17 Easy-Going Dog Breeds

Easy-going dog breeds are all-time favorites. They are perfect for people with laid-back lifestyles. These calm dog breeds can be relied on to maintain their composure in certain situations. Unlike some canine breeds, these dogs tend to adapt easily to certain situations, thus they don’t get stressed easily. Also, these dogs have less potential for developing undesirable behaviors. They also thrive well in multi-pet households and make ideal pets for families with kids. Their easy-going temperaments make them great therapy dogs, herd dogs, or guardians.

Here are 17 best dog breeds that are known for their easy-going and calm personalities:

1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel traces its roots to the Renaissance times. These sweet dogs were royal favorites. Their affectionate nature makes them great pets for families with kids. Cavs make great therapy dogs and are ideal for homes that need emotional support. Although they like being lapdogs, their close ties with sporting spaniels make them also active breeds that enjoy regular physical activity.

2. Bernard

St. Bernard’s are well-loved for their patient and easy-going nature. These gentle giants are not as playful with children and can be stubborn at times. They may not bark much, but when they do, it’s deafening. Thus, they don’t make ideal pets for apartment dwellers or those who prefer peace and quiet. These low-energy dogs require daily moderate exercise to burn excess energy. As for their grooming needs, their hair coats will also need weekly brushing, not to mention having to deal with their drool.

3. Great Dane

Great Danes are friendly and generally well-mannered. Even with their tall height, they make excellent pets for families with children, but they may be overwhelming for small kids. They can easily make friends with other dogs and pets and thrive well in homes with several pets around them. Being the tallest of the easy-going canine breeds, this calm large dog breed will be grateful to have a soft bed and plenty of room to stretch out their tall bodies.

4. Bullmastiff

Bullmastiffs make excellent guard dogs, but they are very gentle and extremely devoted pets. However, these dogs can be stubborn and may behave aggressively towards unfamiliar dogs. These gentle giants need to have a strong alpha leader to keep them in check. They are good pets for families with kids especially if raised with them. Their grooming needs are minimal but be prepared to deal with some drooling and snoring.

5. Newfoundland

These big dogs are often considered as the most easy-going of the canine breeds. They are well-loved for their sweet, calm, and patient nature. They are generally easy-going but can be protective of their humans. Newfies benefit from daily physical activity and loves to swim every now and then. They are unable to tolerate hot weather conditions. Their thick hair coats need thorough brushing at least twice a week, but they can be big droolers!

6. Great Pyrenees

If you’re looking for a dog that is very gentle with children and is devoted to his humans, the Great Pyrenees is the right one for you. Their suspicious nature makes them excellent watch and guard dogs. A strong and consistent alpha leader can keep a tight lid on their independent and stubborn streak. Positive reinforcement is very important during training. And these dogs do bark a lot, making them unsuitable for homes that prefer a quieter environment. Although they are not heavy shedders, they can benefit from hair brushing once or twice weekly, particularly during the shedding season.

7. Greyhound

Greyhounds are quite timid and sensitive. Outdoors, they can run like the wind when they spot anything that moves. But when indoors, they tend to remain quiet and well-mannered. Greyhounds need daily physical activity such as a quick run around the block or a longer leash walk. They are among the low maintenance dog breeds when it comes to grooming.

8. Bergamasco

Bergamascos belong to the herding group. They were originally bred to assist sheep and goat farmers in guarding and herding livestock. These dogs are independent-minded, gentle, and fun-loving. They make ideal pets for families and can do well with other dogs and pets. Long walks can help meet their exercise needs. Their hair coat requires extensive grooming especially when the full coat emerges when they are between 9-12 months of age. But after this, their hair coat won’t need as much brushing and bathing.

9. Bulldog

Bulldogs are known for their stubbornness. Yet, they are well-loved for their mellow personalities. They are generally friendly towards other dogs, pets, kids, and even strangers. But some bulldogs can display aggressive behavior towards strange dogs. Their short noses make it impossible for them to tolerate hot weather conditions or extensive physical activity. They are also prone to drooling, wheezing, or snoring because of their brachycephalic head.

10. Basset Hound

Basset hounds are among the most easy-going breeds around. They can do well with other dogs, other pets, and children. But kids should be taught how to handle and/or play with them to prevent putting a strain on the dog’s back and causing injury. They will benefit from a daily exercise or physical activity and their grooming needs are minimal. Since they drool, regular grooming around the mouth and their wrinkles should be done to prevent odor buildup.

11. Clumber Spaniel

Clumber spaniels are notorious for being couch potatoes. They are always on the lookout for opportunities to curl up on a comfortable surface to sleep. These dogs are perhaps the most laid-back among the medium dog breeds. They will even greet intruders and burglars with wagging tails!

12. Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex spaniel is often considered the calmest among the spaniels. They can do well in both urban and rural living. But they can be very vocal, thus they are rarely used during hunts. They won’t make good apartment dogs because they tend to bark or howl. But these dogs are known for their calm and mellow temperament. A short romp or walk around the yard can already meet their exercise needs adequately. Their hair coat needs brushing at least 2-3 times a week. Like other spaniels, their droopy ears will also need extra care and attention.

13. Pug

Pugs are playful, calm, and good-natured. They live to please their humans, but they can be stubborn and headstrong. Their short noses and pushed-back faces make it hard for them to tolerate hot weather. Physical activity with your pug should be done indoors or when the day is cooler. Their short hair coat doesn’t need as much brushing but the skin folds on their face do require regular care and attention.

14. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are your quintessential lapdogs. They are very devoted family pets. They always love to stay glued to their favorite human. The breed’s small size makes them very appealing to kids who might think of them as fuzzy toys, thus close supervision is necessary. It’s important to teach children how to handle these small dogs properly. The breed’s long and extensive hair coat needs brushing several times weekly to prevent mats and tangles.

15. Collie

Well-loved as lassie, collies are very smart and sensitive. They can easily be trained using positive training methods. There are long-coat collies and short-coat varieties. These dogs are known for their affectionate and loyal nature and being protective of their humans. They are also great with children.

16. French Bulldog

You can hardly miss a French bulldog because they look like toy bulldogs with large bat ears. The Frenchie has a happy and friendly disposition. Their exercise needs are quite minimal, making them ideal for apartment living.

17. Golden Retriever

The winning personality of golden retrievers makes them excellent pets for families with children of all ages. These dogs are so friendly even with strangers. They are very smart and have a strong desire to please their humans. They are among the most devoted family pets. Golden retrievers will require moderate exercise to burn pent-up energy and their hair coat will benefit from hair brushing at least 2-3 times a week.