Dogs needing less exercise

[custardbear]

Hi
Just wondered who had dogs that require some exercise but not huge walks every day.

Both my husband and I are very used to dogs as had them in our families since we were born essentially. We've never had our own as we both work full time and felt unfair to keep a dog as we worked away from the house so they'd be alone all day

My DH new job is working from home, even post Covid so feel we'd like a family dog. We have 8&12 year old children

We wanted a dog that doesn't need huge walks as we're time poor, And our garden is ok size wise but not really good enough space for a larger dog as unfair on the dog.

I was thinking a teddy bear type dog like a Daisy dog or similar - DD wants a husky so had to tell her no immediately as we don't have enough garden or time for one. DS wants a pug but I really don't like them at all. Had many terriers as kids so avoiding these - any thoughts from the MN dog massive?
Thanks

Chinese Crested (Pwderpuff) - they are lovely little dogs, a bit different but could be suitable for your family.

I have a bichon who would be happy with 20 minutes walk twice a week. Or not at all, if it's raining. Not sure if all bichons are like that.

The vet says she's fine, some dogs just don't like walks.

I also have a cairn terrier, who would walk for hours if he was allowed.

The toy breeds really really don’t need 3 walks a day. I don’t know any dogs who get that many walks. A good half and hour with longer at the weekend is really fine

@Atrixie

The toy breeds really really don’t need 3 walks a day. I don’t know any dogs who get that many walks. A good half and hour with longer at the weekend is really fine

My toy breed has two walks totalling 60 minutes every day, and that’s not really enough for her. She’d happily do two hour walks plus a run on the park, with more at weekends.

We have an English Bulldog - She's a medium sized dog. Can walk for miles if we want to, or like tonight for example, a quick jaunt around where we live for 20 mins ( We've both been working all day ).
Tomorrow we will take her for a long country walk to really tire her out and it keeps her in great shape.
She's a joy - Great temperament, calm and full of love.

@Ylvamoon - Chinese crested! A very dear friend who sadly died had one of these, called Teddy! and his mum bred them and Hungarian pooleys too - not so keen on the naked ones but the coated ones are very sweet! Great thanks 😊 do you have experience? Are they ok/ not too yappy?

You can get powder puff Chinese crested which aren’t hairless

Chow chow??

I meet quite a few toy breeds out and about...probably an hour a day minimum but happier with an hour and a half a day.
It is the stimulation of being out and about..sniffing around, chasing. And it is so much easier to provide that on a walk than have them zooming round the house biting your ankles.
Small does not equal placid and chilled in my experience, but mischievous and full of sparkle!
My sister's older Labrador is probably more laid back than my "companion" "toy/miniature" breed of two years.

But I do understand what you mean by long walks. A bichon certainly needs less physical exercise than a Springer spaniel or setter or pointer, but it still needs interaction and stimulation, and a mile a day at least surely?

My friend has a lovely pug that loves a mile a day minimum too! There is no escape from walks. That is the fun of having a dog

I know you said no terriers but I’ve had dogs all my life and I am a dog walker and have experience with lots of different breeds but I can honestly say (a bit biased I know) that my dog who is a Norfolk Terrier is just the best companion, he is happy to walk for an hour or two but would be at his happiest with a couple of 20 minute walks and to spend the rest of the day cuddled up on my lap. Everyone loves him.
Or if you really don’t want a terrier then I would also recommend a Cavapoo, my friends has one and she is such a lovely dog, beautiful temperament and again happy to go on small walks.

Our dog can go for 20 minutes during the week with a longer walk at weekends. She can also walk for 9 hours a day, if that’s what we’re doing. She does a lot better with 1x 40 minute walk rather than 2x 20 minute walks. Can you only fit in the 2x 20 min walks - one of you doing 20 min and then the other later in the evening?

You can also look at dog walkers or doggy day care. Our dog walker is coming a couple of times a week to take the dogs out and run with some other dogs. If you have a dog that has more energy than you would want (every dog is individual and breeds are just a guide), you can loom at brain games with them. Train your dog to scentwork, 10 mins of scentwork is equivalent to an hour walk. Games with their food, training, even buy some agility bits (which can fit in a medium garden and be picked away) and do 10 minutes of agility practice. It doesn’t all have to be about walking.

We have a Jack Russell and he doesn't need much exercise. He enjoys walks but isn't badly behaved or hyper if he only has a short walk. Alternatively he could run about for hours. LOVES snuggling up on the sofa. Adores the kids. Very friendly with other dogs. Easily trained. Barks at the door which is annoying. He's a real darling.

Cavapoo or cavachon perhaps?

I know the MN opinion of designer crosses (and pretty much agree with it - far too many unscrupulous breeders) but cavs have such horrid health complications I think this cross is a positive benefit. The ones I've met have been lovely little dogs, quite calm and very friendly.

I totally understand what you mean op, some people just like to be awkward for the sake of it. There's a big difference between the walks a springer spaniel would need and a chihuahua. And it's good that your thinking about that when choosing a breed.

I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but as a starting point, you can look on a site like pets4homes or kennel club as they do a good basic over view information page of different breeds which includes things like how much exercise they need and how long they can be left alone, it may help you with a short list of breeds.

Obviously also do lots of research when choosing your breeder and be prepared you may have to go on a wait list for a good one.

Good luck with your search!

All the sight hounds are lazy

Our boy is cross between Bichon Frisé and Shih Tzu and they can be known as Zuchon or Shichon. He hates walks tbh, and only goes because our DC are going if that makes sense. He’s much happier in the back garden either running around or just laying watching the world go by. He’s now 2 and likes going out less than when he was a puppy.

I have a cavalier x Maltese and he is delightful. Happy with no walk or today did 6km with me. He loves attention and is far easier than I ever imagined a dog could be. I couldn't be without him.

We have had a few different breeds over the years. All rescue of course

The best behaved in the house and quietest in general was an ex racing greyhound. He also required less walking than our shih zu, Springer, cavalier, lab cross and German shepherd.

Talking to other grey hound owners that seems to be the case with them all. Despite being fast runners they have no stamina. Therefore need regular but little exercise.

There are rescue centres dedicated to ex racing greyhounds. So fairly easy to pick up a young health dog too.

I had a Parson Jack Russell who needed a minimum of 1.5 hours walk a day for most of his life. Ideally he would have walked for hours.

@Getbuzywiththefizzy I was so reassured to read your post.
We have a Norfolk puppy and she is a joy. But her capacity for cuddles and snoozes is off the scale!

I have King Charles spaniels they are very lazy! Three twenty minute walks would do them fine mine don't get as long as that tbh they get two 10-15 min walk and the Garden abs are happy with that. They are happy to go the occasional long walk usually at weekends but they sleep for the rest of the day then lol! Tbh they sleep most of the day anyway! They're very low maintenance

Have you looked at Havanese? They look quite teddy bear like, lovely personalities and don't need a lot of walking. However they, along with similar looking dogs, require daily grooming, so if you are time poor then you may want to go for a lower maintenance dog.

[quote thistimelastweek]@Getbuzywiththefizzy I was so reassured to read your post.
We have a Norfolk puppy and she is a joy. But her capacity for cuddles and snoozes is off the scale![/quote]
Mine is 8 and he just gets more and more cuddly and snoozy.
I would have another in a heartbeat.

@Getbuzywiththefizzy mind you she still finds time for naughtiness.