26 Calmest Dog Breeds (With Pictures) Laid-back & Easygoing Pups

Humans and dogs have been best friends for centuries. Whether it’s hunting, herding, or companionship, these faithful animals know how to stand by their owners and fulfill their needs. That’s why we adore them, no matter if they’re snuggly, playful, calm, or timid.

However, if you’re looking to bring a dog to your home, you must find the breed that matches your personality and lifestyle. Imagine having a super energetic dog who always keeps you on your toes while you’re more laid-back. A nightmare, right?

So, here are the 26 of the calmest dog breeds that will perfectly match your slow pace and relaxed lifestyle.

The 26 Calmest Dog Breeds

1. Bichon Frisé

The first on the list is the cute Bichon Frisé. This playful, cheerful, and calm breed was exclusively developed to be everyone’s friend. So, whether you live with your granny or kids, a Bichon Frisé will be an ideal pick for your household.

The Bichon Frisé loves to spend time with humans. You will find them interested in whatever you do, whether it’s going out for daily walks, watching movies, or grocery shopping. There is no breed friendlier and calmer than the Bichon Frisé.

---

2. French Bulldog

The first French Bulldog originated in mid-19th century England. They are a small, adorable form of Bulldog, identified by big ears, a tiny nose, and a wrinkly forehead.

Young Frenchies have very high energy levels, but as they grow older, they become much calmer and laid-back. Due to their low temperament, French Bulldogs make the best family dogs and everybody’s friends.

---

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a British dog popular for their sweet, welcoming, and adorable round eyes. They have a playful, loving nature and a low temperament. You will rarely find these dogs irritated or aggressive.

These small, toy-sized spaniels love to be around their human parents, making them one of the calmest family dogs out there. These dogs have low energy levels, but they need regular walks to stay in their best mood. So, consider this before bringing these adorable dogs to your home.

---

4. Pekingese

Known as Chinese royalty, the Pekingese is one of the oldest and calmest lap dogs. They are affectionate and have low temperaments but can be stubborn at some point. However, with early training, the Pekingese is the most well-behaved breed you can adopt.

If you live a sedentary lifestyle, the Pekingese would be your best choice. These lap dogs have really low energy levels, so they don’t need regular exercise or any type of physical stimulation altogether.

But as with any dog breed, bringing a Pekingese to your home is a responsibility. These dogs are susceptible to back injuries and overheating in hot weather conditions. So, you will have to take them out for evening walks when it’s cooler.

---

5. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever has been one of the sought-after breeds since the 19th century. They were initially used for athletic and agile tasks, such as retrieving downed fowl from land and water. Today, these sporting dogs are used in rescue operations as a guide.

These golden-coated Retrievers are also loved for their upbeat, playful, and friendly nature. You will find them getting along with children quite well. In fact, they are so calm and composed that they can easily become friends with other pets. That’s something unique for most dog breeds.

---

6. Tibetan Spaniel

Despite having “Spaniel” in their name, the Tibetan Spaniels aren’t actually the real Spaniels. Instead, they are associated with the toy dog group, including Pekingese and Pugs.

In the past, Tibbies were used as watchdogs due to their amazing instincts. Today, Tibbies have become an important part of families. Who can resist their lively, joyous, and affectionate nature? Besides their calmness and composure, these dogs are super cute because of their small size and medium-length black, cream, white, or red coats.

---

7. Pug

The Pug is another breed with Chinese ancestry dating back 2,000 years. They were bred to accompany nobility and emperors with their calm, loving, and easygoing nature. These small toy dogs are also very adaptable, as they stay happy regardless of the situation.

Pugs also make the best companions and family dogs. With their goofy personality, compact size, and playful nature, Pugs are ideal for apartments, small houses, other pets, and families of all sizes. They are one of the most even-tempered breeds out there!

---

8. Boerboel

Boerboels come from 17th-century South Africa when the Germans and Dutch bred them. The name of these large mastiffs is as intriguing as their personality. The “boer” refers to the settling farmers, and the “boel” is a short term for Bulldogs.

Like every old dog breed, Boerboels were used for protection in the initial days. Over time, they have become calmer and more affectionate towards humans, especially kids, making them one of the best family dogs out there.

---

9. Whippet

The Whippet is one of the fastest yet calmest dog breeds on this list. These are medium-sized sighthounds, the type of hounds with impressive sprinting skills that help them during hunting. Because of this, they need proper running and playing time to be in their best mood.

Whippets are generally friendly and calm dogs, so you can let them run off-leash in a properly fenced yard. Make sure to keep an eye on them to prevent them from escaping. Despite that, they are affectionate and gentle with their human parents.

This breed may act aloof with strangers and other pets, so remember this before making a Whippet your family member.

---

10. Irish Wolfhound

The first Irish Wolfhound was spotted around the British islands in the Middle Ages. But many people believed that this breed was present around Roman times too. At that time, these dogs were used for protection and hunting wolves—the very reason there were no wolves in Ireland by the 18th century.

Irish Wolfhounds are called the “Faithful Hounds” in an Irish tale due to their loyalty to their owners. They are super large dogs, weighing more than 100 pounds. But don’t feel intimidated by their size; these wolfhounds are very calm.

These dogs are quiet, reserved, and easygoing, with natural hunting instincts. They are also quite independent, so you must learn how to train them early. Overall, the Irish Wolfhounds are super friendly and affectionate with humans.

---

11. Great Dane

Great Danes are everybody’s favorite! These friendly, large-sized dogs came from Germany around the Middle Ages where they were used to hunt wild boar and deer. After the Irish Wolfhound, the Great Dane is the largest dog breed in the world.

Due to their size and weight, Great Danes may not be an ideal fit for beginners. But since these are the best-natured dogs, you won’t have problems training them from an early age. A well-socialized Great Dane is a sweet, easygoing, and friendly dog who knows how to get along with children.

---

12. Clumber Spaniel

The calmest and largest of all the Spaniels, Clumber Spaniels are popular for their composed nature and hunting stamina. These dogs used to scare or flush birds from their nests or homes to let hunters easily kill them. It’s said that Clumber Spaniels can hunt the entire day!

Despite their high stamina, these dogs also love to chill and relax at home with their owners. They are generally sweet and gentle, but you must fulfill their physical stimulation needs through daily walks or hikes to maintain their mood.

---

13. Bergamasco Sheepdog

The Bergamasco Sheepdog has an extremely long fur coat consisting of three types of hair. The dreadlocks on their coats not only look cute, but surprisingly, they are super easy to maintain. The Bergamasco is a large herding dog with Italian roots.

Regarding their nature, these sheepdogs are loving, protective, and calm. You will find them playing with people of all ages and even other dog breeds. They are also known for their loyalty. These sweet-natured dogs make life-long companions for humans, having a lifespan of up to 15 years.

---

14. Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a small-sized hound with short legs and a long body. These are naturally hunting dogs, developed exclusively to hunt deer and rabbits. Even today, Basset Hounds are used for tracking to direct hunters in the right way.

These dogs have a calm and loving nature, making them the best companions for humans. With a Basset Hound, you won’t spend a single minute bored. They are super entertaining and playful and rarely get angry.

---

15. Bolognese

Want a cute white dog with mesmerizing eyes and a pleasant personality? Go for the Bolognese. These are among the friendliest and sweetest dogs who love spending time relaxing with their human parents. They get along with kids and the elderly—the right choice for people living a sedentary lifestyle.

The history of the Bolognese goes back to Renaissance Italy, where they were treated as nobility. This has remained constant even today. You will find many celebrities owning these dogs. They even appear in many movies and photoshoots.

They are susceptible to separation anxiety, so you can’t leave them alone for hours. If you spend most of your time away from home, consider this factor before getting carried away by a Bolognese’s cuteness.

---

16. Greyhound

Greyhounds belong to the same family as the Whippet — they are sighthounds with excellent sprinting skills and eyesight. In fact, these dogs are known to be the fastest breed, running at a speed of around 41 to 45 miles per hour.

Greyhounds are super athletic, so they require daily physical stimulation. You can take them to your nearest fenced park to allow them to sprint off-leash. That would be enough for these dogs to keep their instincts active.

However, at home, Greyhounds are very lazy. They prefer lying on the couch and enjoying movies and TV shows with their owners for hours. You will love how affectionate, gentle, and easy to groom these dogs are.

---

17. Saint Bernard

A Saint Bernard is a gentle dog breed, first spotted in the Alps in the 11th century. At that time, these dogs assisted monks in finding lost travelers in different weather conditions. That’s why they are super adaptable and highly tolerant of difficult situations.

Saint Bernards are large dogs with super sweet personalities. They are affectionate towards their owners but may behave unusually if you don’t train them well in their puppyhood. Their body size can also become a nuisance, as these dogs are popular for knocking over younger children.

---

18. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is another large dog breed with a composed temperament. Their hearts are as big as their size. They are sweet, loyal, and gentle with their humans, especially kids and the elderly, making them great family dogs.

These dogs have super low exercise needs, so daily walks will suffice for their physical stimulation. Unfortunately, a Newfoundland’s medium-length coat sheds a lot, which might be a turn-off for some people.

---

19. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is another low-energy, calm dog who used to guard the livestock in the early days. If you go to the countryside, you will still find these dogs watching over sheep. They exhibit their vigilant instincts in households, too, but in a very gentle way.

These affectionate and strong-willed dogs need only a few walking sessions daily to stay happy. Great Pyrenees love spending time with their owners, but their excessive drooling and shedding may become a nuisance. So, only go for these dogs if you’re prepared for frequent cleaning.

---

20. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a Chinese breed that used to rest on the emperors’ laps in ancient times. These calm dogs have long coats in varying colors to suit everyone’s preferences. If you want a 24/7 companion by your side, a Shih Tzu will be the best fit for your household.

These dogs are super affectionate and love spending time with their owners. That’s why you will often find them performing errands, running alongside you, and relaxing with you on the couch.

A Shih Tzu also makes a great apartment and family dog, as they treat kids quite well. These mild-tempered dogs don’t have much exercise needs, so daily walks will be enough for them.

---

21. Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin originated in Japan as a lap dog for nobility and royals. They are adorable, small dogs with long, smooth coats and sweet, round eyes. You will also love their pushed-in nose, similar to a French Bulldog, which gives them a cat-like appearance.

Bringing a Japanese Chin to your home will only open doors to happiness. These dogs are smart, loving, and reserved, so they get along with adults and children alike. Their compact size makes them the best apartment dogs.

Japanese Chins can get too obsessed with their owners. While that’s great if you want a 24/7 companion, it can sometimes become irritating. Unfortunately, these dogs don’t feel comfortable staying away from their owners, so consider this before falling for their adorable looks.

---

22. Sussex Spaniel

Sussex Spaniels originated in 18th-century England, where they were used as hunting dogs, like the other breeds. These are long-bodied dogs with short postures and gorgeous golden liver coats. To depict their originality, the Sussex has long ears like the other Spaniels.

Temperament-wise, the Sussex Spaniels are one of the calmest dogs, but they can get highly vocal out of nowhere. This makes them unsuitable for apartments, but they aren’t too picky regarding their living space. As long as you provide them with enough room to play and relax, they will be happy and cheerful.

---

23. Chow Chow

A Chow Chow is a giant, adorable ball of fur that makes everyone want to cuddle them. They have cute blue-black tongues and a lovely, laid-back temperament, making them ideal for people living sedentary lifestyles.

Chow Chows have low to medium energy levels, but that doesn’t interfere with their urge to lounge around the house 24/7. Besides, you won’t find these dogs getting into mischief or asking to go outside. They love spending time indoors or relaxing on the couch with their owners.

If you live alone, adopting a Chow Chow means you will have a Netflix partner and an adorable companion at the same time!

---

24. Leonberger

The Leonberger is an even bigger version of a Newfoundland, but don’t feel intimidated by their size. These dogs may seem scary, but they are actually one of the calmest and most loving breeds out there. The bonus point is that they are super fluffy, making them ideal for cuddling. Leos are very loving, gentle, and fun to be around. They love spending time with humans and are always seen playing with kids.

---

25. Border Terrier

Seeing Border Terriers on this list might have surprised you. Contrary to the popular concept about the terrier group, the Border Terriers are the calmest and the least stubborn member of the family. They are also relatively smaller than their relatives, making them the best family dogs.

The Border Terriers are very loving, friendly, and gentle by nature. They love to be around humans and prefer sitting on their laps. Whether you want a movie partner or a walk companion, the Border Terrier is the ideal choice!

---

26. Irish Setter

If you have had a young Irish Setter, you will know how energetic, rough, and rowdy these dogs are. But they become calmer, more peaceful, and more composed as they grow older. Many people consider them the best family dogs due to their sweet and friendly nature.

Irish Setters are also super playful. You will find them playing fetching games with kids or rolling over their bellies. They are also super gorgeous because of their shiny copper coats.

Conclusion

If you’re a peaceful and laid-back person, an energetic dog will force you to run around the house, becoming a nuisance over time. Thus, always get a breed that matches your vibe, personality, and lifestyle so that you and your pet sync perfectly.

We have listed the 26 calmest dog breeds you can adopt right away. No matter which one you choose, contact a reputable breeder to get a healthy dog with no underlying health issues.

• See also: 24 Quiet Dog Breeds That Don’t Bark Too Much (With Pictures)

---

Featured Image Credit to: Katrina Brown, Shutterstock