In a fast-paced world, the presence of a calm and relaxed dog can feel like a breath of fresh air. Some canines are naturally drawn to tranquility, preferring quiet companionship and cozy routines over high-energy activities. Their serene temperament makes them a perfect fit for homes where peaceful evenings and slow mornings are cherished.
These laid-back pups don’t require constant stimulation to stay happy; instead, they thrive in environments where balance reigns, whether it’s quiet time or gentle activities. While some may still need a good outlet for their energy, they are just as content curling up beside their owners for a cuddle, regardless of their size.
For apartment dwellers, busy professionals, or anyone who values serenity, a calm dog can bring a sense of harmony and warmth to daily life. Understanding which breeds naturally lean toward relaxation helps future pet parents find a companion whose temperament aligns seamlessly with their lifestyle.
Calm Dog Breeds That Enjoy Long Hours of Rest
1. Basset Hound
A small hound breed that is known for its prowess in hunting abilities, not only in small game but also in big game. While these canines are pretty invested in fields and at homes they are quite laid back. Nature has physically blessed them with short legs, long bodies, and floppy ears.
Basset hounds make great family dogs if trained and socialized well. Though their training takes patience and time due to their independent nature, the wait is worth it. Owing to strong prey drive, these hounds are better kept on leash and are not good in multi-pet households.
Despite being great in Hunting, Basset hounds are low-energy dogs and do not need strenuous activities. Their calm demeanor demands daily walks and mental stimulation through play sessions, preventing them from obesity, too. After that, they love to snooze and curl up beside their owners.
2. Clumber Spaniel
Heavily built Clumber Spaniels’ history dates back to the 18th century, where they used to be the favorites of British royalty and aristocracy, thanks to their retrieving skills, for which they were bred. Regardless of their appearances, these calm pooches make good family dogs.
Clumber spaniels are the largest of their group and love hunting with their owners. These dogs carry a loving and gentle temperament and get along well with kids and other pets if introduced earlier. Clumber has distinctive coats that come in orange or lemon color patterns with a white base.
They are relatively energetic dogs and should be provided with physical and mental activities enough to be the calmest dog breed at home. Clumber spaniels are well-suited to active pet parents who can accompany them for hikes and hunts, other than long walks, says AKC.
3. Shih Tzu
If you are seeking a cute and low-energy dog breed with a small size and more beauty, the Shih Tzu is a fine choice to select. This Asian dog breed was originally bred for watching over the homes, but later on, Chinese royalty loved them so much that they became popular companion dogs.
Shih Tzu is a highly adaptable small dog that changes its routine according to the lifestyle of its owners. Overall, they have an affectionate nature and calm temperament, offering cuddles and cuddles to their loved ones, and make one of the best dog breeds for families and individuals alike.
These little lap dogs are content with leisurely walks that can easily be met in small spaces as well. Shih Tzu are smart and enjoy learning new tricks and commands. Early socialization and leash training are important as they often chase after small animals like neighbors’ cats and squirrels.
4. Greyhound
The sighthound that depends on speed and agility rather than scenting abilities, the Greyhound has been a celebrated human companion for at least two millennia, assisting them particularly in hunts of small game. Greyhounds are the fastest dog breed on this planet.
Despite having a speed of at least 40 to 45 miles per hour, Greyhounds are laid back and calm dogs after completing their required physical and mental stimulation, and thrive in apartment living too. These large dogs have a gentle temperament and make affectionate companions for their people, according to PetMD.
Greyhounds admire their own personalities and are quite difficult to housetrain. Moreover, owing to its gentle nature, this large breed is sensitive, which is why positive reinforcement methods should be introduced at an early age in their lives, while keeping the training consistent.
5. Great Dane
Imagine the Apollo of dogs loves to be snuggled. The Great Dane normally weighs more than 150 pounds and is 28 to 32 inches tall. Their gentle demeanor and sweet temperament, along with low energy levels, make them one of the calmest dog breeds.
Their personality traits define them as gentle giants, and they tend to bond deeply with their humans as well. Unfortunately, these big dogs are prone to several health problems, due to which they have a shorter lifespan, ranging between 7 and 10 years only.
Great Danes carry protective instincts and are wary of strangers, which is a good characteristic for being excellent companions for guardianship. According to Purina, sometimes they may exhibit territorial tendencies too, and do not allow other canines to intrude.
6. English Bulldog
Surprisingly enough, English bulldogs were bred for bull baiting, and today these calm dogs crave human interactions more than anything else. While keeping the courage intact, English bulldogs also make great watchdogs for individuals and families alike.
English bulldogs are brachiocephalic canines, and do not do well in hot climates. They are generally loving, loyal, and friendly towards their family members and grow into more well-behaved pups if trained and socialized at a young age.
They are prone to obesity, making their daily life a bit difficult, but regular exercise, including short bursts of activity and a controlled portion diet, can fill their years with health and happiness. They have a very docile, curious, and friendly nature, aiding them to love meeting new people.
7. Newfoundland
Do not be fooled by their dominating stature, as this large breed has a sweet temperament and big hearts, along with a history to boast on. These working dogs were bred to rescue people from drowning, thanks to their courageous nature, webbed paws, and water-repellent double coat.
Newfies love being assigned jobs, but overall, these calm dogs have low energy that can easily be channeled through long walks and a game of fetch. Due to their sheer sizes and moderate exercise needs, these dogs are better fit for apartment dwellers having more than the average size of living areas.
Newfoundlands have a natural affinity towards protecting the children, and they are often known as nanny dogs. However, their massive size may contribute to accidental injuries during play time, so supervision and obedience training are a must to nurture the protection more.
8. Whippet
Medium-sized sighthounds, Whippet, were bred for hunting and racing. Currently, these dogs have a calm even tempered and easygoing nature. They are gentle giants and affectionate towards their owners and adore a chill lifestyle over constant activity.
Whippet enjoys the opportunity of running off lead, but they are escape artists, which is why a fenced yard is appreciated in homes for better supervision. They are well-suited to people who want to have their first dog in the future but are too busy with their schedule, whether families with kids or individuals.
The predatory instincts trigger when a Whippet sees anything with swift movements, so multi-pet households are not a good fit for this breed. Their short coats shed minimal which makes their brushing needs occasional. Without providing proper exercise needs, these dogs develop undesired behaviors.
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
There are many reasons that make the Cavalier King Charles spaniel one of the calmest dog breeds. Starting from their background where the British King adored them the most, to current times, Cavs are popular lazy dogs due to their calm, loving, and flexible nature.
They are perfectly content with their status as couch potatoes, as they love spending time in the laps of pet owners craving their constant attention. However, they do need short walks and mental enrichment to live the most of their healthy years.
Cavs are eager to please and intelligent dogs who learn quickly and make training a breeze. Their beautiful coats come in various colors that do shed, but not excessively. If you want to ease the grooming at home, a visit to a professional groomer will definitely work for some time.
10. Bernese Mountain Dog
With their beautiful tri colored coats, soulful eyes, and long ears, Bernese mountain dogs typically carry a gentle, affectionate, and calm temperament. They were originally bred to work on farms, and today Modern Bernese makes a great family pet.
These dogs do not have any tinge of aggression and adapt well to various lifestyles, where they are provided with enough exercise. Being a high-energy breed, Bernese Mountain dogs thrive in active households, and after burning off their energy levels, they become quite calm and laid back.
Bernese lack endurance and do not tolerate the temperature of hot climates. Though these pups love spending time with their humans, if physically and mentally stimulated well, they can live on their own for up to seven to eight hours a day.
Conclusion
A peaceful canine companionship can transform a home into a place of calm and comfort. These dogs are blessed with naturally relaxed demeanor and thrive in quiet environments enjoying long naps and gentle routines instead of constant activities. Depending on their sizes and temperament some of them suit to apartment living while others bring joy and warmth to those living in big houses. The common thing that they share is their appreciation of slower pace of life while offering steady companionship and emotional connection.
