looking pleadingly at you.
He has his winter coat (he is long haired) and the dust /hair seems me hovering twice a day but he really wants to be with us inside most of the time.

[Margotsmom]

Why don’t you build the kennel and you live in it for a week and see how you feel ? Then decide if you are ready for a dog ?

[RLOU30]

Mine loves the recliner

[LEMtheoriginal]

TUTLE you might have a point!

[Tutlefru]

I beg to differ LEM...

It’s an armchair or nothing..

[BigusBumus]

A small breed dog would be unhappy and cold outside. My JRTs shiver constantly in this weather, even inside!

[IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere]

If your dog is left outside there is the risk of it being a noise nuisance to your neighbours and there is increased risk of it being stolen.

I have a Jack Russell and a husky. Both of whom will spend 15/20 minute periods in the garden but spend more time on the sofa. They are both intelligent, independent breeds - the sort of dogs to cause trouble if bored or stressed.

I am sure that left unattended the husky would work out a way to escape from any run or garden he was enclosed in. The Jack Russell would just be a nuisance - barking and howling because he was lonely.

I have friends with gundogs who sleep in heated kennels overnight but who spend the day with the family. I know how much they love their dogs but it is not a routine that would suit me.

Unless you have a heated/air conditioned secure kennel and large secure exercise area then it is not healthy for the dog.

[LEMtheoriginal]

A dogs favourite place is in front of the fire!

[LEMtheoriginal]

My oldboss keeps his dogs outside. They have a heated shed as a kennel. The difference being these are working gundogs that are trained and worked daily.

What the OP if it is even real is suggesting is cruel and neglectful.

[Slightlycoddled]

I know working pointers and border collies who live outside. It's not usual for small breeds in the UK , although I do know a Jack Russell that prefers to spend the majority of time outside who has the option to go in ifyswim (racing stable). He'll bed himself down in piles of hay or in horse boxes quite happily but he also gets lots of human attention throughout the day. The only breed I can think of is a husky but I have my reservations about those being kept in private homes tbh (apologies to any good husky owners on here).

[hugoagogo]

I am surprised, so many people keep their dogs indoors, I grew up with dogs that slept either in an outhouse or a proper run attached to the house. During the day they had the run of the large garden and went on long walks over the fields and were happy and loved.
We live in a small house with a tiny garden in a town- I would never keep a dog here. I have friends in similar circumstances that do, their dog is always destroying her things and making a mess- seems a bit cruel to me.

[Tutlefru]

I’m confused if you’ve got the time and attention to give a dog why keep it outside? Unless you’ll spend all day outside too?

Don’t get a dog just to keep it outside and not in the comfort of your home.

[fabmaz]

Hi,

My dog loves going out in the garden and running round having lots of fun but also loves being inside and snuggling up on the sofa.

Make sure you can offer both inside and outside time :)