Lazy Dog Breeds

For many potential dog owners, a lazy dog is the best choice. Lazy dog breeds don’t require a lot of exercise, and most of them are super laid-back pooches that don’t want to exert too much effort for things like getting overly excited. Even most lazy dogs, however, are more than willing to enjoy short bouts of play. They just don’t want to overdo it! If you think lazy dogs will do best in your household, check out the dog breeds briefly discussed below.

Match the breed to your lifestyle

If your heart is set on adding a furkid to your family, choose wisely. Assess your lifestyle honestly, and find a dog that would fit in well. If you have active kids who want a pooch that will run and play with them for hours on end, you probably don’t want a really lazy dog. If you want a canine athlete to go running with you, a Basset hound wouldn’t be your best choice.

If, however, you want a pet to lie quietly at your feet for long hours, lazy dogs are where you should be searching. Keep in mind, however, that practically every dog needs some exercise every day. The breeds suggested are low energy dog breeds – not no energy dog breeds. With the breeds listed below, a moderate daily walk will suffice – no long-distance sprinting required on your part!

A word of caution: Every dog is an individual. You'll find some members of lazy dog breeds that might be high strung and nervous, just as you'd find a few lazy dogs among a breed that's known for high energy. This is just a general guideline.

Basset Hound

The Basset is basically a big dog with very short legs. They get along great with kids and other pets. Although they’re generally lazy dogs, if they pick up a scent, they might very well follow it. For this reason they should always be walked on a leash. Most Bassets are pretty noisy – whining, whimpering, barking, and howling. Grooming is pretty easy, but you’ll need to pay special attention to their ears, eyes, and wrinkles. Bassets are very sweet, loving, and calm.

Brussels Griffon

Who could resist this charming little face? These are happy little dogs that are very intelligent and easy to train. Brushing your pooch a couple of times a week will be about all the grooming you’ll need to do. Brussels Griffons are playful indoors, on which they’ll expend a lot of their energy. Just a short daily walk should keep your furkid in good shape. These dogs have interesting personalities, as they’re somewhat cocky and full of themselves.

Chihuahua

The smallest of all dog breeds, the Chihuahua probably isn’t a good choice for families with small children. Because of their diminutive size, they’re easily hurt and can get snappy in defense. Many Chihuahuas are one-person dogs and can be extremely loyal to their human. These little pups require very little in the way of grooming and exercise. If you don’t have small kids and want a lazy dog that will snuggle happily in your lap, this might be a good choice.

English Bulldog

One of my grandpups is an English bulldog. His name is “Dooly,” after the former coach of the University of Georgia football team. Dooly is the grandson of one of the mascots, “Uga.” English bulldogs are very low key, and as lazy dogs, they don’t require a lot of exercise. All the bulldogs I’ve known were sweeties and loved everybody and everything, including other pets. They also love food and treats, so if you don’t want a fat dog, your bulldog will need a short daily walk.

English Toy Spaniel

These lovely little spaniels have long coats that are easy to groom – just brush them twice a week. The English Toy Spaniel is happy, affectionate, and smart. They’re pretty easy to train, and they strive to please. Because of this, they rarely misbehave. These royal pooches are low key and weigh up to fourteen pounds. They’re playful indoors, but they don’t require a lot of additional exercise.

French Bulldog

Frenchies are heavy boned, compact, and sturdy, with the typical short nose of the bulldog breeds. These dogs need to live indoors and should never over-exert themselves. They love people and make great companions. They’re patient with kids and can be playful at times, but overall, they’re calm and quiet. These guys will spend hours in your lap, if you let them.

Great Dane

I’ve owned a lot of Danes. In fact, I used to be a breeder. Great Danes are lazy dogs with slow metabolisms. That’s a good thing, too. If these giants had high metabolisms no one could afford to feed them! Our two Danes are total couch potatoes. If they don’t get their twenty plus hours of snoozing every day, they can’t function. I let them outside three or four times a day just to play and run, and sometimes they just stand there and look at me. If they’re feeling really energetic, they might run around the yard twice before coming back in on their own.

Greyhound

Greyhounds are lazy dogs? I know what you’re thinking, but believe it or not, these svelte pooches had much rather take a nap than chase one of those fake rabbits around a track. Greyhounds are calm and gentle and usually do well with kids and other pets. Their grooming needs are minimal, and a nice walk everyday is all they need. Another great thing about getting a greyhound is that it’s easy to find them in shelters and rescues, as many are “dumped” once their racing careers are over.

Havanese

If you’re home for most of the day and want a loyal companion, a Havanese is hard to beat. They thrive on interaction with their human family, but they don’t do well alone for long periods of time. These small canines are smart and attractive, with soft, silky hair that requires a little upkeep. Otherwise, these are low-maintenance pets. Havanese don’t shed, so they make good choices for allergy sufferers. Be sure to provide your Havanese with lots of toys, then prepare to be entertained!

Italian Greyhound

Like its larger cousin, the Italian greyhound is a laid-back dog. It can adapt to a variety of situations, and it’s easy to train. Italian Greyhounds are intelligent, sweet, and very affectionate. They enjoy a good romp now and then, but a short daily walk will suffice for most members of this breed. Because of their short coat, grooming an Italian Greyhound is a cinch. All in all, Italian Greyhounds made wonderful family additions.

Japanese Chin

These intelligent pooches know they’re special. After all, they once warmed the laps of aristocrats. They’re real hams, and they adore performing tricks for an admiring audience. Their beautiful coat doesn’t require as much upkeep as you might think. A couple of good brushings a week, and they’re good to go. The Chin will love you, your family, and your close friends. They’ll be more than willing to warm everyone’s lap!

Maltese

Maltese are elegant little dogs with gorgeous white hair. I had one named Pumpkin, and my cousin was a breeder, so I know these white balls of fluff pretty well. Maltese are happy and easy going, and for a small breed, they’re very calm. They don’t bark much, but they will alert you when someone approaches your home or knocks on the door. Unless you want to spend a lot of time grooming, keep your Maltese clipped. Their long fine hair gets tangled easily.

Newfoundland

These big teddy bears are calm and even tempered, and they rarely get in a hurry. They strive to please their masters and readily accept training. They’re usually protective of their human “pack,” and several have rescued humans and other animals from drowning. Newfies are super sweet, loyal, and snuggly. They don’t require any fancy grooming, but their thick coats do need good regular brushings. A nice daily walk should keep your Newfoundland happy and healthy.

Pug

The pug is a small dog that has the temperament of a large breed. It’s not yappy or nervous like some little dogs, and he has a sturdy build. All the pugs I’ve known were great with kids, but you have to be careful not to let them become overheated. Like other breeds with short muzzles, they can have breathing problems, so they need air conditioning in the hot months. Pugs are intelligent and easy to train, and they’re wonderful companion dogs.

Toy Poodle

One of the most intelligent dog breeds, the poodle is extremely easy to train. While not a great choice for families with small children, toy poodles do well with older kids. These dogs are very entertaining and are also pretty good at entertaining themselves, but they like to be near their humans. If you tend to spoil this pup and allow him to get away with misbehaviors, he might very well try to “rule the roost.” Otherwise, these are great little dogs that are usually calm as long as they get some play time every day. If you have allergies, the toy poodle is a great choice for you.

Older Dogs

Generally speaking, older dogs are usually pretty lazy dogs. Most don’t have the destructive tendencies of puppies or the drive of dogs in their prime. Many older canines have had years of experiencing all kinds of situations, so they can be almost unflappable. There are thousands of older dogs in shelters, just waiting for a second chance. If you’re interested in lazy dogs, your local shelter would be a great place to begin your search!