Lisa O
Some dogs give off the wrong impression. They act focused, watch everything you do, and make it seem like they’re figuring something out. But when you spend enough time with them, it doesn’t hold up. They miss the easiest cues, forget what they’re doing, and rarely follow through. It’s not that they’re trying to be clever. That’s just how they come across without doing much at all.
Papillon – Full of energy, not much focus.
There’s always something pulling their attention. They’ll chase after sounds you didn’t hear, bark at movement in the corner of the room, and lose track of what they were doing within seconds. They give the impression that they’re picking up on everything around them, but most of it isn’t registering in any useful way. It’s not awareness—it’s just noise, and they’re reacting to all of it at once.
English Bulldog – Looks thoughtful but just sits there.
They spend most of the day sitting in one spot, breathing heavily and watching nothing. It feels like they’re resting between important decisions, but they’re just comfortable and not in a hurry to move. You can call them a few times and still get no response, not because they’re intentionally ignoring you but because they don’t feel like doing anything unless they have to.
Beagle – Seems focused, forgets what it’s doing.
When they catch a scent, they act like nothing else exists. They move quickly with their nose pressed to the ground, completely locked in like they’re following a trail. But if you watch them long enough, they often stop midway and seem unsure about where they are going. It gives the impression they’re tracking something on purpose, but most of the time, they’re just following smells without any plan.
Akita – Calm on the outside, uninterested underneath.
They stand still and hold eye contact like they’re waiting for something. It makes them seem thoughtful at first, though they’re rarely paying much attention. That quiet nature often gets read as intelligence, especially by people who don’t know them well. In reality, they just don’t care to respond unless they feel like it. They’re not working through anything. They’d just rather not be bothered.
Tibetan Spaniel – Watches everything, joins nothing.
This dog usually finds a quiet spot and stays there. It doesn’t join in, react too much, and doesn’t seem too interested in what’s going on. Some people think that their calm attitude means they are smart or observant, but there’s not much going on behind that still look. It is like resting somewhere out of the way and letting everything happen without getting involved.
Saluki – Looks aware, misses most things.
They walk quietly and stay calm in busy spaces, which makes them seem more tuned in than they are. At first, they notice everything, but they don’t respond much when something happens. You can call or try to get their attention, and they’ll barely react. That calmness gets mistaken for awareness, though they’re usually just not very focused.
Lhasa Apso – Acts like it knows better.
They don’t rush to respond and usually need to be asked more than once. It’s easy to think they’re just being selective, but it’s not complicated. They’re not ignoring you with a purpose—they don’t feel like doing what you asked. Their independent streak makes it seem like they’re making decisions, but they’re usually not in the mood to follow along.
Great Dane – Big presence, little follow-through.
Their size and stillness can make them seem calm and in control like they think before acting. But it’s mostly just them staying out of the way. They’ll wait for doors to open, take their time turning around, and then forget what they were doing. They seem composed because they move slowly, not because they work anything out. It’s more delay than depth.
Pekingese – Keeps to itself, ignores the rest.
They’re not interested in proving anything. You can call their name, offer a toy, or even sit beside them, and they’ll barely react. That kind of behavior looks self-assured to some people, like they’re above it all. But they’re not thinking anything through—they’re just doing what they always do, which is mostly nothing. They’re not being smart. They’re being uninterested.
Mastiff – Looks serious, stays still.
They carry themselves like they’ve got things under control, but their reaction time is slow, and their motivation is lower. They’ll stare across the room like they’re waiting for a signal and then do absolutely nothing. The calm body language and quiet nature give off a wise impression, but most of the time, they’re just trying not to move more than they have to.
Whippet – Fast to run, slow to respond.
They’re built for speed, and it shows the moment they spot something moving. But when you need them to focus on something simple, it doesn’t go as well. They look sleek and alert, but they’re not tuned into anything unless it’s moving fast. It gives people the idea that they’re sharp, but their attention drifts easily, and they often miss what’s happening right in front of them.
Cocker Spaniel – Always watching, rarely absorbing.
They have soft eyes and polite energy, making you think they’re trying to understand. They’ll sit close, will follow you from room to room, and tilt their head when you talk. It all feels like they’re paying attention, but in reality, they’re just reacting to the tone of your voice. They’re not thinking about what you said. They’re just hoping it means food or play.
Puli – Always active, not always aware.
They never seem to run out of energy. They move like they’ve got jobs to do, weaving between furniture and checking every corner of the room. It creates the sense that they’re busy with something that matters. But when you try to get them to do something specific, they often miss the point. Their movement isn’t focused. It’s just constant, and that gets mistaken for a drive.
Keeshond – Wants to help but doesn’t always get it right.
They’re eager, friendly, and always ready to be involved. When something’s going on, they want in. That kind of enthusiasm gets confused with being clever, but they often act without understanding what they’re supposed to do. They mean well, and they try hard, but they don’t always connect the dots. It’s not that they aren’t paying attention—it’s just that they miss the details.
Shar Pei – Acts wise, doesn’t follow much.
They spend a lot of time standing around, thinking about something. People see the wrinkles and the calm face and assume they’re deep. But most of the time, they’re just waiting. You can talk to them or gesture, and they’ll barely react. It’s not because they’re processing—they don’t feel the need to do anything immediately. Their silence isn’t thoughtful. It’s just how they are.
