Couch potato dog breed
April 9, 2009 12:22 PM Subscribe
What are good dog breeds for the couch potato? I saw a show on Animal Planet (my parents watch it with their dog!) about a breed I had never heard of, and it sounded perfect for me. It's a bigger dog, and although it can run very fast and will play outside, it loves kids and likes to snuggle on the couch. I can't remember the name of the breed. I searched and found this, but those are more common breeds. Did anyone else see the show or know of a lesser known breed like this?
I doubt this was the specific breed mentioned on the show, but I've heard that retired greyhounds are total couch potatoes.
posted by amarynth at 12:44 PM on April 9, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by amarynth at 12:44 PM on April 9, 2009 [6 favorites]
Was the show you saw Dogs 101? They have a website with a dog breed quiz that may include the one you're looking for.
posted by leesh at 12:46 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by leesh at 12:46 PM on April 9, 2009
my mini poodle is a total couch potato and she's totally sweet, would be good with kids and likes to play too.
posted by bananafish at 12:47 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by bananafish at 12:47 PM on April 9, 2009
Best answer: I know exactly which episode of Dogs 101 she's talking about - it was the Whippet which is a smaller relative of the Greyhound.
posted by canine epigram at 12:51 PM on April 9, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by canine epigram at 12:51 PM on April 9, 2009 [2 favorites]
We got a neapolitan mastiff for the built in couch potato factor.
Well plus I just love the breed, at 16 months it is living up to my hope of built in lazy.
Aside, that pic ain't my dog, is in its later years, but sure looks great.
posted by Max Power at 12:51 PM on April 9, 2009
Well plus I just love the breed, at 16 months it is living up to my hope of built in lazy.
Aside, that pic ain't my dog, is in its later years, but sure looks great.
posted by Max Power at 12:51 PM on April 9, 2009
Canine epigram sounds pretty sure of the answer, and I came in to suggest either whippet or greyhound.
posted by Joh at 12:56 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by Joh at 12:56 PM on April 9, 2009
my pug is the ultimate cuddler couch potato. actually faces the tv and watches it.
posted by fumbducker at 1:03 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by fumbducker at 1:03 PM on April 9, 2009
Yes, my pug loves the tv, which she prefers to watch from her bed. Or from on top of the cat.
posted by answergrape at 1:08 PM on April 9, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by answergrape at 1:08 PM on April 9, 2009 [1 favorite]
I've heard that retired greyhounds are 50 mph couch potatoes.
From personal experience I can say that Rottweilers are couch potatoes as well.
posted by O9scar at 1:16 PM on April 9, 2009
From personal experience I can say that Rottweilers are couch potatoes as well.
posted by O9scar at 1:16 PM on April 9, 2009
whippets are really great - and yea, speed of light outdoors, snuggle on the couch indoors
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:22 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:22 PM on April 9, 2009
Bulldogs might be another option, they're pretty low-energy types.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 1:22 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 1:22 PM on April 9, 2009
oh and they also are used as racing dogs, so you can rescue a retired dog and be a good person!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:23 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:23 PM on April 9, 2009
I can vouch that greyhounds are 50 mph couch potatoes. We had a brindle who'd sprint full out to get to the couch first.
As for that quiz, it said my number one match was a Bernese Mountain Dog. Currently, that's what I've got. He's a bit of a slug and would be a total couch potato if we allowed him on the furniture.
posted by onhazier at 1:23 PM on April 9, 2009
As for that quiz, it said my number one match was a Bernese Mountain Dog. Currently, that's what I've got. He's a bit of a slug and would be a total couch potato if we allowed him on the furniture.
posted by onhazier at 1:23 PM on April 9, 2009
aren't those called cats?
posted by ArgentCorvid at 1:26 PM on April 9, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by ArgentCorvid at 1:26 PM on April 9, 2009 [2 favorites]
I have a Whippet/Lab mix. I chose her from the pound on the theory that she would be a smaller, more sedate version of a Lab, because of the mix from the couch-potato Whippet. BZZT! Wrong! I love her to pieces, but 12 years later, she is only NOW slowing down, after doing a near-constant imitation of Speedy Gonzales.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:27 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:27 PM on April 9, 2009
My Great Dane was a couch potato. Happy to go outside and romp, equally happy to occupy the entire couch.
posted by PatoPata at 1:28 PM on April 9, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by PatoPata at 1:28 PM on April 9, 2009 [2 favorites]
None of the whippets I have known have been that mellow. About 80% of the greyhounds I have known have been that way.
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 1:32 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 1:32 PM on April 9, 2009
I've heard that retired greyhounds are total couch potatoes.
They are. Or at least ours were, and that was very much the prevailing view amongst greyhound people. They slept more than any cat I ever knew.
Never had whippets, but they always seemed a little more highly-strung and energetic.
The downside of greyhounds as couch potatoes: they're awfully bony. Long legs that they like to stretch into you. Very sweet natured though, and impossible to resist when they rest a muzzle on your knee and gaze up at you.
I miss my hounds.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 1:57 PM on April 9, 2009 [1 favorite]
They are. Or at least ours were, and that was very much the prevailing view amongst greyhound people. They slept more than any cat I ever knew.
Never had whippets, but they always seemed a little more highly-strung and energetic.
The downside of greyhounds as couch potatoes: they're awfully bony. Long legs that they like to stretch into you. Very sweet natured though, and impossible to resist when they rest a muzzle on your knee and gaze up at you.
I miss my hounds.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 1:57 PM on April 9, 2009 [1 favorite]
Greyhounds may not always be a good choice for people with kids, depending on how old the kids are. Many adoption agencies will not adopt to people with kids under the age of five because of this.
I know that my own grey would probably* not ever hurt a child, but they stress her out. She will pant and shed and try to escape, giving me pleading looks until I take her somewhere away from the children. Greys retired from the track also have a tendency to sleep with their eyes open and have issues with sleep-space agression.
Greyhounds make fantastic pets, but they require their owner to be aware of their specific needs and expectations. I love my girl more than anything.
*dogs are never entirely predictable.
posted by winna at 2:25 PM on April 9, 2009 [1 favorite]
I know that my own grey would probably* not ever hurt a child, but they stress her out. She will pant and shed and try to escape, giving me pleading looks until I take her somewhere away from the children. Greys retired from the track also have a tendency to sleep with their eyes open and have issues with sleep-space agression.
Greyhounds make fantastic pets, but they require their owner to be aware of their specific needs and expectations. I love my girl more than anything.
*dogs are never entirely predictable.
posted by winna at 2:25 PM on April 9, 2009 [1 favorite]
Was it Breed All About It: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog? (I was watching too this weekend.) They're great big working dogs; this description seems to match what you're describing.
posted by gladly at 3:51 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by gladly at 3:51 PM on April 9, 2009
Pugs make awesome cuddlers. Plus they love running around but in short spurts, which is awesome for lazy people.
posted by CwgrlUp at 4:17 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by CwgrlUp at 4:17 PM on April 9, 2009
Nthing pug. I recently adopted a senior pug because I specifically wanted a lazy dog and boy did I get one. Yer gonna adopt, right?
posted by Jess the Mess at 4:33 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by Jess the Mess at 4:33 PM on April 9, 2009
Another vote for retired racing Greyhounds. We had one who some days would never even get off his bed. They are so sweet, and really just grateful to have a nice home. You just have to let them out every once in a while in a fenced-in area because they will occasionally want to sprint. But usually they will just prefer to sleep.
posted by LolaGeek at 6:30 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by LolaGeek at 6:30 PM on April 9, 2009
If you're looking for a couch-potato dog, I suggest adopting an adult dog. We have an adult Corgi, bred to be a cattle herding dog, but she super mellow and doesn't herd much of anything. She makes me never want to deal with puppy hyperactivity again!
*Most* small/lap dogs are good if you're not too active because they tend to wear themselves out running around the house. Many of them are bred to be snugglers. Now, not all dogs confirm to their breed stereotypes. I had a Shih Tzu that didn't require much exercise, but didn't cuddle at all. My aunt's Shih Tzu, however, was a total snuggler.
posted by radioamy at 8:53 PM on April 9, 2009
*Most* small/lap dogs are good if you're not too active because they tend to wear themselves out running around the house. Many of them are bred to be snugglers. Now, not all dogs confirm to their breed stereotypes. I had a Shih Tzu that didn't require much exercise, but didn't cuddle at all. My aunt's Shih Tzu, however, was a total snuggler.
posted by radioamy at 8:53 PM on April 9, 2009
Response by poster: You guys rock! Canine epigram nailed it--it was that episode!
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I guess I should have included that I had an American Pit Bull Terrier whom I absolutely adored, and he was a kid-loving couch potato who needed at least one run a day. He died a year ago, and I'm just now able to think about getting another pet. I think getting a different breed might make it easier on us, not to constantly be comparing the new dog to his predecessor.
posted by lily_bart at 11:28 PM on April 9, 2009
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I guess I should have included that I had an American Pit Bull Terrier whom I absolutely adored, and he was a kid-loving couch potato who needed at least one run a day. He died a year ago, and I'm just now able to think about getting another pet. I think getting a different breed might make it easier on us, not to constantly be comparing the new dog to his predecessor.
posted by lily_bart at 11:28 PM on April 9, 2009
Response by poster: Oh, and to all who were concerned, it will definitely be an adoption!
posted by lily_bart at 11:34 PM on April 9, 2009
posted by lily_bart at 11:34 PM on April 9, 2009
Greyhound - we currently have three hounds and two sofas, and the continuous manoeuvring for the best sleeping spots is constantly amusing.
posted by primer_dimer at 1:58 AM on April 10, 2009
posted by primer_dimer at 1:58 AM on April 10, 2009
My greyhound is great with kids. She's very gentle, lets them pull on her and play with her, and will cuddle up with them and is very careful. In contrast, with adults, she is constantly nosing people and is not careful at all, probably because she realizes that adults can take it. If an adult bumps or steps on her, she will twist out of the way and snap (but not make contact or really try to - it's more of an act). If a kid does it, she just kind of sighs and tries to get out from under the kid. In my experience, it is more common for male greyhounds to be rougher or less predictable with kids, especially if they have raced for a long time and are used to all that testosterone and aggression coursing through their systems.
However, I would never leave her or any dog that size, especially one with such a strong prey drive, alone with a small child.
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 7:49 AM on April 10, 2009
However, I would never leave her or any dog that size, especially one with such a strong prey drive, alone with a small child.
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 7:49 AM on April 10, 2009
Just wanted to chime in that my whippet-lab mix will cuddle when she feels like it, but she also has tons of energy and needs lots of exercise. She's also very sneaky, and gets into stuff, which I think is a whippet thing.
My Great Dane on the other hand, is a huge couch potato and the best snuggler ever.
posted by thejanna at 11:41 AM on April 10, 2009
My Great Dane on the other hand, is a huge couch potato and the best snuggler ever.
posted by thejanna at 11:41 AM on April 10, 2009
We have 2 Italian Greyhounds which are the "small" version of greyhounds. Whippets being the "medium" range, and standard Greyhounds being the "large" size wise. There are differences that go deeper than that of course but, it gives most people a jumping off point as size can be an issue.
Our boys can be complete couch potatoes, and they LOVE to snuggle and take naps with us all the time. At some points my wife is up for college classes during the day, when I'm asleep for working night shifts, and they'll happily just sleep with whoever's in bed, or watch tv if we're both up and catching some news. Other times though, we have alot of fun out at the dog parks, as they are incredibly fast and agile runners when they want to be.
You can learn more about all sighthound breeds at this forum.
posted by mr.anthony337 at 12:40 PM on April 10, 2009
Our boys can be complete couch potatoes, and they LOVE to snuggle and take naps with us all the time. At some points my wife is up for college classes during the day, when I'm asleep for working night shifts, and they'll happily just sleep with whoever's in bed, or watch tv if we're both up and catching some news. Other times though, we have alot of fun out at the dog parks, as they are incredibly fast and agile runners when they want to be.
You can learn more about all sighthound breeds at this forum.
posted by mr.anthony337 at 12:40 PM on April 10, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Someday, when I live in an apartment that allows pets, I will have a bullmastiff, and my life will be complete.
posted by phunniemee at 12:36 PM on April 9, 2009