Dog breeds that lean (on people) - do you know any?

[elsiemarleysellsthebarley]

We’re having a long family debate about the breed of dog we should be looking for and DH has now added a request I can’t find much info on - he’d like a dog that likes to lean on people(!) (I think he means one that likes physical contact when chilling out/ come for a cuddle - or especially drape themselves over people(!))

So if you have or know a ‘leaner’ what breed are they? It may help narrow down our list and get us one step closer (anyone else find this stage so hard?!).

(Our other criteria in case anyone has any suggestions are: not massively prey driven (hare/sheep/ rabbit area), reasonably intelligent and keen to please, need about an hour/ 90 mins a day exercise generally but happy with long hikes at weekends, breed known to be good with ASD preferable and minimal barking. Any size up to a small Labrador.)

I've had a golden retriever and a goldie/lab cross that both liked a good lean. Don't wear black trousers tho 😂

Cavalier KC spaniels love to lean, although ours is a bit of a barker

Staffy. Ticks all your boxes. We have two and they are brilliant.
They are bit bonkers till they're about 2 but after that fine.
If I'm cooking I usually have one leaning against each leg and when I sit on the sofa I'm never alone.

Our Labrador loves to lean on people. He sits beside you and leans in. He also loves us to hold his paw. He's ten now , quite intelligent, never chases cats ( we have two) and is a pure dote

Spaniels, although some can be prey driven and/or a barker. But any breed can bark more than others. In one litter you will get done chilled and some not so chilled pups. It’s a lottery even with a good breeder.

My Dalmatian leans, it's suffocating, you can't move.

Greyhound!

My Great Dane did. Best dog I ever had

Our doberman does, all day long. She's ridiculously cuddly, and loves our seven year old most of all. I simply can't recommend dobermans as a breed enough. They are absolutely lovely.

Weimaraners

Lurchers, all of mine used their humans as leaning posts, greyhounds do it too 😍

Our English setter has a lean. He saves it for his favourite people and it starts from his head and then the body follows

Bichon frisé

Chinese crested. They come in hairless or powder puff and they were bred to literally be hot water bottles on rich Chinese emperors laps. The hairless dogs , you can feel their skin and they are hotter than people so very warm to touch.

This labs and they love sleeping on beds and having a cuddle, lying on bed, sofa and want constant pats

My collie x huntaway will do this. We call it briefcasing. If you sit on the floor he will back up until he is sitting on your lap too. And if you read a book anywhere near him he'll rest his nose quite inconveniently on the page.
You want a big softy dog, OP. Not a little one. ( maybe little ones do lean, but it's not as satisfying!)

Rottweiler - love leaning.

Our border collie is a huge leaner/user of feet as a pillow. She very intelligent, enjoys long hikes and only chases balls but that obviously doesn't go for all collies, many of which are bonkers!

My working cocker spaniel is Soo cuddly she literally has her head on my shoulder when I sit down, she couldn't get any closer 😂
She is a working dog so needs a lot of exercise, she also doesn't bark much. Infact it's rare she does bark

Boxers lean, and they also punch if you don't stroke them whilst they lean.

Saint Bernards will lean and crush.

Irish wolf hounds are one for leaning because they're tall enough to perch their back end on your lap.

Labradors are generally just dogs without skeletons and will flop their bodies wherever they can find space.

My childhood dalmatians liked to lean against us. As an older child/young teen I'd sit on the floor and one would sit and lean into me - I swear she thought she was a lap dog. I'd have those dogs again in a heartbeat - if only I could guarantee the next dalmatian would be as affectionate, friendly, and I had more space and time for them!

Labradors are definitely'leaners' and leave a hairy mess to prove it.

Aha! Another one. They really are the best🥰

Oh, also don't wear black if you get a dalmatian (for some reason the spots don't moult, only the white hairs.. so you're safe in white!)

Golden doodle! We have one that ticks all your boxes including being great with my ASD DD and doesn't shed at all.