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.
1
Pekingese
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.0
3.5
2
English Bulldog
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
3.0
3
Shih Tzu
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
3.0
4
Basset Hound
Apartment 3.5
Family 4.0
3.0
5
Chow Chow
Apartment 3.0
Family 3.5
3.0
6
English Mastiff
Apartment 2.0
Family 5.0
3.0
7
St. Bernard
Apartment 1.5
Family 4.5
3.0
8
Neapolitan Mastiff
Apartment 1.5
Family 4.0
3.0
9
Spanish Mastiff
Apartment 1.5
Family 4.0
3.0
10
American Lo-Sze Pug
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
11
French Bulldog
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
12
Japanese Chin
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
13
Kai Leo
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
14
King Charles Spaniel
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
15
Mi-Ki
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
16
Pug
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
17
Bolognese
Apartment 4.5
Family 5.0
2.5
18
Lhasa Apso
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.0
2.5
19
Shar Pei
Apartment 3.5
Family 3.5
2.5
20
Bullmastiff
Apartment 3.0
Family 4.5
2.5
Pekingese
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.0
3.5
2
English Bulldog
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
3.0
3
Shih Tzu
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.5
3.0
4
Basset Hound
Apartment 3.5
Family 4.0
3.0
5
Chow Chow
Apartment 3.0
Family 3.5
3.0
6
English Mastiff
Apartment 2.0
Family 5.0
3.0
7
St. Bernard
Apartment 1.5
Family 4.5
3.0
8
Neapolitan Mastiff
Apartment 1.5
Family 4.0
3.0
9
Spanish Mastiff
Apartment 1.5
Family 4.0
3.0
10
American Lo-Sze Pug
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
11
French Bulldog
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
12
Japanese Chin
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
13
Kai Leo
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
14
King Charles Spaniel
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
15
Mi-Ki
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
16
Pug
Apartment 5.0
Family 5.0
2.5
17
Bolognese
Apartment 4.5
Family 5.0
2.5
18
Lhasa Apso
Apartment 4.5
Family 4.0
2.5
19
Shar Pei
Apartment 3.5
Family 3.5
2.5
20
Bullmastiff
Apartment 3.0
Family 4.5
2.5
How the ranking is built
order: Energy (lower is better) → Apartment → Family → breed · list composition as on the site, order by this rule
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.