Not everyone wants a dog who needs a ten-mile run every morning. If your ideal evening involves a cup of tea, a good book, and a dog snoozing contentedly at your feet, a calm breed might be the perfect match. Calm dogs suit apartments, quieter households, older owners, and anyone who prefers gentle walks to marathon hikes.
Before the list, one important point. Every puppy is energetic, whatever their breed. Even the most laid-back breeds go through a bouncy, mouthy, zoomie-filled puppyhood. Calmness usually arrives with maturity, and it can be taught. More on that at the end.
What Makes a Breed Calm?
Calm breeds tend to have lower exercise needs, a relaxed temperament, and a lower tendency to bark or react to everything around them. Many were bred as companions, or as working dogs whose job involved bursts of effort followed by long rest. Remember that individual personality varies, and adult dogs often show their true temperament more clearly than puppies.
10 Calm Dog Breeds
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Gentle, affectionate, and adaptable, Cavaliers are happy with a couple of moderate walks a day and plenty of cuddles. They are friendly with almost everyone, making them ideal for quieter family homes. Choose a breeder who health-screens for heart conditions.
2. Basset Hound
Laid-back and good-natured, Basset Hounds are famous for their relaxed approach to life. They enjoy a leisurely sniff-filled walk and a long nap afterwards. Their powerful nose can lead them astray, and they do have a distinctive bay, so they are calm but not always quiet.
3. Greyhound
Greyhounds surprise many people. Despite their speed, most are gentle, quiet couch potatoes indoors. A short daily sprint in a safe area and some walks keep them happy, and retired racing Greyhounds are widely available for adoption. They often have a strong chase instinct, so recall needs care.
4. Bernese Mountain Dog
Big, gentle, and devoted, adult Berners are calm, easygoing companions. They need moderate daily exercise and space, and they prefer cooler climates. Puppies are lively, but adults settle into a lovely steady temperament.
5. Newfoundland
Sweet, patient, and famously gentle, Newfoundlands are calm giants who enjoy relaxed family life. They love water, shed heavily, and drool, but their peaceful nature makes them wonderful companions.
6. Great Dane
Despite their enormous size, adult Great Danes are often mellow and gentle indoors, content with moderate walks and a large, comfortable bed. They need space to stretch out and careful management to protect their joints as puppies.
7. Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber is the most laid-back of the spaniels: heavier, slower, and more relaxed than its busy cousins. Gentle and affectionate, they enjoy steady walks and quiet time with their family.
8. Bulldog
Calm, loyal, and famously chilled, Bulldogs need relatively little exercise and are happy lounging around the house. They are heat-sensitive and have some breed-related health considerations to be aware of.
9. Shih Tzu
Bred as companions, Shih Tzus are affectionate, relaxed little dogs who adapt beautifully to apartment life. A couple of short walks and some indoor play are enough to keep them content.
10. Saint Bernard
Calm, patient, and gentle, Saint Bernards are relaxed companions as adults. They are very large and heavy, so early lead training is essential, and they struggle in hot weather.
Calm Breeds at a Glance
| Breed | Size | Exercise needs | Good for apartments? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Small | Moderate | Yes |
| Basset Hound | Medium | Low to moderate | Yes, if you can handle the bay |
| Greyhound | Large | Low to moderate | Often, yes |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Giant | Moderate | Better with space |
| Newfoundland | Giant | Low to moderate | Better with space |
| Great Dane | Giant | Moderate | Possible with care |
| Clumber Spaniel | Medium to large | Moderate | Possible |
| Bulldog | Medium | Low | Yes |
| Shih Tzu | Small | Low | Yes |
| Saint Bernard | Giant | Low to moderate | Better with space |
Consider an Adult Dog
If calmness is your top priority, an adult dog from a rescue can be an excellent choice. A good rescue knows their dogs well and can match you with one whose relaxed temperament is already established. You skip the chaotic puppy phase and know exactly what you are getting.
Calm Is Also Trained
Here is the part that matters for every dog, calm breed or not. Many dogs are energetic not because of their breed but because they have never been taught how to switch off. You can teach any dog to settle, and it is one of the most useful skills they will ever learn.
Capture Calm Moments
Whenever your puppy or dog lies down quietly on their own, calmly drop a treat between their paws without saying a word. Over time, they learn that relaxing earns rewards and start offering it more often. A clicker works beautifully for capturing calm.
Teach a Settle Mat
Choose a mat or bed and reward your dog for stepping on it, then for lying down on it, then for staying there relaxed for longer periods. Eventually the mat becomes a cue to switch off, which is invaluable in cafes, at friends’ houses, and during dinner.
Meet Their Needs First
A dog who is under-stimulated will not settle, whatever their breed. Gentle exercise, sniffing time, and mental enrichment help even calm breeds relax. My list of dog enrichment ideas has plenty of quiet, brain-tiring activities.
Prioritize Sleep for Puppies
Puppies need around eighteen hours of sleep a day. Overtired puppies become wild and bitey. Enforced naps in a crate or pen help enormously. See my crate training schedule for how to build this into your routine.
Bringing Home a Calm Breed Puppy
Even a calm breed puppy will need house training, socialization, and plenty of patience in the first months. Start with Puppy Training 101, follow the puppy training schedule by age, and use my printable checklist to keep everything organized.
If you are still deciding, my guides to the best small dog breeds, big dog breeds, and the best family dog breeds can help you narrow it down.
How to Choose the Right Calm Breed for You
Calm breeds come in every size, from a Shih Tzu who fits on your lap to a Saint Bernard who barely fits in the car. Before you fall for a face, think through how the dog will fit into your everyday life.
- Space: Giant breeds like Newfoundlands and Great Danes are relaxed, but they still need room to stretch out, turn around, and lie down without knocking over the coffee table.
- Stairs and lifting: If you live in a flat without a lift, think about whether you could carry your dog up the stairs if they were injured or elderly. That is easy with a Cavalier and impossible with a Berner.
- Climate: Bulldogs struggle in heat, while Newfoundlands, Berners, and Saint Bernards prefer it cool. Your local summers matter.
- Noise tolerance: A Basset Hound is calm but can bay loudly. A Greyhound is usually quiet. If you have neighbors through a thin wall, that difference counts.
- Grooming and drool: Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards drool and shed heavily. Shih Tzus need regular coat care. Greyhounds are about as low-maintenance as it gets.
- Lifespan: Giant breeds tend to have shorter lives than small breeds. It is worth knowing this going in.
Health Screening Matters More With Some Calm Breeds
Several of the calmest breeds have well-known health considerations, and a responsible breeder will be upfront about them. Ask to see the results of health tests on both parents before you commit.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: heart screening by a cardiologist, plus checks recommended by your breed club.
- Bernese Mountain Dog, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, and Great Dane: hip and elbow scoring, and heart checks for some breeds.
- Bulldog: breathing assessments and a conversation about the breed’s flat face, skin folds, and heat sensitivity.
- Basset Hound: eye testing and a look at the parents’ backs and legs.
Calm behavior should come from a relaxed temperament, not from a dog who is uncomfortable. If an adult dog seems unusually lethargic, sleeps far more than expected, or avoids moving, a vet visit is the right first step.
The Real Cost of a Calm Giant
The calmest dogs on this list are often the biggest, and big dogs cost more to keep. Food bills, larger beds, crates, and car space, higher vet fees for medication dosed by weight, and pricier grooming all add up. Insurance premiums are often higher for giant breeds as well. None of this is a reason to avoid them, but it is worth sketching out a monthly budget before you bring one home.
Questions to Ask a Breeder or Rescue
- How would you describe the parents’ energy levels at home, not just in the show ring?
- How much exercise do your adult dogs get on a typical day?
- Which puppy in the litter seems the most relaxed, and why do you think so?
- For a rescue dog, how do they behave when visitors arrive, and how quickly do they settle afterwards?
- Has the dog been left alone for short periods, and how did they cope?
Good breeders and rescues watch their dogs closely and often match calm dogs to quiet homes themselves. Tell them plainly what your life looks like and let them help.
Common Mistakes With Calm Breeds
The biggest mistake I see is assuming a calm breed needs no training or exercise at all. A Bulldog or Basset still needs daily walks, sniffing time, and something to think about, or boredom creeps in and shows up as chewing, barking, or weight gain. Calm breeds are also prone to becoming overweight because they are happy to lie around, so measure their food and keep treats small.
Another common slip is skipping recall and lead manners because the dog seems so easygoing. A relaxed Greyhound can still spot a squirrel and be gone in a second, and a giant breed who pulls is genuinely hard to hold. Teach good leash manners early, while your puppy is still small enough to manage easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calmest small dog breed?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shih Tzu are two of the most relaxed small breeds, both bred as companions and happy with modest exercise. Individual dogs vary, so meeting the parents helps.
Are calm dogs good for first-time owners?
Often, yes. Breeds like Cavaliers and Shih Tzus are forgiving and adaptable. Giant calm breeds can be more challenging for beginners simply because of their size and strength, especially during the teenage stage.
When do puppies calm down?
Most dogs begin to settle somewhere between one and two years old, with giant breeds sometimes taking a little longer to mature. Teaching a settle routine early speeds things up a lot.
Can a high-energy breed become calm?
A high-energy dog will always need more exercise and mental work than a Basset Hound, but with their needs met and a taught off switch, many energetic dogs are calm and pleasant to live with indoors.
Is a calm dog a good choice if I work long hours?
A calm temperament helps, but no dog should be left alone all day. Arrange a dog walker or daycare, and build up alone time slowly. My guide to puppy separation anxiety explains how.
The Bottom Line
Cavaliers, Basset Hounds, Greyhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus are among the calmest breeds you can choose, and they suit quieter homes beautifully. Just remember that every puppy is lively, adult rescues let you know exactly what you are getting, and calmness is a skill you can teach any dog. Capture calm moments, teach a settle mat, meet your dog’s needs, and you will have a relaxed companion to share those quiet evenings with.
Dog lover and devoted owner of a Golden Retriever named Poki, sharing what she has learned raising him with kind, positive methods. Learn more about Milica.
