Mine are indoors dogs, purely because I don't work them and wouldn't know the first thing about kennelling them and anyway I love having them around specially with the OH working the hours he does.

They do get incredibly dirty (of course ) and I have three which can make a mess, but we work hard at cleaning up after them that's all. Like at the moment, we went for our walk this a.m., got covered in wet grass and I have hads to leave it. went back at lunch and the wet grass had been trodden through the downstairs (the dogs aren't allowed upstairs) still no time to tidy it on lunch, so will clean when i get home. Same goes for dog hairs, we recently changed ther kitchen flooring to lino, and so it's just the huge rug in the living room and every evening we hoover it to keep to hairs at bay. We have one incontinent dog too so a lot of sofa and dog bed washign goes on! But it keeps us busy and we share the work. (in fact i walk the dogs more so the OH cleans more, I like that arrangement)

In the daytime we leave the french doors open when we're not in; the garden is completely secure (we've been doing it for a year anyway and touch wood an escape route has never been found) I don't think they go outside that much anyway, just sleep on the sofa in the day! (good job my address isn't listed as I've just admitted publically I leave my doors open )

Matter of choice though of course and I would never condemn anyway who does that. When it comes to dogs we all choose different "rules" like where they sleep and their boundaries, provided the dogs are safe and happy, that's what counts.

Inside run of the house buit ususally sleeps in the kitchen at night dog here.

And I won't claim my house is spotless but we survive with cream carpets.....

My husband's first springer had lived outside in an old barn with a run (he lived in a converted water mill!) and she had lots of access to the mill race too... trying to bring her in a was a disaster as she had no idea how to behave..

When we got our two, although they were bred outdoors, and my OH was happy to build them a kennel and run, I felt that the best part of being a dog owner would be the company they give just pottering around in the house... so i said that if they were to be allowed inside, they had to be housetrained, and they only way to do that is by having them in the house... So several months later, they now have sofa rights, and even come for bed cuddles (if clean enough) - no one has mentioned outside living for ages!

I would like to get one of those aluminium dog pens with a shelter (kind of bus stop roof) to put down the bottom of the garden - as when we're out , i think that outside might be more fun than the kitchen for them

- oh they do make a mess though - I have wooden floors and the amount of hair and grit i sweep up everyday is beyond belief!

Indoor dogs here too! House wouldn't be the same without them !

it would be cleaner and quieter!

My garage would be completely unsuitable as there are no window for light/fresh air and there is no sofa in there!!!!

Roly is an indoor boy as he is part of our family. He now has sofa rights but no upstairs access.

We originally intended to build an outdoor run with kennel so that when we are out he could go in there - Ian even laid a concrete base. But one of our neighbours is a looney (and we spotted him messing about with an air rifle in his back garden) and I kept reading stories of dog thefts from gardens so we have stuck with our indoor den arrangement.

One of the joys of dog ownership is their company...for this reason I would never have a dog living outside

Elly is an indoor dog but shes not allowed on the sofas (i do keep having to remind her ) and shes not allowed upstairs, oh what a horrible person i am.
I have to say as of yet she hasnt found her water wings so stays on dry land

Indoors! Not that I am against dogs having kennels, I just don't want MY dogs to be outside in kennels, too scared someone will try and hurt them, pinch them, or make them bark all day and anoy the neighbours.

They love nothing more than cuddles and sofa rights, and while Bailey is crated when we are out or in bed,Tess sleeps in the bedroom, under the bed. They can both be confined to the utility with the (new) dog flap if they are muddy!

K xx

I'm not against dogs in proper kennels either as long as they have shelter, heat (or cool in the summer) nice soft beds, and company. I think some dogs definitely prefer it, and for some, the stress of living in a house, with kids, noise, tv, stuff to guard etc - is just all too much for them.
BUT - to put dogs out in a garage or a kennel because they make a mess is not the right reason for it.

Max has always slept in a kennel and is not particulary comfortable indoors (the only time he ever went into a house when working was to search it for drugs!, although he comes in the lounge and kitchen when we are in as do all five. His favourite place is definately kennel or car. Stanley settled very quickly into the kennel from day 1 and can often be found having taken himself to bed daytime or evening. Hilda has made herself comfy in the kennel and Edgar is spending some nights in the kennel some in his crate in the kitchen, GUH is crated (open) in the kitchen as he had never slept outside of his previous owners bed before coming to us! However, all spend time in the kennel and run (tis a rather nice arrangement though - OH said the other day it reminded him of the Four Seasons hotel!!) if we are out or in the kitchen and lounge if we are inside. We have a no upstairs rule and no free run of the house - entrance to kitchen or lounge are thru doors from the garden. All five spend most of their time in the garden when the weather is nice because we do too. We love cuddle time and have let each one find their own comfortable space. Edgar is doing well in the kennel but should he decide its not for him he will sleep in the kitchen.

Oh I am new to Springers, as pet but now feel bad cos after reading all yours...erm in garage dont have window as well no heat but we take them out for walking so now we must do to change them much more comfortably as possible. I am part-time working so my hubby spend most time at home...

Indoors for me.

I wish they could spend more time outside; I think they would like it. I would love to have one of the fancy kennels I've seen on here. They have a large yard to run in, but they have to come inside when I'm gone. Too many crazies around here. When I'm gone they are in their crates. To make up for time in their crates, they get to sleep with me. They have full run of the house except the bathroom. It's the cat's safe place. I am looking for a door or gate to put in the kitchen. Chip is notorious for surfing.

Good for you!

My little one is indoors when i'm not there, if im home shes aloud inside or outside. I'd be scared of someone pinching her or her digging a big hole in the middle of the lawn if i left her outside all the time, i'm thinking about building a run though so she can be outside and secure.

Shes definatley not allowed on the sofa, although we have that 'discussion' most nights!!!

She has only just built up the courage to go upstairs (very cute when they are little and going up and down the stairs!) but i try to limit it as she usually finds a nice tshirt or worse (my partners expensive shoes, bags or clothes) and decide it's be nice to bring it downstairs to her bed!! or take it out to the garden !!! ahh spingers, who'd be without them!!!!

I agree with the hair and muddy paw prints being a pain (and i have wooden floors so i imagine carpet is even worse) but thats part of having dogs isnt it, or most pets for that matter!!

Vinnie spent the first two nights with us indoors, but since then has been outside overnight. I have a kennel and run that my husband kindly built for me - the kennel is nicely insulated and has a memory foam bed and a dog flat to prevent drafts. It opens in to a run, so he can get outside to pee, etc if he wants.

During the day he is in if we're in, but out if we're out. He also goes to my parents sometimes during the day, but they will pop him in his run if he won't settle! I thought this was the fairest thing for him, as we are at work all day and it is better than being stuck inside all day.