[Rachel ~ Dog Trainer]

Because outside in the yard for many (truthfully most, but know it's not all) dogs this means being tied on the end of a chain, without adequate shelter & alone. These dogs frequently bark & howl in clear distress. Dogs are social animals. By nature they live in groups.I personally couldn't imagine a member of my family being kept outside the home. I love my own dog dearly and I foster rescued dogs. I don't ever forget that my dogs are dogs though. They work for me and earn their place in the home. There's no free lunch! Why would I want to have a dog (a companion animal) & then keep it outside? After all didn't man domesticate the wolf to hunt and protect and LIVE with them? Strays that live wild, without proper human contact don't learn how to relate well to people.I do recognize that how you relate to dogs and why you wanted dogs in the first place can mean very different things to different people. I know that not every one loves dogs in the same way that I do.I strongly believe that no dog deserves to be tethered on a chain for any substanial length of time. Period.If your outside dog has good shelter available to him and you provide him lots of contact time with you and things to do in your absense (this means toys!!) I could believe he is happy if that's all he's ever known.Working in dog rescue has also taught me that dogs kept outside unattended are frequently tormented by outsiders and also often stolen to be sold into dog fighting/research.Just my thoughts.

[April P]

In some cases it is! The reason people generally take this stance is because a lot of people abuse the outdoor thing by leaving them outside without proper shelter or food and water! In some cases regardless of the type of dog they shouldn't be outside (such as EXTREME weather). Most people lack common sense when it comes to pets. You would think that people would realize that a pug or a dachshund is an indoor pet and shouldn't be outside all of the time, but you would be surprised how many people leave them out. Its just easier to say "DONT LEAVE YOUR PETS OUTSIDE" than saying "don't leave your pets outside... unless you are capable of using common sense then its okay".Some dogs (I have friends that have Great Pyrenees) just refuse to be in the house. So you have to leave them outside because as soon as you try to keep them in, they whine, paw at the door and then destroy things when you don't let them out!Things like this, there arent clear cut right and wrong answers. Only opinions of what is right and wrong. People always think they are the exception, regardless of what it is. But overall I do not feel it is cruel to leave a dog outside all of the time.... as long as common sense is exercised!

[dogluver8906]

Well...for hundreds of years people survived outdoors without any of the luxeries we have today. How about you go live outside in the heat, cold, rain, and snow? Dogs are PACK animals, this means they want to be where the family is, which normally means being INDOORS. No dog likes being stuck outside alone all or most of the time. Even a standard plastic dog house only shelters a dog so much...they really don't keep a dog very warm, or cool for that matter. Have you ever watched your dog outside when it's really cold? I bet he shivers. We as humans domesticated these animals, and thus we owe them some level of respect...we have a choice of treating them well and treating them like a part of the family or simply giving them minimal and basic care i.e. a dog house, food and water. Wolves, coyotes and all other wild animals care for themselves because they have no one else to do so...and they have no choice but to live outdoors, but you're dog is domesticated. That means he depends on you to give him everything in his life. Just because he is an animal does NOT mean that he is better off outside alone than indoors with his humans and being much more comfortable than he would ever be outside.

[greatdanes_rule]

My view is if you really want and love your dog it would be part of the family and living inside!If you had a child would you keep it outside?i think it is the same thing!Dogs may survive out there but they would definantly be happier inside!and i have never met a dog who would rather be outside with no one than inside with everyone!

[harleys_fav_kitty]

As long as they have adequate shelter, food, water and attention it shouldn't really matter. But why would you get a dog just to leave it outside? Does it have a purpose such as guarding the property or did your kids beg for a dog and you just leave it out there so you don't have to be bothered with him? Dogs who live outdoors are more aggressive than indoor dogs, especially German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Chows (Not saying these breeds are bad) and many more that are bred as watch dogs. Your dog is a pet, not a wild animal he may be tamed but dogs are pack orientated, they need to be in a pack environment and being tied up outside isn't.

[PinkFluffyDino]

Well... it would be cruel for some breeds to be kept inside too. Big dogs, that is, that like to run a lot.