Which Are the Calmest Dog Breeds?

If we're thinking about sharing our home with a dog, the most important thing is that our lifestyle and their needs match, to avoid problems. Whether we choose a mixed-breed dog or a purebred, we need to inform ourselves.

So, if we lead a calm life, it's best to go for an adult dog with a calm, balanced temperament. Below, we've put together the calmest breeds you can choose from.

What Do We Mean by a "Calm" Dog?

A calm dog will have a peaceful temperament, making it easy to keep at home. It'll also get along well with other animals, whether of its own species or another. These aren't dominant or aggressive dogs, nor do they look to fight with other dogs.

A dog being calm doesn't mean it shouldn't exercise. Physical activity is essential for every dog, regardless of temperament. The advantage of this type of dog is that they can be intensely active outdoors and stay relaxed at home.

A dog's calm temperament doesn't depend on its size, which is why this list includes both large and small breeds. We should also always keep mixed-breed dogs in mind, since they're a great option too. Shelters can give us all the information about their temperament.

Podenco, a Very Calm Dog

There are different types of Podencos that share similar traits. We use "Podenco," in general, to represent hunting dogs. On that note, we could also include Galgos here. We're highlighting this type of dog first because of the myths surrounding it.

There's a widespread idea that, being hunting dogs, they can't live indoors. The truth is that, in general, both Podencos and Galgos, no matter how much activity they need, tend to be very calm and relaxed indoors. So there's no need to fear adopting one.

We can find Podencos of different sizes and coats. They have an average life expectancy of about 12 years. They tend to be intelligent and affectionate, though some can seem skittish at first. Also, contrary to popular belief, many can live perfectly well with animals like cats.

Labrador, a Super Calm Breed

This breed of British origin started out as a hunting dog, but today it's an excellent family dog that can also be trained for assistance work. It's large and sturdy, with a short coat in yellow, chocolate, or black.

It adapts to both city and country living and gets along well with dogs and other animals. The Labrador is especially good with children and easy to train. Its weight ranges between 25-34 kg, and we should watch its diet, since it's prone to weight gain. It measures around 54-57 cm on average and lives about 12-14 years.

Golden, Calmer Than a Flowerpot

The Golden Retriever is another breed of English origin with similar traits to the Labrador, but with some physical differences, like a semi-long, cream or golden-colored coat. It's an excellent companion pet that can also do assistance work.

Golden Retrievers weigh around 27-36 kg on average and stand between 51 and 61 cm tall. Their life expectancy ranges from 13 to 15 years. Like the Labrador, it's very good with children and other animals. It can live outdoors or in a city apartment. It has good resilience to harsh weather and is easy to train.

English Bulldog, the Calmest of All

The English Bulldog is a relatively small dog, about 31-36 cm tall, but built like a much bigger one. With a wide chest and neck and a brachycephalic head, it can weigh between 23 and 25 kg. As its name suggests, its origins are British. It was used for bull-baiting, though today it's a companion dog.

Its life expectancy is around 9-11 years. These are friendly dogs with other pets and very tolerant with children. They can live perfectly well in the city, since their exercise needs are low. It's important to keep them away from high temperatures, since due to their anatomy they can suffer breathing difficulties and dangerous heatstroke.

Saint Bernard, Giant but Laid-Back

This giant-sized breed has become well known thanks to the movies, but precisely because of its huge size and the difficulty of housing it in apartments, it's not that widespread as a companion dog. It can reach 91 kg in weight and up to 71 cm tall.

Despite its size, or perhaps because of it, it's a very calm, gentle dog, even with children. In the past, the Saint Bernard was used to transport goods in Switzerland, its country of origin. It's used to withstanding cold temperatures. That said, due to the shape of its lips, it does drool quite a bit.

Shih Tzu, Small and Cuddly

Among small dog breeds, which tend to be restless and barky, the Shih Tzu stands out for its calmness, which makes it a very manageable dog. Its origins lie in China, where it was part of the Emperor's court. These dogs weigh between 5-7 kg and stand about 25-27 cm tall, with a life expectancy of 13-14 years.

They're very good with children and can live perfectly well in an apartment. They adapt to any climate and live without issues alongside other animals. They have a long, beautiful coat that will need daily care and regular grooming visits to keep its spectacular look.

French Bulldog, a Storm Outside, Calm at Home

This breed has been one of the most popular in households for a few years now, and in this case it's thanks to its good temperament. This dog from France, as its name suggests, was originally used for bull-baiting — nothing like its current life as a companion dog. It's very good with children and other animals.

It weighs between 10-13 kg and measures about 30-31 cm. Its life expectancy ranges between 11-12 years. It adapts perfectly to city life and doesn't need excessive care, given its short coat. That said, it's prone to various health issues, like respiratory problems from its brachycephaly, and skin conditions.

• More Information on the French Bulldog