Most dog breeds require regular exercise. Daily jogging or walking is enough to keep them healthy and fit. But what about the large dog breeds that love relaxing on couches all day? Is there any form of activity they can enjoy without moving too much?
Most couch potatoes are medium-sized or small dogs. There are not so many large dogs breeds that can sit for hours without any movement. However, there are some exceptions, such as dogs who inherited their relaxed attitude from their ancestors. Some of the three common lazy dog breeds include:
Great Danes Just Love to Snooze
Great Danes are one of the most famous lazy dog breeds. One can often see them sleeping on couches or beds for hours. They are pretty significant, so they require more food than smaller dogs, but their activity level is low. It will probably suit you well if you want a pet who loves to sit and watch TV with you or nap peacefully on a warm blanket next to the fireplace.
Great Danes are not particularly good guard dogs, as they don’t form a strong bond with their owner and tend to be too friendly with strangers. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that Great Danes grow very fast and reach an impressive size, so they are not recommended for households with children, as they can easily hurt the dog.
Bernese Mountain Dogs, Big and Lazy!
Bernese Mountain Dogs are large dogs with a calm and relaxed demeanor. Just like Great Danes, they love to spend time indoors. This, combined with their size, makes them great at home security. They are loyal towards their owners and always try to be helpful in their daily activities, so you can expect your overweight pet to do its best to protect you during burglaries.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are also good hunters if taken out regularly because their instincts never fade. They are gentle towards children and will be happy to play with them in the backyard or accompany them on walks. However, like Great Danes, they do need exercise now and then not to become obese.
If you are looking for a giant dog breed but don’t want to spend time with walks, Bernese Mountain Dogs make great pets. They are relaxed around the house most of the day, but they can be active if their energy is channeled into playing or hunting games.
Share the Sofa with a Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are one of the most well-known large dog breeds. They love to play and be affectionate, but they also need their naps like other lazy canine breeds. Saint Bernards usually sleep for about 20 hours a day, so you should see this as great news if you want your pet to cuddle with you on the sofa.
Saint Bernards are very calm and patient, so they get along great with children. Then they are often used as therapy dogs to visit hospitals or nursing homes, where these gentle giants can cheer up their patients. They also make excellent security dogs because of their protective nature towards the people they love. However, you need to be aware that they are not good swimmers, so you should avoid taking them to places with lakes or rivers.
Newfoundland, the Sleep Loving Dog
Newfoundlands are very intelligent dog breeds that love to swim. They are gentle around children and are ideally suited for therapy work because of their friendly disposition. These dogs are great family pets, but they need lots of attention in return, so you should make sure you have enough time to play with your pet or teach it new tricks all day long.
Newfoundland dogs do not like to be on their own, so they might not suit you if you work long hours or travel often. These dogs are a great addition to your home, but you need to remember that they are pretty big, so it’s not recommended to get them if you live in an apartment.
See also: Big Dogs That Don’t Shed
And: Not a Lapdog, The Huge Saint Bernard
How to Care for your Lazy Large Dog Breed
You can care for your lazy large dog breeds simply by providing them with a warm place to sleep and some food. You must give these dogs a lot of tender loving care because they are always waiting for their owners’ next walk or the next treat.
Saint Bernards can suffer from megaesophagus, so you need to check if your pet is choking after it eats. Always feed your pet small pieces of food and cut them into smaller pieces if they seem too large for your dog to chew correctly.
In addition, you should make sure that the water bowl is always filled with fresh water. You can add some ice cubes to keep the water cool even in summertime, but these particular dog breeds should never be left outside all day long.
Some of the best large dog breeds for couch potatoes are Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, and Newfoundlands. Make sure that you spend enough time with your pet to keep it happy, or else it might turn into one of those nuisance dogs that bark on and off the whole day long.
Conclusion
Some savvy homeowners love lazy large dog breeds, and the above four will make a fantastic companion. You will never go wrong with any of them, and they all make great family dogs. They won’t need to run around much, but you will need to keep them in shape by spending time with them daily.
What’s great about these dog breeds is that they hardly bark, making their presence an absolute pleasure for neighbors. As a pro tip for caring for your dog ensure that you groom your dog frequently to ensure that it smells well. In case of any medical issue with your dog ensure that you contact a veterinary who will advise you on the best approach for your pet.
Featured image: Great Dane
