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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 14:05:34 GMT -6
Hi Friends,
I know these threads are hated by some but I'm looking for anecdotes about dog breeds.
We're finally ready to get a new dog, and I have been obsesssively researching low energy dogs.
I think we're leaning heavily towards a cockapoo (we want the cross breed for the generally hypo-allergenic hair).
Would love to know what low energy breeds you all love, spam me with dog stories and dog pictures. I am beyond excited that we're finally here!
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willow
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Post by willow on Jan 9, 2024 14:11:23 GMT -6
In general, in my experience (not an expert but did work at an animal sanctuary will all kinds of breeds for some time), the giant breeds will be your best bet. Great Danes, Mastiffs, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfies, etc. These dogs are just big balls of snuggle love. I don't know much about cockapoos but I've never met a cocker spaniel or poodle that was chill lol.
But honestly it is going to be a toss up no matter what because it is so individual to the dog itself. Are you looking to get it from a breeder? If you are, I'd look for a breeder that specifically breeds for calm temperament. If rescue, then at least the foster care should be able to give you an idea of the temperament, regardless of the breed.
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jaygee
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Post by jaygee on Jan 9, 2024 14:13:52 GMT -6
IME lower energy comes with age. Under 3 and most breeds are just little balls of energy. Also, the smaller the dog, even if they are energetic you can wear them out faster. Like my 12 lb girl - if weather was bad we could just throw the ball inside the house/hallway for half an hour a couple times a day and she would be good.
The only truly low energy dogs I’ve experienced are Great Danes. Seriously crazy how lazy those dogs are.
Avoid Jack Russel terriers at all costs. I love them, but they are seriously energizer bunnies.
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 14:14:25 GMT -6
In general, in my experience (not an expert but did work at an animal sanctuary will all kinds of breeds for some time), the giant breeds will be your best bet. Great Danes, Mastiffs, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfies, etc. These dogs are just big balls of snuggle love. I don't know much about cockapoos but I've never met a cocker spaniel or poodle that was chill lol. But honestly it is going to be a toss up no matter what because it is so individual to the dog itself. Are you looking to get it from a breeder? If you are, I'd look for a breeder that specifically breeds for calm temperament. If rescue, then at least the foster care should be able to give you an idea of the temperament, regardless of the breed. At the moment we're looking at breeders, ones that do exactly what you suggest (breed for calm temperaments). We're also keeping a general eye at our local shelter. We're flexible and happy to adopt a mutt (is that work even still used?? I really don't know).
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 14:16:46 GMT -6
Our friends had a dane and we loved him so much. He would back his butt up to sit on my lap, which was always a fun experience.
Unfortunately large breeds we have to avoid. I am worried about my ability to physically handle a dog of that size (with my arthritis)
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wasabi
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Post by wasabi on Jan 9, 2024 14:24:52 GMT -6
I wouldn’t necessarily call a cavalier King Charles low energy, but I’ve found that they really enjoy snuggling the most and will follow your lead re energy. I constantly read they are great for apartment life when I was looking into them. So a cavapoo may be a good choice for you.
I used to be a big dog only person, but after having a smaller dog, omg, it’s much, much easier in regards to caring for them. Poop. Money on food. Things they can get into, etc. obviously a crazy energetic small breed would be different, but this is just my experience with the breeds I’ve had.
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willow
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Post by willow on Jan 9, 2024 14:24:53 GMT -6
In general, in my experience (not an expert but did work at an animal sanctuary will all kinds of breeds for some time), the giant breeds will be your best bet. Great Danes, Mastiffs, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfies, etc. These dogs are just big balls of snuggle love. I don't know much about cockapoos but I've never met a cocker spaniel or poodle that was chill lol. But honestly it is going to be a toss up no matter what because it is so individual to the dog itself. Are you looking to get it from a breeder? If you are, I'd look for a breeder that specifically breeds for calm temperament. If rescue, then at least the foster care should be able to give you an idea of the temperament, regardless of the breed. At the moment we're looking at breeders, ones that do exactly what you suggest (breed for calm temperaments). We're also keeping a general eye at our local shelter. We're flexible and happy to adopt a mutt (is that work even still used?? I really don't know). I will say that the genetics probably don't kick in until past the puppyhood stage like jaygee said. My 4 month old puppy is just now turning the dial down slightly after being with us for 2 months, and it is only because now she is going to daycare a few days a week. She IS a calmer puppy for her breed - a lab, which is notorious for being crazy for like 4 years lol. So the breeder DID give us a calmer puppy. I am just not sure how much it will show until she is at least a year old or more. You could look in shelters for 1-3 year old dogs that note a relaxed or calm activity level. Or dogs that are noted to be good around young kids since generally that would mean they are likely an easygoing dog.
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 14:30:26 GMT -6
I wouldn’t necessarily call a cavalier King Charles low energy, but I’ve found that they really enjoy snuggling the most and will follow your lead re energy. I constantly read they are great for apartment life when I was looking into them. So a cavapoo may be a good choice for you. I used to be a big dog only person, but after having a smaller dog, omg, it’s much, much easier in regards to caring for them. Poop. Money on food. Things they can get into, etc. obviously a crazy energetic small breed would be different, but this is just my experience with the breeds I’ve had. The King Charles is my dream dog. It's definitely being considered so I love knowing you've had a good experience.
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jaygee
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Post by jaygee on Jan 9, 2024 14:33:10 GMT -6
You don’t have to answer or get into details but I’m wondering if connecting with a guide dog organization in your area might be worthwhile. MIL breeds and fosters canine companion dogs and not all of them pass “college”. Perfectly good dogs don’t pass because of very minor things that just won’t work with some recipients. Either temperament just being a little off or something silly like they poop in a circle and a person in a wheelchair wouldn’t be able to handle that (real example). There is often a waiting list for these dogs to go to people who don’t quite meet all the program requirements. MIL is also a therapist and has been able to get some of her clients these dogs to help with anxiety or PTSD. They are calmer and well trained. Just a thought with your condition.
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jaygee
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Post by jaygee on Jan 9, 2024 14:38:15 GMT -6
I wouldn’t necessarily call a cavalier King Charles low energy, but I’ve found that they really enjoy snuggling the most and will follow your lead re energy. I constantly read they are great for apartment life when I was looking into them. So a cavapoo may be a good choice for you. I used to be a big dog only person, but after having a smaller dog, omg, it’s much, much easier in regards to caring for them. Poop. Money on food. Things they can get into, etc. obviously a crazy energetic small breed would be different, but this is just my experience with the breeds I’ve had. Fellow big dog to small dog convert. I could not agree more.
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 14:41:36 GMT -6
You don’t have to answer or get into details but I’m wondering if connecting with a guide dog organization in your area might be worthwhile. MIL breeds and fosters canine companion dogs and not all of them pass “college”. Perfectly good dogs don’t pass because of very minor things that just won’t work with some recipients. Either temperament just being a little off or something silly like they poop in a circle and a person in a wheelchair wouldn’t be able to handle that (real example). There is often a waiting list for these dogs to go to people who don’t quite meet all the program requirements. MIL is also a therapist and has been able to get some of her clients these dogs to help with anxiety or PTSD. They are calmer and well trained. Just a thought with your condition. This is a very good point. It's even run through my head, wondering if I qualify (with my variety of diagnosis') but I've never reached out as we don't have an arm of the Ontario program nearby. But I'd likely only have to travel an hour to do training if I met the requirements, or meet a dog who didn't graduate.
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willow
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Post by willow on Jan 9, 2024 14:44:24 GMT -6
I'm a big dog bitch for lifeeeee. Bring me all the big dopey bodies with long tails wagging their whole butts at me. I need a dog that acts like a permanently happy toddler and generally those are the big babies. lol.
I did make friends with one small dog while working at the sanctuary. A cranky asshole chihuaha named Rocky. But he liked me for whatever reason.
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roselab
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Post by roselab on Jan 9, 2024 14:45:28 GMT -6
You don’t have to answer or get into details but I’m wondering if connecting with a guide dog organization in your area might be worthwhile. MIL breeds and fosters canine companion dogs and not all of them pass “college”. Perfectly good dogs don’t pass because of very minor things that just won’t work with some recipients. Either temperament just being a little off or something silly like they poop in a circle and a person in a wheelchair wouldn’t be able to handle that (real example). There is often a waiting list for these dogs to go to people who don’t quite meet all the program requirements. MIL is also a therapist and has been able to get some of her clients these dogs to help with anxiety or PTSD. They are calmer and well trained. Just a thought with your condition. THis is a great suggestion. I was all ready to recommend a lab until you mentioned that you couldn't handle big dogs because of arthritis. I know labs CAN be crazy, but from the right breeder, my experience has been that they are super calm and trainable. My current pup (who is 3, in my profile pic) is so much calmer than my mutt who is 7. My other dog will literally be out in the yard barking at every little noise or movement, and my lab will lift her head from where she is snoozing on the couch, cock her ears and be like, is that something I need to get up and go bark at? And unless someone is actually at our door, she's like, nope, and goes back to sleep. But we didn't leash train her well and I walk them together, and she is a BEAST in terms of being 75 lbs of muscle who could easily pull me over if I wasn't capable with her. My 75 lb 12 year old dd wants to walk her on her own, and I'm just like nope, if she sees a deer or something, she's pulling you over and that won't be pretty (and deer sightings are common on our walk). But 98% of the time, she is calm. My friend also trains labs to be service dogs, and I watch them either pass (yay!) or fail for mostly minor reasons like jaygee said. But once they have gone through the initial training, they are SUCH good dogs and would be so easy to handle.
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wasabi
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Post by wasabi on Jan 9, 2024 14:49:30 GMT -6
I wouldn’t necessarily call a cavalier King Charles low energy, but I’ve found that they really enjoy snuggling the most and will follow your lead re energy. I constantly read they are great for apartment life when I was looking into them. So a cavapoo may be a good choice for you. I used to be a big dog only person, but after having a smaller dog, omg, it’s much, much easier in regards to caring for them. Poop. Money on food. Things they can get into, etc. obviously a crazy energetic small breed would be different, but this is just my experience with the breeds I’ve had. Fellow big dog to small dog convert. I could not agree more. BATHS, wiping muddy paws when it rains, being in the car, walking in front of you in the house as dogs love to do, dog beds/crates and just general space they take up, the bones and toys are smaller and more affordable. The price of a giant bully bully stick for a big dog… insane. I do still have a very special place in my heart for big dogs. I love them. Just not for ease of care.
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wasabi
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Post by wasabi on Jan 9, 2024 14:51:19 GMT -6
I wouldn’t necessarily call a cavalier King Charles low energy, but I’ve found that they really enjoy snuggling the most and will follow your lead re energy. I constantly read they are great for apartment life when I was looking into them. So a cavapoo may be a good choice for you. I used to be a big dog only person, but after having a smaller dog, omg, it’s much, much easier in regards to caring for them. Poop. Money on food. Things they can get into, etc. obviously a crazy energetic small breed would be different, but this is just my experience with the breeds I’ve had. The King Charles is my dream dog. It's definitely being considered so I love knowing you've had a good experience. I would be happy if this was the only breed of dog I could have forever. They are the sweetest.
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wasabi
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Post by wasabi on Jan 9, 2024 14:57:41 GMT -6
I'm a big dog bitch for lifeeeee. Bring me all the big dopey bodies with long tails wagging their whole butts at me. I need a dog that acts like a permanently happy toddler and generally those are the big babies. lol. I did make friends with one small dog while working at the sanctuary. A cranky asshole chihuaha named Rocky. But he liked me for whatever reason. There is something about a giant dopey dog that I love. My cousin brought this newfiepoo to thanksgiving this year and I almost smuggled him into my van. Then I thought about the poop in my backyard 🤣
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willow
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Post by willow on Jan 9, 2024 15:02:13 GMT -6
wasabi I outsource the poop. Highly worth the monthly fee.
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 15:02:44 GMT -6
Our last dog was an Old English Sheepdog and while I think they are the most loveable and beautiful dogs - I just can't with the size anymore. Could barely then, but at least I was younger and healthier when we had him.
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willow
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Post by willow on Jan 9, 2024 15:04:59 GMT -6
You don’t have to answer or get into details but I’m wondering if connecting with a guide dog organization in your area might be worthwhile. MIL breeds and fosters canine companion dogs and not all of them pass “college”. Perfectly good dogs don’t pass because of very minor things that just won’t work with some recipients. Either temperament just being a little off or something silly like they poop in a circle and a person in a wheelchair wouldn’t be able to handle that (real example). There is often a waiting list for these dogs to go to people who don’t quite meet all the program requirements. MIL is also a therapist and has been able to get some of her clients these dogs to help with anxiety or PTSD. They are calmer and well trained. Just a thought with your condition. THis is a great suggestion. I was all ready to recommend a lab until you mentioned that you couldn't handle big dogs because of arthritis. I know labs CAN be crazy, but from the right breeder, my experience has been that they are super calm and trainable. My current pup (who is 3, in my profile pic) is so much calmer than my mutt who is 7. My other dog will literally be out in the yard barking at every little noise or movement, and my lab will lift her head from where she is snoozing on the couch, cock her ears and be like, is that something I need to get up and go bark at? And unless someone is actually at our door, she's like, nope, and goes back to sleep. But we didn't leash train her well and I walk them together, and she is a BEAST in terms of being 75 lbs of muscle who could easily pull me over if I wasn't capable with her. My 75 lb 12 year old dd wants to walk her on her own, and I'm just like nope, if she sees a deer or something, she's pulling you over and that won't be pretty (and deer sightings are common on our walk). But 98% of the time, she is calm. My friend also trains labs to be service dogs, and I watch them either pass (yay!) or fail for mostly minor reasons like jaygee said. But once they have gone through the initial training, they are SUCH good dogs and would be so easy to handle. Agreed about how trainable labs are to be calmer, especially if you go to an English lab breeder since in general, they have calmer temperament than the American line. But my love of my life lab that died a few years ago was the sweetest and a pretty chill dog. My new pup I am already utilizing a trainer for some basic commands, then we will join her group class and once she graduates from that, later this year we'll work on her therapy dog certification. It definitely is possible to have a calm lab! But the size is hard to get around, for sure, ha.
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Post by hugsfordrugs on Jan 9, 2024 15:23:22 GMT -6
My sister has an almost 15 year old Maltese poodle (about 10 pounds) and that dog is not at all low energy. She still hikes 5+ miles with us and then wants to go home and play ball.
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 15:25:16 GMT -6
My sister has an almost 15 year old Maltese poodle (about 10 pounds) and that dog is not at all low energy. She still hikes 5+ miles with us and then wants to go home and play ball. That is not what we want! 😂
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Post by hugsfordrugs on Jan 9, 2024 15:33:14 GMT -6
My sister has an almost 15 year old Maltese poodle (about 10 pounds) and that dog is not at all low energy. She still hikes 5+ miles with us and then wants to go home and play ball. That is not what we want! 😂 It’s funny because she adopted her from a place and there were 2 dogs she was interested in. They let her take both dogs out for a walk. The other dog (a Lhasa Apso) was so low energy she actually had to carry that dog during the walk lol.
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willow
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Post by willow on Jan 9, 2024 15:36:50 GMT -6
That is not what we want! 😂 It’s funny because she adopted her from a place and there were 2 dogs she was interested in. They let her take both dogs out for a walk. The other dog (a Lhasa Apso) was so low energy she actually had to carry that dog during the walk lol. Oh yeah a Lhasa Apso might be a good low energy dog. Never met one of those who had an ounce of interest in interacting with me lol. Just wanted to sleep.
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Post by marsinvestigations on Jan 9, 2024 15:55:57 GMT -6
I wouldn’t necessarily call a cavalier King Charles low energy, but I’ve found that they really enjoy snuggling the most and will follow your lead re energy. I constantly read they are great for apartment life when I was looking into them. So a cavapoo may be a good choice for you. I used to be a big dog only person, but after having a smaller dog, omg, it’s much, much easier in regards to caring for them. Poop. Money on food. Things they can get into, etc. obviously a crazy energetic small breed would be different, but this is just my experience with the breeds I’ve had. we have a cavapoo and he is super chill. Also kind of cranky- not mean, just doesn’t like other hyper dogs around him. We called him the old man ever since he was a puppy. He’s always been a big cuddler but again, didn’t like the kids when they were little and out of control. He’s 15 years old now , around 22lbs, and sweet as can be. Grooming is expensive as we have to take him every two-three months. Doesn’t really shed unless we go too long between groomings.
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Jan 9, 2024 16:02:42 GMT -6
My friends had a cavapoo that they would pay ds1 to care for. Even as a puppy he was an exceptionally good boy.
We’re looking into getting a companion dog for ds2, and that is the breed we’re leaning toward.
That being said, our Great Pyr is the sweetest dog. She’s huge but very gentle. I swear she knows when I’m having high pain days. She lays her head on my lap and snuggles, but when I’m feeling good she’ll run around and play. Her puppyhood was tough though.
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 16:07:46 GMT -6
Liking hearing about great cavapoos! And hawkward, Great Pyrenees!?!? I want a picture of that sweetheart. What a beautiful breed!
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Post by coffeecake on Jan 9, 2024 16:11:34 GMT -6
I’ve unfortunately never had a low energy dog, so I can’t recommend a certain breed. But I wanted to suggest being open to a dog that is a few years old, rather than a puppy. H’s aunt and uncle adopted a 3 year old dachshund from a rescue and he is the calmest, sweetest thing ever. They got to skip the puppy craziness, house training, chewing, etc. and said it’s been great.
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daisy
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Post by daisy on Jan 9, 2024 16:28:02 GMT -6
We have an Australian Labradoodle, which has no Australian shepherd in it, but still is not low energy.
I thought I was more of a medium to large dog person, but now that we have a dog, I’m glad she’s not bigger than she is, and can see a lot of benefits to going smaller. My favorite, smaller dog I met was a Havanese. Maybe a Havanese? They are non-shedding.
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Post by kittyriot on Jan 9, 2024 16:35:40 GMT -6
We have an Australian Labradoodle, which has no Australian shepherd in it, but still is not low energy. I thought it was more of a medium to large dog person, but now that we have a dog, I’m glad she’s not bigger than she has, and can see a lot of benefits to going smaller. My favorite, smaller dog I met was a Havanese. Maybe a Havanese? They are non-shedding. For a long time the Havanese was our front runner. But quite a few people we know have said they can be moody and bad with kids at times. And this dog is happening now in part because DD would really benefit from a new dog.
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grogu
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Post by grogu on Jan 9, 2024 16:40:39 GMT -6
I have a friend who's had 2 cockapoos and I used to dogsit for the first one all the time. I found them to be really sweet and snuggly and they seemed to be easily trainable for my friend. The first was very very friendly, the second was a little more aloof. They both has nice coats that needed regular grooming but were otherwise low maintenance.
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