While some dog breeds are high energy, others are easygoing and docile. Sweet nature, even temperament, adaptability, and love for lounging make gentle dogs a popular choice among pet parents. Gentle dogs are also called “calm dogs” or “mellow dogs.”
Calm dog breeds maintain composure in different situations. They show limited response to different stimuli such as smells and sounds without growling, lunging, or showing any signs of stress.
Gentle dogs are loving and playful. If you are looking for a laid-back canine buddy for your kids, adopt a dog breed with a gentle demeanor. They will play with your kids and hold toys in their mouths. Even if you mess with them during mealtime, these furry friends don’t mind.
Here are the top 9 gentle dog breeds that can be your kids’ new friends.
Gentle Dog Puppy Breeds
1. Labrador Retriever
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting group
Size: Medium to large
Coat: Water-resistant, dense double coat
Affection: High
Trainability: Easy to train
Labrador retrievers are good family dogs. They are sociable, friendly, and intelligent. Originally bred to stay close to their human companions, Labradors are the gentle giants that are rarely aggressive.
The Labs are a popular breed with a calm demeanor and sweet temperament.
The Labradors are highly sought as therapy dogs. Popular for their patience and affectionate nature, Labs have a way of connecting with people. They offer support and comfort with their presence.
Labradors have an irresistible urge to retrieve things. They often carry things in their mouths and end up chewing on them. However, Labradors shed a lot and love rolling in mud. So, never leave your Labrador pup alone for too long.
2. Golden Retriever
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting group
Size: Medium
Coat: Double layer with wavy outer hair
Affection: High
Trainability: Highly trainable
Golden retriever is yet another well-behaved breed with a calm temperament. They are an extremely loving, trustworthy, and loyal breed. This breed makes good pets due to their tolerant and playful nature.
Golden retrievers have an energetic personality. They love to play and have fun with their families. Your golden retriever pup can be a great companion for your outdoor activities like hiking and playing fetch.
This breed gets along well with children and other animals. Golden retrievers are friendly dogs having an eagerness to please. They thrive on human interaction and can be called the most people-oriented breed out there.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Breed Overview
Group: Toy dog
Size: Small
Coat: Medium length silky coat
Affection: High
Trainability: Easy to train
A loving and gentle dog breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can adapt well to a variety of situations. They form strong bonds with children and families. That is why they are an excellent choice for individuals living in houses or apartments.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make great lap dogs who love to cuddle and snuggle. They are affectionate, sociable, and happy-go-lucky pups. They love people and are the happiest around humans and other dogs.
Little spaniels are quiet dogs and don’t bark excessively. They need moderate exercise of around one hour every day. They are equally loved by kids and adults due to their non-demanding and less hyperactive nature.
4. Bernese Mountain Dog
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Size: Large
Coat: Thick double coat
Affection: High
Trainability: Easy to train
The large working dog breed from Switzerland, AKC states that Bernese Mountain dogs are loyal and affectionate companions for everybody, be it a small child or an adult. They are affectionately called “Berner.”
Berners are playful and energetic but not hyperactive. They are large dogs with a happy expression and good nature. With their loving and calm demeanor, they make excellent therapy dogs.
Berners are cold-weather dogs. This calm dog breed loves to stay indoors with its family, but thrives on outdoor activities in cold weather.
5. Shih Tzu
Breed Overview
Group: Toy dog
Size: Small
Coat: Double coat
Affection: High
Trainability: Requires patient and consistent training
Shih Tzus are small dogs with great personalities. They are popular for their friendly disposition. They make fantastic companions for children and other family members. Instead of an active lifestyle, Shih Tzus prefer to relax on a sofa in your lounge.
Despite their small size, this breed makes an excellent watchdog. They are not very vocal but bark to alert their owners if any stranger enters the territory. Sometimes they can be stubborn, but they can be trained with consistent positive reinforcement.
A downside of adopting this breed is that they are prone to dental problems. Food particles can get trapped in their teeth, leading to plaque buildup and gum disease.
6. Newfoundland
Breed Overview
Group: Working group
Size: Large
Coat: Thick double coat
Affection: High
Trainability: Highly trainable
The Newfoundland pups are also popular as nanny dogs. They are famous for their patient, loving, and gentle nature. This calm dog breed has a sweet nature and a watchful eye. These traits make them wonderful family pets.
These dogs are easy to train and not stubborn. They enjoy listening to their owners. AKC notes that if you start training Newfoundland puppies at an early age, they behave well in almost all sorts of social situations.
Newfoundland dogs, being unconscious of their body size, can knock children over while trying to cuddle. Due to their social nature and strong bond with family, they are prone to get separation anxiety.
7. Basset Hound
Breed Overview
Group: Hound group
Size: Medium
Coat: Short and smooth
Affection: High
Trainability: Easy to train
The basset hound is a small to medium-sized breed used for dog sports like scent work and barn hunt. These dogs are gentle, good-natured, and affectionate. Plus, they are social butterflies who love meeting new people and other pets.
Basset hounds have their own mind. They have a stubborn streak, and sometimes they decide not to follow the command. But this stubbornness is also charismatic. Obedience training can help instill good behavior in these pups.
Following these tips and tricks can help you train your basset hound easily:
Set up a consistent training routine for your pup.
Instead of treats, try to rely on positive reinforcement.
The first words to teach your dog are “no” and “good.”
Be respectful.
8. Beagle
Breed Overview
Group: Hound group
Size: Two sizes: small and large
Coat: Double coat
Affection: High
Trainability: Can be easily trained with positive reinforcement
Beagles have a history that dates back to Roman times. Britannica says that these enthusiastic pups have a nose for adventure. In ancient times, they were used to track rabbits and hares, which made them natural explorers.
Beagles are docile, friendly, and very social. Instead of being left alone, they prefer having fun time with friends, family, and other pets. Although beagles are a low-maintenance breed, you need to take care of them.
Beagles are energetic and often stretch their legs to burn energy. They require regular exercise of 20 to 40 minutes every day. You can also take them for a brisk walk once or twice. Beagles run to roam freely in the backyards.
9. English Bulldog
Breed Overview
Group: Non-sporting group
Size: Medium
Coat: Short and smooth
Affection: High
Trainability: Can be stubborn sometimes
The squishy-faced English bulldog or English Mastiff is also one of the even-tempered dogs. They love pleasing their owners and making them laugh. Sturdy build, friendly demeanor, and loving companionship are the distinguishing traits of this breed.
English bulldogs are low-energy pups that love lounging and contenting with their parents. They are affectionate and loyal. This is a lazy breed that walks no more than 20 to 30 minutes a day. However, some dogs also crave playing fetch or romping at the park.
Here are some grooming tips for English Bulldog:
Brush their coat two to three times a week to get rid of any loose hair.
Clean the wrinkles with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
Clean your pup’s ears and trim the nails once a week.
Bathe your mastiff monthly or whenever it gets dirty.
Conclusion
There are many gentle dog breeds, including the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Bichon Frise, and many other teacup dogs. You can choose a sweet fluff that perfectly matches your needs. Before purchasing the desired pup, compare its cost, pros, and cons with other dogs.
