Does anyone have a dog that sleeps outside, in a kennel or similar?

[Cadelaide]

Could we do that? I have a feeling everyone caves in and brings them indoors, don't they?

DD is desperate for a puppy. Our house is pretty small for the 5 of us and I'm not keen on the doggy carpet smell.

I do know plenty about dogs, btw. I've always had them, DP never. I need to convert him.

don't do it myself, but if you get the right breed and the right kennel it should be ok. possible downside though might be reduced opportunities for socialisation - would it ever be allowed in? would it greet guests, be around children etc?

Yes, I'm imagining just sleeping out there.

The dog, not me.

Actually, thinking about it, I reckon I might get 8 hrs uninterrupted if I slept outside in a kennel.

tempting!

my neighbours do,
yap yap yap yap yap yap yap
from 7 in the morning.
and cries of get out

Here in the countryside (oo arr) lots of dogs are outdoor dogs. A couple of friends have labs who live out all the time and have done from puppies. In fact one still is a puppy. They are happy, healthy, social dogs.

i don't personally think it's right. surely thats not in the winter too

No problem as long as the dog is used to it and has a good warm, waterproof kennel.

I was thinking about this the other day as would love a dog, but

a) think I would too soft to send it out in winter (although our house is usually just as bloody cold inside as it is out)
b) think all my animal barmy (really really animal barmy) neighbours would cry all the way to the RSPCA

If you do it, it has to be permanent really. Not fair to just put the dog outside in the cold if it is used to living indoors.

They need stimulation too, otherwise barking can be a problem.

next door but one has outside dogs - trained gundogs - which do bark and clang their metal bowls about.

The alternative approach to the doggy smell problem is to get something smallish and shorthaired. Our dachshund really doesn't smell the place out. He has a a crate to sleep in (the door left open, in the kitchen) and while his bedding smells a bit if you put your nose right in there its easily washed and really not a problem.

We kennel our hound, here in Melbourne, and believe me, it gets cold in winter here. He has his own run for night times and when we're at work. If we're in the house, so is he.

He wears a cheapo version of a doggy Drizabone in winter and LOVES it. We say "bed" and he rushes to the drawer where the coat is kept.

He 's been kennelled since 3 moths old. We thought the entire idea was cruel, at first, but it works and he loves it.

He does not bark or whine, but that's just our good luck.

Whats the point of getting a dog and sticking it outside? Like humans, they need companionship and need to be with people. If you are going to leave it outside please don`t bother getting a dog!

i agree with staffylover

seems cruel to get a dog and then make it live outside

saying that the dog in our local pub seems to live outside, but thats his choice

he does have a bed inside by bar but very rarely have i seen him on it

the pub door is always open but i have seen him in the rain and snow - just laying in carpark

he is very welcome in the pub and will come in for food/cuddles etc, but seems to LIKE being outside

werid thing