Picture this: you come home exhausted, and instead of rushing to serve your pet first, you simply flop down beside them and doze off. That’s the charm of quiet dog breeds, and adopting one means stepping into the wonderful world of gentle giants.
The breeds below are big in size and mellow in temperament. Most of them love lounging at home, taking leisurely strolls, and staying close to their favorite people. They may have serious strength, but many would rather cuddle than cause trouble.
Peaceful and friendly as they are, these dogs still need some basic exercise and training. Their huge size also means they eat quite a lot.
Ready for some big love? Here are 9 low-energy dog breeds that make great companions for peaceful afternoons. Come meet some of these gentle giants.
Quiet Giant Dog Breeds for Calm Home Life
1. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are huge dogs that appear to be walking fur mountains, but under their big, furry exterior lies a very gentle and loving companion.
These dogs are famous for their patience, affection, and friendship towards their families. They love to be around their family 24/7 and are perfect if you want a giant, peaceful companion. These dogs have a working history, bred to work around water, and are renowned for their swimming skills according to the American Kennel Club.
Did you know? Newfoundlands have webbed feet to help them paddle through water and perform various tasks such as helping drowning people and retrieving anything out of the water.
These dogs often remain quiet and content inside homes. They do need regular exercise and training so they can perform their lifesaving duty well.
Their thick double coat needs regular grooming as well so their coat can remain neat and tidy. These dogs can drool a lot, so it is recommended to have a towel with you wherever you go.
Ideal for: Families that value affectionate and patient dogs and are not averse to extra fur.
2. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards resemble teddy bears if they suddenly became gigantic.
These adorable giants are great pets and tend to be calm, gentle, and patient in their demeanour. They have a lazy nature and make excellent family pets. Perfect for owners who lead a hectic lifestyle and need some peace at home.
Saint Bernards were traditionally used in the Alps, helping stranded people to safety. Because of this history, they need regular exercise and training. They are fond of daily walks. Play sessions with these dogs should be monitored due to their huge size. They can knock children off accidentally; hence caution is advised.
Saint Bernards are traditionally content to be relaxed around their families. Their friendly and lazy personality is perfect for owners looking for lazy dogs. Their thick coat protects them from the harsh winter weather and should be brushed regularly to keep it healthy, according to Hill’s Pet.
Ideal for: Families that desire a sweet-natured gentle giant with a laid-back personality.
3. Mastiff
The English Mastiff is a serious security and napping expert combined into one.
They are typically very gentle, dignified, affectionate, and quiet with their families. These dogs are good at protecting premises from any threats and remain alert when they are on the job. Their size acts as a useful deterrent to intruders.
Despite their guarding instincts, these dogs are not prone to making noise. They are one of the heaviest breeds on this list, with some dogs weighing more than their owners, according to Purina.
Due to their huge size, obedience training is necessary. You don’t want an uncontrollable mastiff on your hands at all. Early socialization and training can make it easier to train them rather than trying to manage a fully grown mastiff.
They do require some moderate exercise to keep them content, but mostly they love to rest.
Ideal for: Experienced dog owners looking for a gentle and dependable pet.
4. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhounds are one of the tallest dog breeds in the world. Seeing these dogs for the first time can feel astounding due to their unique coat and elongated face.
Despite their intimidating looks, these dogs are generally polite, loving, and surprisingly laid-back indoors.
These dogs were bred to protect herds from predators and to hunt dangerous big animals such as wolves, elk, deer, and boars. They have a natural instinct to hunt prey and can chase animals when they see one.
Fun Fact: Irish Wolfhounds can be taller than a lot of folks if they stand on their back legs.
These dogs have a sweet temperament inside their homes and are content to stay inside once their exercise needs are fulfilled. A fenced yard is important so they can run and stretch their legs inside.
Ideal for: Families with enough room and who need a dog that can perform a variety of jobs on their farms and on hunting expeditions.
5. Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound has a neat, slim build, long legs, and an elongated face that makes them look like a wise old wizard. At home, these dogs are surprisingly laid-back and calm, preferring to spend gentle time with their owners.
These dogs were bred to hunt deer and have strong running instincts. Though they can spend relaxed time indoors, they do need an area where they can run and exercise safely. Small animals can trigger a chase sequence, so it is important to have a fenced yard.
Training is essential for their well-being. Once content, these dogs love to stay inside with their owners and do not make any noise or ruckus. These calm dogs do not require intense daily exercise as compared to other dogs.
Ideal for: Owners who prefer a quiet companion, but can offer plenty of running space and exercise in a fenced yard.
6. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is a giant muscular dog, with a serious expression and an unexpectedly affectionate personality.
Bullmastiffs have been traditionally used as guard dogs for large estates. Their imposing size is a huge deterrent to potential intruders, and their alert nature makes them perfect for this job.
Today, many of these dogs can be kept inside homes as well due to their peaceful nature. They form strong bonds with their families and can be great pets inside, lounging with their families.
One thing to remember is to properly train and socialize this athletic dog. A Bullmastiff that isn’t properly trained can become very hard to handle and can probably injure their owners or themselves. It needs stability and proper socialization to be fully integrated into households.
Ideal for: Experienced owners who want a trainable, loyal, quiet, naturally protective pet.
7. Broholmer
Though their name sounds like the name of a character in a fantasy adventure, the Broholmer is an impressive dog breed that was bred originally in Denmark.
These huge, mastiff-type dogs are friendly, calm, and confident. They were historically used to guard huge properties and estates, and they excelled at this job. They are watchful without being loud.
These massive dogs have a tender side to them which is usually overlooked. They grow very close to their families and love to spend some time cuddling with their favourite person without causing a ruckus.
Due to their large size and guarding background, it is important to train and socialize these dogs properly to avoid handling issues in the future. Training and mental stimulation help them avoid engaging in unwanted behaviours. A yard can be helpful in making these dogs feel at home.
Ideal for: Families with experience and those who wish a steady, loving, and attentive dog.
8. Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs are one of the most unique-looking dogs, with wrinkles, looking as though they forgot to iron their coat.
This unique look is underpinned by exceptional strength and a calm and loving personality in their homes.
Neapolitan Mastiffs are usually reserved and vigilant towards strangers. They do not always bark, but they are great watchdogs. Intruders always think twice when they see this large breed guarding estates.
Did you know? They have one of the most recognizable faces in the dog world because of their very unique loose skin and dramatic wrinkles?
Due to their huge size, owners should train these dogs early in their lifespans. Socialization is necessary to make them manageable, so they can differentiate between threatening situations that need their attention and staying idle.
Owners should also take care of their coat, drying it thoroughly. Remember to have a towel with you at all times because these dogs are prone to drooling.
Ideal for: Veteran dog owners who can tame a powerful, protective breed that has special care requirements.
9. Great Dane
Great Danes are one of the most popular huge dog breeds in the canine world due to their tuxedo-like coat and aloof personality.
These dogs are affectionate, friendly, and calm indoors when they are given sufficient exercise.
Bonus Fact: The Great Dane is among the tallest dog breeds in the world, but some still like to cuddle in their owners’ lap. Personal space? Never heard of it.
Although they have a calm temperament, young Danes can be energetic and clumsy. They require early training, so they can become manageable in the future. Health supervision is important, as deep-chested breeds are prone to fatal diseases such as GDV.
Ideal for: Families looking for a big, cuddly giant that stays peaceful inside homes.
Conclusion
Who needs smaller dogs when big dogs can offer the same level of love and cuddling without making noise?
Whether it’s the Newfoundland or the Great Dane, these large dog breeds are quiet by nature and have gentle temperaments.
But all dogs are different and need different lifestyles and training regimes. Select the dog which can match your daily routine and you will have a huge cuddle buddy ready to sleep beside you whenever you want.
