A lot of people here, myself included a couple years ago, like dogs with loads of drive, that love to work, work, work, that are a challenge. These dogs need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to be well balanced and happy. Owners love the go, go, go lifestyle and love doing all kinds of sports and other dog events that include a whole other realm of a social life for the owners as well.
I was an avid hiker when I lived in Idaho and loved doing agility with my Doberman. He was a dog that demanded lots of training and socialiation. He thrived on learning and practicing new things every day almost. He did have an off switch, but if more than a day or two went by withhout at least a walk, his face just looked depressed and bewildered.
Since he has been gone and I'm left with my two senior Chihuahuas, I have come to rely on the YMCA for my own exercise rather than daily mountain hikes. And these two dogs have spoiled me in a way because they're couch potatoes. They like to play. Jose` loves to play fetch and take walks. But he is not unhappy to not have a walk for a few days if need be. He can run through the house if I entice him to retrieve a ball. And there's the yard. They can romp and wrestle, run around etc and get some exercise. They are completely undemanding and love almost nothing more than to cuddle on my lap or just lie beside me on the floor, follow me around a little bit, watch what I'm doing in the kitchen with their little tails wagging. They don't have a very high energy level and they're really quite laid back and relaxed, even as puppies. I have come to like that a lot in a dog. No, a stuffed animal wouldn't do. I do love their little quirky personalities and taking walks, playing with them and teaching them a few new things here and there and I love their perkiness and spirit. But I love having dogs that are low maintenance.
Have you only had dogs with high energy and high exercise needs? Or do you or have you had both kinds of dogs? Do you like a highly spirited, active dog that prefers to be doing something stimulating most of the time or do you like a more laid back, couch potato dog that can be livened up when enticed or invited? Or... do you like an old, lazy dog that can hardly raise his head up off the ground.
I was an avid hiker when I lived in Idaho and loved doing agility with my Doberman. He was a dog that demanded lots of training and socialiation. He thrived on learning and practicing new things every day almost. He did have an off switch, but if more than a day or two went by withhout at least a walk, his face just looked depressed and bewildered.
Since he has been gone and I'm left with my two senior Chihuahuas, I have come to rely on the YMCA for my own exercise rather than daily mountain hikes. And these two dogs have spoiled me in a way because they're couch potatoes. They like to play. Jose` loves to play fetch and take walks. But he is not unhappy to not have a walk for a few days if need be. He can run through the house if I entice him to retrieve a ball. And there's the yard. They can romp and wrestle, run around etc and get some exercise. They are completely undemanding and love almost nothing more than to cuddle on my lap or just lie beside me on the floor, follow me around a little bit, watch what I'm doing in the kitchen with their little tails wagging. They don't have a very high energy level and they're really quite laid back and relaxed, even as puppies. I have come to like that a lot in a dog. No, a stuffed animal wouldn't do. I do love their little quirky personalities and taking walks, playing with them and teaching them a few new things here and there and I love their perkiness and spirit. But I love having dogs that are low maintenance.
Have you only had dogs with high energy and high exercise needs? Or do you or have you had both kinds of dogs? Do you like a highly spirited, active dog that prefers to be doing something stimulating most of the time or do you like a more laid back, couch potato dog that can be livened up when enticed or invited? Or... do you like an old, lazy dog that can hardly raise his head up off the ground.
