Outdoor Dog vs. Indoor Dog

[FortCluck]

As others have said, it depends why you are getting a dog, the breed, the climate, the provisions, etc. If you live in the Arctic and want a sled dog, you don't get a Chihuahua. If you live on the Russian steppes and need a sheep guardian, it probably isn't going to sleep in your bed.

I wanted my Sheltie to share my bed, but when I moved into tick territory - and got married! - those plans changed, lol! She still sleeps in our bedroom, though.

We have neighbors with "outdoor" dogs. I see them running together, sometimes miles from home. Apparently they don't have adequate fences. As others have said, dogs need something to do, or they will find something.

Good luck as you make your decision!

I have similar neighbors like that and it drives me crazy... Tick season is the worst when you have dog sleeping in your bed I spray mine with an herbal spray for dogs and it's worked for about 10 years. Sometimes one will hitch a ride so it can come get us in bed.

 

[NHMountainMan]

One of my dog sleeps in a kennel at the foot of our bed, two sleep in the bed, and one guards the house...

The one that sleeps in the kennel came to us trained for a kennel at night. The two that sleep in the bed, one of them has always slept in my bed even before my husband came into the picture, the other one snuck her way in and we never kicked her out. The one who guards the house is part Pitbull and absolutely knows that's her job.

Mine are mostly for family companions and nothing more even though my pug can wrangle up a chicken and 2.2 seconds...

We do want to get one that does outside work with our animals, but we are waiting until we have goats and that's what the dog will be with.

I definitely agree with you that a dog that does not have a job, will definitely cause a lot of destruction. some people get work dogs and think that they're going to keep them inside, this is a very bad idea, they will turn your house upside down.

I said dogs out of habit. It’s actually only one right now. I’m in denial that I had to euthanize my best friend about 5 weeks ago. My dogs are/were greater Swiss mountain dog / great pyr mixes. The older one was training for mountain/avalanche rescue when I got diagnosed with cancer. So I had a working dog I couldn’t work. What was amazing was how he decided taking care of me was his job. He seriously knew how crappy a day I was going to have before I did. He was big enough that I used him as a crutch to help me to the bathroom and would lay with me while was getting sick. After I recovered, I got him certified as a support dog, and brought him to the kids cancer ward. He’d pull kids in a wagon. I ended up getting his younger brother, who’s still with me. He’s a great dog (my avatar pic) and has this uncanny guarding ability with chickens. He could be out cold snoring on the porch, and smap awake when a hawk starts circling overhead. I have no idea how he does that!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Nobody has fences around here. Dogs run loose until you see them dead on the road. I don't know what I will do when Gracie dies of old age, she is the first dog I have ever had without a fenced yard. She stays home, but we are 3 miles from a road. I am not sure I would trust another dog to do the same.

 

[FortCluck]

I said dogs out of habit. It’s actually only one right now. I’m in denial that I had to euthanize my best friend about 5 weeks ago. My dogs are/were greater Swiss mountain dog / great pyr mixes. The older one was training for mountain/avalanche rescue when I got diagnosed with cancer. So I had a working dog I couldn’t work. What was amazing was how he decided taking care of me was his job. He seriously knew how crappy a day I was going to have before I did. He was big enough that I used him as a crutch to help me to the bathroom and would lay with me while was getting sick. After I recovered, I got him certified as a support dog, and brought him to the kids cancer ward. He’d pull kids in a wagon. I ended up getting his younger brother, who’s still with me. He’s a great dog (my avatar pic) and has this uncanny guarding ability with chickens. He could be out cold snoring on the porch, and smap awake when a hawk starts circling overhead. I have no idea how he does that!

I got my pug when I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. She is so dear to my heart, I don't know what I would do without her. Dogs are amazing!

Your story made me tear up. I can relate in one million ways!

 

[wyoDreamer]

I think Indoor dog/outdoor dog depends entirely on what type of dog you get, where you live and your lifestyle.

We have 2 dogs at the moment. They are large breed dogs - a 5 year old German Shepherd and a 13 year old English Setter. the shepherd is over 110 pounds and the setter is about 60 pounds. We live in the country on 25 acres, most of it old pasture and hay field.

At night, they sleep in the house because I don't like them barking all night while I am trying to sleep. Recently we have been locking them in their kennels at night because the old dog has taken to peeing in the house during the night.
First thing in the morning, they go outside to potty. Then they come in and spend an hour or so with us as we all have breakfast.

They have a 1/4 acre fenced yard that they are in all day while we are at work. They have a "doghouse". The garden shed was the hired hands house back when the farm was built, and the doghouse is the front room of the little 3 room building. They have dog beds in there to sleep on with a flap dog door that lets them have free access to the yard.

They come inside for the evening and to eat supper. They go outside to potty right before bedtime.

The dogs get to spend time with us as we are doing chores on the property; both after work and on weekends. The Shepherd will tell you that is cruel and inhumane to make him stay in the house any longer than he has to in the morning. Basically, as soon as his breakfast is done, he wants out. The setter just wants to sleep in the house all day, lol.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We've had outside dogs. They do okay if properly housed. Certain breeds like livestock guarding breeds and those that need to be acclimated to the outside temperatures do better outside, like hunting dogs. We no longer keep outside dogs.

A solitary dog outside is no way for a dog to live. They need company. They need their pack. A dog is the only species that will choose a human over their own kind for company. We have bred them for that trait, not all breeds, but many.

So pick your breed carefully if you desire an outside dog. Many of those breeds are less inclined towards human company, but they need a job.

I prefer my dog with me whether I'm outside or in. Hair, dirt, slobber, they all are a part of owning a dog. If you don't like that stuff you won't like dogs in my opinion.

Picking the best breed based on what traits you desire will make dog ownership an enjoyable experience. Pick the wrong breed, and you and the dog will be unhappy.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I got my pug when I was diagnosed with a life threatening illness10 years ago... She is so dear to my heart, I don't know what I would do without her. I'm on a continuous IV medication called Veletri and She barks when the pump makes noises because it's not supposed to. Dogs are amazing!

Your story made me tear up. I can relate in one million ways!

He was 12.5 really old for a giant breed. I’m still debating whether we are going to get a pup to keep my other boy company. After getting a giant breed, I’ll never go back to a regular size dog. Always had retrievers before. I’m thinking Meremma, Anatolian or Akbash. I like the idea of 2 dogs— we get a lot of bear in the area.

@Aquatic_blue - as you can see- we dog people are pretty passionate!

 

[FortCluck]

He was 12.5 really old for a giant breed. I’m still debating whether we are going to get a pup to keep my other boy company. After getting a giant breed, I’ll never go back to a regular size dog. Always had retrievers before. I’m thinking Meremma, Anatolian or Akbash. I like the idea of 2 dogs— we get a lot of bear in the area.

@Aquatic_blue - as you can see- we dog people are pretty passionate!

Yeah your location definitely has bears. I think two would be better than one but I have four dogs so I'll always opt for more dogs. I even have a cat that acts like a dog, I got him for mice but he decided he would be a dog instead.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I said dogs out of habit. It’s actually only one right now. I’m in denial that I had to euthanize my best friend about 5 weeks ago. My dogs are/were greater Swiss mountain dog / great pyr mixes. The older one was training for mountain/avalanche rescue when I got diagnosed with cancer. So I had a working dog I couldn’t work. What was amazing was how he decided taking care of me was his job. He seriously knew how crappy a day I was going to have before I did. He was big enough that I used him as a crutch to help me to the bathroom and would lay with me while was getting sick. After I recovered, I got him certified as a support dog, and brought him to the kids cancer ward. He’d pull kids in a wagon. I ended up getting his younger brother, who’s still with me. He’s a great dog (my avatar pic) and has this uncanny guarding ability with chickens. He could be out cold snoring on the porch, and smap awake when a hawk starts circling overhead. I have no idea how he does that!

I missed this until it got quoted. It is a great story, and how blessed you are to have this wonderful partner! Thank you for sharing him with the kids. I've coveted a Berner since I first saw a pic of one decades ago, as a kid, but it would not be fair to have one here. I've told Jesus I want one in heaven, though!

ETA I know a Berner is not the same as a Greater Swiss. Similar, though! They are all awesome.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I missed this until it got quoted. It is a great story, and how blessed you are to have this wonderful partner! Thank you for sharing him with the kids. I've coveted a Berner since I first saw a pic of one decades ago, as a kid, but it would not be fair to have one here. I've told Jesus I want one in heaven, though!

ETA I know a Berner is not the same as a Greater Swiss. Similar, though! They are all awesome.

Very similar- just much less shedding for the Swiss’s!