Do you have a friend who loves to hang out with you, gets all chatty while you are fine-dining at a new restaurant, but the moment you suggest going to the late-night karaoke, he disappears!
Well, some dog breeds are just like that. They would play a fun game at the dog park, fetching the ball every time it was thrown. However, when other dogs join in, it would simply retreat to its shield.
These dogs are playful, but to a certain limit. They don’t like going overboard, and after a certain period, they just want their alone time when they would just snuggle in their favorite couch.
Let’s talk more about dogs that will make your evenings super fun and chilled out, but when your friends arrive for a late-night party session, they’ll give them a cold stare.
7 Dog Breeds That Are Playful Yet Reserved
1. Greyhound
Greyhound is the gentlest dog you’ll ever come across! Yes, it is gigantic! True, it can appear scary at times. But that’s only for the strangers. If you own one, you would know what a gentleman it is. For people who have never interacted with it, this breed may appear to be a reserved one.
This is due to its overly gentle nature and calm attitude. AKC calls it a sweet-tempered but reserved dog. Unlike other pets, a Greyhound would not showcase an excited reaction, running towards the door to greet a guest.
Rather, it would stay in its place, observe who came into the house, and make sure everything is under control. But, at home, with the people it loves dearly, a Greyhound can be the most playful dog breed ever! Its favourite games include playing with balls and squeaky toys.
One thing to be cautious of is that this famous dog may become involved in playful nipping. It may be a form of game for it, but you need to keep your kids safe when the dog gets overexcited while playing.
2. Basenji
Basenji is always cautious around strangers. If you take this dog out on a walk, you’ll see that it would give every passerby a cautious look as if it is trying to figure out who is a good-natured person in real life and who is a wicked one!
They have an air of ‘unknowingness’ around them, leading to a sense of aloofness. Boisterous kids (especially those from unknown backgrounds) don’t receive this dog’s approval.
However, this dog breed makes a 180-degree turn at home!
It is super affectionate and loyal to its family members. They are energetic dogs that are always up for some adventure. This is why they need an adequate amount of physical exercise each day for proper physical and mental stimulation.
If you have very small kids at home, you need to be cautious. These dogs have a potential intolerance for rough handling and may get aggressive. Proper supervision is necessary in this regard.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
One of the most loved family dogs in the dog world is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Cavaliers are super cuddly dogs. A true definition of the lap dogs, they love spending hours sitting in the laps of their favorite family members. These small dogs bond closely with their human owners.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says this dog thrives on human companionship and loves being around its people. So much so that if you leave it home for a few hours, it may end up developing separation anxiety.
With strangers, they are reserved. However, if you train them well and provide early socialization, they’ll learn how to behave around people they don’t know. They respond well to positive reinforcement training methods.
Give them lots of like treats and shower them with praise to see how quickly they learn new behaviours. PetMD says they are playful dogs. When they are not acting like couch potatoes, they’ll be playing games with their favourite humans.
4. Lhasa Apso
These dogs, a great choice for active families, are adorable. Being the life of a house, they are the most important member of the family. This playful companion surely makes life filled with fun and energy.
The Lhasa Apso is a mischievous dog that often hides your sock under the shelf and waits patiently for you to give up finding it, then lets you have it. It would also let out a giggle while having your lost sock!
At the same time, they are not overly demanding like high-energy breeds. By not seeking your attention at all times, they let you have your me time in peace.
As they have a history of serving as sentinel dogs at palaces and Buddhist monasteries, they exhibit a sense of aloofness towards the outside world. They don’t care about other animals and people much, and showcase a reserved attitude to them.
An Apso is a phenomenal watchdog that’s always aware of its surroundings.
5. Bulldog
Neither excessive barkers, nor a digger, a Bulldog has a reserved personality outside the house.
While you go out for a quick walk with your Bulldog, you’ll see a lot of people stopping by, trying to be friends with your pet (thanks to its adorably squishy face and cute appearance), but this dog will not give a damn!
Rather, it would make a bitch face purposely to ward off unnecessary attention. Yeah! They are a total diva! But, at home, they are something else, completely.
Unlike many dog breeds that need a yard to play, this one is completely content inside your one-bedroom apartment. Running here and there and kicking its favourite ball would be enough entertainment it needs.
Super attached to its pet parents, the Bulldog would spend hours playing with them and then doze off in its comfy bed for many hours.
6. Great Dane
Three adjectives that define a Great Dane are gigantic, reserved, and alert. This big dog is always attentive to its situation, but minds its own business. It doesn’t care which colleagues of yours you invited for dinner at home. Rather than giving them any attention, it would sit in a corner, having its meal.
The best way to pet a Great Dane is to bring it home as a puppy. Then, you can easily develop the dog into a well-rounded family member and a confident adult.
As puppies, they have playful personalities. They get along well with kids at home and become good friends with all family members. However, since they are massive in size, there is a need for constant supervision to prevent unintentional injury to a child while playing.
7. Maltese
These goofy dogs have a reputation for being playful with their folks, and these dog breeds enjoy human attention. Being toy dogs, Purina praises them for adapting easily to a small home. They are also extremely portable and easy to carry around.
Their sweet and loving nature makes them some of the most popular family dogs worldwide. However, they are not this nice with everyone!
Rather, this small dog breed is phenomenal at giving a ‘I don’t give a damn’ attitude when an unknown person tries to give it compliments. It would rarely become friends with a stranger, and would rather be super cautious around it.
Maltese may appear all charming and admirable, but they have a great tendency to bark at unfamiliar people.
Conclusion
Dogs that can be friendly and playful at home but reserved with strangers are undoubtedly the best pets to have. They are always cautious of strangers, always trying to figure out who could be a potential intruder. These are playful dog breeds that love to play and enjoy in their own way.
Breeds including Labrador Retriever, Basset Hound, German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Jack Russell Terriers, Portuguese Water Dog, English Springer Spaniel, and Irish Wolfhound are also some great options to have if you want a playful yet reserved dog.
