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.)

Mine (⬆️)was 42kg! He’d have you over quite happily!

My pug is velcroed to me. They aren’t called lapdogs for no reason. He will literally sit on my head given the chance.

Greyhounds are notorious leaners. Mine is leaning on me right now.

I know what you mean, our last dog was 48 kgs and he thought he was a lap dog as well. My Dh thinks we spoil them

My cocker spaniel loves to lean on me, and sit on my feet and look up at me. We’ve trained him away from being prey driven - he lays down while our bunnies hop over him and (newest bunny) on him. He loves cuddles.

Our Lab absolutely loves a lean and a snuggle
He will also get into beds if he is allowed, under the duvet 🙄

And having had female Labs in the past, I did find that our current male is very much more affectionate than they were.

Greyhounds absolutely. {But not all}
Greys {especially tall males} have the advantage of one being able to stroke their Pythonesque heads while walking along.

I met an Italian Greyhound x Whippet the other day - oh my goodness...what a little charmer!
He was like a little mouse!

You had to kneel down to stroke his gorgeous little bonce! {seen here with a Whippet} A Greyhound is next size up again, like those Matryoshka nesting Russian dolls.

Not all dogs like close contact - just like people! Some love it, others are more aloof- it's a gamble.

Having a good relationship is what matters - my first 'Soulmate' dog didn't like close contact at all, as born on a Traveller's site so was never treated as a 'pet'... she was devoted, but not 'all over you'. She would lie on the end of the bed, or at other end of sofa... close, but not touching.

Current dog likes to lie close on sofa.

It definitely depends on the individual , and you won't know til you have lived with them if they will like close contact or not.

Greyhounds do lean...but not all.

Golden Retriever hands down the ultimate leaners. My girl is so affectionate and loving - we joke that she would climb inside your skin if she could.

This morning I came downstairs to DH on the sofa and dog had burrowed in-between his legs with her head on his chest 🤣 She always goes for maximum physical contact.

She makes a beeline for complete strangers she likes the look of (fellow dogwalkers) for a sneaky lean and to kiss/lick their hand.

I totally trust her judgement about people too. She has only ever barked at 2 men who came to the door - she sensed something and was letting me know to be wary. Usually she is so excited and happy to see new people. She also alerted us to an intruder in our garden - she hardly ever barks but this was different and she was letting us (and him) know in no uncertain terms!

The most affectionate and gentle dog I've ever known. My uncles giant black lab a close second.

My dog's is a bit small to create much impact when she leans but the minute I sit down she's right beside me or on my lap. She fills all your criteria and is the mosr affectionate and happy dog ever. She's a wheaten terrier x miniature poodle

Our does, she’s like a Velcro dog and likes to be touching me at all times! Sleeps with my son in bed under all the blankets

Our Welsh terrier loves a lean!

All my dogs have been leaners- lab, collie and cavapoo

Our border collie/Alsatian cross always had to be touching someone in some way.

we currently have a Chihuahua / Jack Russell cross who jumps on your knee if you even look as if you are about to sit down.

And a pure bred border collie who occasionally chooses to be in the same room as us!

We joke that our Labrador would climb inside our skin if he could too 😂. He loves a good lean and is like a weighted blanket. He also has to be touching us (well usually me) with as much of his body as possible.

My old lab was and so is my current teenage terrier mix of 17kg. I love looking at his little head and smooshy ears when they go down and cute when he's leaning with his back to me 😭😍

We have two labs and they both lean, cuddle, snuggle, in fact are both velcro dogs who want to be as close as possible! That said they are very different in temperament, one quite nervous and the other who is older and a rescue is super confident. They love walks, people, and are the best company!

We used to have a retired greyhound and he did that.