"Velcro OWNER" - now I'd have to put myself in that category as well

I'd gladly let my dog live outside - as soon as I figure out how to live outside with him, and still be a functioning member of society (right now that happens to be a pretty urban society, and I have yet to find a good woods full of ethernet cables and coffee machines...)

Gets far too cold up here 6 months out of the year anyway, so seriously, even if I had an "outside dog", I'd have to pick another breed if I wanted it outside all through the winter months - my ridgeback would freeze.

~Natalya

I understand the weather conditions vary in such a place as the USA, over here in Belgium the weather is much the same as England We get hard Frosts and Snow inthe winter Tempetuers go down to 10 to 12C below, We have to change the water for the Dogs and Birds some four or five times a day, In thesummer it can get to 40 degs C in a hot summer, Last year i broke an egg on a Slab and it started to sizzle ,cook but normally it stays around 20 to 28 degsC, When it is hot i put a Sheet over the Run of the dogs it creates Shade and keeps the sun off them, Plus a third of the run has a roof on so they can still be outside when it is Raining. You may not bekieve it but in the warm nighs Booth Dogs sleep outside in there run they do not go into the Kennel a lot. I have come downstairs at three oclock in the morning and both are asleep outside on the Concrete Base of the run, Finally we think just as much as the Dogs who live outside and they get all the love they can take just as you good people do with your dogs who live in the house. Having been a dog owner all my life, (NOT GSDs) i found the animal to be better off outside than indoors providing there kennel is warm and comfortable and when they die a part of us dies with them the feeling is the same for all us Dog owners.
Perhaps you have bigger houses than us over here in Belgium and England, My houses have always had small rooms my present house could not hold one dog crate let alone two. the living room is not big and we have only one of them,
I was just interested as to know the reasons why the dogs were kept in side its a part of learning about different cultures which i find interesting even at the age of 67 i still like to learn, and when i post on a subject it is because i like to know and am curious about how other people go about things in a different way to my own, nothing is meant by it in a wrong sense
Steve

Steve,

I was struck by the differences of how we treat dogs in N. America vs Europe as well. I had a reletive from Europe visit once and she was almost physically sick at the idea of an "animal" sleeping in a persons bed She could not beleive this was common practice here!

My dog sleeps inside, but is kenneled outdoors at work in both the summer and the winter. Our SAR dog governing body used to pretty much insist that dogs lived outside. It was felt that only then would they have the conditioning and coat for the conditions faced in a winter or summer search.

These rules seem to have slackened a bit. Having a dog with a suitable coat for the job, and having them kenneled outside in suitable kennels at work seems to be enough for them to be well aclimatised. Also having a proper conditioning program for the season.

There was/is also the feeling in the past that why would a dog want to go out to work if it could sit inside in front of the fire/air conditioning? Also if the dog could have your attention and affection inside all day long, it would not work as well for you at its job.

For whatever reason the dogs that sleep inside these days seem to do the job just as well as those that sleep outside. Of course the inside sleeping dogs are not up on the bed (most are crated), and still lead a structured life compared to that of a pet.

I have a fenced yard and would consider an outdoor kennel and dog for my next dog. I am on the fence still. I can see benefits and pitfalls to both. Many of which have been discussed in this thread. I think it can work just fine either way if you keep your goals for yourself and your dog in mind.

Cheers,

Texas...100+ heat...black GSD...no bueno

even with a baby pool outside for her to cool off in, it's way to hot in S.E. Texas for a black dog in the middle of the summer.

however, when it's raining or cold(well, cold for Houston) Brenna loves being outside...either rolling in the mud puddles or tearing back and forth in the crisp winter air!

heartworms with so many biting insects is always a concern, too..even with heartworm meds.

Yes, Heather you said it out loud but thats nothing to be bothered about, and in this day and age its better to have the dogs with you to keep you safe. I fully understand now why you good people have the dogs inside, To have over an acre of Garden would be a dream for me, I think of the Pigeon Loft i could have if i could afford it that is a Double decker with the racers on top and Breeders down the bottom and the two extensive Dog runs next to the Loft. a Dream it would be, But i am happy with our Garden We have around 40 Rose Bushes in Different Parts, and a Border Shrub Garden. The rest of it is Lawn for the dogs to play they like to lay under the Landing Board of the Pigeon Loft, My house is Small over 100 years old, a typical Belgian House with Tiled Floors downstairs, and Big Old Oak Beams in the ceiling of the Living Room, Not fancy but does the Job for my brother and Me, we are never in there long in any day
Steve