If you don't want to spend hours each day walking your dog, then a more laid-back dog breed could be for you. Keep reading to find out which breeds are more than happy to curl up and snooze on the sofa.
There are some dogs who are constantly on the go every minute of the day and are always ready to jump into any adventure or activity with all four paws. But there are other dog breeds that are content with leisurely walks and a more relaxed lifestyle.
Each one of the 223+ purebreds of dog have been created to do a specific job – and while breed is certainly not the only indicator of a dog’s behaviour or activity levels, it is certainly a good starting point. Before choosing a breed of dog to share your life with, it is always worth asking yourself “what were they originally bred to do – and how much of the day would they spend doing it?” In other words, if they were bred to work all day every day then you can be pretty sure they are going to be highly active and need a lot of exercise and enrichment. Others however were bred to be far more easy-going and to want to spend far more time relaxing and chilling out.
So, if your schedule is too busy for a high energy dog and you would prefer a buddy you can chill out with, then you might want to consider a less active dog breed. Keep reading for our top ten laid back dog breeds that you're more likely to trip over snoring, than be pestering you for yet another walk!
Calm dogs
Calm dog breeds are ideal if you have a busy schedule or f you live somewhere, you have less access to the great outdoors for long walks. Where our top ten calm and more chilled dog breeds may not require as much exercise as higher energy breeds, it's still important that they're regularly walked and given plenty of enrichment opportunities and social time with you.
In other words, requiring less physical activity doesn't mean they don't have other needs to fulfil (such as playing with you, spending quality time enjoying your company, or engaging in mental challenges). Furthermore, having a lower need for physical activity doesn't imply that they don't enjoy it when they do engage in it. Many of these dog's love going for walks in the countryside and experiencing all the sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors but just aren’t so full-on about it! Here’s a few calm dogs to consider getting:
1. Bassett Hound
When they're not hot on a trail following a scent, this laid-back dog breed is usually found lounging on the sofa, patiently awaiting their next snack. They're known for their gentle natures while inside the house but are also always up for an adventure out on a walk, and love nothing more than to engage their natural instincts and sniff out a trail.
Although the Basset Hound is a calm dog breed, it's important that they're regularly exercised and that their diet is monitored as they're prone to obesity.
2. Bullmastiff
Although this dog breed is large and muscly in appearance, Bullmastiffs often think they're little lapdogs! This quiet dog breed is extremely loyal, but they don't like to be left alone, so it's not a good idea to consider a Bullmastiff if you spend much time away from home.
3. Sighthounds
Despite being super-fast movers, Sighthounds such as Deerhounds, Whippets, Greyhounds and Irish Wolfhounds are all laid back dog breeds. They prefer their exercise to be short and sweet, followed by long bursts of sleeping to restore their energy. All sighthound owners agree that once you let one into your home, they're easy to fall in love with.
4. Maltese
The Maltese is one of several calm toy dog breeds that requires little exercise (although they should still be walked every day) whose favourite way to spend their time is snuggled with their owner. Despite their small size they make impressive early warning systems – alerting you to any strange noise or unexpected visitor.
Maltese hate to be left alone and often suffer from separation related behaviour problems but if you have enough time to spend with one, they are an incredibly loving and loyal dog breed.
5. St. Bernard
This dog breed looks like a giant cuddly teddy bear, and it may surprise you to learn that they're also extremely laid back! If you don't have much time to spend on exercising your dog, they're low energy and a moderate gentle daily walk is enough to satisfy their needs.
Although they are a very quiet dog breed, the St. Bernard is not usually suitable for urban living due to their giant size. They can make perfect family pets due to their kind temperament, but they're not ideal if you have very small children as they can accidentally knock them over - or just drool on them!
6. Great Dane
Known as “gentle giants”, Great Danes have a naturally laid-back and gentle temperament, making them perfect for a relaxed lifestyle. You’ll often find them just lounging around and snuggling, although they do still need 1-2 hours of exercise per day split into a couple of walks, depending on the individual dog. However, once home, they will be far happier curling up with you on the sofa than playing a game of fetch!
7. Golden Retriever
While Golden Retrievers are generally more energetic and active, they can adapt well to a relaxed lifestyle as long as they get enough exercise. Just know that your Golden Retriever will happily join you for some leisure time whenever you want.
Keep in mind that they still need plenty of exercise and are happiest in the countryside, so you’ll need to set aside time for long country walks and lots of games as well as chilling out together.
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The sweet and docile, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is highly adaptable to various environments and lifestyles. Often described as “Velcro dogs” because of their strong desire to be wherever their human is, Cavaliers are perfectly content with lounging around the house or going on leisurely walks, as long as they’re spending time with you – but they are highly trainable so if you want to try your hand at dog sports too, they’d be more than happy to give it a go.
9. Bernese Mountain Dog
Need a social but laid back dog? We’ve got you covered! The Bernese Mountain Dog is great for anyone who’s looking for a calm companion. Bernese Mountain Dogs generally have a placid nature but do enjoy long gentle walks – up to 1-2 hours daily. However, they’re also excellent cuddling companions and chances are that they’ll never say no to some down time next to their favourite humans.
10. Shih Tzu
A lover of sofa snuggles, the Shih Tzu can be great for someone who prefers a more laid-back lifestyle and doesn’t want to (or isn’t able to) go for long walks. Although they can be more active during their puppy years, most Shih Tzus will calm down considerably as they become adults. Remember that plenty of play and little bit of training can go a long way in making sure they can enjoy a calmer environment.
Lazy Dogs
It's important to distinguish between a calm dog and a lazy dog. A calm dog is one that is relaxed and easy-going but is still active and playful when the situation calls for it. Breeds that are considered as being ‘lazy’ on the other hand, are ones that may be unable or unwilling to indulge in physical activity and so prefers to spend most of their time sleeping or lounging.
Flat Faced Dogs
Many flat-faced breeds, such as Bulldogs and Pugs are often mistakenly labelled as "lazy." These dogs have compromised airways due to their brachycephalic (flat-faced) features. Often if they're acting 'lazy' it's mostly due to their inability to breathe, rather than having an actually laid-back nature.
Brachycephalic breeds have been subject to poor breeding practices and with the extreme popularity of Pugs and Bulldogs, many unscrupulous breeders are breeding for profit rather than putting health and welfare first.
These calm dog breeds are ideal if you suffer from you are unable to go on long walks or don't have enough time to spend walking and playing with a high energy breed for hours on end. Always remember that despite being lower energy, these dog breeds still requite regular walks and exercise to engage their brains, give them a change of scenery and to maintain their weight and fitness. Most of the calmer breeds also need more quality time with their owner.
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