Are you looking for a new dog and want to be sure you adopt a calm dog breed? You might be wondering what is the best dog breed for your new best friend. Maybe you need company on your daily walk. There are many popular dog breeds that the American Kennel Club recognizes as calm dog breeds, whether they are large or small dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, a calm dog breed maintains composure in certain situations, and they react to stimuli in a measured way. This means they can react to something without showing signs of stress, such as growling or barking.

Calm Small Dog Breeds

Are you interested in adopting a small dog breed because you live in an apartment or smaller home? Perhaps you are looking for a low-maintenance, popular dog breed as your new family member. Some calm small dogs would be:

• Corgi: They are 20 to 31 lbs in weight, and make a great family dog. They stand 10 to 12 inches high. They are happiest when they have a job to do as they are working dogs. They are often bred to herd animals and will attempt to herd humans as well.

• Boston Terrier: They weigh 10 to 20 lbs and make great apartment dogs. They stand 16 inches tall. They don't shed a lot and they aren't barkers. Boston Terriers are also good with children as long as they are respectful.

• Yorkshire Terrier: Weighing in at 5 to 12 lbs; Yorkies are tiny. They only stand 6 to 7 inches tall. They enjoy walks and car rides. They are easy to travel with. Yorkies enjoy playing fetch with their owners.

• Miniature Schnauzer: These dogs weigh between 12 and 20 lbs. They stand 12 to 14 inches tall. They are loyal and love to please. They enjoy obedience and agility tasks. Mini Schnauzers are intelligent and learn quickly.

• Havanese: These dogs are toy-sized, between 9 and 16 lbs. They stand 8.5 to 11.5 inches tall. They enjoy walking and playing. They are built sturdily for a small dog. Havanese don't shed much and are good for people with allergy problems.

• Bichon Frise weighs 10 to 20 lbs and stands 9 to 12 inches in height. They are known to have great personalities. They are alert and curious, making them great little watchdogs.

• Japanese Chin weighs 4 to 11 lbs and stands 9 to 10 inches tall. They are graceful lapdogs and are generally quiet. They have an elegant and exotic appearance.

What are Some of the Best Calm Dog Breeds?

Maybe size isn't so much of a concern for you, rather you're looking for some of the most popular dog breeds as described by the American Kennel Club. Some easy-going family dogs are ranked as such by the AKC. Many are even great for apartment living.

• Pugs weigh anywhere from 15 to 20 lbs. They stand 12 to 14 inches high. They make good apartment dogs and are comfortable being couch potatoes. They can, however, be energetic sometimes. They do shed and brushing is needed.

• Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 lbs. They stand 6 to 9 inches high. They can be a good choice for families with children. They are alert and make an excellent watchdog.

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 lbs. They are no more than 13 inches in height. They can be active or lazy depending on their owner's lifestyle. They are good with children.

• Shih Tzu weighs 9 to 16 lbs and stands 9-10.5 inches tall. The Shih Tzu is sometimes longer than tall and is a toy-sized breed. They can be considered perky and happy dogs.

• Maltese weigh 3 to 8 lbs. They are 8 to 10 inches in height. They are eager, happy, and alert dogs. For their size, they are very active.

• English Toy Spaniel weighs 8 to 14 lbs and stands 10 to 11 inches tall. They are loving and willing to please. They can pick favorites, but they are loyal when they do.

• Pekingese weigh 8 to 14 lbs and stand 6 to 9 inches tall. They were bred for the ruling class of ancient China. Their coat can appear like a lion's mane. They are charming and confident.

• English Bulldog weighs 50 to 55 lbs and stands 12 to 14 inches tall. They need exercise or they can become overweight. They will attempt to be lap dogs despite their larger size. English Bulldogs are easygoing.

• Basset Hound weight 40 to 80 lbs and stand 15 inches. They are a favorite of dog lovers around the world and make great pets. They possess the strength and stamina of a larger breed.

• French Bulldog weighs 16 to 28 lbs and stands 11 to 12 inches tall. They are known to have an even disposition. They can adapt to living with singles, couples, or families and don't necessarily need tons of exercise.

Traits That Make Smaller Dogs Calm

Some traits make small dog breeds calm. Many are couch potatoes needing low maintenance. A little dog makes a great family dog and can be easygoing. You might find the best dog comes in a small package and makes a great therapy dog or family pet.

Benefits of Smaller Dogs

There are a lot of benefits to owning a small, low-maintenance dog. Some small dog breeds are great for apartment living. Others make great lap dogs. Many small dog breeds are good with small children and make a great addition to the family.

Calm Medium Sized Dogs

Maybe you feel like you wouldn't be a good match with a smaller toy-sized dog, or are looking for a bigger watchdog or guard dog. Perhaps a medium-sized family dog would be a better fit. Here are some great low maintenance medium-sized family pets:

• Airedale Terrier is 50 to 70 lbs and stands 22 to 24 inches in height. They make great family dogs and are calm with children. They love sports so have plenty of dog toys ready for them.

• Vizsla weighs 55 to 60 lbs and stands 21 to 25 inches in height. They are athletic but also gentle and loving. They are great for families that stick together.

• Standard Poodles weigh 60 to 70 lbs and stand 15 inches in height. They do great with training and make a great pet. They are good for people who suffer from allergies.

• Jindo weighs 30 to 50 lbs and is incredibly loyal to its owners. They stand 18 to 22 inches in height. They are alert and intelligent, too.

• English Setter weighs in at 65 to 80 lbs and they have a great temperament. They stand 23 to 27 inches in height. They are friendly and make excellent pets. English Setters have a beautiful speckled coat.

What are Some Calm Dog Breeds?

These are some of the most popular dog breeds according to the American Kennel Club. The AKC knows which dogs make great family pets, which are good for herding, or which make great hunting dogs. These are some of the calmest dog breeds which are sure to be easygoing:

• Golden Retrievers weigh 65 to 75 lbs and stand 23 to 24 inches in height. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in America. They are outgoing and trustworthy. You might find them eager to please.

• Sheepdogs weigh 80 to 100 lbs and stand 22 inches tall. They are strong and able-bodied. They are working dogs.

• French Bulldogs weigh 16 to 28 lbs and stand 11 to 12 inches tall. Frenchies, as mentioned earlier, are known to have an even disposition. They can adapt to various living arrangements.

• English Bulldogs weigh 50 to 55 lbs and stand 12 to 14 inches tall. As mentioned earlier, they need a lot of exercise. English Bulldogs are easygoing.

• English Cocker Spaniel weighs 28 to 34 lbs and stands 16 to 17 inches tall. They are balanced in temperament. They are eager to please and are the hunter's helper.

• Bergamasco Sheepdog weighs 55 to 85 lbs and stands 20 to 24 inches tall. They are bright, loyal, loveable, and trainable.

• Wheaten Terrier weighs 35 to 40 lbs and stands 18 to 19 inches tall. They are merry extroverts and make great pets. Their coat doesn't shed much but needs grooming to prevent matting.

Traits That Make Medium Sized Dogs Calm

Like small dog breeds, medium-sized dogs can be low-maintenance couch potatoes. They can be easy-going family dogs. The best dogs make great family pets or therapy dogs.

Benefits of Medium Sized Dogs

Some of the best traits that low-maintenance medium-sized dogs can have are that they can be good for apartment living, and often get along with small children. They can make great family pets, watchdogs, hunting dogs, and be good for herding.

Calm Large Sized Dogs

Maybe a medium-sized dog breed is not what you are looking for in a low-maintenance family pet. For some dog owners, the best version of a family dog is a large dog, often because they make good guard dogs or watchdogs. Here are some large dogs that make great pets:

• Great Pyrenees weigh 100 to 160 lbs and stand 27 to 32 inches in height. They were bred to guard sheep and protect them from predators. They can fight off wolves but would often relax with the sheep.

• Greater Swiss Mountain Dog weighs 85 to 140 lbs and stands 23.5 to 28.5 inches in height. Called a Swissie, they have a short, manageable coat. They were working dogs that pulled carts of dairy and meat.

• Greyhound weighs 65 to 70 lbs and stands 28 to 30 inches in height. After a run in the yard, you might be surprised that a Greyhound likes to relax the rest of the day. Hopefully, someday there will no longer be racing greyhounds and they will only be loved in homes.

• Irish Wolfhound weighs 120 lbs and stands 32 inches in height. They are tall but lean. They do appreciate the occasional run but are keen to staying couch potatoes.

• Kuvasz weighs 70 to 110 lbs and stands as high as 30 inches. These are a rarer sight than some other breeds and are often mistaken for Great Pyrenees. They are livestock guards and need proper training.

• Newfoundland weighs 130 to 150 lbs and stands 28 inches tall. A sweet temperament is one of their most important characteristics to breeders, according to the AKC. They are very trusting and respond well to training.

• Clumber Spaniel weighs 55 to 85 lbs and stands 17 to 20 inches in height. They are the largest of the AKC flushing spaniels. They are powerful bird dogs.

• Tibetan Mastiff weighs 70 to 150 lbs and stands 24 to 26 inches tall. They are a supreme guardian. They are large and noble. They make great, loyal pets.

What are Some Calm Large Dog Breeds?

Some of these breeds are popular dog breeds according to the American Kennel Club. Large dogs make great family dogs and great pets according to the AKC. You might find a large dog can be a quiet dog. Here are some great canine companions:

• Great Dane weighs 120 to 200 lbs and is 30 to 34 inches in height. They were bred in Germany to hunt wild boars. They are one of the oldest dog breeds still available today.

• Saint Bernard weighs 140 to 180 lbs and stands 28 to 30 inches. They were bred to find lost and buried travelers in the Alps. They are gentle giants and make great family dogs.

• Scottish Deerhound weighs 75 to 110 lbs and stands 30 to 32 inches in height. They are one of the tallest dog breeds and were bred to stalk giant, wild red deer. They have a crisp coat.

• Bernese mountain dog weighs 70 to 115 lbs and stands 23 to 27.5 inches in height. They were bred to be an all-around farm dog. They drove cattle and guarded livestock.

• Mastiff weighs 120 to 170 lbs and stands 27 to 32 inches in height. Mastiffs take the claim of being the heaviest dog ever, with one weighing as much as 343 lbs. They are one of the oldest breeds in the world.

Traits That Make Large Sized Dogs Calm

Like small dog breeds and medium-sized dog breeds, large dogs make great pets. They are low-maintenance couch potatoes. They make great family pets for being easygoing, gentle giants. You might find the best dog makes a great family pet or therapy dog.

Benefits of Large Sized Dogs

There are some benefits of large-sized dogs. They make great family pets, watchdogs, and hunting dogs. You might find your large dog breeds are gentle giants that can multitask as a working dog.