poodlefan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) There is no problem with sleeping a dog outside. Some dogs will like it some won't. Its your dog, your choice. There is a problem if the dog doesn't cope well with extremes of temperature or is extremely people focussed. A small dog doesn't cope as well with extremes of temperature as a large one - body mass matters. There's a hell of a difference between a dog "surviving" outside and thriving there. Trot down to your local pound and look at all the dogs surrendered for unwanted behaviours and ask yourself how many of those dogs were content and fully stimulated in a family home. I'd be prepared to place money on the fact that the vast majority of them never made it inside the house. It takes a very dedicated owner a lot of time to fully satisfy the social needs of a single outside dog. Some people do it and do it well but ask yourself how often that happens in a busy family with young children. The number of matted, filthy small dogs that end up in pounds is legion. You cannot care easily for a high maintence coat if the dog lives in dirt. Of course if you never have to smell the dog closely and only see it when you feed it, who'd notice? Have a very careful look at what responsible registered breeders are saying in this thread. They are saying that for some breeds, an outside only home is not desireable. Of course if you buy your dog from a person who doesn't give a toss where it will sleep, that problem never raises its head. Personally, if you must keep your dogs outside or choose to do so, I think two dogs provides a good solution to the issue of providing company for a social pack animal. Edited July 9, 2009 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 sluggo, do not get to offended by other peoples opinions. they can be very judge mental and fire at you if you do something they would never do. They pamper there pets alot more, there is nothing wrong with that but they have no right saying some of the things they have.There is no problem with sleeping a dog outside. Some dogs will like it some won't. Its your dog, your choice. You possibly need to read some of the research which paints a very clear and unequivocal picture of the connection between fatal dog attacks and the way the dog is kept. Google Karen Delise as a place to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) sluggo, do not get to offended by other peoples opinions. they can be very judge mental and fire at you if you do something they would never do. They pamper there pets alot more, there is nothing wrong with that but they have no right saying some of the things they have.There is no problem with sleeping a dog outside. Some dogs will like it some won't. Its your dog, your choice. You possibly need to read some of the research which paints a very clear and unequivocal picture of the connection between fatal dog attacks and the way the dog is kept. Google Karen Delise as a place to start. When I was talking about the importance of a strong social bond Sandra, its her Fatal Dog Attacks book I had in the back of my mind. It should be compulsory reading IMO. Edited July 9, 2009 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brigie bear Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 IMO (and sorry if this offends - its JUST MY opinion) i think why have a dog if its only outside in the yard? i wouldnt have a child and leave it in its room all day away from the family... i look at dogs like that - they are ALL companion animals and need their family (their 'pack'). dogs are all pack animals and dont do well separated from their pack. how will you train your dog to be a model citizen if its locked away in the yard all the time? how will it be social etc? i assume you will go out and visit him/her but how much time can u possibly spend outside? i think its great to want to have your kids grow up with dogs, but perhaps now isnt the right time since you stated u just dont have the room for anyone else atm.. sorry if i offended anyone, it wasnt my intention, its just something i feel rather strongly about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 sluggo, do not get to offended by other peoples opinions. they can be very judge mental and fire at you if you do something they would never do. They pamper there pets alot more, there is nothing wrong with that but they have no right saying some of the things they have.There is no problem with sleeping a dog outside. Some dogs will like it some won't. Its your dog, your choice. You possibly need to read some of the research which paints a very clear and unequivocal picture of the connection between fatal dog attacks and the way the dog is kept. Google Karen Delise as a place to start. When I was talking about the importance of a strong social bond Sandra, its her Fatal Dog Attacks book I had in the back of my mind. It should be compulsory reading IMO. I think so too it's a real eye opener. Back to the topic, I don't think people are condescending. None of the registered SBT breeders here are saying don't get a dog they (who know their breed and feel passionate about it) are saying the type of set up you are suggesting is not suitable for an SBT and that maybe you should consider another breed. I think if you suggested you were getting a small breed, toy poodle, chihuahua, maltese etc you would get the same answers. If you suggested getting a husky maybe not so much. Some breeds would adapt to living outside better than other and SBT's are not one of them. Actually I own what is commonly known as a "staffy" rescue mutt x and he would hate it too. I think the reason why he is so well behaved in social situations and around children is that he has always had exposure to being indoors, to meeting new people and he therefore doesn't find it over-stimulating. I feel very sad for my neighbours SBT (who is missing a leg as well) who is outside 24/7. What a lonely existence for the poor dog. There is rarely anyone out there to spend time with him. He looks well fed and cared for on a material level, but it is no life for a dog hopping around outside with no company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Personally, I when I contemplate the idea of keeping a Whippet outside 24/7 where I live, I shudder. If you built a seriously insulated kennel and coated the dog, it would be warm enough but I'd pretty much guarantee you'd not be able to keep it in the yard easily. Dogs roam, bark, dig, chew and do other things we don't enjoy for a REASON. Adolescent dogs are probably the most challenging to keep entertained and the more time you spend with them, the easier it is. Who ever said "life is not a spectator sport" clearly never thought about the lives so many outside dogs live. Constant watching of the back door for signs of life is not what I call a great life for any animal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I commend you for doing your research before getting a dog Sluggo. Owning a Staffy myself (the one in my signature pics below) I can assure you they feel the cold immensely. My girl has (right now) a dog coat, and a knitted jumper underneath that, and she lives inside. She sleeps (with our other dog) in a small sunroom of a night, and she has a 2 foot thick foam bed, a single bed doona over that, and two polar fleece blankets to snuggle in as well. (she will still sometimes be cold, so I will put another blanket over the top). If she happens to sleep in the heated loungeroom, she still has her dog coat on, and will snuggle up to her doona on the couch as well. She also has my other dog to keep her warm, and he wears a coat too. She loves being with the family, but when this isn't possible, she has my other dog for company. She would be miserable without either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 My friend wants to get a choc lab and it will be an outside dog... as a puppy, she will lock the puppy in the laundry room and till it gets old, she will leave the door open for the pup. She is not even going to let it sleep inside for the first few nights they get it. My reaction was But, I know my friend will be an awesome dog owner, she will love her dog, play with it, train it, take it on trips... only, she wants an outside dog. Her family dogs are very happy dogs, they have never step foot in a house before in their life. I've been trying to convince her that the dog will be happier inside with her, but she tells me that she doesn't want to have doggy smell in the house, and all her family dogs have always been outside dogs. The dogs will always have people playing with it, walk it and will get plenty of attention. That dog is going to be very loved, well cared for.. but, sleeping arrangement is outside. But, bottomline for her is, the dog is a dog. They aren't children nor they are human. They are family, but a family pet. Best, if they learn that from the beginning. For me, it's a foreign thing to let a dog sleep outside and be strictly an outside dog. As long as I can remember, all our dogs have always slept inside (most often in a bed with someone.. LOL), I don't even remember not sitting on the couch watching tv without a dog on there with me... they make really good pillows to lean on.. haha. To me, dog is part of my family, and I don't want to lock him out and exclude him from anything. We have several good argument over this... I understand where she is coming from, and she is coming to terms where I'm coming from. So, OP, I understand where you are coming from... as long as you give all the exercise, love and attention you can give to your pup, then your pup is going to be ok inside or out. As long, as the pup has a comfortable bed and it's warm, the pup will learn to adjust to stay outside Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 So, OP, I understand where you are coming from... as long as you give all the exercise, love and attention you can give to your pup, then your pup is going to be ok inside or out. As long, as the pup has a comfortable bed and it's warm, the pup will learn to adjust to stay outside Good Luck. As (multiple!) people have been trying to point out - this is simply not true if OP buys a SBT. IMO this isn't about should "all" dogs be inside or outside dogs - it's about whether or not a SBT can be an outside dog as this is the breed OP stated they are interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetty Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 So, OP, I understand where you are coming from... as long as you give all the exercise, love and attention you can give to your pup, then your pup is going to be ok inside or out. As long, as the pup has a comfortable bed and it's warm, the pup will learn to adjust to stay outside Good Luck. As (multiple!) people have been trying to point out - this is simply not true if OP buys a SBT. IMO this isn't about should "all" dogs be inside or outside dogs - it's about whether or not a SBT can be an outside dog as this is the breed OP stated they are interested in. Please remember that the OP did state that this breed was not offical yet and he was just asking a questions in general. I am sure he will do a bit mroe research into some other breeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 So, OP, I understand where you are coming from... as long as you give all the exercise, love and attention you can give to your pup, then your pup is going to be ok inside or out. As long, as the pup has a comfortable bed and it's warm, the pup will learn to adjust to stay outside Good Luck. As (multiple!) people have been trying to point out - this is simply not true if OP buys a SBT. IMO this isn't about should "all" dogs be inside or outside dogs - it's about whether or not a SBT can be an outside dog as this is the breed OP stated they are interested in. Please remember that the OP did state that this breed was not offical yet and he was just asking a questions in general. I am sure he will do a bit mroe research into some other breeds. ...and people can only comment on the breed which the OP stated - which was the SBT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I still don't think any dog will do well living outside, regardless of breed. Most people work, and so when they get home of an evening, how much time are they spending outside (say in winter) with their dog? Inside, the dog can be in a crate, yet still be part of the goings on. Most dogs need company, it is extremely hard to have a dog outside (especially in the colder and hot months) 24/7. I certainly never left any of my animals outside in 42 heat that we had in Melbourne, they would have died. They were all in inside with the air con going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sluggo Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 Please remember that the OP did state that this breed was not offical yet and he was just asking a questions in general. I am sure he will do a bit mroe research into some other breeds. You are spot on jettyjet... some people just can't seem to get their heads around this concept Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 What other breeds would you consider? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 What other breeds would you consider? Given that SBT is not suitable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sluggo, while you're doing your research, I highly recommend that you read Before You Get Your Puppy thoroughly. Dr Ian Dunbar describes quite thoroughly what tends to happens to pups who don't get appropriate socialisation and training and who end up being confined to back yards. If you don't believe what you're reading here, perhaps the words of one of the worlds most eminent dog trainers might have some influence. There is a lot of valuable information on that website about how to select, socialise and train the dog you want to become an ideal family pet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auir Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) What other breeds would you consider? Given that SBT is not suitable Maybe some people could make a suggestion of breeds like/similar characteristics of the SBT that would be a good starting point for the OP? Just from personal experience i choose the breed i wanted, researched it and everything was fine and would be suitable for me and my wife. But if i came across bad news in my research, i personally dont know what other breed i would have choosen . Probably because i didnt have to, but if i did i think i would have been a little lost, disappointed and needed some pointers in the right direction on breeds that would have the characteristics that drew me to my first choice but where more suitable choice Edited July 9, 2009 by auir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) I still don't think any dog will do well living outside, regardless of breed. Completely agree Please remember that the OP did state that this breed was not offical yet and he was just asking a questions in general. I am sure he will do a bit mroe research into some other breeds. You are spot on jettyjet... some people just can't seem to get their heads around this concept ...just as some people are having trouble getting their heads around the unsuitable idea of having a 100% outside dog - it's simply unfair? What other breeds would you consider? A rabbit...dogs should spend time inside with their human family! Edited July 9, 2009 by Aziah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sluggo Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sluggo, while you're doing your research, I highly recommend that you read Before You Get Your Puppy thoroughly.Dr Ian Dunbar describes quite thoroughly what tends to happens to pups who don't get appropriate socialisation and training and who end up being confined to back yards. If you don't believe what you're reading here, perhaps the words of one of the worlds most eminent dog trainers might have some influence. There is a lot of valuable information on that website about how to select, socialise and train the dog you want to become an ideal family pet. I already have both his books, yet to read them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 What other breeds would you consider? Given that SBT is not suitable Maybe some people could make a suggestion of breeds like/similar characteristics of the SBT that would be a good starting point for the OP? I won't be because I don't think ANY dog should spend 100% of their time outside in the backyard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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