Are hunting dogs best when living outside, inside or does it not matter? I've heard from some people that hunting dogs belong living outside and aren't "spoiled" (so to speak) from living inside. But I've also heard from other people that it doesn't matter. So, what have been/are your experience(s) with this? I know people who keep their dogs outside, others are inside the majority of the time and some are both inside and outside. Or does it really just vary from dog to dog?

Living in Iowa, our weather can be very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. We are going to get a big kennel for outside so our pup can be outside when it's nice out. But I just feel bad if he has to be out in super cold or hot weather. Especially this winter since he'll only be a few months old once winter comes. But does having them live outside all or the majority of the time keep them "tough" and used to the weather regardless of what the weather is doing?

Plus we want to get him potty trained  and he'll need to be in the house somewhat for that. We're hoping he can pick that up quickly. From what I've read and heard from others, they pick up on that kind of stuff pretty quick. And after potty training 2 Dacshunds, potty training a GSP has GOT to be easier!

I can only speak to half of the question first hand and the other half through a friend. My dog is a house dog and I think it gives me/us more time to bond and train. Being inside alot of the time means she has to obey commands and many situations give you the chance to teach/train them.  She hunts and it doesn't seem to affect her drive. 

The friend has it both ways and the outside GSP is a hunting machine.  Now it could be that he would be no matter where he spends his nights.  I am going out on a limb here, but I would think it could work either way depending on your situation and the dog.  Some dogs may need more human contact and others might not care either way.  My shorthair comes up and greets everyone, his when let out of the kennel is looking to run/hunt.  depends on what you want yours to do.

Good luck

Matt

My  "well mannared house GSP" is terrible on a leash.  She thinks she is part Siberian Husky.  I can make her heel for 10-50 feet, but we walk to alot of the places she gets to run of leash.  That is all she is thinking about the whole time and could care less about what type of pinch collar I use to slow her pullind down.  I flank hitch has been my lastests attempt and is working better.  She is 4+ y/o. She does travel well and hotel pretty good.  again each dog is different.

Matt

Our dogs are in a kennel while we're at work and inside the house at night. Definately NO slacking on the working ability here.

I personally don't believe a person can spend too much time with their dog (as long as we're not talking about something like work or a marriage in the way, lol). To add to the list, keeping dogs inside at night at least does two very good things:
- They don't need to eat as much when sleeping in a warm area
- They aren't barking at stuff all night and annoying the neighbors

I would have them inside more but I've gotta work and the dogs honestly like their kennels. The only thing they can get in trouble for in the kennel is barking. Other than that it's a nonstop dogfest out there with straw scattered and pine cones and sticks shredded and water splashed all over the place.... In fact, now that I've let the pigeons loose to fly over the yard, the hounds hardly want to be inside at all!

Until it rains of course. The hoodlums turn into veeeeery quiet and good hounds complete with expanded bladder capacity when it's raining out.

Our dogs are house dogs but they do not sleep in bed with us. However they do have their own recliners When we are at work they are outside in their kennel/run. They are great hunting dogs and pretty well behaved in the house. If they get to playing in the house we tell them to get in their chairs. They also get in them on their own. I don't know what we are going to do when we get another dog, we don't have room for another recliner.

We have a dog door so the dogs decide for themselves. 

The GSP sleeps in the bed and the Vizsla in her crate (she's not completely trust worthy yet).  Both are all business when they hit the field. 

Mine are like that too. They always want to be with me. I was sitting on the couch last night and they were all on me touching me somehow and they were happy. My wife was laughing! Kind of hard to watch tv though. I love how we can see traits from Hunter and Belle in the pups. Hunter is a licker ( I call him Slimer) so is Stud. Belle will put her nose on you right in your face so the fuzzy lip just under the nose tickles your face. Stud does that but licks too. Stud aldo had this noise he makes(not sure what to call it) the same as Hunter, when he finds a toy he runs up to you and ahrooooooooooo roooo rooo. His is higher pitched than Hunter but they both do it. They prance around like show dogs!

Doddi is a bit more laid back kind of like her Aunt Mocha. They get a toy and do a pig snort kind of thing! God I love these dogs. They make any day better and never a boring moment with them either!!