Some pet parents dream of a peaceful home, while others are just trying to keep up with busy workdays and packed schedules. Either way, laid-back or calm dog breeds can be a great fit. While some dogs find it hard to ever truly relax, others are perfectly happy lounging around all day.
Calm dog breeds tend to have low-maintenance personalities and don’t need a ton of exercise to stay healthy and content. Most of them make the ultimate couch potatoes, happiest curled up in your lap or out on a short, easy walk.
These dogs also aren’t known for being big barkers. That said, just like people, every dog has its own personality, and with proper training and early socialization, you can help your dog stay calm even in new or unfamiliar situations.
Here are the 7 most laid-back dog breeds that love nothing more than lounging all day.
Most Laid-Back Dog Breeds That Love to Lounge All Day
1. Greyhound
Champion sprinters of the dog world, Greyhounds make wonderful family dogs. These beautiful canines have long been an object of fascination for artists, poets, and kings. They are generally calm and relaxed at home and do not get excited about new people or situations.
However, these dogs were bred for high-energy activities and tend to be intense in the field. Once their exercise needs are fulfilled, Greyhounds can happily sleep for much of the day. They are gentle with kids, but prefer to have their own space, according to PetMD.
Being bred as sighthounds, they have a very high prey drive, due to which they may end up chasing small animals and moving objects. Let your Greyhound run freely in a fenced area only so that they do not end up following the urge to follow perceived prey.
Greyhounds are very low maintenance in terms of grooming. Weekly brushing and occasional baths help keep them clean and tidy.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are affectionate, gentle, and graceful little dogs. Originally bred as lap dogs, they get along nicely with kids and other pets. Thanks to their friendly and laid-back nature, this calm breed can be an excellent choice for first-time dog owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are highly adaptable canines who need only moderate exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Only a few short walks and indoor play sessions would suffice for them. Once their energy needs are met, they are happy to lounge on the couch with their family.
Cavaliers combine the gentleness of a toy dog with the athleticism of a spaniel. These loving dogs thrive on human interaction and do not like being left alone. Otherwise, they will become prone to separation anxiety.
These smart and eager-to-please dogs are highly trainable. However, their luxurious coat needs regular brushing to keep looking good.
3. Bulldog
Bulldogs are one of the calm dog breeds with low energy levels. Napping is their favorite activity, but they also need to get outside for a walk or some playtime to stay healthy and active.
Bulldogs were originally bred as bull baiters and butcher’s dogs. But after several generations of selective breeding, they have become lazy and calm and make loving family companions. Bulldogs are typically loyal, friendly, and docile. They get along nicely with children and other pets.
Bulldogs can adapt well to apartment living and smaller spaces, according to PetPlan. It means they have an adaptable personality. However, Bulldogs are flat-faced dogs; their short muzzle can make breathing a bit difficult in heat and humidity.
Therefore, take your English Bulldog for short on-leash walks in a cool environment, 10 to 15 minutes at a time. They need minimal grooming, but wrinkles in their skin should be checked and cleaned daily.
4. Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are low-slung and low-key dogs with a calm nature. These sociable, polite, and quietly playful dogs are affectionate towards their humans and reserved with others. Basset Hounds love children and get along nicely with other dogs.
Omlet describes Basset Hounds as fun dogs who enjoy companionship, slow-paced walks with their humans, and having a long nap on a sofa. They are one of the laziest dog breeds, and it is reflected in their facial expressions and mournful eyes.
Being a calm dog breed, Basset Hounds have minimal exercise needs. However, physical activity and mental stimulation are important to have a healthy dog. Basset Hounds have a keen nose, so they can end up running after a scent.
These emotional and loving dogs do not like being left alone for extended periods and can develop separation anxiety.
5. Irish Wolfhound
Originally bred as big game hunters, Irish Wolfhounds are dignified, courageous, and laid-back fellows. Despite having an imposing size, they have a sweet and calm disposition. Irish Wolfhounds are one of the tallest dog breeds in the dogdom.
These gentle giants love to be around their family and enjoy plenty of attention. Irish Wolfhounds are easygoing indoor companions who spend most of their time lounging with their people. They need a large space to stretch out for a good nap.
Due to their large size, they are not suitable for apartment living. When outdoors, Irish Wolfhounds love to chase animals that are running away from them. They also enjoy regular walks, on-leash, with their pet parents. As with all breeds, they respond best to positive reinforcement training methods.
They are well suited for owners with a laid-back lifestyle, but their strength and size demands an experienced handler.
6. Clumber Spaniel
Originally bred as bird dogs, Clumber Spaniels are always up for a good slumber. Many believe that these bird dogs are fairly active, despite their lumbering appearance. These canines benefit from long walks and love to retrieve.
Once their exercise needs are met, they can peacefully spend their day lounging inside the house. Clumbers are not prone to barking and are better suited as companions rather than watchdogs. They have a sweet, eager-to-please, and laid-back nature.
Clumber Spaniels enjoy activities like swimming, but are one of the quiet dog breeds. These traits make them perfect for owners who value peace and calm. Sometimes, they can be a bit hard to train, but you need to keep training sessions interesting.
7. Newfoundland
Affectionately known as Newfies, Newfoundland dogs are the gentle giants. These strikingly large and powerful working dogs may look intimidating, but are softies at heart. Newfies are sweet-tempered dogs who make excellent pets for experienced handlers.
Newfoundlands are calm and even-tempered dogs who spend most of their time sleeping. They are famously good with kids and have earned the reputation of ‘nanny dogs.’ Akin to couch potatoes, these low-energy dogs need only moderate daily exercise for physical and mental enrichment.
These loving dogs are incredibly affectionate to their humans and may develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long. They need proper training and socialization to turn into well-mannered family dogs. However, Newfies drool a lot. So if you are planning to adopt one of them, keep a towel handy.
Conclusion
Some laid-back dog breeds love to lounge all day long, thanks to their low energy levels. They need minimal physical activity to stay healthy and content. Most of them do well with a few daily walks and interactive play sessions with their humans.
Their calm temperament and easygoing nature make them a perfect fit for owners looking for a gentle companion for a peaceful home. Remember, all dogs tend to be calm until you are fulfilling their exercise needs and training requirements.
