When you’re choosing a new dog to adopt, the pup’s anxiety level can be a gigantic obstacle to overcome. High anxiety can cause dogs to panic when their owners leave the home, destroy property and furniture, and even become aggressive. As a result, many owners opt for calm breeds who aren’t generally predisposed to anxiety.
Let’s take a look at 8 renowned, low-anxiety calm dog breeds that are popular adoption choices!
1. Basset Hounds
With centuries of breeding history under their belt, Basset Hounds are an iconic and legendary calm dog breed to adopt. The breed first came to prominence as a French hunting dog and, starting in the 19th century, was exported all across the world. Basset Hounds are famous for their expert tracking skills, droopy-eared appearance, and independent nature.
Unlike more anxious breeds, Basset Hounds are quite low-energy. Most of the time, these dogs prefer napping to exercise, though they still always enjoy an opportunity to test out their hunting and athletic prowess. This makes them an excellent fit for owners who prefer a more laid-back breed.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Another famous, calm dog breed that hails from Europe is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. As the name suggests, these pups were a favorite of Charles II of England. Physically, their most distinctive traits are their compact size, small noses, and big, pensive eyes.
When it comes down to their temperament, the huge majority of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are placid, friendly, and affectionate. Their calm and kindly disposition, along with their reputation as lap dogs, make these guys a super popular choice for therapy dogs. So, not only are they low-anxiety, but they might even help bring your own stress levels down!
3. English Bulldogs
Stocky and loyal, the gentle English Bulldog is one of the best examples of a dog breed that is tranquil and calm. Though they can be a bit stubborn at times, English Bulldogs are highly loving and will stick by their owners through thick and thin. That said, they prefer to take it easy and spend most of their time relaxing, if they can.
Though this breed has a lower average energy level, it’s still important that they get some daily exercise, as they have a genetic tendency to become obese. Experts usually recommend exercising your bulldog early in the morning or in the evening. This helps prevent overheating, which is a big risk for heavier dogs like the English Bulldog.
4. Bernese Mountain Dogs
Unlike some of the other entries on this list, Bernese Mountain Dogs actually have a relatively high baseline energy level. However, so long as they get an adequate amount of exercise, these dogs stay relaxed, calm, and content. They are also happy and good-spirited as a rule, so lethargy or depressive moods shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Bernese Mountain Dogs originate from the Swiss Alps and were bred as farm dogs. Nowadays, though, most owners simply adopt the breed as day-to-day household companions.
5. Clumber Spaniels
With a history dating back to 1800s England, Clumber Spaniels are another classic, low-anxiety breed to consider. Though they were initially bred to retrieve game birds, the breed became popular as pets for European aristocrats. But, in the modern day, there aren’t many Clumber Spaniels, with less than 300 new ones registered each year.
Temperamentally, most Clumber Spaniels are mellow and calm pups. On the other hand, they are a highly intelligent dog breed, so they still need some positive mental stimulation!
6. Greyhounds
Along with Basset Hounds, Greyhounds are one of the few hound breeds that are known for their quiet, gentle personality. In fact, these guys are often ranked as among the quietest dog breeds, with relatively low energy reserves to boot. Despite originally being bred as racing dogs, your typical Greyhound would much rather spend their day relaxing and laying on the couch.
Another advantage of adopting a Greyhound is their great ease at getting along with other dogs. Greyhounds rarely show any signs of territorial or aggressive behavior when introduced to other pets, so they make a great addition to families that have adopted several pet dogs.
7. Saint Bernards
Don’t let their tremendous size fool you: Saint Bernards are truly gentle giants, with calm and lovable personalities. Bred in the Alps, Saint Bernards were early on in their history put to work as mountain rescue dogs. As a result, over the years the breed developed a highly stress-resistant and friendly disposition. They are especially suited for households with children, as most Saint Bernards love kids and treat them very kindly.
Of course, even more than their goofy, sociable temperament, Saint Bernards are famous for their huge, hefty builds. Their average height can range from 26 to 30 inches, and members of the breed can weigh in at over 180 lbs.!
8. Great Danes
Since we’re already on the subject of large dog breeds, let’s talk about the (appropriately named!) Great Dane. Originally thought to be from Egypt, Danish noblemen imported the breed to Europe in the 1600s. And though they can grow up to 32 inches tall and weigh over 175 lbs., the vast majority of Great Danes are remarkably gentle and tranquil in nature.
For the most part, Great Danes are an intelligent breed, so training one shouldn’t be difficult. However, you might need to watch out for their stubborn nature, which can sometimes make teaching them a bit harder than it should be.
