Calm dog breeds and couch potatoes

Dreaming of a couch companion rather than an athlete? Here are the least energetic breeds: gentle walks are enough for them, and they love a nap.

Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.

Refine with your own criteria

English Bulldog

England · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Small · very calm · low coat care

Demanding to train
Saint Bernard

Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · very calm · average coat care

Sheds a lot
Bullmastiff

England · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Large · very calm · minimal coat care

Not suited to apartment living
Pekingese

China · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · very calm · very high coat care

Sheds a lot
French Bulldog

France · Companion and toy dogs

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Shih Tzu

Tibet / China · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · calm · very high coat care

High-maintenance coat
Pug

China · Companion and toy dogs

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Great Dane

Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · calm · minimal coat care

Not suited to apartment living
Basset Hound

Great Britain · Scent hounds

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Newfoundland

Newfoundland, Canada · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · calm · high coat care

Sheds a lot
Lhasa Apso

Tibet · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · calm · very high coat care

High-maintenance coat
Chow Chow

China · Spitz and primitive types

Medium · calm · high coat care

Sheds a lot
Dogue de Bordeaux

France · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Large · calm · low coat care

Not suited to apartment living
Shar Pei

China · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Medium · calm · low coat care

Demanding to train
Great Pyrenees

Pyrenees Mountains, France · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · calm · average coat care

Sheds a lot
Irish Wolfhound

Ireland · Sighthounds

Giant · calm · low coat care

Not suited to apartment living
Tibetan Mastiff

Tibet · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · calm · high coat care

Sheds a lot
Japanese Chin

Japan · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · calm · average coat care

Sensitive to heat
Clumber Spaniel

England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Medium · calm · average coat care

Sheds a lot
Greyhound

Great Britain · Sighthounds

Large · calm · minimal coat care

Avoid with cats
King Charles Spaniel

England · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · calm · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Russia · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · calm · average coat care

Sheds a lot

The most energetic breeds

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