Grrr, animal shelter says keep the dog outside!

Actually, Chinooks are from New Hampshire.

Anyways, as most of you might know, I keep my poochies outside. But, not every breed is a good outside breed. For example, a hound mix usually doesnt have a thick enough coat to be out in the winter. I do not like it when people with single coat dogs keep them outside. Exp. with an uninsulated house with little straw.
Also, I do not like roaming dogs. There are way to many dangers. Cars, antifreeze, people other animals, etc. If you're going to have an outside dog, you need to have a safe enclosure, and provide the dog with plenty of exersize. I am training my pups to free run, but I always supervise them when doing this, and constantly working on recalls. But, if I lived on a busy road, or an area with other people, or dogs, I wouldnt do this.

Just a few of my thoughts...

It was a good point wasnt it....

Weren't they bred in Alaska afterwards for pulling sleds? Wow, there are a LOT of contradictory evidence on Chinooks!

Well, after they caught on, they might have been. But Chinook Kennels started in NH, and a majority of mushing Chinooks still live there I do believe. (Atleast in the Northeast that is)
Check out www.sleddogcentral.com for some more info. There's a few people on the forums there that are quite the mushing history buffs. (Nancy Cowen first comes to my mind). They'll have all the info.

Regardless, she loves attention and the outdoors! LOL!

No dog NEEDS to be outside. Do dogs require outside time? A romp in the yard as they see fit? Absolutely! But a dog does not NEED to be outside.

However, there are breeds that love and prefer the outside as many other Chazzers have mentioned...

Barely 30 degrees in winter and barely OVER 100 degrees in summer? I am sorry, but in the weather extremes of California even MY dogs are not kept outside.

A Great Dane shouldn't be inside? You wanna tell my pointer/lab/dane mix who happens to be nestled on the couch under a comforter that? I would go on, but Shadow told it better than I could...

If a dog has no house manners or is destructive then perhaps someone should train the dog? Silly idea I know but it's worth a shot?



Now, I see nothing wrong with farm dogs and breeds that are happier outside... but keeping a dog outside because your house is too small or you don't want to deal with the proper care and training involved in owning a dog....well...I guess I don't have any words for you, I'll just bite my tongue.

Honey_Bear did a quick search, heres a 3 page topic on Chinooks I could find: http://www.sleddogcentral.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3802

I was reffering to Eufaula, AL
LOL!

I know what you were referring to. I was comparing where I live... our weather extremes can sometimes be above and beyond yours and I was informing you that I do not keep my dogs outside. Sorry if that was hard for you to understand.

This statement of mine: was NOT meant to be funny... I'm not sure how you found any humor in it... my dogs are a part of MY family.. we certainly do not sleep outside in 30 degree weather, why in the world should I expect them to?

Quote 1: o

Quote 2: I am really imaginative and I was just thinking of what he'd say to me if I asked him if he wanted to become an outside dog. He's probably look at me with questioning eyes and say, "Are you serious? I'm living the rich life! You think I want to to trade this for well. . . . . . . .THAT?!?!?!"
LOL?

Honey_bear I understand that you're young, and there are some things that you can't control regarding your animals being outside. I think maybe the best thing you can do is educate yourself on the best possible ways to keep your dogs happy and safe and work on that.

Honey's pretty happy, but I have to be very careful because she is VERY sensitive. She really reacts when you are sad too. Like when my baby pony died, she sat beside me and cried too. Literally. The two were buds.

Everyone has already made many of the same points that I was going to bring up, but beings as I have one of those XXL dogs, and I live in a 600sf home, I thought that I would pipe up. I have a 190lb Saint Bernard and a 60lb husky/shepherd X. Both of my dogs live in the home with me and my fiance. Yes, our home is small, very small...but not too small for us. Our dogs are part of our pack, and they are excersised for an hour minimum a day (rain or shine or snow). Tired dogs are good dogs. When they are in the house they are usually on their couch or taking naps on their bed, unless I am cooking in the kitchen! When they want to go outside, we go outside. Both of my pups are working breeds, but this doen not mean that they are meant to be outdoor dogs. On the contrary, Saint Bernards make disasterous outdoor dogs. They need the stimulation and sence of belonging only a pack can give. They NEED to be with their people or they can become distructive, aggressive (terriotorial), and depressed. Absolutely NO reputable Saint breeder will sell a pup with outdoor only conditions. And one of the largest misconceptions about giant breeds is that they take up so much space. YEAH-on the couch! Many giants can make wonderful apartment dogs IF they recieve proper care, like all dogs.

Now on the other hand I know of people who have LGD who are soley outdoor dogs, but these dogs are not only working breeds, they actually have a job. Someone already said it the best when their is a difference between "working" and "pet". Some workers like pulling Sibes and livestock guarding Pyrs or Ovcharkas for example, truely would be miserable if taken away from thier 'duties', but the typical pet dog is happiest at home included in the pack.