Is this a bad thing to do to a dog??

Question

My dog is an all outside dog. He has a huge fenced in area. He has never been inside dog, because the people we got him from had him outside. He ways 70 pounds and sheds really bad. My dad is allergic to him so it was either he became an inside dog or the other owners would take him to the pound. He gets walked four times a day. And goes to the dog park for about 3 hours a day. He has many toys and bones. He eats expensive food that is great for him. He loves his dog house and frequently sits in it when we are away. Also, he is scared to go in a house. Is it bad that we leave him outside? (he is a husky, chow, terrier mix)

Answer 1

Not at all. Several dogs are outside dogs. You DO however need to bring him in when the temperatures are extremely hot or extremely cold. Leaving him outside in those conditions is a VERY cruel thing to do to an animal and your local pound has the right to take your dog if someone like a neighbor see's that you NEVER bring him inside, even during severe conditionss.

Answer 2

As a kid we had dogs and cats that never came inside.! I dont think that it is fair to him to sit outside all the time. but if he is getting attention... and love then he is fine with being outside., I would make sure he is getting washed and combed out. Maybe save up and have him shaved when it is hot outside so he does not over heat. make sure he has clean water and hes eating plenty. He should be fine outside if he has always been outside.

Better he is with you then in a shelter. do your part and make sure he is cleaned after so you can keep him.  

Answer 3

Sounds like you are giving him a wonderful life and one that he fully accepts.No harm no foul.Not all dogs even like being in the house.Unlike us, dogs are pretty easy going about the life we choose to give them.Tilks Mom

Answer 4

There are plenty of dogs in this world who live their entire existence outside.  As long as they are protected from the elements (heat, cold, rain, etc.) they will be OK physically.  However, a dog does crave human interaction.  What I am not reading is the amount of time he gets this 1x1 time.  Going for a walk and going to the park to play with the other dogs are not interactions with a person which should include playing, petting, etc.  You can also spend time doing obedience training.  This is one of the best ways to form an inseparable bond with your dog.

Answer 5

No, as long as you take good care of him,and see to his needs he should be fine.

Answer 6

It isn't ideal, but I wouldn't exactly call it cruelty either.  Dogs in general have a much better quality of life when they live inside with their families.  However, that is not to say that all inside dogs have a good quality of life and all outside dogs have a poor quality of life.  It sounds like your dog has a decent quality of life, he is certainly better off than a dog that is kept inside but locked in a crate for all but a few hours a day and never gets out for regular walks or a dog that is kept inside but is abused.

Answer 7

not at all

specially if your dad is allergic

its great that you excersise him and play with him

just make sure that he is cool enough when its hot and is warm enough when its cold

Answer 8

Not at all.

You are providing shelter, food, exercise, and attention.  It sounds like a great set-up for him.  

Answer 9

Dogs have been around as long as man but they never built any houses that i know of.

The outside is a natural environment for a dog so no its not bad its exactly the way nature intended it.

Answer 10

you seem like you are taking great care of your dog.

i think it's fine

esp if he's scared to go inside and your dad is allergic.

you are doing right by both in a manner of speaking.

for the millions of years dogs have been on the planet they have been outdoor animals. we domesticated them. so for it to be comfy outside is natural really.

better than the ppl that keep their dogs in small kennels and never interact with them aside from feeding and watering them.

Answer 11

sounds to me like he has a good home and is well taken care off.