Inside vs outside dog - Page 6

So TwoMoons,

When you said a shed is not a kennel, did you mean a shed may not be enough and thus suggested me to get a kennel???

Kishore

Having lived with both 'outside' and 'inside' GSDs, all I would
add to what has already been said is that the dogs who
lived in kennels seemed to 'bond' with me just as readily
as my 'housepets',  but both the full GSDs I've had as house
dogs were actually raised originally as outside dogs.  A GSD-
cross who spent some time with me was mainly an indoor
dog, who later became neglected and was left outside, rescued
by friends who he then lived indoors with, then boarded with me
in my home when they went away.  I agree, it is more the amount
of time, and the quality of that time, that you spend with any dog
that gets you the results from bonding, than it is where they actually
sleep or spend part of their day.

Yes sometimes a dog is too high energy or too much of a chewer
to live inside comfortably, especially while they are still young.
I do find that the depth and quality of the coat is noticeably better
with dogs who live outside.  As long as they are kept safe, warm and
comfortable, I honestly think some dogs would prefer to be outside,
but that depends on your household circumstances (heating levels;
air conditioning; how busy it gets, etc). 

I'm not here to debate since I think everyone's situation is unique and what works for one person may not be the best for the other person.... With this said our (8) dogs live in our home *but* depending on the age, if they're new, etc. They will be separated from the pack outside in a kennel for further training. They will be allowed to hang out with the pack after they find me more interesting than the other dogs and are not constantly trying to engage the others. The dog or dogs in training still have several training sessions throughout the day and always sleep in the house at night in their own crate. Sometimes I will put all the trained dogs out and bring the untrained one in to work with it. 

With all this said they are shepherd dogs and thrive on human interaction, training/work, so they do have long hikes in the woods minimum 3 times a day whether it's raining, snowing or the sun's shining! The young or un-trained dogs stay tethered to me the rest are trained and can run at will but know they must stay around. We also train on a daily basis whether it be tracking, protection surprise scenarios, confidence building, obedience, agility, etc....
 
We do have kennels but they're generally always empty but they are nice to have in an event of an emergency. If I need to go to the hospital etc. Our dog kennels are sheltered, off the road and where you can't see them so I'm not so worried about crooks, but I guess it can happen anywhere:(

Remember what Capt. Max Von Stephanitz said "kenneling should only be the exception and never the rule" I have bought many "kennel dogs" and their mental ability seems to be stunned and the power of free thinking and problem solving is almost non-existent and seriously Lacking personalty / flat. These dogs I speak of were all titled minimum ZVV1/SCH1 with Koers and show ratings. Not saying all dogs that are titled or kennel dogs are like this but all the ones I have ever owned and seen have been this way. 

There are "kennel dogs" "Lives exclusively in the kennel with no other purpose in life"

then there are "kenneled dogs" "Lives in the kennel but is handled, trained, interacted with, brought places, on trips, etc"  

 

"​I agree, it is more the amount
of time, and the quality of that time, that you spend with any dog
that gets you the results from bonding, than it is where they actually
sleep or spend part of their day."

AGREED! 

The responses to this thread remind me much of the responses to a thread a few years back regarding where to keep new born puppies during cold weather. Outside in an unheated shed or inside the house or  in a heated kennel building. We didn't agree on that one either.

I really have a hard time believing that I am the only person reading this thread who has got out of bed one morning to find a dead dog in a kennel. A dog that may have been saved had it been a house dog. 





 

Never had a dog that i have found dead in a kennel in 65 years of keeping them outside? How come you could save the dog if it lived in doors when you are in Bed asleep,  the Dog probably downstairs do you get up every night to check on them several times or what. Anyone here can make a case for and against. I know my dogs are happy, healthy and very Fit, that is all i need to know.
Steve1

   It is funny how many people do not know the difference between opinion and fact. I think it is just how their brain works. The glass half full or half empty scenario. It is just how you view things neither right or wrong. It reminds me of a call I got about a year ago that kids were vandalizing one of my soda machines. I arrive and two people tell me they saw 4 kids at the machine and 3 of them were messing with it, and then told me who they were and what apartments they lived in. The police arrived and we went to the apartments, and question the children (13-15 year old) . The thing that amazed me the most was all of the parents emphatically said the same thing "my kid would not do that"  except the parent who's kid just watched. After a bit of time with the police, witnesses and my self, they admitted what they had done.
  What should have been done with these kids? What is right what is wrong, what does the law say? It is all opinion including the law. It is the same with your dogs weather they are inside or out.


Have a great day.
Paul

Two Moons, I'm curious to know what qualities of the GSD make it an outside dog, in your opinion. Chewing? Shedding? The need to acclimatize to all sorts of weather?

I don't really see the GSD being any different from other breeds of dog of similar size in this respect. Labradors shed an awful lot. ANY dog of any breed goes through the puppy chewing phase where just about anything in the house can be damaged, if the owner isn't vigilant. Yes, some GSDs are too hyper to settle in the house, and need to be kenneled for the owner's peace of mind, but they are the exception, IMO.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.

Dogs suffering from a condition like bloat are in a lot of pain as the condition progresses. I'd think that one would hear a house dog pacing the floor, retching and moaning out in pain. A kennel dog, probably not unless the kennel were equipped with a monitor. Don't get too complacent thinking it can't happen to any of your dogs, it can. I've probably owned 40 some dogs since 1958 and it only happened to one of my dogs. It can happen to anyone. Not enough reason to change the way anyone keeps their dogs, but a warning that no dog owner is immune from losing a dog that may have been saved had vet care be made available in a more timely manner.

I've already said one time that  not recognizing that a dog is in the throes of a life threatening situation is probably the only ironclad reason to argue that house dogs are "better off" than kennel dogs.  That's really not an opinion, it's a fact that is backed up by experiences of responsible dog owners. I prefer my dog to be inside with me 24/7. THAT's an opinion.