Page 5 | The most placid, easy going breeds

WetRainbowRoses · 2022-03-04T13:27:16+00:00

In your experience? Any size, colour, coat type, breed group, the only criteria is ‘generally placid and easy going’ We have two dogs already, two breeds known for being high strung and feisty! They are both great dogs in their own ways but they are hard work. One is quite old and I have commented to DH that I’m not sure I want another dog really when she passes, but DH pointed out that our younger one probably would not cope without a companion dog and will be absolutely devastated when the old girl goes so we probably should get him a companion when that happens. I 100% do *NOT* want another ‘hard work’ breed with a reputation for being ‘challenging’, ‘feisty’, ‘headstrong’, ‘experienced owner’ etc. I want something with a reputation for being laid back, relaxed and easy. I don’t care about trainability/desire to please as long as they are friendly and relaxed in temperament. Mulled over the possibility of a Leonberger for a big breed and a Shih Tzu or Tibetan Spaniel for a small breed.

Original poster

WetRainbowRoses · 05/03/2022 11:02

That will be a puppy thing surely? Aren't all puppies stressful?
I loved my two’s very early puppyhood 🥰
They were both really, really good young puppies (although my old girl did used to try and round up cars and other dogs even at that very young age).
They got to about the 4 month mark then it changed 😂

OP posts:

ClaireandTed · 05/03/2022 12:39

@oviraptor21

That will be a puppy thing surely? Aren't all puppies stressful?

Hee hee true but let's just say a behaviourist has met her a few times and says we are getting a 'baptism of fire'!! She says she's unusually challenging for the breed. Hopefully in time she will settle bless her!

idiotmagnet · 05/03/2022 12:49

Greyhound. 💯

gungemonster · 05/03/2022 12:55

Italian greyhounds are just a bit smaller. Not sure of temperament.
Whippets are smaller still and can be a bit bouncy.
Historically the whippet breed was a cross between a greyhound and a terrier.

I asked at the rescue for a small quiet female and that's what I got. They're very good at finding the right dog for you

MintyGreenDream · 05/03/2022 13:36

I knew one of your current dogs.would be a Chihuahua! I've got two and they are vocal and the youngest is hyper

Shmithecat2 · 05/03/2022 13:38

@wetotter

If you do end up considering a pug, please read up on their health issues first. And check you can afford insurance (they are expensive) or that you have plenty of savings that you like to spend at the vet

I agree they are lovely natured dogs, but I know I couldn't take one on.

This. Don't encourage brachy breeds. Aesthetics for the sake of health is never a guide choice. The reason some are so lazy is because they can't breathe that well.

Didiplanthis · 05/03/2022 13:49

@WetRainbowRoses

Golden Retriever This was one breed that DH suggested but aren’t they quite ‘full on’ and puppyish until maturity? How did you find adolescence with yours?

We've a (rescue) pug
He is the sweetest, most peopley dog ever and is a total go-anywhere dog
He’s gorgeous laurie

My labrador was full on and puppyish until she died aged 13.. she was quite frankly a bloody nightmare. But to be fair she was a working line who needed to work and we under estimated the impact of that. We would never have got a collie, but in effect did the equivalent. But she has properly put me off labs / gun dogs . We now have a whippet puppy who is bonkers and needy but has a very much more cuddly and chilled personality under the puppy mania.

Didiplanthis · 05/03/2022 13:51

@gungemonster

Italian greyhounds are just a bit smaller. Not sure of temperament. Whippets are smaller still and can be a bit bouncy. Historically the whippet breed was a cross between a greyhound and a terrier.

I asked at the rescue for a small quiet female and that's what I got. They're very good at finding the right dog for you

IGs are smaller than whippets ! My whippet puppy wore IG coats and has now grown into whippet ones. IGs are much more fragile than whippets too and break very easily.

itsnotdeep · 05/03/2022 14:02

I love Old English Sheepdogs.

658Doyouknowwheremysparkis · 05/03/2022 14:28

My English Springer spaniel is a show line ( very different in temperament to the working line imo) he is the most snuggly, sofa dwelling cuddle monster I’ve ever met. The worst he does is rest his head in your lap and look very sad around an hour before his dinner/ breakfast is due and is responsible for bringing in the odd muddy bone to eat in comfort on the sofa or the dining room floor.

I read all sorts of things about springers on here and genuinely think the show line is massively underrated. I know another locally who is a similar sofa dwelling, smoochy ball of lard. My Springer lives with a Boxer and although he only a year older, she is much more work even though they are both elderly. From an 8 week old puppy she’s sat on him, swung off his ears. He only ever growled once when she was swinging off his ( now missing) spherical appendages.

My boy isn’t that fussed about walks one off property walk on the beach a day although we do have a largish garden and stream to keep him entertained, when he was younger a good play, saunter up the beach and then he languidly moves after the sun spots on the deck and reminds me at every mealtime that he is partial to treats/ starving/ auditioning for Oliver Twist … re the coat, we have a groomer and mostly keep him short. When he goes to the great leather sofa in the sky we will be getting another,.

He is lovely with visitors, very calm, a complete peach with other dogs, however local cats for some unknown reason like to try and beat him up and stalk him…

He was a lot younger here ( had only just moved in with us over ten years ago now) ….. and had gone into the hedge for his ball .. good luck in your search for a dog!

ABitBesotted · 05/03/2022 15:19

658 what a beautiful fizog

halulat · 05/03/2022 15:22

Yorkshire terrier? Ours is a dream compared to our nutty but loveable cockapoo.

NandorTheRelentlessCleaner · 05/03/2022 18:39

I got a rescue lurcher at 6 months, she's mainly greyhound. All she needs is a 30 minute walk once or twice a day and a bit of love every now and then

In the home, she's placid, never barks, does not jump up at people and is a gentle soul

She "cured" two of my friends kids of their dog phobia, and has been asked often if she's a therapy dog

A female lurcher or greyhound would be good (as long as not too much Saluki or Whippet in the mix )

Happenchance · 05/03/2022 20:24

@XelaM

I agree with all the posters who said PUG.

There are no words to describe what a wonderful, loving, adorable creature our little boy is 🥰

He adores everyone- people, dogs, small and large pets (we have many). Kids are his favourite people and all he wants to do is sit/sleep on your lap or very closely cuddled up to whoever is on the sofa. Ours is young (just turned 1) but he sleeps about 20 hours a day. Even though he loves going outside, he would sleep all day if you didn't wake him for food or walks. He has been an absolute dream to potty train and just wants to do everything to please you. He loves car rides and we have taken him by car through Europe with no complaints from him. He just slept throughout the journey. He can be left home alone and again just sleeps on the sofa. We never needed a crate as he has never chewed or destroyed anything in the house.

He's just the perfect dog 😍

P.S. We had a miniature poodle before and he was a total bundle of energy until the age of 16 with separation anxiety, so our little pug now seems like a walk in the park by comparison.

20 hours is a long time for a healthy 1 year old dog to sleep every day. Have you mentioned this to his vet?

XelaM · 05/03/2022 20:33

@Happenchance He is very healthy (touch wood) has regular vet check-ups and due to having had an accident as a tiny puppy (nothing at all to do with his breed) he has had to even be under general anaesthetic and had more vet appointments as a puppy than usual. He also loves to run around in the park and can go on very long walks (goes to a dog walker when I'm at work and with me on weekends). It's just that when he's at home, he snoozes on the sofa most of the day. If I decide to have a lazy day and not go for a long walk or if the weather is awful, he's equally as happy to sleep most of the day and just go out in the garden. He's just a very chilled dog and adapts to what's on offer.

Sheeeeeysh · 05/03/2022 20:35

I have a pug x shihzu who is an absolute terror. If she was a big dog I would have had to rehome her by now. Had 3 trainers out. She's honestly nutty

XelaM · 05/03/2022 20:36

...and he always hogs the electric blanket!

extrapineappleonmypizza · 05/03/2022 20:45

We have a puggle and he's so awesome!

Calamityjane1987 · 05/03/2022 20:45

@Guineapigssweak gorgeous dogs. Love the paws on either side of the nose!

658Doyouknowwheremysparkis · 06/03/2022 06:21

@extrapineappleonmypizza

OMG, how beautiful, such a wonderful looking dog, he looks like such fun as well!

user468375484 · 06/03/2022 07:52

@Hoppinggreen

Golden Retriever If he knows where his people are nothing else matters (or his temporary people if he’s staying somewhere else when we are on holiday)

Check which lines any golden retriever comes from. I know someone who had a show line Goldie and bought a pup who turned out to be more working line. It came as something of a shock - she is full of beans and can't possibly be described as particularly placid!

longtompot · 06/03/2022 11:02

@658Doyouknowwheremysparkis

My English Springer spaniel is a show line ( very different in temperament to the working line imo) he is the most snuggly, sofa dwelling cuddle monster I’ve ever met. The worst he does is rest his head in your lap and look very sad around an hour before his dinner/ breakfast is due and is responsible for bringing in the odd muddy bone to eat in comfort on the sofa or the dining room floor.

I read all sorts of things about springers on here and genuinely think the show line is massively underrated. I know another locally who is a similar sofa dwelling, smoochy ball of lard. My Springer lives with a Boxer and although he only a year older, she is much more work even though they are both elderly. From an 8 week old puppy she’s sat on him, swung off his ears. He only ever growled once when she was swinging off his ( now missing) spherical appendages.

My boy isn’t that fussed about walks one off property walk on the beach a day although we do have a largish garden and stream to keep him entertained, when he was younger a good play, saunter up the beach and then he languidly moves after the sun spots on the deck and reminds me at every mealtime that he is partial to treats/ starving/ auditioning for Oliver Twist … re the coat, we have a groomer and mostly keep him short. When he goes to the great leather sofa in the sky we will be getting another,.

He is lovely with visitors, very calm, a complete peach with other dogs, however local cats for some unknown reason like to try and beat him up and stalk him…

He was a lot younger here ( had only just moved in with us over ten years ago now) ….. and had gone into the hedge for his ball .. good luck in your search for a dog!

Gosh he looks very much like a show cocker. I didn't realise you could get show springers.

It's funny reading about all these placid breeds as I have seen so many of these out and about be anything but. I've even had bad encounters with labs, but more have been good encounters to be fair.

I have a show cocker and I wouldn't describe her as placid, but you can get calmer ones. I think dogs are like people, some will be more highly strung than others.

Fleetheart · 06/03/2022 16:03

We have a lovely beaglier, he is a cavalier and beagle cross. He has a lovely friendly nature, loves humans and all other dogs. He is gentle easy going and loving. Am so happy we got him ❤️

kennelmaid · 06/03/2022 16:34

@XelaM lovely photo

thenewduchessoflapland · 06/03/2022 16:36

Dogue de Bordeaux;they are beautiful.Ours was so laid back it was unreal.