I agree with others who feel it depends on the situation. Overall and the majority of the time, I feel the dog should be inside, but there are certain situations where it is understandable if he/she lives outside. I'm mostly thinking about dogs here, although we have a family friend who is a farmer and keeps barn cats to keep rodents under control, I do not feel that is wrong as long as they are well cared for and spayed/neutered. They also have 2 pet indoor cats.
I also know that some working dogs, especially dogs that guard livestock, actually live with the livestock because they are to form their main bond with them, that is what makes them so efficient and loyal to "their" herd. These dogs are, I think, generally well cared for, they need to be to do their job.
All of the situations others described I can understand as well. If a dog prefers to be outside, truly loves the outdoors and is unhappy indoors, wouldn't it be rather selfish of me to force it to be indoors? I'd not like it but it but it would be for my own personal wish to have the dog inside with me, I'm glad my two prefer most to be where ever I am at, whether it is indoors or outdoors, and I think a lot of dogs are that way but some are more independent. I'm definitely all for the dog having the OPTION to able to come in, but understand in the case of some working dogs as I mentioned above. Like everyone else here, I absolutely detest seeing a dog live on the end of a chain and forced to be alone with no attention. There is a neighbor near me with a little American Eskimo dog that does this and it breaks my heart.
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