Just like humans, dogs can be very different from one another in a variety of ways. Dogs come with all different personalities, likes, dislikes, and personal histories. They can vary in many different individual factors such as temperament, exercise needs, social levels, affection preference, and much more. Some breeds are known for being lazy, while others are known for being very active and energetic. Activity level can also vary depending on certain factors such as health conditions, age, and more. Some dogs are couch potatoes, while others are always on the go.
Some dog owners are used to their dogs being lazy. It may just be their nature. Sometimes, a dog may become lazy with age, and some may become lazier out of nowhere. While a lazy dog isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can be a sign of underlying health issues. As a dog owner, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for signs that your dog’s laziness may mean more than what meets the eye. We’ll go over all the lazy dog basics and how to know if there’s more to your lazy dog being so lazy.
Signs of A Lazy Dog
Many dogs are very full of energy. They may love to run around, play fetch, rough house, and follow their owners around. On the other hand, many dogs prefer a slower pace. They may spend a larger part of their time resting, snuggling on the couch, and enjoying a nice nap. There is nothing wrong with having a lazy dog! Some dogs are just born with natural lazy dog traits, and this is normal. A lazy dog may also be described as low energy, laidback, or easygoing.
If you have a lazy dog, it’s usually pretty obvious that they are on the lower energy side. Nevertheless, some dogs may be somewhere in the middle of laziness and high energy. A lazy dog may be most commonly found on your sofa or their dog bed, enjoying a midday nap. Even if they aren’t sleeping, lazy dogs typically love to enjoy a comfortable spot to hang out and observe what’s going on around them.
A lazy dog doesn’t always just hang out in a stationary spot. They may love to explore their surroundings and socialize, but rather than doing so at high speeds, a lazy dog will likely wander around at a slower pace. When visitors arrive, you won’t have to worry about a lazy dog bombarding them at the door. Instead, they may just look in their direction and wag, or slowly make their way over to greet them.
Lazy dogs may be motivated by various things such as treats, food, and their leash that signals walk time. Even then, they still move slowly despite their excitement. A lazy dog is a perfect companion for almost any family. They’re happy to go with the flow and are usually relatively adaptable to various situations. While some may enjoy a more active dog, many humans love their lazy dog family members.
Lazy Dog Science
While some dogs may be more prone to being lazy than others, there are often scientific reasons behind this. Genetics plays a big role in which breeds are known to produce a lazy dogs. Some dogs have been used to hunt, others to be guard dogs, and many to be lap dogs. These well-known lap dogs typically can be considered some of the lazy dog breeds. Some lazy dog breeds include the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Basset Hound, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Bernese Mountain Dog.
While lazy dog breeds play a big role in which dogs will be on the slower side, other factors determine this. Unique temperaments and personalities play a big role in whether or not a dog is a lazy dog or not. If you look at a litter of puppies who come from the same genetic pool, you will see some very active puppies and some who seem to be more lazy dogs.
Nature vs. nurture is a very well-known theory in not just child development but also in the development of individual dogs. Many researchers have studied whether or not domestication has made dogs lazier than before.
One very interesting study looked at 10 shelter dogs, 10 pet dogs, and 10 wolves. The shelter dogs and pets were all different breeds and mixes. All dogs were asked to solve a puzzle toy to reach a treat as a reward that was inside of the puzzle toy. 8 out of the 10 wolves solved the puzzle on their own, but only 1 out of 20 of the dogs did the same. The rest of the dogs communicated a need for human help or guidance in solving the puzzle toy. This shows us that domesticated dogs don’t have the motivation to do things on their own that wild wolves and other dogs might.
When it comes to lazy dog science, many studies have found a connection between obesity in pets to obesity in their owners. If you struggle with motivation and exercising, there’s a good chance your dog will pick up on this approach. This can help identify the role of nurture in a lazy dog. A lazy dog may not be lazy in nurture but becomes lazy because of the lifestyle that their household lives in.
Lazy Dog History
A lazy dog has been a common component of society for centuries, and they will surely be along for more to come. Lazy dogs are so common that they even have had the Lazy Dog restaurant named after them! These adorable, laidback pups have claimed their place in our hearts as they have with so many before us.
Our relationship with dogs is believed to have begun around 15,000 years ago at the minimum. Before this, it was guessed that lazy dogs weren’t easy to find. Dogs still had to hunt and fend for themselves, and being lazy would have put them at a disadvantage. No dog would have been prone to being lazy, as this would put them at a risk.
During the first years of domestication, dogs were still used to perform various tasks. Hunting dogs, guard dogs, tracking dogs, and many other types of dogs were used to assist their owners in many different ways. When being used for various tasks, it’s safe to assume that dogs weren’t regularly considered lazy. They still had to develop instincts and skills to use in their various duties.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, dogs began to experience more pampering and less work. The Toy Poodle, for example, was known to be on the French court. We can assume they got to be quite a lazy dog during this time and didn’t have many responsibilities if any at all. This is likely when laziness began to become a regularly seen trait within certain types of dogs.
Once the 20th century arrived, breeds beyond just the Toy Poodle had begun to ditch the workload and enjoy their time in the homes and yards of their owners. With a lessened duty expectation and comfortable spaces to rest and relax, it’s no surprise that the concept of a lazy dog became more well known. Who wouldn’t want to rest and relax when you have no duties to tend to? With owners who are happy to rest on the couch with you and watch a movie, and who won’t require you to work regularly, dogs quickly took advantage of their ability to be lazy without threatening their survival ability.
Helping Your Lazy Dog Stay Healthy
Having a lazy dog isn’t a rare occurrence in today’s day and age. Many dog owners prefer having a lazy dog who doesn’t need much exercise or activity to keep them happy. If you have a lazy dog, be sure to take these few extra steps to keep them in good health. Doing so can help you enjoy the happiest years with them that you can.
A lazy dog still needs to get recommended daily exercise to stay healthy. Some dogs love walks, others like to play fetch, and some may enjoy trips to the dog park or dog beach where they can socialize with other dogs and humans. Obesity is a very serious condition for all dogs, and lazy dogs can be more prone to developing it than active dogs. To help your lazy dog remain healthy, be sure to take all the steps that you can to avoid obesity.
Just like exercise, diet is a very key component of overall health for a lazy dog. How much your dog should eat daily can depend on a variety of factors such as their age, breed, sex, activity level, and underlying health conditions. Be sure to consult with your vet on the ideal calorie intake for your lazy dog. Treats can be another culprit of health issues for a lazy dog. Be sure to keep treats to a healthy amount and to avoid human food that doesn’t offer some health benefits for your pup. Dog food should always be high quality with a good amount of protein and no sweeteners.
When to Worry about a Lazy Dog
Some dogs are just born lazier than others. They may have no reason behind this other than their personality and genetics. On the other hand, laziness can be a cause for concern. Understanding how to know if there’s more to your lazy dog being so lazy is the key to keeping an eye out for any unexpected health issues.
Lethargy can often be confused with laziness. While they look similar, lethargy is often an indicator of a variety of different health issues. Lethargy can be defined as extreme fatigue and exercise intolerance. This can be an indicator of a variety of health conditions, including infection, illness, heart problems, liver problems, diabetes, hypoglycemia, thyroid disease, parasites, medication complications, and even poisoning.
All dog owners want their pups to be as healthy and happy as possible. Part of providing this for them includes keeping an eye out for possible health conditions, both mild and severe. Determining whether your dog is simply a lazy dog or they are being lethargic can be tricky. Some common signs of lethargy include excessive sleep, low energy, excitement decrease, and response delay.
When your dog is feeling lethargic, it may experience heavy panting, coughing, and labored breathing after engaging in physical activity. In extreme cases, they may even experience confusion, disorientation, increased body temperature, forgetting household rules, and even collapse.
Causes of Lethargy
A lethargic dog is very different than a lazy dog. Lethargy can be a sign of some serious health conditions that you should look out for. When combined with other symptoms, such as a decrease in appetite, hair loss, weight gain, or gastrointestinal issues, lethargy is almost always a sure sign of an underlying issue.
If your dog is typically active and energetic, and they suddenly seem more lazy, be sure to watch for other symptoms of common conditions that may cause lethargy. If you notice that your dog is acting lethargic or has an intolerance of exercise, be sure to get them into your vet. They will be able to do testing for various condition that may be causing these behavior changes.
Sometimes lethargy can be caused by other things besides health conditions, such as aging, lack of sleep, or changes in food. If this is the case and medical testing has ruled out any underlying conditions, be sure to listen to your dog’s cues.
A lethargic dog should not be forced to exercise more than they can handle. Allow them to have a shorter walk or end play time when they want to if your dog is feeling lethargic. If your lethargic dog wants to sleep for longer than usual, don’t force them to stay awake. As always, if lethargy worsens or doesn’t get better with time, be sure to talk with your vet. They can help you to understand what is making your dog feel lethargic and what to do about it.
When Lethargy Can’t Be Reversed
Lethargy typically goes away with time and medical care. With some conditions, this may not be the case. Progressive conditions that get worse over time and can’t be cured may result in permanent lethargy. Dogs with permanent lethargy may have days of higher energy and days of lower energy. These can worsen as the condition worsens. Common progressive issues that cause lethargy include heart disease, canine dementia, and other conditions.
If this is the case for your pup, they can still live a fulfilling and happy life. Be sure to put them on dog food that helps them to remain healthy despite their decrease in regular exercise. In addition, take your dog to do the things that they love when they are feeling up for it.
Age and Laziness
Just like humans, aging takes a toll on any dog. This process can cause them to become more lazy as they grow older. Joint problems, weight gain, and a simple need for more rest are all normal parts of canine aging. Some dogs may become more lazy as they grow older simply because of their age.
Aging can also cause a dog to become more at risk for various health conditions that cause lethargy. If you notice any symptoms in your older dog that accompany lethargy, be sure to get them into your vet. Your vet can help you diagnose the cause of this lethargy and go about an appropriate treatment plan. With your help, your dog can live a healthy and happy life as they age and grow older.
Wrapping Up
Dogs can be so different from one another. When you go to a dog park, you will be able to see just some of the different physical and psychological characteristics that dogs can have. They are a very diverse species with so much to offer.
Laziness is a common trait that can be seen in many breeds. Some breeds are known to be more lazy than others, and some dogs may be more lazy than other dogs in their same breed. This can all depend on various factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and personality.
A lazy dog is typically nothing to worry about. If your dog seems to become more lazy very suddenly, or they begin to have other symptoms along with laziness, it’s best to get them checked by a vet. Lethargy can often be confused for laziness, though it is a much more serious indicator of possible underlying health conditions.
Your vet will be able to help you identify what is making your dog lethargic and what to do about it. If you are worried whether your dog is lethargic or just feeling lazy, there’s no harm in having a medical professional give you their opinion and put your mind at ease. With your help and proper medical care, you and your pet can look forward to many healthy and happy years alongside one another.
