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 affectionateQuietestHypoallergenicActiveSmartestСторожовіНайбільшіНайменшіДовгожителіНайздоровішіНайспокійнішіДружні до котівМорозостійкіМисливськіНе слиняві
1
PekingeseEnergy 1.5Apartment 4.5Family 4.03.52
Chow ChowEnergy 2.0Apartment 3.0Family 3.53.03
Basset HoundEnergy 2.0Apartment 3.5Family 4.03.04
English BulldogEnergy 2.0Apartment 5.0Family 5.03.05
English MastiffEnergy 2.0Apartment 2.0Family 5.03.06
Shih TzuEnergy 2.0Apartment 4.5Family 4.53.07
Rafeiro do AlentejoEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.52.58
Pyrenean Mastiff (Mastín del Pirineo)Energy 2.5Apartment 1.0Family 5.02.59
Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mountain Dog)Energy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.52.510
Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)Energy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 3.52.511
Irish WolfhoundEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 5.02.512
Moscow WatchdogEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.52.513
Mi-KiEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.514
Kangal Shepherd DogEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.02.515
Kai LeoEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.516
American Lo-Sze PugEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.517
Japanese ChinEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.518
PugEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.519
French BulldogEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.520
BologneseEnergy 2.5Apartment 4.5Family 5.02.521
King Charles SpanielEnergy 2.5Apartment 5.0Family 5.02.522
Lhasa ApsoEnergy 2.5Apartment 4.5Family 4.02.523
Shar PeiEnergy 2.5Apartment 3.5Family 3.52.524
ŠarplaninacEnergy 2.5Apartment 2.0Family 4.02.525
BroholmerEnergy 2.5Apartment 2.0Family 5.02.526
Caucasian Shepherd DogEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 3.52.527
Clumber SpanielEnergy 2.5Apartment 3.0Family 4.52.528
Tatra Shepherd DogEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 4.52.529
Romanian Mioritic Shepherd DogEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.0Family 4.52.530
KomondorEnergy 2.5Apartment 1.5Family 3.52.5FAQ
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.