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.)

Another leaning Cavalier here. I have a reclining settee and she flops down on the leg rest part, throws her front left leg over my leg and leans against me.

She likes to squash her bum between me and the settee arm then uses her front paws on the arm to push back against me to rest her head on my shoulder.

She also loves to put her paws on my chest (when I'm sat down) and rests her throat against my mouth for some reason. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Basically she wants to be touching me 99% of the time, she will never just go and sleep on her bed/floor during the day she will either sleep on my knee or next to me.

I used to visit a farm years ago that had a pack of rotties and some mastiffs, about 9 dogs at one point when the rotties had a litter and they ALL wanted a ‘lean’ as soon as you walked up, you had to literally wade through them to get to the house!

My Irish setter likes an old lean of an evening but imo the leaniest dogs ever are Rhodesian ridgebacks. They abhor discomfort and will reverse into you and sit on your feet if the ground is hard or damp. Bloody handful though!

Bullmastiffs. I've had four all lovebugs all learners . Beware of leaning on the elderly though . They are heavy .

Second this. We've 2. My DSS is ASD and ADHD and they are incredible with him.

Both velcro dogs.

Not my picture or me, but I saved it because one of our cavvies does the exact same thing!!

we call her the ‘face hugger’!

Was going to say whippet but prey drive can be strong. However we have one and a lurcher, and they are the best snugglers ever ! They fight over who is going to sit on me but can curl up really small (and stretch out really long ! ) so usually both manage to fit. Both amazing with my Asd boys. I cant ever imagine having a different breed now having never really been interested in them but they ticked ALL the boxes for us, including bizarre sensory ones most people wouldn't need to think about.. fur had to 'feel' right, had to have the right smell and bark 🤦‍♀️

@sandyhappypeople it's so strange, she absolutely loves resting against my mouth 😂 she has no idea what personal space is!

If I'm reading my phone/kindle/iPad and she wants attention the will just paw them because she wants me to put them down.

Also Bichons, proper little lap dogs. Love and miss mine dearly 💔

One lab currently draped over my feet, while other is snuggled up to my hip.
But, they both have more prey drive than your post suggests you would need. They are black, working lines, and while they are very sociable, they would need work if we had a cat for example. They are very tolerant of birds though - ducks, gulls etc, but not so fond of pigeons.

Not what you're looking for size wise...but my Newfoundland X Standard poodle is a massive leaner.

My lab x pointer loves to lean against you! Big though - bigger than labs.

My border collies lean on me, the springer not so much she's a lovely dog though.

We have a rescue goldie with a bad start to his life - he loves pushing his whole face into my side for a proper lean and can stand up for a proper hug too. The sweetest thing. But yes, the hair is a lot!

Vizsla!

Springer spaniels are the BEST leaners. Literally sidle up to you and lean. Also fabulous in ever other way.

Ours does too. Heavily!

Deerhounds, they love a lean and a cuddle

My golden retriever ticks all your boxes

All dogs do imo

If they love you they come for cuddled and a lean!

I have a German shepherd and a scotty and both love a lean !

spaniels
also soppy, great with kids, happy all the dam time, smart, but have an off switch once they mature, all round fantastic dogs.

they lean like mad, and snuggle right in!

Pointer. They are extremely cuddly, clever and fun

I have a black Labrador that is very stand off ish, so no leaning or cuddles there, she’s weird. I’ve had labradors before, very intelligent and aim to please. Our current one is just a user, gets giddy for meal times and walks, then buggers off.

The two Frenchies we have are constantly wanting attention and interaction. Sometimes I have to go upstairs out of the way as I’m fed up with having a dog on my knee, it’s a competition between them.

Frenchies are so loving and adorable. Our two have completely different personalities and they’re cousins.

It’s shown me that you can’t guarantee the personality of a breed, they’re like us, individual personalities.

You absolutely can't. My mum got a Frenchie, wanting a cuddle bug. She got an independent stroppy madam instead.

Glad someone said this.