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The doghouse

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Original poster

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

169 replies

elsiemarleysellsthebarley · 19/08/2023 17:51

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.)

OP posts:
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Xiaoxiong · 19/08/2023 18:04

I read somewhere once that dogs lean on us because it's their version of hugging us!

We're picking up our new golden retriever puppy tomorrow and I am so excited for a good lean from him when he gets bigger Grin

Ketzele · 19/08/2023 18:04

So going by this thread it sounds like all dogs are leaders, OP!

Original poster
elsiemarleysellsthebarley · 19/08/2023 18:07

Carouselfish · 19/08/2023 17:57

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!)

yes, the rest of the family are all canvassing for a larger dog… just me thinking about the amount of food and size of poo bags!

thank you so much for all the wonderful ideas - I’m loving all the soppy dog stories!

OP posts:
Georgie8 · 19/08/2023 18:10

Flat coat retriever
Stabyhoun

SpanielsMatter · 19/08/2023 18:11

Female boxers can be Labrador ish size and they are leaners, I have to peel our elderly girl off me when lighting the wood burner, when standing still for too long or just when she fancies a lean like cuddle. She also thinks she’s a suitable size for lap cuddles. They do need mental stimulation but adore and love children like no other breed imo.

Not sure if our English Springer spaniel learned to lean from the Boxer but in middle age he adopted having a lean to remind me it was 2 hours before a mealtime, he was chilly, he just wanted a great big cuddle.

useitorlose · 19/08/2023 18:12

You need a Harvey - he's a maltipoo and never happier than when on someone's lap or snuggled up next to them. He meets all your other criteria too. You can't have mine though, you'll have to find your own!

Newnamefor23 · 19/08/2023 18:13

My daughter’s lurchers lean on anyone who stands still long enough. That is if they aren’t asleep.

SpanielsMatter · 19/08/2023 18:13

Sorry, ignore the spaniel just remembered the prey drive for rabbits!

Strawberrypicnic · 19/08/2023 18:14

Small female greyhound would tick all your boxes. Greyhounds are famous learners!! Some have high prey drive but some don't, mine has no prey drive at all now even though we understand he was a decent racer before being retired.

Original poster
elsiemarleysellsthebarley · 19/08/2023 18:14

Xiaoxiong · 19/08/2023 18:04

I read somewhere once that dogs lean on us because it's their version of hugging us!

We're picking up our new golden retriever puppy tomorrow and I am so excited for a good lean from him when he gets bigger Grin

Lovely! Hope all goes well tomorrow!

OP posts:
Strawberrypicnic · 19/08/2023 18:15

Strawberrypicnic · 19/08/2023 18:14

Small female greyhound would tick all your boxes. Greyhounds are famous learners!! Some have high prey drive but some don't, mine has no prey drive at all now even though we understand he was a decent racer before being retired.

*leaners not learners!!

Tiespin · 19/08/2023 18:16

Our Dalmatians would always lean on you. And sit on your lap like a tiny dog too

SM4713 · 19/08/2023 18:16

Neighbours golden retrieve loves to lean on my legs when I'm standing. He loves a good pat whilst doing so, but he leaves the biggest clumps of hairs all over my trousers!

Original poster
elsiemarleysellsthebarley · 19/08/2023 18:16

useitorlose · 19/08/2023 18:12

You need a Harvey - he's a maltipoo and never happier than when on someone's lap or snuggled up next to them. He meets all your other criteria too. You can't have mine though, you'll have to find your own!

He sounds gorgeous!

OP posts:
Optionyougot · 19/08/2023 18:18

Golden retriever or staffy would be my suggestions based on that list.

You never really know though - two of my dogs are the same breed. One is lying on my lap and generally sooks in at every opportunity. The the other sleeping beside my other dog because he's not as cuddly.

Britintheusa · 19/08/2023 18:18

This thread is so sweet, each owner advocating for their breed as the best leaner! I woke up this morning to my Cavalier king Charles girl leaning against my back with her head on my neck. She's a delight, especially for my 10 year old with ASD.

BigBundleOfFluff · 19/08/2023 18:19

My goldie is a leaner. And she also likes to squeeze herself into good cuddling positions. And knocks her head into you if you are not fussing her enough.

CormoranStrikeIsBloodyLovely · 19/08/2023 18:19

My mum had a lurcher who is a leaner. He is a rescue and was found in the most awful circumstances. When I brought my sons round to meet him, he walked straight up to my eldest and leaned against him for attention. I have a photo of the moment and it is so heart breaking to see the happiness and trust in his face as he looked up at my son, the joy in my son’s face looking down but contrasted with his ribs and spine showing after the neglect he suffered.

Justhereforthechristmasthreads · 19/08/2023 18:20

Spinone but probably bigger than you want. When our friend's Spinone chooses to lean on you, you are stuck 😁

CormoranStrikeIsBloodyLovely · 19/08/2023 18:21

Just to add, lurchers are brilliant dogs but probably too prey driven for criteria.

gingersnappz · 19/08/2023 18:21

We had a short haired German pointer who used to lean a lot.

LightDrizzle · 19/08/2023 18:22

English Mastiff! Loved a lean. At 5ft tall I needed to be firmly anchored.

WheresMyAlex · 19/08/2023 18:24

Doberman. Love physical touch. A lap dog in a big dogs body 😁

redteapot · 19/08/2023 18:25

Another vote for golden retriever - ours does a bit, but there is one at the park that leans so much on you when you see him that you really have to brace yourself otherwise you'll topple over 🤣

GreenBurritos · 19/08/2023 18:27

just me thinking about the amount of food and size of poo bags!

If you feed good quality food, labrador poos aren't really that big. I have two labs and can easily use one poo bag for their morning poos.

They're both big cuddlers. Fit your bill quite perfectly including the up to small Labrador sized bit. One is more prey driven than the other but even then not massively so, i.e. she might chase a rabbit if she sees one but can be called off the chase, can walk her on a lead through sheep without issue.