Want a dog that would be a great addition to your home but won’t cause a tornado and be troublesome with its hyperactive nature? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we are discussing some massive dog breeds that are great protectors (thanks to their massive sizes) but are moderately active. They are not filled with boundless energy and don’t want to spend half their day running around squirrels in the backyard.
With their unmatched love for relaxation and the urge to take frequent naps while making sure to protect you and the home, here are the seven best moderate energy massive dog breeds you can consider.
Moderate Energy Massive Dog Breeds
1. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is the epitome of a big and massive pup that can scare anyone off!
With a weight that can go up to 180 pounds and a height of around 35 inches, this is quite a gigantic breed.
Hills Pet says it’s one of the most oversized dogs out there!
However, don’t be too impressed, as when it comes to being active, this is considered to be a moderately active dog. It is not as energetic as someone would expect it to be after a first glance.
Well, let’s clear one fact here. The low energy of this dog could also be due to the fact that big dogs are generally moderately active. With all that muscle to manage, they find it tough to showcase energetic behavior at all times!
Sounds fair, tbh!
Puppies are a bit more energetic when compared to their adult life phase.
Adult dogs are super gentle and mild in nature. As per this Reddit Thread, these dogs are so laid back that they can often be considered lazy.
However, don’t take this temperament as an excuse to avoid daily exercise. A session of walking outdoors is necessary for this dog to stay mentally engaged and physically stimulated.
2. Saint Bernard
Another medium energy dog breed that is huge in size is the Saint Bernard.
This is one of the best dog breeds to have if you really want to deter strangers from your property. With their massive size, no one would really dare intrude on your personal space.
As far as their temperament and energy are concerned, these are medium-energy dogs that are not overly active or enthusiastic.
However, they are also not lazy bums. If you want to go on a hike, they may probably agree to go along. For walks, they are always eager.
But let me tell you one thing, keeping this dog is a bit difficult, thanks to its gigantic stature. It is difficult for them to adjust to small spaces, especially in city apartments with no backyards.
These placid dogs are so big that they were originally used in the Swiss Alps to not only locate but also rescue buried humans from avalanches. Even today, they are used as rescue dogs in various missions.
3. Newfoundland
As per the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Newfoundland is one of the largest dogs you can ever come across in your life.
Originally bred in Canada, these loving dogs were used by fishermen in various activities. They even aid in rescue missions and find drowned humans.
They are also moderate in energy. This large breed is somewhat docile in nature.
Owing to their low energy nature, you need to be careful with the activities you get them to perform. Though they love swimming and would be way too eager to play in the water, excessive water activities can lead to some health concerns for them.
A walk and a game of fetch would be enough for them in a day.
These gentle giants are also super friendly with humans. They have a playful nature, and early socialization can get them comfortable with humans and fellow pets.
4. Leonberger
With a weight of as much as 170 pounds, this is an enormous dog with some really strong muscle power.
But with this big structure, don’t consider them to have boundless energy.
These calm dogs are also moderate in terms of their energy levels, according to Purina. This dog is a gentle giant who would love to go on a walk with you, but would avoid extensive hiking adventures.
Indoors, they are super relaxed and laid-back. Their puppies, however, are a bit more vigorous when compared to the adult dogs.
Also, you’ll have to manage their living arrangements as it’s not possible for them to adjust to small spaces. They need more space than an average apartment without a backyard would offer them.
Being good-natured, they are people-friendly dogs and get along really well, especially with children.
5. Tibetan Mastiff
Green Cross Vets call them gentle giants. With a weight of around 90-150 pounds and a height of 29 inches, they are super gigantic in appearance and have impressive muscle strength and a bite force of around 556 PSI.
However, just like other big dogs, they also don’t come with high energy levels.
Rather, these Mastiffs are moderate in energy and are calm in the house. Despite a massive dog roaming around, kids won’t get scared as this is an affectionate animal with a docile attitude. Though they are friendly, with strangers, they are pretty aloof!
Regular exercise of around 20 minutes a day is enough to keep them physically stimulated.
These dogs are easy to train and won’t cause you any panic during the training sessions. Also, you won’t have to worry about their littering as they are generally quite clean.
6. Bullmastiff
With a weight that can go up to 130 pounds and a height of around 27 inches, you can easily infer that this is a big dog!
PetMD claims Bullmastiffs are some of the biggest dogs out there. As a pup, it is full of energy. However, as it grows up, the muscle increases, but the energy levels drop. It is a great fit for a family home that prefers a calm lifestyle over an active one.
Also, they are not prone to barking a lot, hence it is a plus point in their favor!
A grown-up dog is moderate in energy, but a very quick learner. With some of the best brains in the dog world, these dogs are easy to train. Obedience training works well on them as they are always eager to please their pet parents.
This calm dog is also a healthy breed, and you won’t really have to rush to a vet time and again.
Regular walking and exercise at moderate levels keep this dog engaged and physically stimulated.
7. Neapolitan Mastiff
Well, some people say the Neapolitan Mastiff is a dog with moderate energy levels, others say it’s a downright lazy dog.
With a weight of 150 pounds, it is pretty massive in appearance.
However, it is lazy in actions and would only move its bum when required. Thanks to this low-energy temperament, families think they are great pets to have around kids. Their massive size protects the house by being a deterrent for the stranger, while a lazy attitude makes them a safe option for the kids.
But, no matter how much they love to snooze, make sure you give this dog enough time to walk around and do some physical activity.
Early socialization is also essential with these dogs, or else they may end up being hostile and aggressive against other humans.
Conclusion
A big dog is a good guard dog as it keeps the intruders away. These dogs are low in energy, and this feature makes them a great fit for family homes. They don’t run around the home crazily but maintain a calm demeanor. This helps avoid accidents and misfortunes.
If you lead a relaxed life, getting a big dog as a pet would be a good idea. It would fill your house with a lot of love without causing any chaos or annoyance.
