Imagine coming home to a dog that’s completely unbothered by the chaos of the day—a furry friend who’s happy to lounge, nap, and cuddle without demanding constant attention. Some breeds naturally embrace this ultra-relaxed temperament, making them perfect companions for calm households, retirees, or anyone seeking a stress-free pet.
These laid-back dogs excel at enjoying life at a slow pace. They’ve gentle temperament, and are happy to spend hours napping in sunbeams, stretching on the sofa, or curling up beside their favorite human.
Their calm nature doesn’t mean they lack personality—they’re intelligent, observant, and loving, but they thrive without constant activity or excitement. For owners who value peace, choosing a relaxed breed ensures harmony at home while still enjoying companionship and affection.
We’ll explore the top 7 calm dog breeds with ultra-relaxed temperaments, highlighting their personalities, habits, and why they’re perfect for anyone seeking a calm, low-energy, yet endlessly loving canine friend.
Quick Insight: Breeds like Bulldogs and Basset Hounds are naturally low-energy and love lounging. Studies show calmer dogs are easier for apartment living and reduce stress for their owners.
Top Dog Breeds with Ultra‑Relaxed Temperaments That Sleep All Day
1. Basset Hound
If there’s an Olympic sport for napping, the Basset Hound would win gold, silver, and bronze—sometimes all at once. These droopy‑eyed, long-eared charmers were originally bred to track hares using their impeccable sense of smell.
Don’t let their laid-back attitude fool you—they can be persistent when on the scent, sniffing their way like a furry detective on a mission. But once the hunt—or the casual backyard stroll—is over, Bassets fully embrace the art of doing absolutely nothing.
How much? On average, a Basset Hound can sleep 14 to 16 hours a day—sometimes more if they’ve had a particularly busy sniffing session. Picture a plush, sausage-shaped pillow with legs, sprawled across your sofa.
According to the American Kennel Club, they’re affectionate couch potatoes with a penchant for cuddles and snuggles. Sure, they might have a stubborn streak that would make a mule jealous, but it’s all part of their irresistible charm. And when it comes to napping? They’ll give Garfield a run for his money.
So if you’re looking for a canine companion who’s perfectly content with Netflix marathons, leisurely belly rubs, and snoozing through the afternoon sun, the Basset Hound might just be your soulmate. Just don’t expect them to fetch your slippers—they’ll probably just nap on top of them instead.
2. English Bulldog
If there were a professional snoring league, the English Bulldog would be a hall-of-fame member. These wrinkly, stocky charmers are the undisputed champions of the “nap anywhere, anytime” club. On average, Bulldogs can sleep 12 to 14 hours a day, sometimes more if they’re feeling particularly indulgent.
Bulldogs aren’t just good at sleeping—they excel at it. Whether it’s a sunny spot on the floor, a cozy dog bed, or even your favorite chair (don’t worry, they’re quite persuasive), they’ll curl up and enter full-blown hibernation mode.
Their idea of an adventure usually involves moving just far enough to get a snack before resuming their horizontal lifestyle. Now, a fair warning: if you value silence, be prepared. The Bulldog is famous for snoring, and we mean loudly, proudly, and without apology.
It’s like having a furry, contented foghorn by your side. But despite their noisy sleep, these gentle goofballs are affectionate, loyal, and somehow impossible not to adore.
If you want a dog that’s a devoted companion, loves long cuddles, and treats napping as a full-time hobby, the English Bulldog is basically a four-legged teddy bear—just with a snore that could wake the neighbors.
3. Pug
The Pug is basically the professional hugger of the dog world—and a full-time nap enthusiast. These small dog breeds are similar in size and personality to the French Bulldog, with one big twist: every time you walk through the door, your Pug acts like it’s the first time it’s ever seen you.
Pugs are little social butterflies who love meeting people—and every time you come home, they act like it’s the first time they’ve ever seen you! After all the excitement, though, they happily crash for hours, turning into expert nap enthusiasts.
But don’t be fooled. After the excitement wears off, the Pug transforms into a master of slumber, capable of snoozing 12 to 14 hours a day. They can curl up anywhere—on the couch, at the foot of your bed, or even in your laundry basket if you leave it unattended—and enter full nap mode.
Pugs have the kind of personality that makes you forgive their snorts, snuffles, and occasional dramatic snoring. These noble dogs are affectionate, social, and endlessly entertaining—but at the end of the day, they take their sleep very seriously. In fact, you might start to think their motto is: “Play hard, nap harder.”
So if you want a little bundle of love that’s as happy to greet the world as they are to ignore it from their comfy bed, the Pug is your pint-sized nap partner in crime.
4. Shih Tzu
Don’t let their tiny size fool you—Shih Tzus are absolute napping ninjas. This small breed can snooze up to 12 hours a day as an adult, and that’s not even counting the extra-long naps they sneak in as puppies or seniors. Basically, if you blink, you might miss half their waking hours.
Originally bred as royal companions in Chinese palaces, Shih Tzus were designed for the good life: indoor lounging, pampering, and minimal exercise needs. Their life motto seems to be: “Why chase a ball when you can chase dreams in your sleep?”
These petite pooches love being close to their humans, whether that means curling up on your lap, sprawling across your bed, or finding the sunniest spot in the room to do absolutely nothing.
According to WebMD, Shih Tzus don’t require much regular exercise since they were originally bred as indoor companions, living most of their lives inside royal palaces.
They’re perfect if you want a dog that’s part companion, part living throw pillow, ready to brighten your day and then promptly disappear into a blissful nap. In short, a Shih Tzu is basically 50% dog, 50% fluff, 100% snooze enthusiast—and somehow, you’ll love every minute of it.
5. Pekingese
Tiny, proud, and fabulously floofy, the Pekingese is basically royalty in miniature form. These little dynamos were originally bred as companions for Chinese aristocrats—and often carried in the sleeves of their noble owners.
So naturally, they got very used to lying perfectly still for long stretches of time. Fast forward to today, and while you probably won’t carry your Pekingese around in your sleeve (unless you’re into very fashionable sleeves), they still expect—and get—plenty of nap time.
Adult Pekingese can easily sleep 12 to 14 hours a day, happily curling up in their favorite cozy corner or sprawled across a soft pillow. They’re affectionate and loyal, but they choose their humans carefully—once they’ve picked you, expect plenty of quiet companionship, punctuated by bursts of “I’m adorable, now pet me!” energy.
PetMD noted Pekingese are confident, a bit opinionated, and masters of the laid-back lifestyle. They may strut around like little emperors, but at home, they’re more than happy to spend their days snoozing, dreaming, and occasionally judging your choice of snacks from a safe, regal distance.
If you want a small dog with a big personality—but a love for lounging that rivals any couch potato—the Pekingese is basically a tiny, snoozy royalty who rules their kingdom from the comfort of a soft bed.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might be small, but don’t let its delicate looks fool you—it’s got athlete energy in short bursts. These little dynamos love to sprint across fields, splash through streams, and chase balls like tiny furry torpedoes.
But once the adventure is over? Prepare for the ultimate cuddle-and-snooze session. Adult Cavaliers can sleep 12 to 14 hours a day, and they take their downtime very seriously. After burning off all that energy, they’ll happily flop onto the nearest soft surface and drift into blissful dreamland.
It’s like watching a tiny, fluffy sports star switch into full hibernation mode—adorable, peaceful, and just a little bit comical. Cavaliers are affectionate, gentle, and utterly devoted to their humans. They’ll follow you around during playtime, then spend the rest of the day quietly keeping you company from their favorite napping spot.
They’re perfect if you want a dog who can be both your energetic playmate and your serene snuggle partner—sometimes in the same day.
In short, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a little bundle of love, energy, and snoozing perfection—ready to run, swim, and then sleep like it’s an Olympic sport.
7. Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a gentle giant in every sense of the word. Originally bred to rescue travelers lost in snowy mountains, these massive dogs are strong, powerful, and capable of feats that would make even a weightlifter blush.
Some can pull loads several times their own body weight! But step into a Saint Bernard’s home, and you’ll wonder if their true superpower is something much softer: sleeping.
These gentle giants are the ultimate indoor chillers, happy to lounge around and snooze for 14 to 16 hours a day, dreaming of snowy peaks and heroic rescues—though in reality, they’re usually dreaming of napping right where it’s most comfortable.
Saint Bernards are affectionate, patient, and remarkably calm for their size. They have a big presence, but a surprisingly laid-back home life, often acting more like a furry couch potato than a mountain rescuer.
If you need a dog that’s loving, loyal, and able to turn any floor space into a luxury bed, the Saint Bernard is basically a four-legged teddy bear with a snore that could rival a chainsaw.
Conclusion
For dog lovers looking for low-energy breeds, dogs with a calm temperament, pleasant behavior, and a thoughtful, intelligent nature make an ideal choice.
Breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog excel as excellent family dogs, tend to get along with other dogs, cats, and children, and are perfect for apartment dwellers or homes with a slow lifestyle.
These top dog breeds with ultra-relaxed temperaments that sleep all day enjoy slow walks at a relaxed pace, and playful moments without being high maintenance. They make low-maintenance pet choices, shed moderately, rarely bark, and are ideal best friends for kids, families, and anyone looking for a loving, relaxed house companion.
