17 calm dog breeds with easygoing personalities

If there’s one thing your family will agree on, it’s the irresistibly cute face and sweet demeanour of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Just one look into those big dreamy eyes, and you’re cooked. “Most dogs of this breed are quiet, gentle, love people, and get along with other dogs,” says Dr Greer. They fit right in with active families or homebodies. If they had a doggy profile, it would read, “I’m happy when you’re happy and content with whatever the family wants to do. We can curl up and watch TV, or I’ll be your silent co-worker while you’re on Zoom. Or if you prefer, I’m ready to rock and roll with the best of them and chase some balls in the yard.”

Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are two calm dog breeds that share similar characteristics. The two most important – they love people and happiest when spending time with their people. And you won’t find another dog with a unique physique like the Corgi. “Some people have described the Corgi as a dog who looks like they were put together by a committee in the dark – that is, their parts and pieces just don’t quite match,” says Dr Greer. While it’s true they do have short legs, what they do match is a family who is searching for a friendly homebody who likes to chill and play inside the house. They’ll play hide and seek with the kids, but don’t be surprised if the Corgi sneaks up on the seeker first. “As a corgi breeder for 30 plus years, we have enjoyed their quiet nature and keen sense of humour,” says Dr Greer. The Pembroke and Cardigan look very similar, but the Cardigan has a low-set bushy tail while the Pembroke has a docked tail.

“The Great Pyrenees is indeed great. They are a massive but gentle dog,” says Dr Greer. Its zen-like manner and lush coat are better than any teddy bear, so don’t be surprised if the kids fight over whose room it sleeps in. Dr Greer says they can be a bit stubborn at times, but we’ll give them a pass on that. After all, they are a devoted guardian of the family. “They tend to be a laid-back dog that is quiet and not very active when in the home. They are great with kids but due to their size, need to be closely supervised to prevent their sheer mass from overwhelming children,” says Dr Greer.

If your family is looking for a small, sweet, fluffy, cuddly breed with a less-than-stellar athletic prowess, then the Pekingese might be the perfect match for you. “The Pekingese is a quiet dog that does not require much activity or exercise,” says Dr Greer. They have a shorter muzzle, so when they exert themselves too much, they could have a more challenging time breathing, so they’re naturally geared to be more sedentary. “This dog makes a great companion for a quiet family but is rarely active enough to be a performance dog, in activities such as agility or obedience,” says Dr Greer. And don’t let their long coat scare you off; it can be kept shorter for easier maintenance.

Adjectives like playful and alert might not seem to fit into the calm dog breeds category, but the Havanese bestows a healthy balance of mellow and playful. This happy and delightful toy breed is so outgoing and affectionate that they are often used as therapy dogs. “All of the Havanese I have met have been wonderful and playful but not too much for a typical family, says certified professional dog trainer Nick Hof. Like any dog, they need some form of physical activity every day, but it can be a leisurely walk or playtime inside.

With a sniffer second only to the bloodhound, the Basset hound might occasionally ignore the family if it hits on a scent worth investigating. Still, a family can take it in stride and consider it a fun adventure of discovery. “They tend to be lower energy than others and love to follow a smell to their heart’s content. This can sometimes make them be considered stubborn or hard-headed, but in the right home, they can be a wonderful member of the family,” says Hof. The right home, Hof says, is one where its characteristics of being patient, loyal, low-key, and sometimes stubborn are expected and appreciated. After all, it’s not that difficult to accept the Basset hounds’ tendency to be a bit bull-headed when it’s so lovable and charming.

Here’s another exception to the rule when it comes to calm dog breeds of the terrier group. “Terriers as a whole tend to have a love of energy and tenacity, but the Border Terrier in my experience can be less intense while still having that bouncy energy that many terrier owners enjoy,” says Hof. This adorable scruffy and sturdy terrier isn’t as stubborn or independent as some of his terrier relatives and is pretty mellow and affectionate in the home. When it’s playtime outside, you might see the hallmark terrier traits of hunting as they might turn from playtime with the kids if they see a wild animal nearby. Dogs of all temperaments make better family members with training and socialisation.

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Source: RD.com