What breed is mellow?

Romy

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#1
My husband and I are looking into a second dog some time next year. We like greyhounds a lot, but here are the qualities we are looking for:

Very mellow
Laid back
couchwarmer
BIG
Moderate exercise needs (nothing crazier than an adult german shepherd, though I would prefer a second dog with less energy than our current shepherd)

Does anyone have suggestions? He loves the look of irish wolfhounds......but I am under the impression that they are high energy, at least as puppies (which can be pretty scary at 1-2 years old)

Thanks for your time everybody!
 

dogsarebetter

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#2
all puppies are high energy! but a greyhound sounds great. are they big enough for your tastes? you could also look into the mastiffs
 

Boemy

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#4
I will second greyhounds. And there are always plenty of adults available from rescue groups--ex-racing greyhounds. Ex-racers are used to being kenneled all day except two times when they're let out for exercise.
 

bubbatd

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#5
Need you ask ?? A well bred Golden Retriever . Even at 6 months my Granddog Seger is laid back !
 

Spiritus

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#6
When I decide to eventually slow down, I will likely have a Greyhound or two. They are happy sleeping 18 hours a day, only need to run for short bursts a few times a week, and are just big lap dogs.

My sister had two retired racers - they died of old age, in her arms, at ages 12 and 15.
 
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#7
When I decide to eventually slow down, I will likely have a Greyhound or two. They are happy sleeping 18 hours a day, only need to run for short bursts a few times a week, and are just big lap dogs.

My sister had two retired racers - they died of old age, in her arms, at ages 12 and 15.
I agree with the Greyhound idea. My Grey is my main man and I will ALWAYS have a Greyhound. He's 75 pounds, and taller than my 86 pound Akita mix. He is very laid back, loves all people and does fine with all new dogs. He just wants to sleep and be pet and snuggled, but at the same time will happily go for a walk on the beach if you want to.

Greys are the coolest :)

ETA: Don't get a Greyhound puppy, they're psychotic. Get a retired racer. If it's something you want to pursue let me know and I can find out which rescue is best in your area. Most Greyhound rescues are very helpful and do a great job matching the Grey to the Home.
 

noludoru

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#9
So glad SisMorphine pointed out the craziness of Grey pups... I was reading this thread with horror until I saw that, imagining a crazy pup running circles around your Shepherd! I second the Greyhound recs. They are great dogs, and you can find an adult with a great temperament that gets along in your household--and you already know what you're getting!
 

Cheza

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#10
Retired Greyhound
Mastiff
Great Dane (puppies can be a handful though)

Those are my votes :D
 

Romy

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#11
Actually we have been corresponding with the Tucson greyhound rescue, I really like them, and especially the idea of rescuing an ADULT dog. :) Puppies are cute, but sometimes they just make my hair go grey.

My husband just wants to know what the options are as far as big breeds. Greyhounds kind of remind him of english people who should be at a teaparty or something, which is fine but he's afraid that a delicate looking greyhound might not deter muggers. We live in a nice neighborhood, but bad types do drift through. Our shepherd has joint problems and can't really go for walks, just yard play time which is one of the reasons we are looking for a second dog eventually. I like to go for walks after the sun goes down because otherwise it's 115 degrees, but that's also when the creeps come out. I think a waist high dog of any build would be intimidating enough....but what do you all think?
 

Cheza

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#12
If you want intimidating go for a mastiff hehe. Their size alone would deter most people.
 

Spiritus

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#13
A Greyhound is typically not a guard dog. My sister's dogs would have just looked up and said, "please don't take my sofa - take everything else, just not the sofa.... oh yeah, or the bed.... thank you very much, have a nice day" :D
 
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#14
You don't think this would stop a burglar?


:D

Wally is actually my first line of defense. If anyone tries to come into my room at night he will fly off the bed and stand there, snarling and foaming. He is very posessive of me at night. During the day, though, he'd sleep through someone stealing the tv. LOL!
 

bubbatd

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#16
The rescued Greyhounds I've met were sweethearts , I just like dogs with more meat on them !
 

sp0322

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#17
By cousin has I believe a boxer.. He is adorable and as a puppy was play ful but nothing like woahhh and he still likes to run around and all but hes laid back.. it might just be Rocko because he is EXTREMLY obedient.
 

mrose_s

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#18
a agree greyhound. but mastiff might be more offputting.

for a protective dog, i am partial to ACD's. most loyal protective dogs i've ever met
 

FoxyWench

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#19
mabe look into adopting an adult Great Dane, as puppies danes tend to be high energy and clumsy, but after the 2 yr mark they generally settle quickly, laid back couch potatoes who LOVE their people.

they CAN be protective but only when they feel the need to be, are generally sweet natured (can occasionally be same sex dog agressive so meetings with your current dog is very important)
while there generally people lovers their size alone is enough to persuede most ill intentions to look elsewhere for trouble.
English mastif would also work.

Greyhounds are generally VERY sweet dogs however like any they will defend their family in some circumstances.
 
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#20
Oh and any sort of Mastiff is a good idea. Most breeds of Mastiff are pretty laid back, especially if you get it as an adult.

I have an Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog puppy (yes, it is considered a Mastiff for some reason) and even though she's got some energy, she will readily calm down. She also will alert to anyone coming into my home. And when she's grown will look intimidating. Right now she just looks cute!

If you'd like an Alapaha I can give you some leads on those, also. But they're not cheap to obtain, and you may be waiting for a while to get one. They're not exactly common . . .
 

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