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For individuals that lead a less active lifestyle, have limited space, or do not need a working dog breed, calm, medium-sized dogs are the perfect addition to their lives. Most calm medium-sized dog breeds are known for their friendly natures, sociable behavior, and less intense energy or exercise needs.
If you’re thinking about adding a calm medium dog breed to your family, there are several options to choose from. Our article gives you an overview of the best calm medium dog breeds to adopt and some information about finding one of these breeds to bring into your life. Read on for everything you need to know.
What Makes a Dog Calm?
Every dog breed out there has its own set of characteristics that are a mix of genetic influences and outside nurturing. When it comes to dog breeds that the American Kennel Club recognizes, there are a set of expectations for each breed, and you can generally expect that a purebred or mixed dog will share similar personality characteristics. For example, dogs generally regarded as calm also tend to be friendly, gentle, sociable, and easygoing, with typically lower exercise needs. However, many medium-sized dogs are still fairly active and love to play with their families.
It’s also important to note that if you want your dog to stay calm, you should ensure that their exercise and activity needs are met, as this will reduce any destructive or anxious behaviors that result from improper care.
The Best Calm Medium Dog Breeds to Spend Your Days With
Below, we list the best calm medium dog breeds that are ready to fill your life with naps, relaxation, and lots of cuddles. Any of these breeds, or a mix of these breeds, is typically a great choice if you are searching for a smaller, less energetic dog.
1. Golden Retriever
On the larger end of medium-sized dog breeds is the golden retriever. This breed can grow to be quite large, but some do hover around the more medium size. Golden retrievers are one of the most popular dogs with individuals in the United States due to their friendly disposition, easygoing attitude, and how gentle they are with their families.
Your golden retriever may have a bit of a mischievous streak and need two lengthy walks each day, plus playtime with their families, but they will love nothing more than spending as much time with their families as possible and soaking up all the attention they can get.
2. Greyhound
Greyhounds are known for their couch potato attitudes despite their reputation as race dogs. However, greyhounds love to laze around with their families and are relatively calm as long as they get some outside time each day to sprint around and burn up all of their energy.
Greyhounds love to cuddle up with their families, enjoy snoozing their days away when you’re not around, and have a friendly, easygoing attitude. This breed loves to be included in your activities as much as possible, but they may need some extra training and affection to ensure anxious behaviors don’t develop.
3. Pug
The lovable pug is known for their distinctive facial shape, smaller size, and streak of stubbornness. However, this dog is relatively calm and doesn’t require much in the way of constant activity or tasks, and they love to cuddle up with their families as much as possible.
Pugs will give their owners as much affection as they receive, and they are happy with a couple of short walks each day and time spent playing around the home. Due to being on the smaller end of the medium-sized breed scale, they are a great choice for apartment living or other smaller spaces.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Often winning people over with their large, soulful eyes, the cavalier King Charles spaniel is a gentle dog with a sweet disposition. They are friendly and sociable and love nothing more than spending time with their families on the couch or cuddling up in bed.
Cavalier King Charles spaniels can be playful and require daily walks and playtime with their owners, but they are not excessively energetic or task-oriented. However, this breed is fairly eager to please and will enjoy learning new tricks with their owner, and their lap dog nature ensures they will want to spend their days snoozing near you when possible.
5. English Bulldog
The English bulldog is a distinctive medium-sized dog known for their wrinkly appearance and round body, and they make calm, surprisingly quiet companions. This pup generally doesn’t bark unless absolutely necessary, and their size combined with this quiet nature makes them a great choice for apartment living or smaller spaces.
English bulldogs are typically gentle with children, love to spend time playing with their families or taking leisurely walks, and will often be found sharing the couch or bed with you to take advantage of a restful nap. This breed can be stubborn, so make sure you have a strict training regime with your dog to correct willful behaviors.
6. Basset Hound
Known for their long floppy ears, basset hounds have a sweet disposition and gentle nature that makes people fall in love with them. Though they can look almost woeful due to their expressive eyes, basset hounds are actually quite upbeat. They have a keen sense of smell that they love to exercise when playing with their families, but once playtime is over, they’re happy to cozy up on a couch next to you for a long nap.
Basset hounds love to spend time with other animals, as they are social pack animals and are also known to be gentle with children. However, keep in mind that this pup can be stubborn, so extra patience might be needed as you work to train your dog.
7. French Bulldog
French bulldogs are alert, medium-sized, and don’t require tons of outdoor exercise to stay happy. They are calm and love to spend time around people, in addition to being social pups that get along well with other animals.
French bulldogs are surprisingly snuggly and love to cuddle up with their families as much as possible. This pup also has an easygoing, sometimes goofy, personality, and they won’t hesitate to spice up your life with their playtime antics. French bulldogs also make great apartment dogs or low-maintenance pets for seniors who want a canine companion.
8. Corgi
Known for their short legs, big personalities, and loving nature, corgis are a calm medium-sized breed that fits in well with most families. This dog doesn’t need an extreme amount of exercise, but their owners should be prepared to play with them and take them for a few short walks per day.
Corgis are affectionate, love to be around their families constantly, and are very loyal. They make a great choice for a family that spends a lot of time at home or one that is dedicated to bringing their corgi on travels with them. This pup is highly adaptable, and they will need consistent training to ensure they stay happy and mentally stimulated.
9. Whippet
Whippets are gentle, affectionate, and quiet dogs, and they are known for the strong bonds they form with their families. They are not the most social of pups, but they are rarely aggressive or frightened when meeting new people and animals – they just prefer to stick to the company of their family and spend time lounging around in the home.
This breed is good with children and enjoys playtime in short bursts throughout the day and a couple of walks to meet their exercise needs. Once they’ve tired themselves out, they will insist on cuddling with their families and taking a well-deserved nap.
10. English Cocker Spaniel
English cocker spaniels are one of the most active calm medium dogs on our list, but don’t confuse this love of exercise with that of a high-intensity breed! English cocker spaniels love to play and complete tasks with their families, and they tend to calm down and become more mellow as they mature from puppyhood. This breed is affectionate, gentle, and loyal, and they love nothing more than spending time cozied up with their people.
Your English cocker spaniel will need consistent training to keep them mentally stimulated, and you can expect them to be gentle with children and other pets. They are highly intelligent and playful, but once they’ve got their energy out, they’re ready to cuddle as much as possible.
How to Adopt a Calm Medium-Sized Dog
If you’re interested in adopting a calm medium dog breed and want to add one of the breeds from our list to your family, then the best option for you is to find a reputable breeder. The breeds on our list are purebred pups, and while you may see one of these dogs appear in a shelter or rescue organization from time to time, a breeder is a surer way to adopt one.
Keep in mind that if you decide to purchase a dog from a breeder, you are using a breeder that adheres to all state and federal breeding regulations. You’ll want to check that the breeder takes proper care of the breeding dogs and their pups and will answer all your questions about the dogs and their living conditions.
You can expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 for a puppy from any of the breeds on our list, with the costs varying by location, breeder, and the type of dog you are interested in.
Alternatively, you can look through local rescue organizations or shelters that cater specifically to certain dog breeds to adopt an older calm medium dog that needs a good home. This process can be cheaper and provide you with a dog that has a fully developed personality, so you know what you’re getting, a concern that often arises with raising a dog from puppyhood.
Choosing the Best Calm Pup for Your Family
Whether you choose to adopt one of these calm medium dog breeds from a shelter or want to purchase a puppy from a breeder, you should always keep in mind the best interests of the dog and your family.
Adding a new pup to your lifestyle can feel overwhelming, and it helps to do more research on the calm medium dog breed that you wish to give a home to before making your final decision. As long as you keep your needs and wants in mind while looking for a dog to adopt, you are sure to choose the best calm medium-sized dog breed for yourself and your family.