At present I have a cavy whos got three paws in the grave (but still hanging on there) and an elderly cat ...both of which i love dearly but i accept that they are not going to be here forever. My dilemma is that Im starting full time work soon .. (the present animals are fine as my family is nearby and can let them in/out ok) .... but when their gone ..... would it be cruel to get another? Ive got a large self contined (escape proof) garden and a wooden playhouse that could easily be converted into a kennel, my idea is to keep the dog outside whilst i'm at work and inside the rest of the time (including night time) ... My pets have always been strictly indoor 'part of the family' which is probably why i feel so torn about getting another dog to keep outside when Im working full time.

your thoughts on the subject please

I could not imagine being "pet-less". Never in a thousand years! My animals are like family to me.

I could not imagine being "pet-less". Never in a thousand years! My animals are like family to me.

same here .......... a home without a pet seems so empty to me ... but would it be cruel to put a dog out in the garden without company for the day? ... would it be better to have 2 dogs (when the time comes) to keep eachother company? ........... or is it too cruel?

Pets- kids, the house does seem empty once theyve gone for whatever reason theyve gone for.

Fortunately its easier to get pets and although I say time after time that once my cat is gone I wont get another, Im certain that within a couple of weeks of him dying there`ll be a kitten running around the place.

Homes are too sterile without a pet or two

same here .......... a home without a pet seems so empty to me ... but would it be cruel to put a dog out in the garden without company for the day? ... would it be better to have 2 dogs (when the time comes) to keep eachother company? ........... or is it too cruel?

I have my back door open, onto my (very secure) back garden , when I am in, so the "houndses" can play on the garden, and run in and out ad lib.

I wouldn't put a hound of mine, (singular or together) out, and leave them, with company or not.

yes my two play together, and it's nice they have the companionship, but I don't like the idea of leaving them to their own devices, outside.

I have my back door open, onto my (very secure) back garden , when I am in, so the "houndses" can play on the garden, and run in and out ad lib.

I wouldn't put a hound of mine, (singular or together) out, and leave them, with company or not.

yes my two play together, and it's nice they have the companionship, but I don't like the idea of leaving them to their own devices, outside.

I agree with you completely .... Im in the house 99% of the time now with the door constantly open ....... but when this dogs gone and im working full time .. my choice is ............
1, get another dog ..... leave it out 9 till 5 ish mon to fri :confused:

2, for the first time ever .... be dogless :(

I have never been petless since the day i was born and I don't think i ever will be !!! Pets are my companions along with my hubby

I couldn't imagine a home without a pet... well a dog actually

Some breeds of dog are more suited to outdoor living than others, and you'd have to ensure they not only have adequate shelter from our wetter elements, but shade from the spectacular heat we seem to have as a norm now too

I know many pet owners detest the idea of a pet being kept outside, but I'm of the school of thought that it does actually suit some animals better. For instance, last time I spoke to Brude's breeder, she was kenneling a hound on behalf of Beagle Welfare who'd been deemed to be only suitable for outdoors as he'd lost more than one home through extreme destruction

Beagles and springers are suitable breeds for outdoor keeping, but a beagle shouldn't really be kept alone under these circumstances (probably not a springer either)

Stipulations are usually made about how many hours exercise a dog requires per day, but our beagle is generally exercised all day on either Saturday or Sunday, and spends most non-eating hours thereafter sleeping... until about Thursday :D

Do be well aware that any dog left for long enough can probably figure out how to burrow under your fence, so a dog proof garden will probably consist of something dig-proof :thumbsup: If you wish to preserve your grass, you could consider a grid such as those for holding gravel in place or for car parking (plastic or concrete) which the grass grows back through