Want a lazy dog.

[BethID]

I agree with the bassett hound. We just adopted a 3 year old from a rescue shelter in August. One of the reasons we went with a bassett is that they tend to be lazy. She does have bursts of energy and likes to go for a walk every day, but she doesn't mind laying around like the rest of the family.

 

[Pakey]

The picture says it all. This is the laziest breed of small dog I've ever seen. They also aren't the brightest bulb in the closest which helps because they don't get bored/frustrated. I have 2 Chinese cresteds and they are the biggest couch potatoes. Other than barking when someone rings the doorbell, they just lay around. In addition to being lazy, they are pretty low maintenance. No haircuts, just regular bathing, teeth cleaning, nail clipping.

About getting an older rescue: both of my dogs came to me as adult dogs. Neither were potty trained very well. Also, they had not been crate trained or were abused/neglected when it comes to crates so they freak out at the very sight of them. It's been a lot of work.

 

[NMAmy]

The problem is that there is really no way of telling by breed if a dog will be lazy or not. There are just too many exceptions to the rule. I agree that you should probably think long and hard about getting a dog--even the lazy ones require effort such as grooming and vet visits, etc.

I've had dogs all my life and I'm 47. The golden retriever we have now is the first real lazy dog I've ever had. She gets irritable when DH and I are home from work on the weekends and mess with her nap schedule. She'll harumph down to a bed in the basement where no one will annoy her with vaccuuming or tv watching. But I'd never count on another golden being lazy.

 

[JVL1018]

get a lab. We had one, I swear, she'd lay around sleeping about 20 hours a day.

My black lab is sleeping on the floor next to me as I type..laziest dog ever-love her!!
She jumps up and runs if someone comes to the door, otherwise you can fund her laying around somewhere in the house or on the deck.

 

[disneyfans95]

We have a chocolate lab and the last thing we can call him is lazy!

So we can't suggest a labrador for a lazy pet.

 

[klacey1]

my basset hound would fit the bill. he is quite lazy....sleeps, lays around and eats. he has a burst of energy every now and then, but his idea of fetch is more like keep away-you throw the ball, he goes and gets it, then you have to chase him around to try to get it back from him, lol. he is really very comical, and a great dog. one drawback: the basset has a body odor, and must be bathed regularly. they are quite stubborn, and resistant to training, so no need for that.

Our 7yo Basset is that way. She will get a burst of energy when someone visits, but she sleeps probably 18 hours a day. I think she started getting lazy about 5 years ago, so she was 2. Even from 1-2 she wasn't terribly energetic. I think that breed is just chill in general.

I would look for a rescue dog - they are always looking to place older, trained dogs. That's how we got ours.

I thought labs were extremely high energy and needed a lot of exercise. All the labs I know are like that.

Anyway, I think a basset hound sounds like a good choice for you. Especially if you get an older dog, not a puppy - maybe a rescue. They are very low energy.

I agree with the bassett hound. We just adopted a 3 year old from a rescue shelter in August. One of the reasons we went with a bassett is that they tend to be lazy. She does have bursts of energy and likes to go for a walk every day, but she doesn't mind laying around like the rest of the family.

I absolutely agree with all of these posts! We had our basset for 13 wonderful years. She was an absolute sweetheart and lazied up around 1, probably. She had her chewing moments as a puppy (never furniture, just things she thought were her toys), and was quickly cured of that. Even as a puppy, we'd have to drag her down the street for walks! Very slow, slept for 95% of the day/night. She was just the best, low maintenance dog. She loved a scratch behind the ears, but was mostly content to lay in front of the fire in the winter or in a patch of sunlight in the summer.
I definitely recommend going through a basset rescue group for an adult dog (maybe 2-3). I'd suggest going for a dog whose training history is known, if you can. Daisy Lou was house trained, and would come if you called her (if she felt like it!), but wasn't trained beyond that. Way too stubborn! It was never a problem, though. She was the best!

 

[moon]

Well, my Jack Russell Terrier mix started to mellow out when she was about 13 years old, so I wouldn't recommend her breed. I've heard that retired Greyhounds are really sweet and mellow. They require like one run in the morning, then the rest of the day is to relax.....

 

[Luv2Scrap]

Definitely stay away from Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. Not even a mix - you just can't dilute that energy enough! They are working dogs and they need "jobs" to do.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Even if you were to find a bread that is usually lazy that is no guarantee you would end up with a lazy dog. In actuality, since you specifically want a lazy dog you would probably end up with something similar to the dog in "Marley and Me"

I don't think a dog is the right fit for you. You might want to think about a fish

 

[pat fan]

Get a Greyhound!!

Really, they don't even need a "run" once a day, I think that's a myth. We have one and he goes out to the fenced in yard for a run a couple times a week. Most of the time he just goes out there to do his business and comes right back in to climb on the couch. You will NOT go wrong getting a grey...best dogs EVER!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Whatever you do, don't get a Beagle.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Yeah my almost 7 year old lab has tons of energy and loves to act like a puppy Are you looking for an older dog then? http://lab-rescue.com/An older lab would be nice

 

[Sgt Mickey]

The picture says it all. This is the laziest breed of small dog I've ever seen. They also aren't the brightest bulb in the closest which helps because they don't get bored/frustrated. I have 2 Chinese cresteds and they are the biggest couch potatoes. Other than barking when someone rings the doorbell, they just lay around. In addition to being lazy, they are pretty low maintenance. No haircuts, just regular bathing, teeth cleaning, nail clipping.

About getting an older rescue: both of my dogs came to me as adult dogs. Neither were potty trained very well. Also, they had not been crate trained or were abused/neglected when it comes to crates so they freak out at the very sight of them. It's been a lot of work.

 

[walden]

Get a Greyhound!!

Really, they don't even need a "run" once a day, I think that's a myth. We have one and he goes out to the fenced in yard for a run a couple times a week. Most of the time he just goes out there to do his business and comes right back in to climb on the couch. You will NOT go wrong getting a grey...best dogs EVER!

Well, I certainly agree that greyhounds are great dogs, I just adopted my 4th retired racer! He is a wild and crazy 2 year old who is into everything, an expert counter-surfer, and just grabbed the end of a roll of TP and ran all over the house unwinding it! My previous greys have all been sweet, very easy to train and very low energy compared to other breeds I have owned. I qualified three as Therapy Dogs. Sadly, we lost one to cancer and another to a stroke at 13. So sad. The third is now a laid back sweetie but even she had her moments when younger . . .

For the OP: I'm not going to leap to the conclusion that you don't understand that even older laid-back dogs from shelters need exercise, and all dogs need time and training to acclimate to living in a new home. I'm just going to assume that you don't want to go to formal obedience training and want a low energy dog. If that is the case, the right match could be a greyhound.

A few things to remember about retired racing greyhounds is that they all need to get accustomed to living in a house, not all are house-broken if they are fresh from the track, but mine have all picked that up in a day. Greyhounds need to learn to climb stairs -- most have never seen stairs before and stairs can be frightening. Also, our rescue agency makes us sign a contract promising never to let them off the leash unless they are in a fenced area -- no electric fences allowed. Greyhounds can run straight through an electric fence (they are fast!) and then be unable to get back home. That means a minimum 3 walks a day, if you don't have a fenced in yard, but they don't have to be long.

They are lovely dogs. Most greyhound adoption agencies will work carefully with you to get a match to fit your needs.

 

[Pigeon]

Go to a rescue, where the dogs are fostered. The fosters can tell you with some accuracy about the behavior of any particular dog because they've lived with it.

We got a year old mutt from the rescue where we now volunteer. She was housebroken already, and the description of her behavior was much more accurate than trying to rely on what a breed standard is supposed to be.

 

[simba928]

At the shelter where I work what you are looking for would be called a "Disney dog." They don't exist. There are dogs with lower energy and higher energy, though. It depends on the breed as to what age they settle down. Retrievers (goldens, labs) and terriers are pretty much puppies for life. Cattledogs/heelers are very high energy, very intelligent breeds do they need alot of exercise and constant training. Greyhounds are bred for sprinting, not endurance, so they would be a good dog to let outside in a fenced yard to run and then bring them in to chill on the vouch for the rest of the day. Giant breeds are typically good out just laying around. Bassets may be another good choice. All dogs are going to need some level of exercise, meaning interaction with you. Tieing a dog to a tree is not exercise. They need to go for walks, play fetch or tug, etc.

Also, any dog is going to need some level of training. You can absolutely go to a shelter and say that you want an calm dog that doesn't need a lot of training. You'll probably want to look for an older dog that was an owner surrender as opposed to a stray. There are a lot of dogs in shelters that are already housebroken and with basic house manners. There will be an adjustment period where the dog may have a couple accidents in the house and the two of you have to figure eachother out. The dog needs to learn all your rules (am I allowed on furniture? Am I allowed in all the rooms in the house? What is the schedule like? What areas are "mine" and where are my new hiding spots?) but if you go for an older dog that has previously lived in the house, you will most likely get something like what you're looking for. Not all dogs in shelters are defective. Most of the dogs will make awesome family members if someone would just give them the chance. You're best bet would be to go to a shelter or rescue and tell them what you are looking for. Tell them you are interested in a dog, but don't have the time to put into a puppy. You work too much (or whatever reason you want to give, just don't say that you're too lazy to work with a dog, and yes I've had people tell me that) and, therefore, need a well mannered dog that will be ok left alone all day (or whatever your lifestyle is). They should be able to point out several dogs that nay be a good match. In fact, if you came into my shelter right now I can think of several dogs right now that may be a good match for you based on what you said here.

 

[acejka]

My english bullmix is extremely lazy. He is so lazy he makes us hold his bone for him when he chews it. He's a great dog.

My Maddie (the jack russell) is lazy too, but that is definitely not a normal thing. The vet can't get over her. She will flop in my arms and let me rock her like a baby during vet visits. Right now she has crammed herself in the armhole of my husbands football jesery that he left on the couch last night and is sleeping in it.

 

[sunnyday123]

Please think long and hard before getting a dog. I know things can be misconstrued on the Internet, so I won't assume anything, but your post sounds as if you don't want to put too much time, effort, energy, etc. into the dog. That's unfair to any animal you bring into your home. Even if you get a lazy dog, what if he has a medical condition later on that requires a lot of care later on? ALL dogs will need training...a puppy will and a dog you adopt will, especially if he has come from an abused or neglected background. I am not trying to be negative, just urging you to think about this big decision.

Also, there are dogs who are described as "low energy" however you can still end up with one who isn't the norm for that particular breed. And any dog needs training,it's basically a lifetime committment. Some dogs need more grooming than others, would that fit into your lifestyle?

Someone suggested a cat. That sounds like what you're looking for.

 

[NLK]

Bulldog!!!

 

[rie'smom]

If you want a great inside dog I have 2 recommendations- Japanese Chin and Shi Tzu.
Both are wonderful quiet dogs. For the lazier choice, I'd go with the Chin. We have one named Bruiser. He's a sweetie.