Good gun control : He can shoot straight.
Keeping a dog at night on a 30 foot chain is NORMAL animal control in rural areas. The reason for this is so that the dogs remain in a certain area, generally by the front door where they have sight of the driveway and/or pastures. This way they can maintain ‘guard’ over the entrance to the house and ‘protect’ the stock animals in the pastures.
Mountain lions, bears and coyotes have no problem harrassing, maiming or killing horses, cattle, sheep, chickens and other farm animals. Dogs are great audio alarm systems.
Do they require a covered shelter? Only when the weather turns harsh. So, you might leave the swinging door open to the garage for them to go into if they prefer. I’ve seen dogs that preferred to sleep outdoors in the snow. Even a couple that didn’t seem to mind the summer rains. Given the choice, most animals will seek shelter from a cold rain.
Is there a difference between work dogs and family pets? You bet there is. A work dogs is out walking in the mud and animal waste all day, not exactly the animal I would want rolling on my living room carpets in the evening, or trying to climb in bed with the kids at night.