Different dogs have been bred to perform all sorts of jobs and functions. From the German Shepherd Dog who was bred to be a herder and war dog to the Border Terrier who hunted foxes, each breed has their own unique traits and qualities. Out of the hundreds of breeds of dogs in the world, most require rigorous, daily exercise in order to be happy and healthy, but are there any furry companions suitable for the natural couch potato person?
The short answer is yes! If you’re looking for a companion to be your couch buddy, then look no further. Here are 7 lazy dogs for the couch potato lifestyle.
1. Basset Hound
With a droopy face, stubby legs, and long ears, these pups are an iconic model of happy laziness. Basset Hounds love to lie around and will happily snooze in a sunny spot for hours. But don’t let their appearance fool you. These happy pups love other dogs and being a part of a hunt.
Bassets don’t require a lot of exercise, a pleasant jaunt around the neighborhood will do, but they do have a lot of endurance. Make sure to always take them out with a leash, or you may lose them to an interesting scent. They get a long well with children, especially if introduced at a young age.
Raised to be pack animals, these pups do not do well alone. They also have a powerful baying bark that can wake up the whole neighborhood, so keep that in mind if you live in an apartment. These pups also have a mind of their own and take a lot of time, patience, and positive reinforcement to train.
But don’t let that stop you. These pups make great companions and wonderful couch potatoes.
Basset Hound Characteristics
- Loves being with a pack
- Independent thinking
- Loud, baying bark
- Calm and loving towards children
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This cutie makes a loveable indoor and outdoor companion. Cavaliers can adjust to any lifestyle and do well in just about any setting. Like other Spaniels, they love to chase (especially feathered friends), but are perfectly happy to sit on your lap while you turn on Netflix.
These pups make terrible watch dogs. They’re people pleasers through and through and greet strangers like they’re best friends. Like the Basset Hound, Cavaliers can be a little on the stubborn side when it comes to training, but with some creativity and positive rewards, you can teach them all sorts of tricks.
Cavaliers are also great with kids, but like all small dogs, need to be watched around young toddlers and babies. Overall, these pups are sweet, loving, and happiest when they’re around their people.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Characteristics
- Adaptable
- Craves attention (doesn’t like being alone)
- Trainable, but can be stubborn
- Small and Adorable
3. Chow Chow
An ancient Chinese Guardian, Chow Chows are placid animals that are loyal to their families. These dogs don’t require a lot of exercise, a couple of 15 minute walks a day will fill their needs. Bred to be guardians, these dogs do well in a one person home. Because they’re territorial, it’s absolutely crucial that these dogs are well socialized from early puppyhood so they don’t develop any behavioral problems.
Like most of the dogs on this list, training a Chow Chow takes dedication and patience. Due to their independent and intelligent nature, they respond best with positive reinforcement and rewards. If introduced to children and other pets at a young age, they respond well and make great family dogs.
With their thick coats, these pups do require quite a bit of grooming. Brushing should usually be done at least three times a week if not every day in order to keep the hair down, but they do shed heavily twice a year. Despite that, they’re devoted to their families and love dozing next to their person on the couch.
Chow Chow Characteristics
- Excellent Guard Dogs
- Independent
- Do well alone
- Loyal and intelligent
4. English Bulldogs
From their appearance, it’s hard to think that these pups have a sweet and gentle temperament. Descended from bull baiters back in the 1800s, English Bulldogs were raised to become the companion animals they are today. Great with kids, these pups only need moderate exercise to keep trim.
Due to their short snout, bulldogs struggle in extreme heat and humidity and do best in an air conditioned environment. Also, because of the way they’re built, they can’t swim well. With most of the dogs on this list, Bulldogs can be stubborn and require a dedicated and patient trainer to teach them.
Bulldogs make excellent companion animals. They’d be happy to snuggle up on your lap if given the opportunity.
English Bulldog Characteristics
- Hardy and Cheerful
- Great with Children
- Can be Stubborn
- Less prone to barking
5. French Bulldog
The French version of our English Bulldog, these little guys are full of personality in their small bodies. Frenchies were originally bred from bulldogs owned by English Lace workers. When the lace workers began losing their jobs, they moved to France where the breeding of these pups grew in earnest. Overtime their looks, size, and personality became recognized for what it is today.
Playful and free spirited, Frenchies don’t require a lot of exercise. They’re just as happy sleeping in bed as frolicking in the yard. When raising these pups, it’s important that they are well-socialized in order to keep their territorial natures to a minimum. Also, due to their short snouts, extreme heat and humidity is out of the question. They’re also prone to snoring and flatulence.
These dogs make great apartment dwellers. They are known for being quieter and less prone to bark, but they struggle when left home alone. They’re also very social with strangers so don’t always make the best guardians. Being a quiet, loveable companion, a Frenchie would be a great pick for a couch potato lifestyle.
French Bulldog Characteristics
- Independent and clownish
- Not prone to barking
- Intelligent and a little stubborn
- Pretty low maintenance grooming
6. Greyhound
With their large size and history with racing, you wouldn’t expect a Greyhound to make the lazy dog list, but these pups are definitely couch potato material. A 15-20 minute daily walk around the neighborhood and one day where they can run full tilt in a safe environment is really all these pups need to be happy. Greyhounds are sensitive dogs. They need a peaceful environment devoid of a lot of noise and emotional tension, so young toddlers and babies may not be best for their temperament. (With that being said, it really depends on the personality of the individual dog. Some may handle things better than others.)
Clocking in at 45 mph, these speed demons are perfectly content lazing about on the couch for the majority of the day. Because of this, they make excellent apartment dwellers. Due to their sensitive, soft skin and naturally protruding bones, it’s important that they have comfortable beds and perches in order to not cause injury.
Often more catlike than dog, these pups are more quiet and don’t have a lot of grooming needs. They make fantastic companions for the gentle and patient humans who decide to take them in.
Greyhound Characteristics
- Gentle Giants
- Sensitive
- Low Maintenance Grooming
- Potential High Prey Drive
7. Shih Tzu
The last dog on the list, the Shih Tzu, is a star couch potato pet. Bred to be companion dogs, the only thing a Shih Tzu wants is to be with their person. Full of adorable fuzzy energy, these pups make friends quickly. They do have a tendency to bark at strangers, so that’s important to consider, but you can always work at training them not to bark (link to previous blog post).
Shih Tzus don’t require a lot of exercise, but do have a lot of energy. Also, they have high grooming needs and often need to see a groomer every 6-8 weeks if you choose to go that route. Another downside is they are prone to eating feces, but as long as their area is kept clean, it won’t be an issue.
These little guys love to be the center of attention and with their big innocent eyes it’s hard not to indulge them. They also are prone to obesity, so make sure to keep them on a well balanced diet. With that being said, these pups are natural snuggle bugs and love cuddling on the couch next to you. Overall, they love being an indoor dog and make excellent pets.
Shih Tzu Characteristics
- Love people
- Low prey drive
- High energy but low exercise requirements
- Tend to bark a lot if untrained
Conclusion
There are quite a few canine companions who make excellent pets for the couch potato lifestyle. Each has their own unique personality, history, and needs so make sure to research any breed of dog before deciding one for your own lifestyle. Also, this list isn’t all inclusive; there are other breeds out there that make excellent lazy companions so keep on digging until you find the right pooch for you!
If you’re interested in learning more, Dog Time is a great resource to check out!
Do you own a lazy pup? What breed are they and what do you love about them?