If you’re choosing a dog for a calm household or a small apartment, knowing which breeds tend to be gentle can save time and stress. Matching a dog’s natural energy and temperament to your routine helps ensure a happier pet and owner.
There are 20 docile dog breeds, ranging from American Cocker Spaniel to Whippet; for each breed you’ll find below Scientific name, Size (kg / cm), Temperament to help you compare care needs and personality—you’ll find the details below.
How do I pick the most suitable calm breed for my lifestyle?
Look at energy level, size, grooming needs and typical temperament for living situation and family makeup; meet dogs in person, talk to breeders or rescue staff, and consider fostering first to see daily compatibility before committing.
Will calm breeds still need regular exercise and training?
Yes—gentle or low-energy breeds still require consistent walks, mental stimulation and basic training to stay healthy and well-behaved; their calmness usually reflects temperament, not lack of needs.
Docile Dog Breeds
| Breed | Scientific name | Size (kg / cm) | Temperament |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris | 5-8 kg / 30-33 cm | Affectionate, calm, gentle, very people-oriented |
| Basset Hound | Canis lupus familiaris | 23-29 kg / 30-38 cm | Laid-back, tolerant, steady, low reactivity |
| French Bulldog | Canis lupus familiaris | 8-14 kg / 28-33 cm | Playful, calm, affectionate, low reactivity |
| English Bulldog | Canis lupus familiaris | 18-25 kg / 31-40 cm | Docile, steady, affectionate, low-energy |
| Shih Tzu | Canis lupus familiaris | 4-7 kg / 20-27 cm | Friendly, calm, people-focused, tolerant |
| Pug | Canis lupus familiaris | 6-8 kg / 25-30 cm | Affectionate, easygoing, social, low-strung |
| Maltese | Canis lupus familiaris | 3-4 kg / 20-25 cm | Gentle, affectionate, calm indoors, adaptable |
| Bichon Frise | Canis lupus familiaris | 5-10 kg / 23-30 cm | Cheerful, gentle, adaptable, low reactivity |
| Greyhound | Canis lupus familiaris; sighthound ancestry | 25-40 kg / 68-76 cm | Calm indoors, gentle, low reactivity, docile |
| Whippet | Canis lupus familiaris; sighthound ancestry | 9-20 kg / 45-56 cm | Quiet indoors, affectionate, low-reactivity, gentle |
| Boston Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 4-11 kg / 38-43 cm | Friendly, calm, adaptable, easygoing |
| Great Dane | Canis lupus familiaris; mastiff-type ancestry | 45-90 kg / 71-86 cm | Gentle giant, calm, affectionate, tolerant |
| English Mastiff | Canis lupus familiaris; mastiff-type ancestry | 54-100 kg / 70-91 cm | Steady, placid, gentle, family-oriented |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Canis lupus familiaris | 35-55 kg / 58-70 cm | Calm, affectionate, patient, family-focused |
| Clumber Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris | 23-39 kg / 43-51 cm | Docile, steady, gentle, people-oriented |
| American Cocker Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris | 11-14 kg / 36-41 cm | Affectionate, gentle, people-focused, adaptable |
| Japanese Chin | Canis lupus familiaris | 2-4 kg / 20-28 cm | Delicate, calm, affectionate, companionable |
| Newfoundland | Canis lupus familiaris | 45-68 kg / 63-74 cm | Gentle, patient, highly tolerant, family-oriented |
| Saint Bernard | Canis lupus familiaris | 54-82 kg / 65-90 cm | Calm, patient, affectionate, tolerant |
| Italian Greyhound | Canis lupus familiaris; sighthound ancestry | 3-5 kg / 32-38 cm | Delicate, calm, affectionate, low reactivity indoors |
Images and Descriptions
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A small British toy spaniel prized for its soft temperament and eagerness to please. Excellent with children and other pets, adapts well to apartments. Needs daily short walks and regular grooming to keep coat healthy and tidy.
Basset Hound
A slow-moving scent hound with a famously mellow demeanor. Great for families and calm homes; tolerates handling and children. Requires minimal intense exercise but benefits from regular walks; grooming and ear care are important.
French Bulldog
Compact, sociable companion dog well-suited to apartments and family life. Very tolerant of handling and children though can snore and overheat easily. Needs short daily activity and routine cleaning of facial folds; moderate grooming.
English Bulldog
A stout, low-energy breed known for calm, patient behavior with kids and other pets. Ideal for quiet households and apartments but sensitive to heat and requires careful health monitoring. Short walks suffice; moderate grooming and skin-fold care needed.
Shih Tzu
A long-haired toy breed that enjoys indoor living and human company. Very tolerant of handling and suitable for families and apartments. Regular grooming and brushing are necessary; exercise needs are low to moderate.
Pug
A compact, cheerful companion that thrives in homes and apartments. Good with children and other pets, though prone to respiratory sensitivity. Needs short daily walks, regular weight control, and routine face-fold cleaning.
Maltese
A tiny, long-coated companion breed known for gentle, people-oriented behavior. Excellent for apartment living and families who want a calm lap dog. Requires daily grooming and short regular walks for mental stimulation.
Bichon Frise
A small, friendly breed well-suited for families and apartment life. Tolerant and playful without being overly excitable. Needs regular grooming and daily moderate exercise to stay mentally and physically healthy.
Greyhound
A surprisingly calm sighthound that becomes a placid indoor companion despite sprinting bursts. Adapts well to apartments with adequate daily walks. Gentle with children and other dogs; minimal grooming and moderate exercise needs.
Whippet
A medium-small sighthound known for calm home behavior and friendly disposition. Great in apartments if given short daily runs or walks. Tolerant of handling, good with families, and requires minimal grooming.
Boston Terrier
A small, sturdy companion breed that thrives in apartments and family settings. Typically calm and tolerant of children, with moderate exercise needs. Short coats are low-maintenance; watch for brachycephalic breathing issues in hot weather.
Great Dane
A large, affectionate “gentle giant” that is surprisingly calm indoors and good with families. Needs space but adapts to apartment life if exercised. Requires daily walks, minimal grooming, and attention to joint health and diet.
English Mastiff
A massive, calm breed known for steady, tolerant behavior with children and visitors. Suited to relaxed homes rather than small apartments; needs regular moderate exercise and careful weight management. Grooming needs are modest.
Bernese Mountain Dog
A large Swiss working breed with a gentle, loyal temperament ideal for families. Tolerant of children and other pets but needs regular exercise and space. Heavy seasonal shedding and moderate grooming required.
Clumber Spaniel
A heavier spaniel breed noted for slow, calm behavior and affectionate nature. Good with children and tolerant of handling; prefers relaxed homes. Requires regular grooming and daily walks rather than high-intensity exercise.
American Cocker Spaniel
A sociable, family-friendly spaniel with a gentle temperament well-suited to homes and apartments. Needs regular grooming and moderate daily exercise; typically good with children and other pets when socialized.
Japanese Chin
A small, aristocratic companion breed that enjoys indoor living and gentle handling. Excellent for apartments and quiet homes; requires limited exercise and careful grooming of its fine coat.
Newfoundland
A large, famously gentle breed excellent with children and family life. Calm and patient, suited to homes with space rather than tiny apartments. Requires regular grooming, swimming or moderate exercise, and strength-aware handling.
Saint Bernard
A very large, gentle rescue and family dog known for tolerant, placid behavior. Suited to families and calm homes; not ideal for very small living spaces. Requires moderate exercise, daily social time, and regular grooming.
Italian Greyhound
A tiny sighthound with a soft, affectionate temperament indoors and low general reactivity. Great for apartments and lap-oriented families; enjoys short daily runs and needs protection from cold due to thin coat.
