Low exercise, low grooming, quiet and small, friendly dogs?

Squeeker · 05-03-2008, 04:25 PM

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You actually need to spend a decent amount of time (and money) on goldfish to keep the happy and healthy . . . they are dirty fish and you need to do lots of water changes.

Cheers to that! I keep goldfish and they are not what people stereotype them to be. Much less work than a dog, though!

OP, I believe you have defined a cat in a dog's body.

Max'sHuman · 05-03-2008, 04:36 PM

I agree with the earlier suggestion to try fostering first, because I think your gf does not understand how much attention even the lowest energy breeds need. Like others have said, even low energy breeds need to be walked and taken outside at least for a little while everyday. They also need affection kind of attention. And if it isn't given, I don't care what breed it is, the dog will find a way to entertain him or herself she will NOT like it. It often involves redecorating a room with garbage or any item the dog find interesting enough to chew on.

This is not something to be selfish about. As in, I know how one can want a dog sooo bad you can feel it in every bone of your body, but if you aren't ready to give a dog a good home you are doing a disservice to the dog AND yourself. Because you will not get the full enjoyment out of a dog if you are trying to force it to work.

FriendsOfZoe · 05-03-2008, 04:41 PM

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Originally Posted by blackrose

I'd also suggest getting an adult dog (2 years or so) if you want a dog that is going to be calm, quiet, and relaxed right off the bat. I think I've only met ONE sane puppy, and that was a Golden Retriever (at eight months he was as well behaved as my 12 year old Lab...that is saying something).

Are you kidding me? Obviously not, but a story like that makes it sounds like golden puppies are well-behaved. Glad you met one who was, but aukk you should meet my Zoe. At over a year she is still getting more and more energy every day. She doesn't need a lot of grooming, but she needs more like 2 walks in half a day rather than a week!!

Just don't want the op to get any wrong ideas about goldens...goldens are definitely not a good choice in this situation, not at all.

georgygirl · 05-03-2008, 05:08 PM

I really would not suggest a boston. They are still very active even though they are little dogs. If you are looking for a dog that will lay around most of the day a boston isn't for you. Joey is literally either sleeping or playing. So when he's not asleep that means he's chasing the kitties, begging to play tug, scattering his toys all over the apartment, trying to pull the tags off his toys, running up and down the hall for absolutely no reason, hunting for earplugs to eat

, or standing right in front of me whining to go for a walk (which happens to be what he's doing right now). I agree with the cat suggestion unless gf is willing to put in some serious time playing with and training the dog.

JeanninePC99 · 05-03-2008, 05:45 PM

FWIW, my condo community is full of young, single people (lots of grad students and medical students) and they manage to walk their dogs every day and keep them reasonably groomed. Somehow, even the busiest people manage to carve out plenty of time to play, walk, and groom their dogs.

dusty&lulusmom · 05-03-2008, 05:45 PM

I don't know much about bulldogs, I have friend who has one and I do think he is low key and low maintenance. I personally have three dogs, a basset hound, westie and cairin. My "littlest" dog is the cairin and he requires alot more exercise and attention than the other two dogs. Sometimes the little guys are all "wound up". He really is a firecracker. I love him to death but he is the highest maintenance of the pack.

Kuma'sMom · 05-03-2008, 05:53 PM

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Joey is literally either sleeping or playing. So when he's not asleep that means he's chasing the kitties, begging to play tug, scattering his toys all over the apartment, trying to pull the tags off his toys, running up and down the hall for absolutely no reason, hunting for earplugs to eat , or standing right in front of me whining to go for a walk

lol, Joey sounds just like Kuma!

petstar · 05-03-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dusty&lulusmom

I don't know much about bulldogs, I have friend who has one and I do think he is low key and low maintenance. I personally have three dogs, a basset hound, westie and cairin. My "littlest" dog is the cairin and he requires alot more exercise and attention than the other two dogs. Sometimes the little guys are all "wound up". He really is a firecracker. I love him to death but he is the highest maintenance of the pack.

I have a bulldog. She stinks, she slobbers, she's high energy and needs daily walks, insists on sitting on furniture, sheds a TON of hair and barks whenever she wants attention. She's also incrediebly stubborn, dominant and needed a lot of training when we brought her home (she's and older dog btw, she would have been even more difficult with higher energy in her younger years)

I can't think of any breed that would be suitable for your requirements. A cat sounds like a much better option for your needs.

jerz211 · 05-04-2008, 10:21 PM

Thanks all for the replies!

I only said my gf may not have the time to walk the dog or groom it too much, but she does have the time to play with it once in a while and have it sit on her lap while she do her thesis!

I think a companion dog would suit her quite nicely. She's taken a liking to a corgi, what do you guys think?

melgrj7 · 05-04-2008, 10:35 PM

Are you just trolling here? A corgi would be a bad choice, a cat would be a much better pet for someone who occasionally has time to play with an animal and wants one to sit in her lap while she writes a paper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerz211

Thanks all for the replies!

I only said my gf may not have the time to walk the dog or groom it too much, but she does have the time to play with it once in a while and have it sit on her lap while she do her thesis!

I think a companion dog would suit her quite nicely. She's taken a liking to a corgi, what do you guys think?

AkiraleShiba · 05-04-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerz211

Thanks all for the replies!

I only said my gf may not have the time to walk the dog or groom it too much, but she does have the time to play with it once in a while and have it sit on her lap while she do her thesis!

I think a companion dog would suit her quite nicely. She's taken a liking to a corgi, what do you guys think?

Err I think you do not understand. A dog needs to walk daily, be trained daily and play daily. No puppy will sit on her lap for hours on end. They will rather tear up her books, pee on the carpet, etc.

Corgis need real exercise everyday.

Please talk your gf into fostering first to see if she can take care of a dog. I don't want to offend you but dogs require exercise and loads of time.

Aggie · 05-04-2008, 10:50 PM

Corgi's don't fit in laps...

Perhaps beside one on the couch, but definitely not a lap dog, or a dog that is easily picked up.

Laurelin · 05-04-2008, 10:54 PM

Corgis are a herding breed, not a companion breed. they were bred to herd and thus have a lot of stamina and probably a harder temperament than you want.

Dogstar · 05-04-2008, 11:08 PM

A corgi would be a HORRIFIC choice.

Corgis aren't all high energy, but even the LOWEST energy corgi needs at LEAST a half hour of BRISK walking every day- yes, even old ones. And if they don't get that? They will find OTHER ways to amuse themselves. Ways that involve home demolition and interior redecorating in a style known as Chewed Modern.

I think a cat really, really, really is the better choice here.

Macky · 05-04-2008, 11:57 PM

My Boston terrier needed lots of attention and although he was a quiet dog I've known other Bostons that barked like crazy. Personally I don't know of any dog that would be content with being played with once in a while. All the dogs I've ever had wanted to be with me all the time, bringing toys for me to play, wanting to be petted. All my dogs followed me from room to room. I would even laugh at the fact that while I'm walking I feel a cold nose on the back of my leg! The dog I have now does that all the time. I agree with Squeeker who said the OP defined a cat in a dog's body. Cats like to be left alone to sleep at least 18 hours a day, they groom themselves with the occasional brushing a couple times a week, and will sit on your lap or desk while working and are generally quiet. Jerz, it seems a cat was not what your gf was thinking of but maybe a cat now and later when college is finished there would be more time for a dog. I was not a cat person until I married my husband. His cat became mine for her last 6 years of life.

dusty&lulusmom · 05-05-2008, 05:22 AM

In all fairness to jerz211, I presently own 3 dogs: a Westie, cairin and basset hound. Yes there is such a thing as a low maintenance dog, my basset is low maintenance. The other two dogs love to go out running, hiking, swimming, chase after a ball, etc. My basset will just look at the ball and not even move if I throw it for her. She likes to go for walks and will try and head back and sometimes cry if we go out too long or too briskly. She is very content laying next to me on the couch as long as I am petting her. She does not need any haircuts but she does need baths, ear cleanings and her nails need to be clipped. I happen to have a very small basset hound (30lbs.), her sister, owned by my mother is closer to 60lbs. They are not small dogs but I do think they are low key and low maintenance. I am not certain about other breeds I can only speak from experience of the dogs I have owned. By the way, my mom owns 2 bassets and they are also low key and low maintenance..so I do not think it is just mine, I think the breed in general is low maintenance. Good luck, I hope your friend finds the right dog to suit her...I get lots of joy out of my dogs...when I adopted my Westie and cairin I did not realize how high maintenance they were...guess what... I love finding the time to go hiking, long walks, etc.. your friend may have the same experience.

Trelaboon · 05-05-2008, 06:03 AM

PUG PUG PUG PUG PUG

They're low grooming needs, they will walk for a bit if you want, but love to just sit around and watch TV. They're low energy inside, they don't typically like to bark. and are AWESOME companion dogs...

I can't wait to get another one when I decide to get another small dog of some sort. The only problem is; they shed like crazy.

petstar · 05-05-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerz211

Thanks all for the replies!

I only said my gf may not have the time to walk the dog or groom it too much, but she does have the time to play with it once in a while and have it sit on her lap while she do her thesis!

I think a companion dog would suit her quite nicely. She's taken a liking to a corgi, what do you guys think?

I don't believe you are prepared to meet the minimal needs of a dog. They require a lot of attention. Being able to play with it "once in a while" won't be sufficient. I really hope you reconsider.

Max'sHuman · 05-05-2008, 08:52 AM

I really think you have an unrealistic idea of how much time and attention a dog needs. I really urge you to foster first or take a very deep look at your life (well you girlfriend) and decide if you have the time to do this right.

We all talk about the money investments we put in our dogs, but here I think we shoul try to quantify time investments for the OP. I have a dog that is small, supposedly moderate energy, moderate independence, low grooming needs. And I would say that on any given day I have to devote a minimum of an hour (this is the bare minimum, on days when I'm very, very busy) strictly to Max. This includes, but is not limited to: exercise, grooming (the occasional bath can add another 30 minutes to half an hour), feeding, bathing, playing, training, or just flat out petting and talking to. Often it's closer to two hours because Max will demand more attention when I'm not giving it and I can't seem to resist giving it to him. And let me tell you, when I ignore him for too long I can count on having to make up for it later (mostly a product of my guilty conscience). So usually he gets closer to two hours of my undivided attention.

Getting a dog, well lets put it this way, you don't fit a dog into your schedule, you fit your schedule around your dog. And if you can't see yourself doing that, you wait until you can...

Sunshyne · 05-05-2008, 09:28 AM

My 8 month old Pug needs at least 2 25 minute walks a day PLUS daily playtimes, daily brushing (pugs shed like you wouldn't believe), daily training and nails clipped about once a month. Sometimes she is still wound up after our walks, training and play. She isn't as hyper as she used to be, but does require a lot of mental and physical exercise.

Maybe as Pugs mature, they calm down, but every pug puppy I have ever met has as much energy as any breed. They are prone to skin problems, allergies and eye problems. She CAN be a lap dog when she's tired, and does like to sleep on my lap, but when she's awake, it's 100% energy!

I hope your girlfriend rethinks the puppy idea and goes with either an older rescue dog or cat. Good luck!!