Some dogs steal your heart not by their energy, but by their calm presence. Large dogs with a laid-back temperament are gentle giants, offering loyalty, warmth, and a comforting sense of peace in every home.
Their serene nature makes them the perfect companions for families, first-time dog owners, or anyone seeking a dependable, affectionate friend.
These relaxed dogs are not just big in size—they’re big in heart. Their gentle demeanor ensures safety and harmony around children, other pets, and visitors, transforming ordinary moments into calm, joyful experiences.
Life with a laid-back dog is a blend of quiet companionship and thoughtful interaction. From slow, leisurely walks to cozy evenings on the couch, they adapt effortlessly to your lifestyle while offering affection, loyalty, and reliability.
Choosing a dog with an even-tempered personality guarantees a protective yet loving friend, embodying the best qualities of a calm breed without demanding constant activity.
Best Large Dog Breeds With A Laid Back Attitude
1. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a true gentle giant, originally bred in the 1800s for hunting wild boar and guarding estates in Germany. Despite their impressive size and guardian history, they are calm, affectionate, and enjoy family life.
Nicknamed the “Apollo of dogs,” Great Danes are among the tallest in the working-class dog breeds and one of the largest breeds in existence, according to PetMD. Their laid-back temperament makes them ideal for families seeking a relaxed, reliable companion.
Calm Temperament & Family Life
Great Danes thrive with early socialization, which helps them stay confident and composed around new people, pets, and environments. They enjoy moderate play but remain serene, providing comfort without overwhelming the household.
Their gentle demeanor makes them excellent family companions who adapt easily to home life.
Training for a Relaxed Giant
Intelligent and responsive, Great Danes learn quickly with positive reinforcement. Consistent training ensures they remain well-mannered and calm. With proper guidance, these giants embody the perfect balance of size, loyalty, and a naturally laid-back nature.
2. Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a big-hearted breed, originally bred along Canada’s cold coast for heavy work, including hauling loads and towing ship lines.
Despite their impressive size and strength, they are calm dog breeds, making them excellent family pets for anyone seeking a large, friendly-natured dog. These loyal breeds form strong bonds with children and other pets, including other dogs, creating a harmonious home environment.
Family Life & Temperament
As per Orvis, often called the “Nanny Dog,” Newfoundlands are famous for their gentle and composed personality with kids. They adapt seamlessly to family life, offering love and reliability without being overbearing.
With other breeds, their soft-natured demeanor supports peaceful interactions, though supervision is advised for very small animals.
Protective Instincts & Skills
Intelligent and trainable, Newfoundlands are natural guard dogs. Their swimming ability and instinct to rescue make them vigilant yet serene, while consistent training ensures these gentle breeds remain well-mannered companions. They perfectly combine size, strength, and a gentle temperament.
3. Bernese Mountain Dog
With its big, dark eyes and fluffy coat, the Bernese Mountain Dog is hard to resist. Giant yet mild-mannered, this breed combines strength with a relaxed temperament.
They are devoted and gentle, forming strong bonds with family members. Berners enjoy following their people, snuggling nearby, or engaging in calm, playful interactions.
Temperament & Family Life
Berners are patient and gentle, perfectly suited for children. Their protective instincts are balanced with a composed demeanor, ensuring they watch over the family without being aggressive. While they do not enjoy being alone, their loyalty and soft-natured personality create a warm and loving household.
Supervision is recommended with very young children due to the dog’s size, though they rarely act roughly.
Intelligence & Training
Highly intelligent and eager to please, Bernese Mountain Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement. Early socialization ensures they remain well-mannered, composed, and dependable, thriving in family settings.
With proper guidance, Berners are affectionate, reliable, and the ideal example of a gentle, large dog.
4. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is a gentle giant and the tallest of all the AKC breeds. Once fearless big-game hunters, today they are serene and gracious companions. Their dignified presence and easygoing temperament make them well-suited for families seeking a large, composed dog.
With a graceful, muscular build and classic hound lines, they are capable of bursts of speed but prefer a relaxed daily routine.
Temperament & Family Life
Irish Wolfhounds are patient and gentle, especially with children, making them excellent family pets. Their sheer size requires supervision around small kids, but their loving and loyal nature ensures a safe and loving household.
While not fierce guard dogs, their imposing stature can deter intruders, offering peace of mind without aggression.
Exercise & Training
According to the AKC, highly intelligent and eager to bond, Wolfhounds are quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement. They benefit from regular long walks and supervised play, which keep them physically and mentally healthy.
Their sensitivity and sociable demeanor also make them excellent therapy dogs, generally reflecting the ideal traits of a low-energy, large-sized companion.
5. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are a calm dog breed, known for their steady and easygoing personality. Originally bred for rescue work in harsh mountain conditions, these dogs combine strength with a peaceful, easygoing temperament.
Their size and composed demeanor make them ideal for families seeking a large, loyal companion that thrives in both active and relaxed environments.
Temperament & Family Life
Saint Bernards are patient and affectionate, earning nicknames like “nanny dogs” for their love of children. They enjoy spending time with their families and form strong bonds with everyone in the household, including other animals.
While naturally protective, they are rarely aggressive, offering a serene presence that complements a family’s daily life.
Exercise & Living Needs
Though laid-back indoors, Saint Bernards benefit from daily walks and gentle activity. They thrive in cooler climates and may need air-conditioned spaces during hot weather.
With proper care, training, and socialization, these tender giants remain reliable, loving, and composed, perfectly embodying the traits of a breed with a laid-back nature.
6. Leonberger
Leonbergers belong to the ‘working’ breed group, originally bred as guardians and rescue dogs. Today, they are a large, loving companion with a steady and good-natured temperament, making them ideal for families seeking a relaxed yet devoted dog.
Their friendly and approachable nature allows them to integrate seamlessly into a household, offering warmth and companionship.
Temperament & Family Life
Leonbergers are gentle and sociable, forming strong bonds with both children and adults. Early socialization helps them develop confidence and ensures safe interactions with other pets.
Their loyalty and calm demeanor make them dependable family companions, while supervision is recommended around very small children due to their size.
Exercise & Training
Adult Leonbergers benefit from over two hours of daily activity but should avoid overexertion as a puppy to protect developing joints. Easy to train, these adorable dogs respond best to reward-based methods and patience. Grooming in the form of regular brushing keeps their luxurious coat healthy.
When nurtured with consistent training and interaction, these large, loving companions remain calm, loyal, and versatile, perfect for households wanting a composed, trustworthy dog.
7. Mastiff
Mastiffs are renowned for their calm and composed nature, making them ideal companions for families seeking a gentle giant. Despite their imposing size, they are affectionate and protective, forming strong bonds with their human pack.
Their laid-back temperament allows them to adapt well to various living situations, provided they receive proper training and socialization.
Temperament & Family Life
Mastiffs are patient and good-natured, known for their loyalty and protective instincts. They are typically gentle with children and other pets, though their size requires supervision around young children to prevent accidental bumps.
Early socialization is crucial to ensure they grow up to be well-rounded and confident dogs.
Exercise & Training
While Mastiffs have moderate exercise needs, it’s essential to provide them with regular physical activity to keep them fit and healthy. They require approximately 1 hour of exercise per day, which can be divided into multiple walks or play sessions.
Mental stimulation and enrichment activities are also important to prevent boredom and keep their minds engaged.
Training should begin early and be based on positive reinforcement to avoid behavioral issues. Due to their independent nature, consistency and patience are key in training sessions.
Conclusion
Choosing a large dog with a relaxed and gentle temperament ensures a harmonious addition to any household. Breeds like the Great Dane, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Irish Wolfhound, Saint Bernard, Leonberger, and Mastiff offer the perfect balance of size, loyalty, and calm disposition.
While each breed has its own personality and care requirements, they all share the ability to form deep bonds with their families, provide affectionate companionship, and adapt well to a loving home.
By understanding their exercise needs, grooming requirements, and socialization expectations, owners can create a nurturing environment where these mild-mannered giants thrive.
Whether seeking a patient playmate for children, a steadfast companion for adults, or a calm yet protective presence, these breeds embody the qualities of gentle, dependable, and easygoing dogs.
Investing time, care, and training will ensure a rewarding, lifelong relationship with your large, relaxed canine friend.
