# Lazy Dog?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [November 19, 2001, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298 "2001-11-19T22:26:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)
#### Post date: [November 19, 2001, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/1 "2001-11-19T22:26:50Z")
All,
IYHO what is the laziest dog in the world? I’m looking for a mellow, laid-back canine to adopt as a pet. Something you could imagine seeing on Jed Clampett’s front porch is the ideal dog for me. I’ve always liked dogs but the ones I’ve owned have always seemed just a bit to rowdy.
I’d been thinking about getting a Basset Hound, until a woman at work told me that they’re notorious barkers…that’s something that just won’t fly. Opinions anyone?
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### Author:  [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)
#### Post date: [November 19, 2001, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/2 "2001-11-19T23:35:55Z")
Many dogs are currently in foster homes. The foster family should be able to tell you if it’s a really mellow dog. Adopting from such a program is really good if you are looking for a dog with a particular personality trait, as the family will have had time to assess the dog in a “home” situation.
Some breeds are more mellow than others, obviously, but you can get an evaluation of the individual _dog_ this way.
A good source to find shelters in your area is [http://www.petfinder.com](http://www.petfinder.com)
Good luck!
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/3 "2001-11-20T00:03:15Z")
i think we need the input of the quick brown fox…
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### Author:  [@Skelji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skelji)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/4 "2001-11-20T02:24:32Z")
I agree with **Green Bean**. I know two people that foster dogs, and those that do are the best judges of a dog’s personality.
Sometimes they will even take the dog back if it doesn’t work out for some reason.
You can find laid-back dogs in almost any breed, though I wouldn’t recommend something like a Jack Russell or a Border Collie.
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### Author:  [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/5 "2001-11-20T15:29:05Z")
After re-reading my post and the replies(thanks), I think I should refine the question. What is the mellowest, laziest ‘breed’ of dog? I want hereditary idleness coursing through the veins of my new partner in vegetation.
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### Author:  [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/6 "2001-11-20T15:46:03Z")
Greyhounds are sometimes called explosive couch potatoes. That is, they happy to sleep the day away, as long as they get to run really really fast once a day. And, sadly, they’re often put up for adoption as soon as they don’t do all that great on the track anymore.
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### Author:  [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/7 "2001-11-20T16:15:08Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Soda \*
> \*\*Greyhounds are sometimes called explosive couch potatoes. That is, they happy to sleep the day away, as long as they get to run really really fast once a day. And, sadly, they’re often put up for adoption as soon as they don’t do all that great on the track anymore. \*\*
That might do. They seem to be a pretty happy dog also. I’ll keep greyhounds in mind.
“Explosive Couch Potatoes” kinda sounds like either a band name or a theory on spontaneous combustion. lol
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### Author:  [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/8 "2001-11-20T16:21:51Z")
Don’t Great Danes love to just lie around? I’ve heard they actually make good apartment dogs because they are content to just loll around quietly for long periods. I’m not sure how true this is. Also, they tend to die young so they’re not so good for people who find it too painful to have to go through a pet’s death every 8 or so years. YMMV.
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### Author:  [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/9 "2001-11-20T16:57:08Z")
Thanks for the suggestion missbunny. I think a Great Dane would be just a bit to big. I’m looking for more of a medium sized dog. Basset Hounds, Retrievers, about that size range. I do like them, I’m just not sure I’d enjoy getting dragged around the neighborhood. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/10 "2001-11-20T17:34:29Z")
Yeah, retired greyhounds are notorious couch potatoes. (And oh so cute!) Some of them don’t even want to run at all anymore. They are often recommended to apartment dwellers because they are so mellow.
2 greyhound caveats:
–They are sight-hounds, not scent-hounds, so if they run off, they are likely to have trouble finding their way back. And they will chase rabbits, etc. In other words, you can’t really let them off leash except in a fenced area.
–They have short, fine fur, so they get cold easily in the winter. They need sweaters on cold days.
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### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2001, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lazy-dog/94298/11 "2001-11-20T21:16:39Z")
My youngest sister adopted a greyhound, and he’s a big baby and a real sweetie. Unfortunately, he’s very skittish around men - my sister thinks he was probably mistreated in his racing days - but he’s very gentle and friendly once he knows you.
Our lazy lump of a dog is a border collie/lab mutt. Her favorite game is “Underfoot” - especially in the kitchen when I’m trying to cook. If you lived near me, I’d offer her to you - we’ll be faced with finding homes for both of ours in 2 years and I fear we won’t be able to…