If you don't have much time to spend hours each day walking your dog, then a laid-back dog breed could be for you. Keep reading to find out which breeds are more than happy to curl up and snooze on the sofa.
There are some dogs who are constantly on the go every minute of the day and are always ready to jump into any adventure or activity with all four paws. But there are other calm dog breeds who after a daily walk, are quite happy to snuggle up and snooze on the sofa.
If your schedule is far too busy for a high energy dog and you just want a buddy you can chill out with, then you might want to consider a quiet dog breed. Keep reading for our top five laid back dog breeds that you're more likely to trip over snoring, than find underneath your feet looking for games!
Calm dog breeds
Calm dog breeds are ideal if you have a busy schedule or if you live in an apartment and don't have lots of space for your pooch to run around. Where our top five calm and lazy dog breeds may not require as much exercise as high energy breeds, it's still important that they're regularly walked to stimulate their brains and to prevent any destructive behaviours forming.
1. Bassett Hound
When they're not hot on a trail following a scent, this laid back dog breed is usually found lounging on the sofa, patiently awaiting their next snack. They're known for their gentle natures while inside the house, but are also always up for an adventure out on a walk, and love nothing more than to engage their natural instincts and sniff out a trail.
Although the Basset Hound is a calm dog breed, it's important that they're regularly exercised and that their diet is monitored as they're prone to obesity.
2. Bullmastiff
Although this dog breed is large and muscly in appearance, Bullmastiffs often think they're little lapdogs! This quiet dog breed is extremely loyal but they don't like to be left alone, so it's not a good idea to consider a Bullmastiff if you spend a lot of time away from home.
Known for their protective tendencies, their intense love of family and general relaxed nature, they're happiest when spending time at home with their family members, curled up on your lap and having you make a fuss of them.
3. Sighthounds
Despite being super-fast movers, Sighthounds such as Deerhounds, Whippets, Greyhounds and Irish Wolfhounds are all laid back dog breeds. They prefer their exercise to be short and sweet, followed by long bursts of sleeping to restore their energy.
All sighthound owners agree that once you let one into your home they're easy to fall in love with. Their natures are gentle and kind, and they also tend to relax in weird positions on the sofa! A sighthound is ideal if you're looking for the perfect couch potato.
4. Maltese
The Maltese is a calm dog breed that requires little exercise (although they should still be walked every day) whose favourite way to spend their time is snuggled with their owner. Despite their small size they make impressive guard dogs and loyal companions.
It's generally not a good idea to consider a Maltese if you have small children as they may snap or nip at fingers. Maltese are also known to suffer from separation anxiety so these are not suitable for owners who spend a lot of time away, but if you have enough time to spend with one they're an incredibly loving and loyal dog breed.
5. St. Bernard
This dog breed looks like a giant cuddly teddy bear and it may surprise you to learn that they're also extremely laid back! Known for their strong love for their family members, they're incredibly patient and gentle. If you don't have much time to spend on exercising your dog, they're low energy and a moderate daily walk is enough to satisfy their needs.
Although they are a very quiet dog breed, the St. Bernard is not suitable for apartment living due to their giant size. They make perfect family pets due to their kind temperament, but they're not ideal if you have very small children as they can accidentally knock them over.
Are Brachycephalic types lazy dog breeds?
Many breeds that people consider to be traditionally 'lazy dog breeds' are those with flat faces and squashed noses (known as brachycephalic breeds) such as Bulldogs and Pugs. These dogs have compromised airways and spend their entire lives struggling to breathe, so often if they're acting 'lazy' it's mostly due to their inability to breathe, rather than having an actually laid back nature.
Brachycephalic breeds have been subject to poor breeding practices and with the extreme popularity of pugs and bulldogs, some breeders in the UK are still not breeding for health and welfare first.
These five calm and lazy dog breeds are ideal if you suffer from low energy or don't have enough time to spend walking and playing with a high energy breed for hours on end. Always remember that despite being low energy, these dog breeds still requite regular walks and exercise to maintain their weight and engage their brains.
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