Are you considering the idea of sharing your life with man’s best friend, but concerned about the level of commitment required?
For some people, the mere thought of owning a dog can sound too time-consuming and headache-inducing, especially if they already have to cope with a hectic work/life balance.
But fear not, there’s a wide variety of dog breeds suitable for all types of owners, and a number of them can be considered low-energy dog breeds.
So, if you feel you can’t keep up with a high energy, attention-seeking canine, you could still find a reliable couch potato that would mind its own business while you’re occupied trying to put food on the table!
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Are Low-Energy Dog Breeds Good Choices?
Low-energy dogs are ideal for individuals who can only spare a few minutes per day for occasional walks but nevertheless enjoy the presence of a furry home companion.
If you fit that profile, then one of these dogs will suit you perfectly!
On the other hand, large families with children may find low-energy dogs a bit underwhelming. Similarly, if you are a sprinter yourself, you might get more out of dogs with the necessary stamina to keep up.
It’s completely up to you.
Debunking a Myth
You’d be surprised to learn that not all low-energy dogs are small-sized. In fact, you’ll be able to find a myriad of dog breeds that, while giving an enthusiastic first impression, are actually fairly “chill”!
Size is not necessarily proportional to vigor, as we’ll see shortly (no pun intended).
Most Notable Low-Energy Dog Breeds
Here are 6 of the most fascinating low-energy dog breeds you could ever own!
Bulldog
The Bulldog (the English variety, at least) can be traced back to the 4th century Alaunt, which was intended as an aggressive breed for livestock control.
At first glance, bulldogs could appear intimidating due to their rugged muzzle and historically aggressive behavior.
But actually, the majority of this aggression has been bred out of them over time and they are now regarded as being very happy and mellow dogs.
It’s almost impossible to picture a modern-day bulldog as anything other than adorable!
This mellow attitude doesn’t mean they are lazy though as they enjoy walks and other social activities.
Be mindful that maintaining a Bulldog is not devoid of challenges, as these tend to get a bit chunkier than usual, so you’d want to ensure that they meet their fitness goals.
Trust us; these dogs are not known for keeping close track of their calories and weight!
Saint Bernard
If you were alive in the ’90s, you might remember the iconic and endearing Beethoven films. Those films encapsulate everything you need to know about Saint Bernards (with some obvious “embellishments”, of course).
These gentle giants make fantastic dogs for families with children as they have a calm, patient and naturally caring disposition.
But, make no mistake about it, Saint Bernards can be particularly “yucky” as they produce a lot of drool.
Their excessive drooling is not primarily due to their low-energy character, but it’s courtesy of their loose upper lips (“flews”) and high levels of panting that contributes to a saliva surplus.
Ironically, Saint Bernards were bred in the Swiss Alps as rescue dogs, which might suggest high energy levels. However, and to our great delight, nothing could be further from the truth!
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound’s noticeably lazy eyes, cute stubby legs, and droopy ears should immediately give away that its energy is not exactly at an all-time high!
But, while these dogs might not put you in a pickle when out on the field, they can surprisingly go on hunting sprees once in a while!
With all that said, between going hunting and cuddling up on the sofa, you may already guess which hobby these adorable hounds will pick!
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are smaller versions of the regular English Bulldog and much loved by people living in apartments as they shed very little, hardly ever bark and are happy with a short, brisk walks around town.
Some sources say this breed is actually the result of a cross between a Bulldog, a Pug, and a Terrier. Whatever the case may be, the French Bulldog remains an icon of Parisian life and a sure sign of wealth.
‘Frenchies’ make nice companions for both adults and children due to them being affectionate, loyal and having a fun-loving nature.
As a curious (and sad) note, French Bulldogs can’t reproduce naturally due to their awkward physical proportions. Female Frenchies essentially require a c-section to give birth, with no exceptions. These costly procedures somewhat justify their steep price.
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog may not be as lazy as the Saint Bernard, but it’s not exactly a heavy-duty dog either.
Curiously enough, these dogs were conceived as a working breed, but they don’t skimp on procrastinating whenever they get the chance.
But beware! Bernese dogs require a lot of grooming and care. They are also moderately sick-prone.
All things considered, they’re not cumbersome to train and handle due to their mostly laid-back nature.
Great Dane
While huge, Great Danes are extremely amiable and tend to get along exceptionally well with virtually everyone they meet.
On top of that, while they still manage to look muscular (for some intriguing reason), they’re not noted for being overactive or particularly fond of intense workout sessions.
However, their colossal chassis has several health shortcomings, as these Danes are highly susceptible to joint and bone issues.
Additionally, if you live in a region with moderately cold winters, you should know that the Great Dane won’t tolerate freezing temperatures due to its thin coating.
This is a mesmerizing fact, considering the breed’s German origin (not Danish, but close). When in possession of a Great Dane, you’d want to crank your heater up to 11, just in case!
These concerning facts should not dissuade you, though! The Great Dane is still an incredibly tame animal that provides pleasant company, especially after a rough workday.
Final thoughts
We’ve highlighted 6 low-energy dog breeds that we really love, but there are plenty more low-energy dog breeds that you could choose from if none of these excite you.
If you are considering getting a dog and would like to gain further general information about dogs before making your decision then please check out our dog facts article here.
