People who keep their dogs outside constantly rationalize it, saying that they do spend time with their dogs, they do feed them, they do walk them. But delegating the backyard as your dog's home does not make him a real part of the family. People who constantly keep their dogs outside may provide a bowl of food, a bowl of water, and some attention on a regular basis. Maybe they might even provide a few minutes a day of real companionship with their pet. But once they return to the inside of the home, the dog is left isolated from companionship, caring, and a sense of family.
Dogs offer many things to people.
Devotion, abiding love and companionship are but a few. If people aren't willing to accept the responsibility of being a companion in return, then maybe they aren't ready to take care of a dog. A backyard dog becomes depressed, confused, and sad. Don't buy a puppy or a dog without realizing this large responsibility. Your dog wants to be your friend, not something that you eventually forget and lose interest in.