We mostly remember from older films or pictures that dogs used to be kept outside in a doghouse. Over the last few decades, dogs have transitioned from being mere guardians of property to becoming more or less full-fledged family members.
Gone are the days when dogs were housed in their kennels, enduring all types of weather, while the family cozied up in the living room. However, there are still voices that advocate for keeping dogs outdoors. What arguments support this, and what are the guidelines for dog care?
Outdoor housing is not a permanent solution
If you’re contemplating banishing your dog outdoors, think again. It’s not a feasible or compassionate idea for keeping dogs outdoors. Since dogs are pack animals, they need a lot of contact with their pack, which in this case is us humans. Otherwise, essential social behaviors that dogs acquire through living with us can be lost. So, the time for keeping dogs outdoors should be limited to no more than six to eight hours a day. Some exceptions may include certain livestock guardian dogs that prefer an outdoor resting place.
Heating in a doghouse?
Does it sound excessive for dogs to need heating in their kennels? No, not necessarily. For outdoor housing, it’s necessary for the dog to have a shelter, which includes a doghouse. This shelter must be appropriately sized for the dog. It should not be too small, allowing the dog ample space to spread out. To put it in perspective, consider whether any of us would want to sleep on a 1.50-meter-long bed. Nobody.
However, the kennel should not be too large either. The more customized the kennel, the better it can be heated by the dog’s body temperature. This includes having a doggy door so the dog isn’t entirely exposed to the wind and rain. By the way, it is legally regulated that a doghouse must be heated if it cannot be heated by its own body temperature due to its size.
Not all breeds are suitable for outdoor housing
There are dog breeds, such as herding dogs, that cope well with outdoor housing due to their breed characteristics. However, there are also breeds with short fur that are not suitable for this form of housing in autumn and winter temperatures. Additionally, brachycephalic breeds, with their short snouts, suffer significantly in high temperatures during the summer. In hotter weather and extended periods outdoors, they may experience breathing difficulties.
Outdoor housing does not replace regular walks
Dogs kept outdoors can have a lot of space to roam and play, given the appropriate yard size. However, this does not replace the need for walks with the owner. These walks provide close and social contact, which is crucial for the dog. It needs to spend sufficient time with its pack. Regular walks also facilitate interaction with other dogs and help establish social behavior among them.
Dogs need to learn rules
Some self-proclaimed dog lovers consider keeping a dog outdoors as a solution, especially if the dog is perceived as unruly and doesn’t adhere to rules. In many cases, this inclination stems from the belief that the dog is a troublemaker in the family. However, confining a dog outdoors is not an experiment with a new form of housing; rather, it’s a way of banishing them from indoors. This doesn’t work. Banishing a dog outside simply because it doesn’t know any rules is perceived by the dog as a punishment.
It significantly diminishes the chances of socializing the dog as a family member. The consequence is that the owners become less interested in spending time with the dog. Therefore, for dog owners considering outdoor housing, the dog must be familiar with and respond to firm rules, recognizing that their humans engage with them equally, whether indoors or outdoors.
