Originally posted by Scooby4

I also find it incredible that these people encourage keeping your dogs inside as if part of the household but most likely keep their hamsters in a glass cage.
I don't have a hamster. And people who do have hamsters, probably keep them in cages/enclosures because they dont want the hamster getting trapped in walls, or running out the door and getting eaten, or getting stepped on anyway.. thats off topic. It also isn't natural that we keep dogs as pets! We crossed the line of "nature" when we domesticated dogs. When people worked outside all the time, it was much more understandable that their dogs were primarily outside. People also didn't realize or care about all of the myriad health problems an "outside" dog risks, including skin problems due to weather, bug bites, sun, wind, rain, etc. Now, most people are inside 80-100% of the day and very little contact or love is shared with their "outside" dogs. That's why I generally believe that dogs should be where their people are - inside or out.

I completely, 100% agree with Pit Chick!! Dogs crave inside time with their people, even if its just a few hours a day and at night to sleep. I did not recommend that your dogs spend their entire days inside. It is wonderful that they have a farm to run around on, I wish I had 350 acres for my dog. That doesn't mean that it's in their best interest, healthwish and tempermentally, to sit outside 24/7/365! I know many, many wonderful Border Collie breeders and owners, who have acreage and own working dogs. Their dogs work with them during the day, and sleep with them at night. Why? Because they want their dogs to fully respect, love, protect, and be loyal to them. Forcing your dogs to live outside their entire lives give them a sense of being apart from your pack and your house, they form their own pack and naturally that makes them less social. I do think it'd be very beneficial to your dogs that you began introducing them to spending time in the house. No - Dobermans were not bred to sit outside and be guard dogs, they were bred as a companion, and their coat and structure is not designed for harsh weather.

Ok, obviously, the reason I suggest that your Dobe is an inside dog, is because he is an older dog experiencing health problems. In order to more easily monitor his health, apply and give medications, protect his skin from the damaging affects of weather and bugs and dirt, it would be best to keep him inside with supervised walks and time outside. And as for your dogs never having been acquainted with living inside with their people, that is your fault, not theirs. I honestly do think keeping your sick Doberman inside would help his condition, and you asked for advice, so you got it