Many dog breeds come with different qualities. They are alert, yet way too lazy to react. They will hear the sound of a bowl falling and breaking in the kitchen, but would prefer continuing their nap on the couch rather than going all the way to the kitchen to see what happened.
They are blessed with hyper-attentive ears that would hear even a quarrel happening down the street. Their sense of smell is so good that they will be able to sniff the crumbs of bread from under the couch, but going all the way down and licking them off may seem like way too much effort to do!
Following through is not their style! They would avoid every chance that requires an action from them. These dogs are mentally vigilant but also next-level couch potatoes. They notice environmental changes efficiently but lack the motivation to react to them.
In this article, we will discuss attentive dogs that can excel in any competition that requires them to appear calm and composed. These 10 alert (but lazy!) dog breeds are a complete joy to have around!
Alert (But Lazy!) Dog Breeds
1. Chinese Crested
Known to be velcro dogs, the Chinese Crested dogs are some of the clingiest breeds you’ll ever come across. They are affectionate with their people and want to be around them at all times.
They are also constantly alert and would sense whenever something is off. Be it the sound of an alarm or a knock on the door, they would always be the first ones to notice.
But, they won’t do anything about it! They’ll raise their heads a bit, take a look around, and then go back to continue their nap. Most of the time, they won’t even move a muscle to react to the change around them. However, they are not always this nonchalant.
When a new visitor arrives who has never been to the house before, or an unusual noise is heard in the hallway, these dogs will respond. These dogs excel in attentiveness, but when it comes to excitability, they fall short. Hence, they showcase an alert-but-low-energy behaviour.
Alert, lively, and affectionate are the adjectives AKC uses to describe these dogs, and they mention that they are lazy couch potatoes!
2. Whippet
Whippet is a classic example of a dog that will showcase short bursts of explosive speed once or twice a day, but then will spend the rest of the day being ultimate couch potatoes.
Though they are naturally vigilant, they are still low-energy dogs that would showcase no interest in chasing a squirrel in the dog park and would rather play fetch with you for a few minutes and then sit quietly in a corner, observing nature.
According to PetMD, Whippet dogs are incredibly alert. But they’re not always on the go; Whippets balance energetic bursts with evenings spent snuggling on the couch with their humans. They have sharp eyes that are always scanning the environment.
However, they are still good partners of the hunters. This is because they display high prey drive but low activity levels in domestic settings. They are quick to notice changes in the house but super-slow to react unless triggered.
3. Chihuahua
Chihuahua is a funny guy! The moment there is a doorbell, the dog would rush to let you know about it and then run back with equal speed to its blanket. These small dogs like the feeling of being ‘safe’.
They always look for the lap of their favourite person, as that’s where they find comfort. But, trust me, even when it is enjoying your company while burying its head in your arm, it is still super alert and knows what’s happening around it.
These little canines are genetically predisposed to noise sensitivity and showcase vigilance. This further fuels their watchdog behaviour. However, they don’t need high physical activity to remain calm.
For working parents who already have limited time spent at home, these dogs are a great choice as they don’t require a long walk on the street every single day!
4. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a famous gentle giant known for its alertness as well as its laziness. These dogs have impressive heights and long necks, as Britannica mentions. Thanks to these physical features, they can easily keep an eye on the entire household without moving.
I mean, who would want to move when it can easily serve as a great watchdog?
One of the best lazy dog breeds out there, you would be amazed to know that they are capable of displaying 30 mph in short sprints, as mentioned in one of the threads on Reddit.
But, it’s also true that they tire quickly after the run and need several hours of slumber after that.
These dogs scale low in excitability. However, with their intimidating size, they easily deter intruders from entering the home. Hence, for pet parents who tend to leave home often, having this dog would keep the house safe and secure!
5. Dachshund
Originally bred to hunt badgers, you can expect these dogs to be super alert at all times. And, it’s true! They will notice even a small ruffle of the leaf in the garden, but would prefer being a couch potato.
If you have a Dachshund, you’ll be amazed at how these dogs manage their watchdog activities. They will bark at every inconvenience, but they’ll do that while sitting on their comfortable couch.
These are high-energy dogs, but when it comes to their endurance and consistent activity levels, they are not impressive. Being hunting dogs, they are naturally alert and possess problem-solving skills. However, at the same time, they are prone to laziness, especially when there is no stimulus or prey to catch.
Give this dog a good sniff session or a game that requires sniffing, and it will be too tired for action. You’ll notice this dog sleeping for hours, then!
6. Saint Bernard
Bred in the Swiss Alps, these Saint Bernards are well aware of the environment, as they are quintessentially rescue dogs. Even at home, it is always alert and knows what’s happening around it.
If you have this pet, you’re lucky. This gentle giant sees everything and notices every single change. However, when it comes to reacting, it doesn’t rush down the hallway to get to the guest. Rather, it slowly strategizes the action before springing into it.
Hence, all your favorite pieces of furniture at home are safe from being turned upside down. Purina mentions that their calm demeanor makes them a favorite amongst the homeowners.
Saint Bernards are renowned for their exceptional ability to read human emotions and respond to them with a calm demeanour. These large dogs will counsel you pretty well once you are back home after an unpleasant date.
7. Chow Chow
Another dog that is medium in size but showcases a calm demeanor is the Chow Chow. AKC mentions that Chow Chows are aloof. Mostly, they appear like they don’t give a damn about their surroundings. But that’s really not the case.
These dogs are hyper-aware of their surroundings, always checking out what’s happening around them and silently judging everyone. Rather than reacting to every minor change in the situation, they would behave like the true temple guardians in ancient China (which they were).
Compared to other breeds of this size that love playing outside, these dogs enjoy indoor play sessions with kids. But you still need to do something about their physical stimulation. Give them enough physical activity in the day, and they’ll be more than happy!
8. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands, with their imposing presence, are famous for their expertise when it comes to rescuing drowning sailors in icy water. They also know how to haul fishing nets for fishermen. However, once done with these intricate tasks, they will switch off their quick thinking capabilities and will doze off for hours.
Though they are lazy, don’t listen to them when they don’t want to go out for a walk. Physical activity is important for them, and dealing with them as a low-maintenance dog breed won’t be good. Even though they require extensive exercise sessions, give them an abundance of opportunities to swim so they stay healthy.
Laziness can also lead to obesity. Keep them active, and it will ensure their fitness and mental and physical stimulation.
9. Pug
Pugs are alert dogs; however, as they are brachycephalic and have the infamous flat-faced anatomy, they are prone to getting tired quickly. Hence, if there is any strenuous activity, they will most likely avoid it.
These lap dogs are alert on their terms. For instance, the moment they smell something delicious cooking in the kitchen, they’ll rush towards it to check what’s being made. Also, when a kid is playing alone, a Pug would join in immediately as it adores children like anything.
Apart from that, you’ll mostly see it lying on the rug and having a deep slumber party.
In fact, these dogs were bred for companionship. This is why you shouldn’t have high expectations of them to showcase stamina. Rather than going for long walks with you, they’d rather play some indoor games.
10. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is an alert dog that is vigilant enough to notice a new person in the house and bark at them. However, once it is done with this job, it would go back to its comfy bed and take a good nap.
Shih Tzu loves its sleep like anything. As they have super-sharp ears, expect them to notice footsteps and the movement of the fan, but they’ll rarely bother looking up or lifting their neck.
Ask them to walk for more than 10 minutes and they’ll act like the most lethargic canines on Earth. They hate anything that would tire them up.
However, at home, they are so alert that they’ll notice even when a medical event has started to occur, for instance, a seizure or low blood sugar of the owner. It is also a high-maintenance breed, and you’ll have to take good care of its grooming regularly!
Conclusion
Some dogs are vigilant, to the point where they can even detect footsteps from another room. However, at the same time, they’ll be too lazy to check out who’s walking there. They have a gentle demeanor, and you’ll rarely see them being hyperactive.
The above article mentions highly alert but lazy dog breeds that provide good company to their owners. They are alert enough to observe every happening in their surroundings, but they are also lazy enough not to leave their comfy couch and show any reaction.
