I'm Confused, what do people mean when they say inside/outside dogs?

Question

I hear so many people from the US say is this a good dog for inside or outside. What i was wondering is are you wanting to keep your dog permantly inside or permantly outside??

As in they don't have the option of doing both. I can't understand why you would have one of the other unless you lived in a flat/appt with no direct access to your own garden/yard.

My dogs have free range access to inside and outside and they sleep inside at night.

I just want this clarified so when people ask about this i have an idea what they are talking about.

I read a question about Bernese being outside dogs, now i know Bernese need to spend time with the family and shouldn't be shut outside the whole time and never allowed in the house.

Anyway if i could have some clarification from those living in the US it would help.

Ta x

Answer 1

I am from the south east US and a lot of people, especially in rural areas, keep large dogs as "outside" dogs, they never let them indoors. The majority of dog owners I know have their dogs indoors and fenced in yards where the dogs can play outside.

But you are correct in your "additional details" many people want an indoor family dog or lap dog and others want an outdoor only dog to have as a guard dog or hunting dog.

Answer 2

I am from Britain and I have always interpreted this saying as meaning an outside dog is one that is hardy enough to live outside all year round without suffering from effects of bad weather. as long as it has somewhere to shelter from cold winds and driving rain or snow it will be fine.

An indoor dog is a not so hardy one and often has a thin coat with no insulating undercoat and would suffer a lot in bad weather if left outside.

They would need a heated kennel in winter IF kept outside and a doggy coat on.

Answer 3

Well I dunno about the US, but when I was a little girl our dogs never came in the house, they slept in a kennel and were expected to guard the house and garden, we did have quite a big house, and a petrol station on the side so thats what they were kept for, I have always had my dogs as family dogs, so they were in and out!

Answer 4

I think it means something different for every person. some ppl think certain breeds are breeds that enjoy being outside more, or less.

for me

an indoor dog is a dog that is part of the family, part of the pack, allowed indoors, eats inside, sleeps inside.

an outdoor dog is a lawn ornament, a dog that is left outside 24/7 maybe w/shelter, maybe not.

a dog that is clearly not part of the family, and makes me wonder why the heck they have a dog at all.

then there are dogs that i term indoor/outdoor. these are dogs that LOVE being outside, like huskies and such. they ARE part of the family, in that their humans take them places, exercise them, groom them and care for them...but they are a dog that would rather be outside.

Answer 5

I completely agree with your stance ! But unfortunately some owners  in the US choose to only allow their dog to live Outside in the backyard. They have a dog house and have food but they live and sleep outdoors. I personally believe a dog should be part of your pack and family and in order to do this, should live and sleep with the family ! My dog has access to a doggie door so he can go outside whenever he pleases.  

Answer 6

I think people who ask questions like that are just extremely uneducated about dogs in general.  Obviously, those who think ANY dog should stay outside 24/7 doesn't know the first thing about responsible pet-ownership.  Same goes really for the "inside dog" questioners -- what they really want to know is if a dog will be "too messy," "too hyper," "too destructive"....  all things that indicate an UN-TRAINED dog, not an "outside dog."  In other words, those seeking an "inside dog" want one that is low-maintenance, low-energy, and small enough not to knock over expensive lamps.

Answer 7

Some people don't let their dogs go outside or beyond their yard. They are usually small dogs so they get enough exercise running around the house. These are considered indoor dogs. Outside dogs go for walkies outside beyond the yard, to the park, in the woods, around the neighborhood or where ever.  

Answer 8

An indoors/outdoors dog I assume to be suited to life both indoors and outdoors, I lived in Germany for a few years and German Shepherds are kept outside in kennels and smaller breeds such as Terriers/Spaniels etc are kept indoors, I have kept GSD's for many years and my dogs have access to both indoors/outdoors by way of a dog door,  I have found that they actually prefer to be outside even during the night, only coming inside if it pours with rain, dogs like Huskeys should be kept outside but with access to the family as well,

it is actually quite cruel to force them to be in a house with central heating they are bred for cold conditions and have a coat to suit that.

Answer 9

Both my dogs would hate to be cooped up inside all the time.  They are a Kelpie and a Belgian Shepherd Malinois.  They do like to come inside at times, and I allow them inside on my terms.  I live in a lowset house with a large verandah around it and the dogs, when not inside and not running around the 5 acres, are usually hanging out on the verandah.  The Malinois is 5 months old so I have to keep a close eye on him to know what he is up to.  Of course the property is fenced so the dogs cannot stray when they are otuside.

Answer 10

It means they can handle being outside, and/or might be messy to keep inside. Though i would still keep mine inside and out. It also might mean they need a lot of room to run and play. Indoor dogs are dogs that can be kept strictly indoors if you live in an apartment or such. But just because a dog is classified as an outdoor dog doesn't always mean we keep it just outdoors. But for some people it does. They just dont want a dog in the house.

Answer 11

there aking if the dog they like are able to survive outside.

Answer 12

I think it means that their dogs are both inside and outside, mabye they can go inside and outside when ever they feel like it, like mabye they'd use a dog door!