[jdetmering]

Just a base line question, do dogs belong inside or outside? do you think it depends on the climate you live in?
Thanks
Judi

 

[Jen526]

Cooper stays inside with us, unless we are at the park/beach or he is sleeping in the sun. He also sleeps in our room, in a kennel. He enjoys being with us as much as we enjoy being with him.

 

[janna]

Hunter and Casey are inside dogs that go outside whenever they want when we are home. If we are not home, they stay inside.

 

[beaglina]

My dog's part of the family but she still likes spending time outside - I don't think the inside/outside debate is a measure of how much someone cares for their dog.
Mine goes out whenever she wants while I'm at home, and when I'm not home I usually leave her outside during the day, and inside on an evening. I prefer leaving her outside during the day because I think it's healthier - she has more fun in the garden, gets more exercise and plenty of fresh air. But, of course, it depends on the situation, I'm lucky in that she doesn't bark/howl too much, my neighbour & her dog like talking to her through the fence, she has plenty of shade, a nice shelter etc etc.

 

[Smeagle]

I didn't vote because IMO its each to their own. Everyone has different living situations too which change where their dogs are most of the time.

My big male is outside 90% of the time and my other two dogs chose to be outside majority of the time too. As I speak, Daisy is outside right now playing with a toy.

I know people who have outside dogs but they make the time to do things with them daily - training, exercise, cuddle time etc - and the dogs have a great life. Some of them show and do other dogs sports too so their dogs lead a very fulfilling life.

When I'm not home the dogs are always outside - however we do live in a climate that means this is possible all year round.

 

[Lucy's Mom]

Our dogs definitely prefer the climate-controlled indoors. We don't have a situation where it would be safe to leave them alone outside. Plus, we have a climate where much of the year it's too cold for beagles outside. Even indoors, they tend to stay under blankets in the winter.

The poll is interesting, because the choice of dogs are part of our family does not specify indoors or outdoors. BeagleWorlder's are a biased sample as well -- those who don't interact with their dogs probably aren't members.

I agree with Smeagle. The important issue is how much time you spend with your dog. And to answer Judi's original question, yes, climate has a lot to do with the indoor/outdoor issue.

 

[LuckyBeagle]

I don't think it matters if you live your dog inside or out but how you treat your dog and the time you spend with him/her. Climate has a big say in that as well as if your dog has shelter and shade. Lucky cannot be left out since he hates his doghouse and there is no other shade. Plus, he would howl all day long!

 

[Murphys Dad]

Jersey is strictly an inside dog. She loves to be outside but is happy to lay on the sofa in the air conditioning as well. However, we live in Florida. Leaving a dog outside is really not an option climate wise. At least not if you ask me.

 

[jdetmering]

I guess the biggest problem I am having right now is the in-law, or just mother-in law to be specific. She just does NOT understand..... how pets become part of your family... I am just banging my head on the wall here... seriously.
Thanks for the input, I knew most of you would be more the part of the family type.. but wasnt sure I know there are some on here who love their dogs and give them good lives outside.
Judi

 

[beaglepopper]

Ive been there. When i brought my beagle home i was still living with my parents. My mum was not to pleased & in the end it drove me out & i got my own place. Your dog is like your child & people who dont own dogs do not realise this. Letting your dog have some outside time is no different to sending your kids out in the garden to play, it shouldnt be looked upon as a punishment unless you intend it that way. My dogs do as they please if the back door is open which it always is on nice days or they just ask to go out if it is closed. Poppy certainly likes to lay in the sun were as my rott preferes to be in the cool shade. Oh & when I left home my mum soon warmed to Poppy & she now comes round & takes her out & even has her when we go on holiday's.

 

[oneshutter]

Ours can go in and out the doggy door as they please. But like Jen said, it's hot in Florida so it's really not an option to leave them outside all the time.

 

[Murphys Dad]

OK, not to sound harsh but...it's your house, not your future mother-in-laws house. You wouldn't go into her house and expect her to change her ways, right? She should give you the same respect. Talk to your fiance's doctors. Get their opinion on how the dogs impact his health at this point. If his other lung is healthy and he doesn't have asthma or allergies, I don't see why there should be an issue. I know she's just doing what she thinks is best for her son, but she can't make you miserable in the process. What does your fiance' think too? If the two of you don't want to send your dogs outside to live and there's no risk to your fiance's health, well then....

 

[Erin]

Our dogs are inside dogs but they LOVE being outside when the weather is nice. However, they always have the option to come inside, we don't leave them out there when we're not around. They have their moments when they are just ready to come inside, especially if it's hot out. But I know some who have outside dogs that seem perfectly happy. I just like to have them live inside so I can enjoy them!

 

[Opus]

Winston is an inside dog. Unlike Florida, Canada can get darn COLD, which to me is another reason to allow him inside. As much as he loves the outside when the weather is nice, I think a good balance of both is in order, my basic rule of thumb is the same as for the kids, if it's nice out, get out and enjoy it and if it's a blizzard, curl up in an easy chair.

 

[Smeagle]

I think dogs a pretty good at climatising. I live in Australia and own a Siberian Husky - the breed is pretty common over here because their double coats act like insulation and allow them to climatise easily. My beagle is pretty unaffected by heat (we have a good outside set up, a decked area and our yard is very shady) but feels the cold, even though here we don't get a proper winter. She has lots of doggy jumpers!

 

[jassy]

Maggie is mostly inside but she does love to go outside and patrol for intruders. Every morning she checks the perimeter of the yard, every night when we tell her it is bedtime, she does the same thing before going to bed. In the summer she loves to just find a shady place and sleep outside.

 

[Jennifer]

I didn't vote either because as Smeagle pointed out it's each to their own, the climate they live in and the breed of dogs they have.

In my opinion though Beagles are not dogs that should be kept outside exclusively unless they are part of a pack of working dogs. Beagles crave company and to be with their pack, which for a pet Beagle is the human family.

 

[CarrieD]

Menoly spends half her time outside simply becuase she loves it. There are birds the chase, holes to dig, and a huge yard to run amuk in. If I had my druthers I'd keep her indoors all the time except for going potty and doing walks, but if she likes it out there, I'm not one to stop her.

 

[Tucker]

We have a doggie door so Tucker goes in and out as he pleases. Mostly he is in.

 

[Deenyb]

For us personally, we chose to have Baxter inside. He is outside alot of the day. but he lives inside with us.
We are thinking about a pet door.

It is different for every person's circumstances.