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.)

Greyhound lean

Samoyeds are the loveliest, friendliest dogs around. They are amazing cuddlers/leaners but they also love a good chat. Not too barky, but quite vocal. They are amazing company, very gentle and just love everybody.

Lassie! Rough collies, affectionate, intelligent and gentle. Very cuddly. Much less work driven and much lower need for exercise than border collies. Used as assistance dogs in many countries.

I’m another person with a “leany” golden retriever. I love it as they are so solid and loving. On the downside, they cover you in hair and they are bigger than the average labrador

My lab is the snuggliest thing on the planet (see photo for evidence) but also loves a good lean, especially if butt scritches are included!

If you're looking not to go too big, look at english working labradors as they're a lot smaller than American/show labs

Good luck with your search!

Whippet, lazy, cuddly, mine literally leans on me for cuddles (standing and sitting). Happy to walk and happy not to if weather is crap. Very long and pokey/boney legs, but a fab and gentle companion.

Second this. Our girl is so loving and relaxing all over DH is her absolute favourite thing to do.

A friend has a St Bernard who is a big leaner and also a big fan of sleeping on feet. An absolute darling and such a good girl although you do end up covered in "dog glitter".

Another one here with a golden retriever who likes to lean on, well, anyone really - he is in love with everyone he meets basically.

Viszlas (sp?) are known as Velcro dogs for good reason!

A cockapoo

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

Yep, it sod's law really. I've ended up with two soppy things who always want to be touching me when that was actually low down on my list. A couple of people I went to puppy class with wanted cuddly dogs and have ended up with pups who don't really cuddle at all

I’ve just spent a very happy half hour reading all the gorgeous dog stories and googling breeds, thank you so much! There’s a lot of leaners out there which is good to know - I take the point though that individual dogs will have their own personalities and leaning can’t be guaranteed.

It’s a really interesting mix of breeds - ones I expected (Labs/ golden retrievers), ones I didn’t (Chinese Crested?! Would not have thought) - and breeds new to me (Samoyed and then Stabyhoun which I genuinely thought was a spelling mistake! They both sound like great dogs btw).

So in the interest of science/ leaner-lovers I played around with excel to see if any conclusions can be formed!

(Disclaimer: not at all scientific!)

Mumsnet Top Three Leaning Dogs (by number of mentions):
Golden Retriever (11 mentions)
Labrador (9)
Lurcher (6)

However, if you group all the Spaniels together they sneak ahead into first place with 12!

To take account of the vastly different population numbers of different breeds I looked at our tally numbers with kennel club registrations (obviously limitations with this method and also didn’t have data on not all breeds). Some interesting results! Top three leaning dogs taking population into account:
Rottweiler
KC Cavalier Spaniel
Border Collie
(And Vizsla a close 4th)

I thought it also might be useful to look at the breed groups to see if there were any patterns.
Top Three Leaning Breed Groups:
Gundogs (by a mile with 43)
Hounds (16)
Working (15)

Thank you for all the suggestions! Good to know leaning is valued by others as well 🥰

Full list of breeds/ mixes suggested, in case it’s useful/ interesting to anyone. What a lot of lovely dogs.

Another one for lurcher! Tend to be very affectionate, happy to do long walks but also happy to chill at home. They're pretty calm and steady dogs (after initial puppy madness you'll get with any dog).

Staffies are really cuddly and lean. Mine nearly always wriggles to lean on me if he’s on the sofa and I sit down. Or just climbs into my lap. Puts his front paws on my knees and his head over my shoulder for cuddles if I get down to his height when I come in.

Cocker spaniel. Go for a show cocker rather than working stock.

Satisfyingly fluffy but don't shed like labradors - love a good lean. Ours also likes to lie on the back of the sofa and put his head on my shoulder.

Our pointer x (springer spaniel we think) would do. We were mis sold him, he was meant to be spaniel/terrier but it clearly more pointer than anything else. It doesn't matter he's so big - he's a fantastic dog and curls up very small when he wants to

Great Dane or a GSP

I love that you have done the analysis and run the numbers. You might just be my soulmate (you know, if we didn’t both have husbands 🤣)

OP you must publish this research and get it peer reviewed and whatever you need to do to win funding. Absolute genius. 🦮

In the interests of proper research, I need to up the Whippet numbers. I've got two, both leaners and are very cuddly and affectionate.

I often think I've lost one on a walk, only to find that she's so close to my leg I can't see her 😂

We’ve always had labs, none have ever leaned. They do flop all over you when you sit down though, given half a chance. I know two Rottweiler who are serious leaners and bloody lovely, and greyhounds love to lean (laziest dogs on the planet, but lovely, can have a prey drive, but not always).

I’ve got a Brittany (spaniel-y gun dog). He likes to be in physical contact with me at all times. His favourite is to stand over my lap when I’m on the sofa and lean the full length of his body into my chest, which means I can’t see the TV or use my phone or read a book and he gets ALL THE ATTENTION. I swear he’s actually a liquid, and expands to fill the available space.

I've had two American Bulldogs and they were/are both hugely affectionate dogs who love to lean on you for a cuddle! I appreciate they do not tick all your boxes as they are also larger challenging dogs so with that in mind I would recommend a Staffie. My little staffy is the absolute sweetest, cuddly dog, will happily go out for hours but also happy with a quick plod round the block. She's an obedient, loyal, loving dog and definitely the best of any dog I've ever had.