Do you long for some canine company that can sit quietly beside you while you read a book in the sun or take to the café for a stress-free coffee?
Or are you looking for a therapy dog or a chilled-out helper for someone with special needs?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then take a look through our list of the world’s calmest dog breeds.
All these breeds have the capacity to react in a measured way to the things that life throws at them. So, they shouldn’t lunge, growl, bark or show signs of stress. Making life more stress-free for you as well!
Calm dog breeds belong to many different breed groups and include some of the largest dogs (like the Scottish Deerhound and Great Dane), as well as some of the smallest (think Shih Tzu and Pug).
These dogs are generally even-tempered and have lower levels of energy than other breeds. They are particularly great choices for families with young children, seniors, people with a disability or special need and people that have limited experience with dogs.
Having a calm demeanor is vital to the success of the incredible service dogs who support people with a wide array of disabilities.
And friendly and chilled canines are increasingly being used in courts, schools, prisons, nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities as research reinforces the physical and emotional benefits of dog-person contact, particularly for people in pain, or in need of help.
In one beautiful story amidst a horrifying tragedy, the Lutheran Church Charities sent 10 support dogs to help the grieving community of Newtown, Connecticut in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. These calm and loving dogs spent months providing simple comfort and affection to traumatized kids and adults and became a critical part of the healing process for many.
While the breeds on our list all have a calmer nature than others, the temperament and personality of individual dogs are influenced by its upbringing and experiences. Even the calmest of dogs may end up anxious and stressed if they receive harsh training, have negative experiences, or don’t get the love, exercise, and nutrition they need.
And just because they are calm, that doesn’t mean these breeds are dumb or lazy. Many of them still need adequate daily exercise to stimulate their brains and to prevent them becoming bored or destructive.
Regular exercise will also help keep unwanted pounds off those pups that prefer sleeping on the couch to chasing a ball.
If you are ready for a pup that can help bring some serenity to your life, why not grab a cup of tea, stretch out and start leafing through our list. We can feel the stress already starting to slip away!