The wonderful thing about dogs is
that they will love you unconditionally as you are — whether you want
to run 20 miles in one day, or sit around on the couch and watch every
Harry Potter movie.
But your lifestyle is an important consideration when you get a dog,
because some just will not tolerate your movie marathons. Luckily, there
are a number of
lazier dog breeds who will be perfectly happy lounging around more often.
Though dog breeds vary in the level of
exercise they need,
all dogs need some form of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Whether that’s walks around the neighborhood or play sessions in the apartment, dogs need
exercise to prevent them from gaining excess weight and to form and keep their bond with their owners.
If
you’re the kind of person who doesn’t have the time or desire to run
with a dog or take them on long walks every day, you might want to
consider getting a lazier dog breed. Now, lazy doesn’t mean lacking
personality — these dog breeds have plenty of that. But they’d prefer to
be your napping buddy rather than your running partner. Here are 13 of
the laziest dog breeds.
Basset Hound
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Basset Hounds are known for their laid back personalities. According to the American Kennel Club, they do need moderate exercise, like a daily walk "at a moderate pace." Afterward the AKC says they'll "typically settle down for a comfortable sleep." What more could you want?
English Bulldog
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The AKC classifies English Bulldogs in the "non-sporting group," so that should tell you a little something about their energy levels.
They need regular walks at a "brisk pace" to help prevent them from gaining too much weight, according to the AKC, but then they might attempt to fall asleep in your lap (despite their average size of 40-50 pounds).
Great Dane
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Great Danes are known as true gentle giants. They can grow to be 2.5 feet tall
at their shoulder, and are known to develop strong bonds with kids, according to Hill's Pet. (I'm not crying.)
Hill's Pet lists their energy level as "
average," but the AKC describes them as
slightly more energetic,
requiring a couple of walks a day at a moderate pace. They will even be
up for the occasional hike. One blogger and Great Dane owner says they
are lazy dogs — but
only once they're adults.
Japanese Chin
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The Japanese Chin is a small breed averaging about 7 to 11 pounds, according to the AKC. Easy PetMD lists this breed as having "medium energy," and the AKC notes that they enjoy "going for slow walks with his humans," or exploring their fenced backyards. Though they're very sociable dogs, they're probably going to be way more excited about a nap than a game of fetch.
Their small size and relatively easy-going manner makes them great apartment dogs, but they do have "cat-like" climbing abilities, according to Spruce Pets.
King Charles Spaniel
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King Charles Spaniels are a part of the AKC's "toy group," and they're rated as "calm" on the AKC's energy level scale.
Though a King Charles Spaniel was "bred to be a beloved lap dog, he is descended from sporting dogs and does enjoy moderate exercise and outdoor activities," according to the AKC. Still, if you want to sit around and watch Netflix, don't expect a King Charles Spaniel to drag you off the couch.
Bullmastiff
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Bullmastiffs are huge, stocky dogs with a calm disposition, according to Animal Planet. They grow to be an average of 100 to 130 pounds, so make sure you're ready for a serious bed or couch hog and a fair amount of drool.
Some Bullmastiffs can be more active than others, according to the AKC, but none of them really make great running partners. Though they can be couch potatoes, they still need daily exercise in the form of a walk.
Pekingese
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This tiny breed is known for its adorable "squashed face," according to Hill's Pet. Pekingese make the perfect lap dogs, requiring no more than 20 minutes of exercise a day, depending on the dog.
The AKC notes that "although they are fairly sedate most of the time and have only modest exercise requirements, they do enjoy participating in canine sports at their own pace."
French Bulldog
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French Bulldogs, also known as Frenchies, are a small, stocky breed with lots of personality. They are affectionate and playful, but that doesn't mean they're super energetic, according to The Spruce Pets, which rates their energy level as "medium."
Frenchies generally only need a short walk or outdoor play session with their owner to stay healthy, though the AKC notes that they can have difficulty breathing in hot or humid weather because of their flat faces.
Shih Tzu
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The Shih Tzu is another toy breed that was bred to sit on your lap. Short daily walks or playtime is enough to keep them happy, otherwise they'll just want a lot of affection and face time, according to the AKC.
The one thing to note with this breed is that their coats can require a bit more maintenance, but, hey, look at that face.
Chow Chow
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The giant teddy bear-looking dog known as the Chow Chow is a laid back breed, according to Hill's Pet. Bred to be guard dogs, Chow Chows are very loyal to and protective of their families.
They require moderate exercise like short walks or some play time, according to the AKC, but not in hot weather due to their thick coat.
Pug
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According to the AKC, the Pug's motto is the Latin phrase The Pug’s “multum in parvo,” which means "a lot in a little," which tells you a lot of what you need to know about this breed.
Pugs are a playful breed that require moderate exercise to help prevent them from gaining excess weight, but otherwise they're described as great house pets who are happy to watch TV with you.
Greyhound
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Greyhounds don't usually come to mind when you think couch potato pet. But, though they are fast and can be energetic, their "bursts of energy are short-lived," according to Watchdog Labs.
Similarly, the AKC described them as the "cheetah of the dog world." Cheetahs save up their energy to catch their pray, and then it takes them awhile to build that energy back up. Greyhounds are similar — they might need at least one good long walk or short sprint per day, but then they're ready to crash and lounge with you for the rest of the day.
Chihuahua
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This itty bitty breed, weighing no more than 6 pounds, is known to have a "big-dog attitude," according to AKC. They love to sit in your lap, but they do need some regular exercise. The plus side is that they can get that exercise in a relatively small space, such as an apartment. Because they're so small and we're so big by comparison, the AKC notes that it's important to make sure you're not overexerting a Chihuahua on walks. Their little legs can only move so fast.
