Looking for a furry family friend that isn’t a constant flurry of activity?
We’ve rounded up the top 10 most calm dog breeds that will totally fit into your “Netflix and Chill” lifestyle!
Hey, we get it: not everyone is an exercise enthusiast or adventure seeker!
While active dogs are perfect for on-the-move families, if your idea of a good time is spending a Friday night in catching up on your reading or watching TV, you’ll probably do better with a laid-back breed.
These calm dogs are also perfect for those with physical limitations that prevent them from keeping up with a constantly wired pooch.
Check out our picks for the top 10 calmest breeds, along with some highlights from each!
Related: best dog for single working female
Top 10 Most Calm Dog Breeds
1- Basset Hound
- Easygoing
- Good-natured
- Affectionate
- Adaptable
- Most prominent features are long ears, sad eyes
- Great with kids and other pets
- Mild daily exercise needs
- Minimal grooming needs
- Some drooling
- Hound breed group
- Lifespan of 12-15 years
2- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Beloved companion
- Great watchdog
- Territorial
- Patient
- Alert
- Self-confident
- Good with kids and other pets
- Grooming needs include brushing once or twice a week
- Working breed group
- Lifespan of 7-10 years
3- Bulldog
- One of the most mellow dog breeds
- Docile
- Happy
- Quiet
- Great watchdog
- Majority good with kids and other pets, but not all
- Hates hot weather
- Hates long walks
- Minimal grooming needs
- Non-sporting breed group
- Lifespan of 8-10 years
- Mascot of the United States Marine Corps
Related: Are Any of the Bulldog Breeds Hypoallergenic?
4- Great Dane
- Dependable
- Friendly
- Well-mannered
- Loving
- Apartment-friendly
- Great with kids and other pets
- Minimal grooming needs
- Drools a lot
- Working breed group
- Lifespan of 7-10 years
Learn more about the Great Dane.
5- Greyhound
- Often called the “World’s Fastest Couch Potato”
- Outside, they love to run and chase things
- Inside, they are quiet and well-mannered
- Timid
- Sensitive
- Gentle
- Affectionate
- Easy grooming needs
- Hound breed group
- Lifespan of 10-13 years
Did you know these surprising facts about the Greyhounds?
6- Irish Wolfhound
- Quiet
- Well-mannered
- Gentle
- Alert
- Courageous
- Dignified
- Great with kids and other pets
- Grooming needs include brushing once or twice a week
- Hound breed group
- Lifespan of 6-8 years
7- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Quiet
- Great watchdog
- Protective
- Territorial
- Hates the hot weather
- Great with kids and other pets
- Love lots of space to stretch
- Low-level exercise needs
- Drools a lot
- Working breed group
- Lifespan of 8-10 years
8- Newfoundland
- Known as “gentle giants”
- Patient
- Sweet
- Easygoing
- Loving
- Hates hot weather
- Daily exercise needs
- Grooming needs include brushing twice a week
- Drools a lot
- Working breed group
- Lifespan of 8-10 years
Get to know the Newfie: All Kinds of Info about Newfoundlands
9- Scottish Deerhound
- Outdoors, they love to run around
- Indoors, they are easygoing and mellow
- Independent
- Sensitive
- Gentle
- Laid back
- Noble
- Affectionate
- Great with kids and other pets
- Good amount of daily exercise needs
- Grooming needs include brushing once or twice a week
- Hound breed group
- Lifespan of 8-10 years
10- St. Bernard
- Easygoing
- Low-energy
- Gentle
- Patient
- Affectionate
- Great with kids and other pets
- Deafening bark- not good for those who live in an apartment
- Grooming needs include brushing once or twice a week
- Drools a lot
- Working breed group
- Lifespan of 7-10 years
As you read through the list, you might notice that some of the largest dog breeds are almost among the calmest! I bet a few of these may have even surprised you. The Greyhound, for example, seems like it would be an incredibly active breed, but they’re actually a lot happier just chilling out on the sofa with their people. Whichever dog you choose, please remember to adopt before you shop. If you have your heart set on a specific breed, just search for that breed + rescue (example “Greyhound rescue“). You can narrow it down even more by adding your state or zip code to your search (Irish Wolfhound Rescue PA, for example).
