What kind of dog would be best for me - a couch potato??

Question

I'm looking to get a dog who will not be yippy while I'm at work. I work long hours and the dog would be in my back yard. Need something who would need minimal exercise as I have neither the time nor energy to provide this. Also looking for a dog who won't shed badly and will be mellow and laid back. Definately no barking all day (my neighbors would no doubt kill me). S/he would be inside when I am home - a sweet little lap dog. Prefer small to medium size. Was thinking of a Min Pin/ Poodle mix. Does such a dog exists?? I sure hope so as I love the company they provide, but getting older and unable to keep up with the Black lab mixes I have now.

Answer 1

Hi Mary
I have a westie and shes great, shes not a lay about but she does sleep a lot, which suits me just fine as i am in bed all day,night(spine so i can't walk) Shes great company and she just uses the dog flap to get in and out so really i don't have to walk her. i have a big back garden and she gets a good run around that. My mum feeds her so don't think i am not feeding her so i think a Westie would suit you Mary

Answer 2

Argh. You don't make things easy. :)

If you're going to be a part-time companion, you'll need two dogs, so they can keep each other quietly comfortable (being social pack animals, dogs *require* constant companionship) while you're away. If nothing else, it'll keep them from barking all day.

Wanting a laid-back couch potato type pet, your best bet is to make sure they're already mature adults (at least 4 years).

For minimal shedding, get a dog with a coat that is better suited for being stripped (like a poodle or airedale) rather than brushed...but their coats will still need care.

There's nothing wrong with a mix. While all my dogs have been good dogs, the ones we got from shelters were especially good - I suppose they no longer took the comforts of having a home and an owner for granted.

In your case however, I would just make especially sure they aren't part beagle or another type in the hound family....way too active.

Answer 3

You should rethink this...a dog needs lots of attention and shouldn't be left alone all day for long hours.

I assume you're a dog lover...and I am too. I grew up with dogs, then had a few dogs of my own. Then, my son brought home a kitten from college and now I'm a cat lover too. When he brought his cat back to college...I had to get a cat of my own and did, and a year later, got another kitten.

Please consider two cats, since they'll have playmates during the day while you're gone. They're simple. They don't require "Walks" or a lot of attention, just some play time with you, but they play a lot with little balls or little stuffed animals by themselves. They're great to watch and they'll snuggle with you while watching tv at night. Plus...you can leave them for long days while you're at work and they can stay alone inside for the weekend too. If you train them to be inside, they won't mind not going outside either and will live a lot longer....they say 70% longer. They other great thing about cats...both of my kittens were "litter boxed" trained when I brought them home from the shelter at about 8 and 12 weeks old. Not one mess. Something I can't say about my dog, but he's great too now at 12 years old and loves the kittens.

October is the end of kitten season...I'd suggest finding a kitten and in a few more months, next April or so, get another one. I don't think you want sisters or siblings, because one does need to be the dominate one, just like if you had two dogs. Or head to the MSPCA and pick up two older cats who are already friends.

Answer 4

English Bulldog


standard: medium/great with kids

Height: 12-16 inches

Weight: 40-55 lbs

Life Span: 8-10 yrs

Breed Group: Guardian Dogs

Overview
Bulldogs are calm and gentle dogs that get along with everyone. They are patient and loving with children, although they won't frolic with them for hours, and usually get along with other dogs and with cats. They are observers and sleepers, not property protectors. Early training is recommended.

Appearance
The bulldog's coat is short and soft. It comes in all colors and mixtures except black; the most common colors are red brindle, brindle, white, and fawn.

Grooming & Exercise Needs
Bulldogs need a quick brushing once a week. The facial and nasal folds and the area around the muzzle need to be cleaned frequently. Bulldogs are sedentary; a daily walk around the block is often enough exercise for them.

Origins
The original bulldogs of early 19th-century England were bred for bullbaiting and dogfighting and were ferocious and tenacious, but beginning in the 1830s, by which time these inhumane sports were illegal, bulldogs were bred to be gentle.

Special Alerts
It is important to obtain a bulldog from a reputable breeder who breeds for calm temperament and good health. Breed-related health concerns: difficult births, hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, heart problems, hypothyroidism, lymphoma, skin problems, structural deformities of the nose, mouth, and throat that can interfere with normal breathing.

Answer 5

With that schedule you need a stuffed dog, or a recording! I work 40 hours weeks and it takes me all weekend to make my dogs REMEMBER me...course there are 14-and 9 years old so I don't have the problem of TRAINING a dog with those hours. Consider the long hours that dog has to stay at home all alone...will he dig or chew up your yard, do you care if he tears up everything and anything in site. My dog hates thunder lightening and fireworks, when I am not home during these times, I have to pull out the hammer and nails and put my house back together. Don't get a dog to just have one, there are part of the FAMILY! if you don't plan on treating it that way get a cat! They bath themselves, feed them selves poop by them selves, all you have to do is have clean litter, keep them in while you are at work, then they don't get hit by cars while you are at work. Dogs get loose and run and get in the pound...I know I have four...soon to be just ONE! I have had dogs around me all my life, I am a cat person, the dogs all belong to other family members that got the dog and then got bored...I have bathed, feed, chased, medically treated other peoples dogs until I am sick of it. Cats are the way to go! And they love your lap! Dogs get dirty quicker, have to have baths cats don't as a rule...cats are way more funny as they grow up, they fall funnier, they run funnier, and it NEVER goes away. A dog grows OUT of most of the fun stuff they do a puppies, cats STAY cute all their lives. I also know my oldest cat is 14, his grandmother was 12, and many many other feline friends, none of which were lucky enough to live that long, but still good friends of the family never forgotten. Dogs are messy, loud, dirty, unpredicatable, they do BITE people (lawsuit) and you have to shovel the dog poop anyway just like a cat little box. Good luck with that.

Answer 6

I don't think you should get a small dog. They don't do well outside in the cold weather. It sounds like you don't have what it takes to be a dog owner, if I were you I would get something else that could stay inside and doesn't need as much attention. It would not be fair to a dog, and they all would be to wound up after spending the day alone to be what you are looking for.

Answer 7

Get a retired racing greyhound. They turn into real couch potatoes and they have very short hair. I never heard one bark. Every dog needs exercise and so do you. If you don;t want to walk one then I suggest another pet, cat. If you still want a dog try the pound for one 6 years old or older.

Answer 8

You can't keep up with the dogs you have now and want another one? Does this make sense? What about getting off your butt and getting a little exercise with the pets already depending on you. As a general rule, the smaller the dog, the barkier it gets.

Answer 9

Boston Terrier

Answer 10

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