Chalk up another person who agrees with Pam and Rachel! Why do people bother with the expense of a dog if it's just kept outside with little or no family interaction? What do they get out of it?

My family had a sweet little beagle when I was growing up, and although she was pretty independent and difficult (never totally housebroken, great escape artist, stubborn to train) we still had her in the house a lot! When Daisy got old she preferred to sleep outside (??), so my dad built her a custom doghouse with insulation and carpeting. And when she went blind at age 14 we just made sure not to move any furniture around. She was a good little indoor dog.

...And now my parents have a Great Dane who sleeps on their bed and gets a reclining chair all to herself in the TV room!