The Top Ten Calmest Dog Breeds in Westminster, CO
There is a dog out there for everyone. Some people want a dog that is incredibly playful, and others prefer a dog that is calmer in nature. There are actually many dog breeds, of all sizes, that are considered universally to be low-key, calm, and very sociable with people. In this article, we will identify the top ten calmest dog breeds. Remember, it’s always best practice to do some research on the dog breed you are interested in adopting, before you adopt them. Do some reading (like reading this article), talk to a dog trainer, or even talk to your veterinarian for advice and information. This is especially important if you are a first-time dog owner. Alright, let’s get right into it and identify the ten calmest dog breeds that could potentially be a great choice for you!
Small Breeds
Some people, especially those that live in apartments, or have a small home, prefer dogs on the smaller side. These breeds are the calmest, coolest, and well-adjustable small breeds that we can think of!
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These adorable Spaniels are very affectionate. They are great with children, older people, and are even typically very trusting of all people. They stay small, usually weighing about 15-18 pounds in their mature years. These dogs have a strong desire to please their humans, making them easily trainable. They are also good with other animals, so they would be a great choice for someone who already has pets, and would like to adopt another.
Whippet
Whippets, or Italian Greyhounds, are a much smaller type of greyhound. Because Whippets are descended from greyhounds, they have a similar shape, and are very fast. However, they spend most of their time napping. These little guys can weigh as little as 10-15 pounds, relatively small, and can reach a weight of up to 35 pounds. While relatively low-maintenance, Whippets do enjoy exercise, and with a fenced in yard, you can let them exhaust themselves, and enjoy the cuddles for the rest of the day. These are very good apartment dogs, not only because of their size, but because they are very quiet.
Medium Sized Breeds
Not too big, and not too small, the dogs in this section are the Goldilocks of dogs!
English Cocker Spaniel
These beautiful dogs are quite similar to the King Charles Spaniels discussed in the previous section. They are slightly bigger, usually weighing between 30-35 pounds. This breed was originally used as a hunting dog/gun dog, so they do need some exercise and stimulation, but certainly not as much as a high-energy breed. Cocker Spaniels are typically good with other dogs, cats, and with children. They have a beautiful, silky, wavy coat, which will require some level of maintenance. Like the King Charles Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniels are also quite easy to train, and make great family dogs!
Basset Hound
Ah, the humble Basset Hound. Some may be surprised to find a hound on this list, but the Basset Hound is built a bit different than most hounds. Some of them, because of their roots as hound dogs, can be noisy. Some of them bark and howl, so they are probably not the best option for apartment living, unless you can find an individual Basset that is on the quieter side, or your apartment is very dog friendly. They weigh about 40-60 pounds, which may be too big for some people, but they are low to the ground, and usually are low energy, so you don’t need to worry that a Basset will pull you down the street uncontrollably. These dogs do not need much grooming, with their short hair, with the exception of sometimes needing to clean their famously long ears.
Large Breeds
Do you prefer a bigger dog? One that will be tolerant of children, quiet, and well-behaved? Picking a dog from the large breeds to the gentle giants is the best of both worlds. You’ll enjoy the benefits of a large dog without having to exercise them constantly, like Shepherds, Retrievers, and Huskies.
Irish Wolfhound
Some people may not be very familiar with this elusive and somewhat rare breed. Similar to Greyhounds, the Irish Wolfhound was bred for speed. They weigh about 100 pounds, but don’t let that scare you. Irish Wolfhounds are amongst the absolute calmest of large breeds. And, similar to the Basset Hound, these dogs have a slightly lower than average life expectancy, at about 6-10 years of age. Again, it’s best to be prepared emotionally for owning this type of dog. While these dogs love to lay around the house, they are not recommended with very small children, simply because of their size. Their personality makes them great family dogs, and are patient and quiet around older children. It’s also important to remember that a female Irish Wolfhound is markedly smaller than a male. A male can weigh up to 150 pounds!
Greyhound
Finally, we have reached the glorious Greyhound, in all of his glory. Greyhounds are affectionate, loyal, and cuddly dogs. Just like the Whippets and Irish Wolfhounds, Greyhounds are sighthounds. They were originally bred for racing, making them one of the fastest breeds in the world. However, they much prefer to spend their time on your couch or on a cozy dog bed. Greyhounds tend to weigh about 60-90 pounds, and are very tall. Most Greyhound owners would describe them as gentle, quiet, and patient. While they are widely healthy dogs, they are prone to bloat and gastric torsion (a condition in which the dog’s stomach swells and twists inside their bodies, and can be life-threatening), so it is best to talk to your veterinarian about common ways to avoid these scary events. It’s also important to remember that this breed gets cold very easily. Some owners use sweaters and boots for walking outside in the cold weather.
Giant Breeds
Up until this point, there have been just a few breeds in each size category, but you may be surprised to find out that there are many giant breeds that are are kind, low energy and patient. If you have the space and the strength for dogs this big, you just might meet your best friend in this section!
Great Dane
No one who has met a Dane will be surprised to see them on this list. They are typically very good with other animals, children, and people in general. While they are quite big, weighing about 150-175 pounds, Danes are typically fantastic family pets, but just like the Irish Wolfhounds, they are not recommended with very small children, because of their size. These gentle giants have earned the title of “Apollo of Dogs” due to their laid back and patient nature. Like most giant breeds, Danes typically have a short life span of 6-8 years. It’s important to remember this when making the decision to adopt one.
English Mastiff
While some breeds of mastiffs are indeed quite high energy, like Italian and French Mastiffs, the English Mastiff is the opposite. Similar to many of the large dogs on this list, an English Mastiff will need a bit more space to live in, but only due to size, not temperament. Be mindful of their enormous size before adopting one – they can weigh up to 220 pounds! The females tend to be a bit smaller, but will still be over 100 pounds, at least. Unlike most of the dogs on this list, the mastiff is extremely protective of their family. Be sure to be aware of this and consider whether or not this dog would be too much for you, or if you live in a shared home, or in a city with lots of people around. They are largely quiet, calm, and patient, and are easy to train. Another word of warning for this type of dog – prepare to be drooled on!
Leonberger
These massive, but gentle and calm, dogs are named from the town in Germany of Leonberg, from which they are thought to have originated. As far as maintenance, Leonbergers have a long coat, which will need regular grooming to their hair from getting matted. Just like Danes and Mastiffs, males tend to be larger, at about 125-175 pounds, and females tend to not exceed 150 pounds. Most owners of these special dogs would describe them as elegant and graceful.
Saint Bernard
Everyone loves St. Bernards! They tend to be the first thing most people think of when they think of a large, calm dog. Like most giant breeds, their life expectancy is short, at 8-10 years. They weigh between 140-180 pounds. St. Bernards are friendly, affectionate, playful, and great with older children! Because they also have a longer coat, and are double coated, they will also need plenty of grooming. As anyone who has met one knows, you also need to be prepared for lots and lots of drool!
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that despite these breeds usually tend to be calm, there may be a few that are the exception. There are huskies, terriers, and retrievers that are calm and low-key simply by personality. On the flip side, there are dogs from any of the breeds listed in this article that may not be as calm as their breed standard. Try not to rush into a decision based on breed standards alone – you may end up with a dog that isn’t a good fit. At the end of the day, the best way to adopt a dog from this list is to visit a shelter or rescue with one or more dogs of your desired breeds, and meet the dogs in person before making a decision. Your local shelter and rescues are also a great source of information for anyone looking to adopt. Good luck, and remember, there will always be an adjustment period for just about any new pet. Use your resources, be patient, and your new friend will be much happier. What’s better than a happy, smiling dog face? We can’t think of anything more rewarding than to see your new friend feel comfortable and loved in their new home!
If you have questions regarding your dog’s health or would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (303) 469-1616. Here at Arrowhead Animal Hospital, we are more than happy to help with whatever you need!
