I know of two homes where the dogs are kept in the backyard.

First home is next door to me. Meg is a GSD who is in the shed for, it seems to me, most of the day. The rest of the time she is let into the garden, and never, or rarely, taken out for a walk. It breaks my heart.

Second home is a street or so away. Barry has two working Springer Spaniels, Jesse and her daughter Emma. They do spend time in the house most days but live outside. He has fitted out his shed really great and attached a run, they are safe and warm (he puts a heater in when it is really cold!). He takes them out for a walk at least 3 times a day, a bit less maybe when they have been working. Feeds them well and gives them lots of love and affection. They really are happy and healthy dogs.

Speaking for myself I would not ever keep a dog outside. But if someone chooses to do so, for whatever reason, and they do it properly, as Barry has, well, not fine, but okay. But when it is like Meg ..... she is barking/whining right now , to me that is just so wrong.