Greyhound!
But really any dog fit that, just keep checking in with shelters. Dogs are individuals.
Great Pyrenees will check some of the boxes. They are great guard dogs, sleep a good portion of the day, and are great with cats. You will have to give up black clothes due to all the long white fur that will be everywhere.
[QUOTE=suz;7794664]
Aren’t they pretty drooly?[/QUOTE]
Mine wasn’t, and neither were either of his parent’s. The owner’s of both his parents said the only time either one drooled was if they started begging for people food. I never fed mine any people food, so he never really drooled.
[QUOTE=VFT;7795195]
Great Pyrenees will check some of the boxes. They are great guard dogs, sleep a good portion of the day, and are great with cats. You will have to give up black clothes due to all the long white fur that will be everywhere.[/QUOTE]
My mom has a Great Pyrenees and she HATES being in the house for extended periods of time. She will come in for an hour or so and then right back outside…unless it’s super hot, then she lays on the air conditioning vent.
Suz, you need Merri! (of the Pip and Merri show >.>)
I will look and see what my local rescue has. I know the local ACO has been holding back euthing a white GSD for months, while trying to find it a home. He’s quite shy, and needs time to warm up to a new person, which has made placing him difficult. I know he would be too furry for you guys, most likely, but I will see what else she has. I know there was a gorgeous terrier mix. He was mostly white, medium sized, broken coated, with just a bit of black on his face. I wanted to take him home! There was a lovely hound mix as well. Anyway, I will see what I can dig up.
I love this guy’s face!
[QUOTE=suz;7794618]
ok, let me re phrase this—
what are some medium to large breeds which prefer the couch potato lifestyle?[/QUOTE]
I was going to suggest looking at the Giants until I saw you want medium to large.
Then I saw this. If this is the plan, you’re going to get a lovely Heinz 57 concoction of breeds so just go stroll down the aisles and see who is relaxed and mellow within your size range. Then you can come back here and ask our opinions on that individual, if you like.
I’ve taught all my dogs to bark like a maniac on command. It works like a charm, and actually prevented a potential problem when I was walking my corgis in downtown Denver late at night. They loved everyone, but they didn’t like the look (smell?) of a man walking toward us, which told me something was wrong. I muttered “Snaffles, WOOF!”, which was her cue, and she barked her little head off. The man turned around and walked away.
I also encourage my dogs to bark at anyone who approaches the house, but they have to stop when I tell them.
Between these two skills, I think any dog you find and like could give you the security you’re looking for.
[QUOTE=AzulBlue;7794629]
Great Dane?
Greyhound?
Doberman Pinscher…
Of course, a mature, doberman pinscher. Any puppy is going to have insatiable energy level.[/QUOTE]
I second the great dane.
Standard poodle!!
I agree that a great tool is to teach the speak command (AND the quiet command, which is easier to teach once you do have the speak command in place).
My first dog was/is a thirty pound poodle mix (was black is now salt and pepper), probably some schnauzer in there. My mom didn’t meet him for the first several months after I got him from the pound, but she’d hear him bark in the background during phone conversations and would always ask, “HOW big did you say he was?! He sounds huge! And mean!” he does have a big bark for his size.
I also agree with strolling the aisles and looking for the dog that is standing towards the front of the run, but not pacing, jumping on the door, barking, crying, etc. (Yes some of those will be actually calm dogs who have been cooped up too long, but others acting like that simply always act like that!!)
My bubba was standing at the front of his run, tail down but not tucked, watching the world go by. He jumped up a little bit when I took him out but wasn’t trying to dive bomb my head or do anything stupid.
That’s pretty much been his energy level for the last 7 years. He had other issues (fear of normal household activity, spookiness) and can kinda be a jerk when grumpy/tired, but overall he’s not demanding in energy/exercise.
I wouldn’t say to pick a dog that looks like him because that’s how my mutt turned out, but a calm, observant demeanor at the pound can be a good starting point to look for.
[QUOTE=asb2517;7795300]
My mom has a Great Pyrenees and she HATES being in the house for extended periods of time. She will come in for an hour or so and then right back outside…unless it’s super hot, then she lays on the air conditioning vent.[/QUOTE]
Yes, they are bred to be outside dogs and really are not that high energy.
Greyhounds are sweet, but VERY large and not great barkers or watch dogs. And they can be hell on small, quick moving animals (like cats).
I personally would not get too hung up on breeds. Try to adopt from a place that has foster programs (be it a rescue or a shelter); the foster parent should be able to tell you much about the dog’s personality & energy level.
It’s hard to predict that in dogs that are kenneled for long periods of time around a bunch of strange dogs (like in a traditional pound or shelter environment) – they are under so much stress.
As for general breeds, I personally love the Pit breeds: Bull Terriers, Staffordshire terriers and plain old (so-called) Pit Bulls. Many are great with kids & cats (some are NOT), and once they get out of puppyhood they are not that high energy. AND they are great guard dogs because so many people tend to be scared of them.
I have 4 mini heelers & one 90 lb Pit (all of whom are currently on my bed while I type)…the Pit is always the last one to get up & the first one to vote for a nap. He’s actually got the sweetest personality of the whole crowd.
Anyone who has heelers knows what I’m talking about…those stinkers NEVER run out of energy (or bark, I might add…).
BTW, there IS a Bull Terrier rescue for sure…not so sure about one for Staffies.
Scariest-LOOKING cross I ever knew was a Scottish Deerhound (maybe an Irish Wolfhound) Labrador cross. She was HUGE, glowing amber eyes, lazy as a stick, loved the cats, sweet to have around, but looked and sounded very scary indeed.
If I get a dog, and it’s a pretty big if, it will have to be comfortable living in my camper with me. The camper has three steps to negotiate, other wise it’s just like a studio apartment inside.
To be frank my dh may not survive the winter and he would really like me to get a dog if I am to live alone in the camper. I don’t travel much, and will continue to work from my camper, so the dog wont be alone much. And i’ll have a cat, so not alone even if I’m gone for a few hours.
I’ve never not had dogs in my life, this is the first year ever without one. For the past dozen years we’ve had weimies—I know an older one is a good possibility too. Before that there were labs and shepherd crosses, setters, beagles, great pyrs and even a Hungarian Kuvasz.
I know I don’t want a lot of hair—I won’t be spending winters anywhere cold in an rv anyway! And an adult dog FOR SURE—NO puppies for me!
Low energy, low shedding, mild mannered yet mean looking and sounding are my requirements.
And I hope to learn as much as I can before contacting a rescue—in fact fostering myself might be a great way to get to know a few before one chooses me.
But I’ve never had a rottie or dobe or bully breed and am thinking of venturing outside of my known breeds.
No doberman I know is low energy. You could try an adult who’s been fostered and they know their personality, but pretty much need decent exercise before they are content to laze around. If a Weim is too much energy for our current lifestyle I’d say with confidence a dobie would be too. Maybe Rotties are better in that regard but the ones I’ve seen are substantially bigger.
[QUOTE=suz;7795739]
If I get a dog, and it’s a pretty big if, it will have to be comfortable living in my camper with me. The camper has three steps to negotiate, other wise it’s just like a studio apartment inside.
To be frank my dh may not survive the winter and he would really like me to get a dog if I am to live alone in the camper. I don’t travel much, and will continue to work from my camper, so the dog wont be alone much. And i’ll have a cat, so not alone even if I’m gone for a few hours.
I’ve never not had dogs in my life, this is the first year ever without one. For the past dozen years we’ve had weimies—I know an older one is a good possibility too. Before that there were labs and shepherd crosses, setters, beagles, great pyrs and even a Hungarian Kuvasz.
I know I don’t want a lot of hair—I won’t be spending winters anywhere cold in an rv anyway! And an adult dog FOR SURE—NO puppies for me!
Low energy, low shedding, mild mannered yet mean looking and sounding are my requirements.
And I hope to learn as much as I can before contacting a rescue—in fact fostering myself might be a great way to get to know a few before one chooses me.
But I’ve never had a rottie or dobe or bully breed and am thinking of venturing outside of my known breeds.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like a smaller, bully-type female would be perfect for you! But of course any dog, even the coach potato types need exercise…several walks per day.
If that can’t be managed, get a toy something. They tend to be hyper sensitive and bark like maniacs at almost anything…and most policemen etc. say that is the main thing…the fact that the owner now is aware someone is there is enough to scare 95% of intruders.
But again, try to get a foster dog. Also, please be aware than many rescues may not even let you foster or adopt a dog if you are living in a camper…many of them actually require a fenced yard or at least a secure living environment.
I got all of my Pits from shelters and they all insisted on a home inspection.
[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7795868]
Sounds like a smaller, bully-type female would be perfect for you! But of course any dog, even the coach potato types need exercise…several walks per day.
If that can’t be managed, get a toy something. They tend to be hyper sensitive and bark like maniacs at almost anything…and most policemen etc. say that is the main thing…the fact that the owner now is aware someone is there is enough to scare 95% of intruders.
But again, try to get a foster dog. Also, please be aware than many rescues may not even let you foster or adopt a dog if you are living in a camper…many of them actually require a fenced yard or at least a secure living environment.
I’ve adopted all my Pits from shelters and every time they have insisted on a home inspection prior.
[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7795871]
[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7795868]
Also, please be aware than many rescues may not even let you foster or adopt a dog if you are living in a camper…many of them actually require a fenced yard or at least a secure living environment.
I’ve adopted all my Pits from shelters and every time they have insisted on a home inspection prior.[/QUOTE]
Oh good point----I wonder how that will play out.
Depends on where you are. Here in the south, quite a few rescues are not as strict (don’t think that is always a plus!). I have to say bully X (pit type) yeah they are not big barkers usually and are extremely people friendly as in never meet a stranger! They may look intimidating but really they are not. I have a ACD mix foster that is very wary of strangers and will bark her head off if someone she does not know enters her territory, yet she is the sweetest dog there is with those she knows, prefers females to males too. But she does not fit your no shedding, has double coat and would probably like to chase the cats if they would run. She is a great house dog though, very quiet in the house and will just lay around when I was working on the computer. She is my first experience with ACD. I still prefer my bullies!
Maybe I’ll volunteer to foster for a while–and be ready to fail at it when the right dog shows up.
All of the adult rotties I’ve known (I used to do rescue) have been extremely mellow in the house, terrifying to strangers (even when they’re wearing their goofy puppy faces) and really good company. Might be bigger than what you’re looking for (though they really don’t take up much room for their size)–but may be worth meeting a few to see what you think.
good luck!
