Scottdog,
I keep my dog in the kitchen in winter, in summer the plan is for outdoors (though at 12 months he was too young last summer). My wife has rather reversed the 'rules' as he's grown on her. You may find the same happens with your landlord.
I'm not sure how much you know about dogs, I'm only on my first, but come from a family with lots of dogs (farmers and keepers), but please excuse me if this list is stating the obvious.
There's nothing wrong with having a dog outdoors IMO with the following provisos:
1) Get a decent kennel; the kennel should be draft proof and raised off the ground- either on it's own legs, or raised up by other means. You can get really good ones that are insulated. I've not bothered with these as my dog's in the kitchen in winter, so the one we have is a simple wooden kennel with a separate sleeping compartment with access at right angles to the main door, this helps cut down drafts.
2) Dog proof the garden or get a proper run attached to the kennel, with some cover from the rain.
3) When you've taken the dog out and he/she's tired and wet, do not put them away tired and wet- they should be warm and dry before put back outside. In order of priority when coming back from shooting: dog, gun, you.
4) If you're getting a pup, you may have to get him used to outdoors bit by bit. My spaniel still sleeps indoors, but in the daytime prefers to be outside, coming in again in the evening.
In summary no one would want to sleep outside wet and cold, though dogs will be comfortable in much lower temperatures that we would need. The same as people; if they are warm and dry, then they'll last much longer before they get arthritis/ joint issues- a longer working life.
Overall if you can commit enough time to training and exercise there's less of an issue than you think.
Andy R.
