Calmest dog breeds

In short The calmest breeds don’t need hours of running about — they’re happy to live at an easy pace beside their person. A good choice for the home, older people and a quiet rhythm.
How we rated

The lower the “Energy” score, the higher the position. We factored in the need for exercise and overall steadiness.

Rankings:For apartmentsFor kidsFor beginnersMost affectionateQuietestHypoallergenicActiveSmartestGuard dogsLargestSmallestLongest-livedHealthiestCalmestCat-friendlyCold-hardyHunting dogsNon-drooling
1PekingesePekingeseEnergy 1.5Apartment 4.5Family 4.03.52Chow ChowChow ChowEnergy 2.0Apartment 3.0Family 3.53.03Basset HoundBasset HoundEnergy 2.0Apartment 3.5Family 4.03.04St. BernardSt. BernardEnergy 2.0Apartment 1.5Family 4.53.05Spanish MastiffSpanish MastiffEnergy 2.0Apartment 1.5Family 4.03.06Neapolitan MastiffNeapolitan MastiffEnergy 2.0Apartment 1.5Family 4.03.07English BulldogEnglish BulldogEnergy 2.0Apartment 5.0Family 5.03.08English MastiffEnglish MastiffEnergy 2.0Apartment 2.0Family 5.03.09Shih TzuShih TzuEnergy 2.0Apartment 4.5Family 4.53.010Irish WolfhoundIrish WolfhoundEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 5.02.511Moscow WatchdogMoscow WatchdogEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.52.512Mi-KiMi-KiEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.513Kangal Shepherd DogKangal Shepherd DogEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.02.514Kai LeoKai LeoEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.515American Lo-Sze PugAmerican Lo-Sze PugEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.516Japanese ChinJapanese ChinEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.517PugPugEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.518French BulldogFrench BulldogEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.519BologneseBologneseEnergy 2.5Apartment 4.5Family 5.02.520King Charles SpanielKing Charles SpanielEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.521Lhasa ApsoLhasa ApsoEnergy 2.5Apartment 4.5Family 4.02.522Shar PeiShar PeiEnergy 2.5Apartment 3.5Family 3.52.523ŠarplaninacŠarplaninacEnergy 2.5Apartment 2.0Family 4.02.524Pyrenean MastiffPyrenean MastiffEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.0Family 5.02.525Rafeiro do AlentejoRafeiro do AlentejoEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.52.526NewfoundlandNewfoundlandEnergy 2.5Apartment 2.0Family 5.02.527Pyrenean Mountain DogPyrenean Mountain DogEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.52.528Tibetan MastiffTibetan MastiffEnergy 2.5Apartment 2.0Family 4.02.529Dogue de BordeauxDogue de BordeauxEnergy 2.5Apartment 2.0Family 4.52.530BullmastiffBullmastiffEnergy 2.5Apartment 3.0Family 4.52.5
FAQ
Which breeds are the calmest?
Pug, bulldogs, Basset Hound, Newfoundland, many large molossers — they’re content to rest at an easy pace.
Is a calm breed suitable for an apartment?
Usually yes — a low need for exercise fits well with indoor living.
Do calm dogs not need walks?
They do, but moderate ones — even calm breeds need daily walks for health and weight.
Т
The tvaryny.com editors — canine experts and vets
Ranking based on structured breed ratings. Updated regularly.