12 Calm Dog Breeds

There’s nothing better than coming home from a long day and being greeted by a wagging tail. Dogs truly are a human’s best friend. Depending on your own personality, you may prefer certain breeds over others. That can be because of a variety of things, including their size and temperament. Some people want a hiking buddy, while others want a TV-watching buddy. Both options are wonderful. Today, let’s focus on the latter: the calm dogs. Here are 12 great, calm dog breeds of all sizes.

Great Dane

As one of the largest dog breeds, Great Danes can be intimidating. In reality, they’re very friendly, affectionate, and loyal canines. They make great family pets, as they bond closely with their owners. They’re calm dogs with even temperaments, and they love to lounge on the couch with their people.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Working
• HEIGHT: 28 to 34 inches at the shoulder
• WEIGHT: 100 to 200 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Short hair in brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin (white with black patches), or mantle (black and white)
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 6 to 8 years

Bullmastiff

Bullmastiffs are another intimidating dog breed. They’re large-boned and muscular working dogs. Behind their tough exterior, they are affectionate, playful, family-friendly dogs. They are protectors and excellent guard dogs, but they’re also gentle with kids and friends. If you’re looking for a calm, friendly watchdog to protect your family, definitely consider a Bullmastiff.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Working
• HEIGHT: 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder
• WEIGHT: 100 to 130 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Short coat in fawn, red, or brindle
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 8 to 10 years

Pug

If smaller dogs are more your thing, you’ll love pugs. Their adorable wrinkly head, short nose, and often plump bodies will instantly bring a smile to your face. They have big personalities, but they are quite even-tempered. They are calm, but still like to play. Pugs are ideal pets for people who are mildly active, not sedentary.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Toy
• HEIGHT: 10 to 13 inches
• WEIGHT: 14 to 18 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Smooth, short double coat in fawn or black
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 13 to 15 years

French Bulldog

Otherwise known as Frenchies, French bulldogs are lovable, lively pets with charming features. With small, compact bodies and large, bat-like ears, Frenchies easily steal the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. If their adorable looks weren’t enough, their temperament is top-notch, too. French bulldogs are affectionate and friendly, but relatively calm and suitable for owners living in small spaces.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Non-sporting
• HEIGHT: 11 to 13 inches
• WEIGHT: 19 to 28 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Short, smooth coat in brindle, fawn, white, or combination of brindle and white or fawn and white
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 12 years

Newfoundland

A giant dog, the Newfoundland is a working dog breed. Newfoundlands, or Newfies, have a friendly personality and a gentle disposition. While they make magnificent, strong workers, they’re also calm and affectionate companion pets. They make great service dogs as well, as they have a natural instinct to protect.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Working
• HEIGHT: 26 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
• WEIGHT: 100 to 150 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Thick double coat in brown, black, gray, or black and white
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 9 to 10 years

Greyhound

Despite their reputation as award-winning racing dogs, Greyhounds are absolute couch potatoes. But don’t get us wrong, they’ll be active when they want to—they can run at speeds upwards of 45 miles per hour. But at home, they make excellent companions. They aren’t aggressive, and they’re great with kids. And there’s nowhere they’d rather be than snuggled up in a blanket on the couch.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Hound Group
• HEIGHT: 28 to 30 inches (male); 27-28 inches (female)
• WEIGHT: 65 to 70 pounds (male); 60-65 pounds (female)
• COAT AND COLOR: Short coat in black, blue, red, white, and combinations of those colors, plus the occasional addition of brindle patterns
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10-13 years

Basset Hound

With big, floppy ears and short, stout bodies, Basset Hounds have a unique look that has made them one of the most popular hound dogs. They’re often depicted in books or films as the charming companion pets of fun-loving characters in all scenarios. Basset Hounds are typically calm and mild-mannered, making them excellent family pets.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Hound
• HEIGHT: Up to 15 inches
• WEIGHT: 40 to 65 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Short coat with color combinations of black, mahogany, white, brown, red, and lemon
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 13 years

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are popular for a reason—they are affectionate, adorable, and family-friendly dogs with gentle dispositions. While their exercise needs are relatively low, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should still get regular walks, even if they’re slow.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Toy
• HEIGHT: 12 to 13 inches (to the withers)
• WEIGHT: around 13 to 18 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Long, sleek, and silky coat with feathering around ears, feet, chest, and tail. There are four color varieties: Tricolor, Blenheim, Ruby, and Black and Tan.
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 14 years

Bolognese

The Bolognese dog originated in Bologna, Italy, in the 11th century, where they were well loved by nobility for their calm, affectionate personalities. White and fluffy little dogs, Bolognese dogs can be wonderful family pets.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Foundation Stock Service
• HEIGHT: 10 to 12 inches at the shoulder
• WEIGHT: 5.5 to 9 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Long, cotton-like coat, sometimes cut short to reduce grooming needs; all white
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 14 years

Great Pyrenees

If you’re ready to welcome a (very) big dog into your life, the Great Pyrenees is a great pick. They’re large, calm dogs that are highly affectionate, and will get along with just about anyone, including kids and other pets. Historians believe they evolved from mountain sheepdogs in Central Asia that date back thousands of years, which would explain their majestic good looks.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Working
• HEIGHT: 25 to 32 inches at the shoulder
• WEIGHT: 100 to 150 pounds (males); 85 to 110 pounds (females)
• COAT AND COLOR: Thick double coat in white (may have markings of gray, tan, badger, or reddish-brown)
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 to 12 years

Irish Wolfhound

Do you have a soft spot for gentle giants? This is the dog breed for you. Irish Wolfhounds are big, shaggy, and stoic—three traits that make them look intimidating. But in reality, these dogs are extremely calm and even-tempered. Irish Wolfhounds have a long history of hunting wild animals, including elk, boar, and even wolves. Today, however, they earn their keep as lovable companion pets.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Hound
• HEIGHT: 30 to 32 inches
• WEIGHT: 120+ pounds (males), 100+ pounds (females)
• COAT AND COLOR: Double coat with a wiry appearance. Gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 6 to 8 years

Pekingese

The Pekingese is an ancient Chinese dog breed bred to be the pets of royalty. They’re loyal and attentive lap dogs with long, beautiful coats and adorable little bodies.

Breed Overview

• GROUP: Toy
• HEIGHT: 6 to 9 inches
• WEIGHT: Up to 14 pounds
• COAT AND COLOR: Long, thick double coat in variations of gold, red, or sable and occasionally black, tan, white, cream, and gray
• LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 14 years