David Molnar: Are Basenjis and Shetland Sheepdogs well suited for living outside most of the time?
I would think that, since Basenjis were bred for hunting and Shetland Sheepdogs are bred for herding, that they'd do very well outside most of the time. But is this true?
Photo Credit: Paul J. Morris/Flickr CC
Answers and Views:
Answer by ƦЄƛԼƖƬƳ ƁƖƬЄS™ - ᴘɪᴛ ʙᴜʟʟ Sᴄʜᴏʟᴀʀ
All dogs can survive outside for the most part, save many small breeds of dogs who are in danger of being some predators dinner or so then large breeds.
Just because a dog is suited for outside life doesn't mean it should be placed outside.
Few owners who keep their dogs outside, can provide or provide them with the proper care, attention and training they need to grow up stable. Most owners who get outside dogs, get them, tie them up to a tree with a rickety dog house and two bowls and in a bout a few months the dog becomes nothing more then a nuisance lawn ornament to them.
If you are going to keep your dog outside, you need to offer the dog the same amount of attention, socialization, care, training and medical needs that you would for a dog living inside. Dogs are also social animals by nature and need almost constant contact to remain mentally stable.
Dogs who are left outside, kenneled, or chained up all day without contact often develop serious mental issues, and fear driven aggression.
Answer by ladyren
Not really. Dogs are part of a family.
What you are describing is a yard ornament.
Answer by Courtney
It solely depends on where you live and what sort of living arrangements you will provide. Both will definitely need shelter, that's a given. If you live anywhere that ever gets below freezing outside you will need to provide a heated dog house, water bowl, etc. If it gets really warm you will need to have lots of shade, etc.
Answer by Kevi B
Shetland sheepdogs want to be in the middle of things and don't want to be shut out in a backyard. Though the Basenji is more independent they need plenty more mental and pysical stimulation to keep them tired if they are in kept in the yard.
Answer by Katherine
I'll never understand why people spend money on dogs just to chuck them outside.
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cav mom says
Both breeds although different uses are pack animals and should be with their pack ( YOU & Family ) they are not yard ornaments. If you can’t include them with you then don’t get a dog. Listen to” Reality Bites” and don’t become an abusing dog owner leaving the dog outside all the time in the cold, heat and rain without shelter and nothing to stimulate his brain.
Helen Rempel says
Basenjis were bred for hunting in the Congo area. That means during the *cold* season it averages about 80 degrees F. during the day and gets as “low” as about 68 degrees F. at night. So yeah, in that climate a Basenji could stay outside all the time.
But North America doesn’t have a climate like that. And over here, Basenjis are VERY seldom used for hunting. Anyone who would leave a short-coated pet outside most of the time doesn’t deserve to own one.
As for Shelties–again, if you’re not using them as working dogs (and the vast majority are just pets), they belong inside the house with their owners.
poggle says
Basenjis come from Africa and Shetland Sheepdog from the freezing cold, wet and windy Shetland Isles. One is smooth coated and the other full coated. They couldn’t be more different.
Shelties like to be with their family and wouldn’t do well stuck outdoors alone. Basenjis might not suit the climate where you are, and ‘hunting dogs’ like to be in a pack with other dogs and doing something.
Neither are suitable as outside dogs.