The most placid, easy going breeds

[WetRainbowRoses]

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.

Another vote for lurchers. Ours is a Bedlington x Whippet and never destroyed anything in the house as a puppy, was toilet trained in 4 days and loves to sleep! He does have a high prey drive but only with birds - never small dogs.

Love how beddie-whippets look like small deerhounds

Love all lurchers really

Watching a lurcher run is just so joyous

I like pugs, in terms of their nature and personality, but always feel bad for them being out of breath and struggling to run and breathe sometimes gorgeous dogs, but maybe the breeding has gone too far?

Greyhound everytime. Placid, loving, cute, cuddle monster... Our joey

Someone upthread suggested a spinone on the basis of their puppy. Spinones are lovely dogs, but they are gundogs and none of them are far removed from their working forebears (and many lines are still bred to work). They are one of the hunt point retrieve breeds, which means high intelligence (though you some times think
to that one), serious prey drive and loads of energy. They need to have their minds and their bodies kept active. Give them that, and they are delightful around the house. Deny them, and your sofa will be dug up and your garden destroyed. And your nerves!

IME whippets, greyhounds, lurchers, show line golden retrievers, some of the more pet-line terrier breeds and show-line labs make for much easier pets.

Someone upthread suggested a spinone on the basis of their puppy

Yep, not what you'd think of as a calm breed imo. We have a working line lab, she's super chilled in the house but I'd never recommend one to someone looking for a placid breed.

Hello everyone 👋🏻
Thought I’d give a little update for everyone.

DH took DD to Crufts as a birthday treat (she’s dog obsessed!) and they visited discover dogs and one of the stands they went into was the Leonberger stand.

Both my DH and DD absolutely loved them.
So much so they stayed chatting with the Leonberger owners for two hours!
The lady even asked if my DD wanted to sit in the cage with the older one and DH said the two of them laid snuggled up together pleased as punch.

DH says when our old girl goes we will definitely 100% get a Leonberger.
DD is harassing us something rotten for a Leo pup now but DH says he doesn’t really want three dogs, though he doesn’t say it all that convincingly truth be told... 😉

🤣

Sounds like you need to get in touch with breeders to find out who is planning puppies or contact their club welfare and rescue see if they have any needing to be rehomed?

Sounds like you need to get in touch with breeders to find out who is planning puppies or contact their club welfare and rescue see if they have any needing to be rehomed
The couple gave my DH a list of breeders they recommend.
They all are members of working clubs like draught work and water sports and the Leonberger club of Great Britain.

Tbh, if they are still breeding, I’d like a pup off the couple DH met.
He said they were extremely kind and friendly and helpful and their two males had such a lovely, calm, placid disposition.
Frustratingly, he didn’t get their surname or affix.
He thinks the ladies’ name was Yvonne and they were in the Midlands.
From googling, I think they might be ‘Valeguard’ but I can’t find a website or contact number..

I could call the breed club and find out I suppose but because we don’t actually know at what point the puppy is coming I don’t want to come across like a time waster.
As I say, currently DH is saying he doesn’t fancy three dogs.
But he doesn’t say it all that convincingly so I suspect he may be swayed by DD yet.
He’s already been talking about insurance and debating how much bigger to make the dogs bed (they have a big wooden raised bed he built for them to share).

Leonberger and Chi are going to be such a funny pair 😂

For what it's worth Op, Leonbergers sound incredible and I always wanted one if I ever moved to place big enough to house them

Welcome to the mad house OP

The waiting lists can be very long, I would try and get in contact with your chosen breeder sooner if you can. I will warn you though that’s how I ended up with 3 as after 18 months a puppy came available and I couldn’t say no and not know when it would happen again!

Join the leonberger Facebook page and ask on there, I’m sure someone will know who it was at discover dogs

@XelaM talking of funny pairings. We were walking our dog on a local field and a couple were walking their large German Shepherd type dogs (one usual colour and one a dark grey with darker patches) and they had two tiny chihuahua type dogs running with them. It was like each dog had its own familiar

@longtompot Awwww 😻love

I think the Chi will love the Leonberger - one huge soft fluffy matt to sleep on and also who is going to mess with the Chi when they have a sibling the size a Leonberger

I know a leonberger. Utterly beautiful dog.

My only hesitation would be about their life expectancy. It's only 8-10 years.

Sounds like you are sold on a Leonberger, but I met a couple of Clumber spaniels the other day and they were the loveliest most chilled and gentle dogs you could imagine. Apparently great with kids and other dogs.

Just said this on another thread, but today we took our dog to a horse show, as my daughter was competing and he was among loads of horses/dogs/kids/adults/loud music/huge horse lorries/trailers etc and he was incredible 😍 a real superstar! Had loads of sniffs around, was fussed over by kids and watched the show with us 😂

I have a fantastic miniature poodle who loves people, is playful, well behaved and is like velcro sticking with me. They are quite sensitive and very intelligent so need to be treated gently and thoughtfully though.

@siaa

For those that have said greyhounds, just out of curiosity, are Italian greyhounds and whippets similar in nature / laziness or are they totally different?

No, our iggy is batshit crazy!