What type of facilities does one recommend for whelping a litter--completely indoor with scheduled outside time, completely secured indoor/outdoor kennel, or completely secured outdoor?

Thanks!

Well, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "completely secured indoors with scheduled outside time," but our bitches have their litters in our home, in a back bedroom. There is a whelping pen there and all the equipment/supplies I need for delivering the litter. I can also very easily keep the temperature constant. The bitch is permitted to go outside to potty if she needs to, but usually, she is so preoccupied with labor, and I moniter her closely enough that she will probably have gone before she begins hard labor and won't go again until its all over. The pups are not allowed outside until approximately 4 weeks old and have recieved their first puppy vacs. This is probably close to what you meant by that statement.

I feel this is the best way for me, but if you have more dogs and an indoor/outdoor kennel invironment that the bitches are used to, then this may be the way to go. Keep in mind that the pups need to be in an area where the temp is closely monitered and controlled as they can not regulate their own body temp for the first few weeks, and the area should be protected from the elements and from exposure to disease and kept clean and dry.