Lazy vs Calm: Can you tell the difference?
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, Jan. 18, 2023
Some have asked what we mean by a calm, quiet large breed family companion dog. Find out our answer in this article.
American Dirus dogs are calm, but they are not lazy.
A lazy dog is one without a desire to do.
A dog in this category will lift its head at the sound of the keys being picked up from the table by the door, then lay back down for another snooze.
English Bulldogs, English Mastiffs, Basset Hounds, Pugs, and Saint Bernards are typically in the lazy category.
Flies buzz around the ears of a lazy dog in the summer, but a slight ear twitch is the only movement they make.
Lazy dogs sleep a LOT.
When their owner moves from room to room, the lazy dog will flick an ear or open an eye to peer at their departure, but remain in their spot. Or, perhaps the lazy dog will move to the doorway near where the owner departed, then plop down in a huff at the sheer laboriousness of the task.
Movement is so unnecessary for a lazy dog.
In contrast, a calm companion dog (like an American Dirus dog) will keep its body still much of the day, but when the owner moves so does the dog.
The calm American Dirus dog hears the keys rattle from the table by the door and decides they would like to go, too.
Rising from its spot on the rug in the living room, the American Dirus dog meets the owner at the door, looking from the door to the owner back to the door.
“Can I come?” the dog wonders, sitting calmly in hopes that the answer will be yes.
Calm dogs have calm minds.
They can settle their thinking and focus.
Take this video of the Sea Monsters Litter (Essex/Mary), for example. Each puppy sits quietly and calmly while I film them one by one.
They aren’t frumpily laying on the ground pretending to sleep, like a lazy dog would do. The puppies are alert and attentive to my every move, but they are not running, jumping, playing, chasing, etc. with one another, either.
A calm dog in mind and body. The American Dirus dog wants to be with their owner, but doesn’t scurry about in a blur of silver fluff.
They watch.
They pay attention.
They think.
This is the essence of the American Dirus dog. That is why their unique large breed companion dog temperament is ideal for modern families around the country.
https://www.facebook.com/direwolfdogs/videos/3005037579796260/
PS: Remember, the American Dirus dog is not for everyone. People who want a dog that lays about the house, more like a stuffed dog then a live one, will be disappointed with the American Dirus dog breed.
Others who hope for a dog that is on the go all of the time and willing to win top prices in the agility ring will also be unhappy with this breed.
Still other families with limited dog training experience who purchase our highly intelligent dogs may find their dog learns to manipulate their feelings. The dog trains you, instead of the other way around. Families in this category sometimes write to me uncertain why their dog turned out so unruly.
Be prepared before you purchase a dog from the Dire Wolf Project.
In fact, if you have limited dog training knowledge, we strongly advice you do not purchase an expensive dog breed like this one as your first or second dog.
You will make mistakes. Humans and dogs are a different species; it only makes sense.
Learn how to communicate to dogs by getting a sweet, loving shelter dog that needs a good home. Or volunteer at the local shelter. Many imprisoned shelter dogs desperately cry out for human companionship. You can give them a chance at having a good home by teaching them how to have manners and learn to behave in a human world.
We want families who understand the breeding mission behind the Dire Wolf Project.
We want families who understand how to raise an intelligent dog to have manners and be a productive canine citizen.
We want families who have asked all the questions and found out why the Dire Wolf Project is unique and special among the many dog breeds of the world.
We would like to send you a free gift for spending some time with us at the Dire Wolf Project.
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Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.