17 Easy-Going Dog Breeds for Relaxed Families

Choosing the right dog breed for your family is one of the most important decisions a pet owner can make. If you’re looking for a family dog or a pup who digs your laid-back lifestyle, then considering easy-going dog breeds is a must. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but most calm dog breeds offer less potential for behavior problems and tend to adapt well to various living situations. Easy-going dogs are typically more forgiving, patient, and flexible with their human families, making them excellent choices for busy households, first-time dog owners, and families with children.

Easy-going dog breeds are characterized by their gentle temperament, trainability, and ability to get along well with people of all ages. These dogs are generally less likely to display aggressive behaviors and are more accepting of different environments and routines. Whether you live in an apartment or a spacious home, whether you have young children or elderly relatives, an easy-going dog breed can provide companionship, loyalty, and unconditional love without requiring excessive training or behavioral management.

Small Easy-Going Dog Breeds

1. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a small white powder-puff on legs that rates high on the “cute” factor. This gentle, playful, and cheerful companion excels at obedience training, making her an ideal choice for owners who appreciate responsive, well-behaved pets. Though she tends to do better with older children due to her delicate size, she is a great family pet overall. The breed’s cheerful disposition and eagerness to please make training a rewarding experience for both dog and owner.

2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a sweet, gentle breed that is affectionate to family and strangers alike, and loves children. The size—about 12 inches tall at the shoulder—makes her an ideal indoor pet, and she learns quickly with gentle instruction. This is a great family dog who doesn’t require lots of exercise, but note that she can’t withstand a lot of roughhousing. Their ability to adapt to various living situations and their patience with children make them consistently popular among families seeking a calm, loving companion.

5. English Toy Spaniel

This breed has the silky long coat, drop ears, docked tail, and happy temperament characteristic of spaniels, but she’s much smaller and has a short, pushed-in nose. She is primarily a house and apartment dog. Known to be good with children, she is an affectionate and calm breed who may start out shy but usually warms up quickly to strangers. Their compact size and gentle nature make them perfect for apartment dwellers and seniors looking for a devoted companion.

6. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is essentially a toy Bulldog with large bat ears and a medium-sized, short-coated frame that is very muscular. The Frenchie is a happy, gregarious breed who makes friends easily. A quiet dog, she requires minimal exercise and is ideal for apartment life. She tolerates polite children well, making her an excellent choice for families seeking a low-energy, affectionate pet. Their adaptability to apartment living and minimal exercise requirements make them particularly suitable for urban dwellers.

Medium Easy-Going Dog Breeds

4. Collie

Known to most as the “Lassie dog,” this is an old sheep-herding breed who comes in long- or short-coat varieties. Collies are smart and sensitive dogs who need calm environments and readily accept training. They are affectionate, loyal, and protective pets that are known to love children. Their intelligence, combined with their gentle nature, makes them excellent family dogs that are patient and reliable around children of all ages.

7. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is an outstanding hunting dog and family companion due to her winning personality, desire to please, and high intelligence. Goldens are one of the most devoted and easy-going dog breeds, and because they’re eager to please, they usually are standouts for training. They generally love kids of all ages and easily make friends with strangers. Golden Retrievers consistently rank among the most popular family dogs worldwide due to their reliable temperament, trainability, and genuine affection for their human companions.

9. Greyhound

Despite her aristocratic heritage and bearing, the Greyhound is a lovable, easy-going, sensitive dog who makes a great pet. Like most sighthounds, Greyhounds can be reserved with strangers and learn best with patient, slow training. She can adapt well even to apartment life as long as she has a good outlet for running. Many owners are surprised to learn that retired racing Greyhounds make calm, gentle house pets despite their athletic background.

Large Easy-Going Dog Breeds

2. Bulldog

A massive yet compact dog of small but impressive and dignified stature, the Bulldog’s fierce expression belies the breed’s kind and affectionate nature. The Bulldog is an extremely lovable and friendly dog who doesn’t know his own strength and can bowl over the unprepared with his enthusiastic greeting. Despite their intimidating appearance, Bulldogs are gentle souls who thrive on human companionship and are patient with children. Their relaxed demeanor and love of lounging make them perfect for families who appreciate a laid-back lifestyle.

8. Great Dane

Despite his imposing appearance, Great Danes are friendly, dependable animals who are spirited and slow to learn, but willing to please. Their short, easy-care coats come in brindle, fawn, blue, and harlequin. Danes typically love their own children but may be suspicious of neighborhood kids and other strangers. Often referred to as “gentle giants,” Great Danes are surprisingly calm indoors and require moderate exercise, making them suitable for various living environments including apartments.

15. Newfoundland

The “Newfie” is another mastiff dog who is loyal, intelligent, and, above all, sweet of temper. He is the quintessential child’s playmate and guardian, and an excellent family pet. Exercise is important—especially swimming, which the Newfie loves. Newfoundlands are known for their water rescue instincts and have been used as lifeguards, demonstrating their calm demeanor and protective nature. Their love of water and patient temperament with children make them ideal for families with access to swimming areas.

16. Saint Bernard

This breed comes in short-haired and medium-length coat varieties. This powerful, stern-looking dog tends to be a slow learner who easily is distracted by scent. Most are mellow and make great family pets, but because of their size, they may inadvertently hurt a small child simply by sitting on them. Saint Bernards are known for their gentle, patient demeanor and their legendary rescue work in mountainous regions, showcasing their reliability and calm temperament under pressure.

Other Notable Easy-Going Dog Breeds

17. Tibetan Terrier

The Tibbie is a medium-sized dog who carries his tail over his back and has a profuse soft double coat that falls over the face. He was developed purely as a companion, and today remains an affectionate, intelligent, quiet, and happy canine who is known to easily make friends with strangers. He is one of the most easy-going dog breeds and gets along well with children and other pets—a wonderful choice for the family dog. Their adaptability, intelligence, and friendly nature make them versatile companions suitable for various family situations.

Key Characteristics of Easy-Going Dog Breeds

Easy-going dog breeds share several common traits that make them ideal family companions:

• Affectionate Nature: These breeds genuinely enjoy human companionship and show consistent affection to their families and often to strangers as well.
• Trainability: Easy-going dogs are typically intelligent and eager to please, making them responsive to training and more likely to follow commands consistently.
• Patience with Children: Most calm breeds are patient and gentle with children, making them suitable for families with young kids.
• Adaptability: These breeds tend to adjust well to different living environments, whether apartments or houses, and can tolerate changes in routine.
• Low Aggression: Easy-going breeds rarely display aggressive behaviors and are generally friendly with other animals.
• Forgiving Temperament: These dogs are typically forgiving of minor mistakes and inconsistencies in handling, making them ideal for first-time dog owners.

Choosing the Right Easy-Going Breed for Your Family

When selecting an easy-going dog breed, consider several factors to ensure a good match between the dog and your lifestyle. Size is often an important consideration, as large breeds require more space and may accidentally knock over small children, while toy breeds may be fragile around boisterous children. Exercise requirements vary significantly among easy-going breeds, from the relatively inactive Bulldog to the active Golden Retriever.

Your living situation also plays a crucial role in breed selection. Apartment dwellers might prefer smaller breeds like the Bichon Frise or French Bulldog, which require minimal exercise and adapt well to limited space. Those with yards and more active lifestyles might consider breeds like the Golden Retriever or Collie, which benefit from more exercise and space to roam.

Consider the breed’s grooming requirements and coat maintenance as well. Some breeds like the Newfoundland or Collie require regular grooming to maintain their coats, while others like the Bulldog or French Bulldog need minimal coat maintenance. Additionally, think about the time you can dedicate to training, socialization, and interaction with your pet.

Training and Socialization of Easy-Going Breeds

While easy-going dog breeds are generally more trainable and forgiving than other types, they still benefit from proper training and early socialization. Starting training early helps establish good habits and strengthens the bond between dog and owner. Most easy-going breeds respond well to positive reinforcement methods, including treats, praise, and play.

Socialization is equally important, even for naturally friendly breeds. Exposing your easy-going dog to various people, animals, and environments during puppyhood helps them develop confidence and reinforces their naturally friendly temperament. Regular interaction with other dogs and different types of people ensures they remain well-adjusted and comfortable in diverse situations.

Health Considerations for Easy-Going Breeds

Like all dog breeds, easy-going dogs are susceptible to certain health conditions. Larger breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards may experience hip dysplasia or heart issues, while smaller breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be prone to heart murmurs. Regular veterinary checkups, appropriate exercise, and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining the health of any easy-going breed.

It’s important to purchase puppies from reputable breeders who conduct health testing on their breeding dogs. This practice reduces the likelihood of inherited health problems and ensures you’re getting a healthy, well-socialized puppy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Easy-Going Dog Breeds

Q: Are all easy-going dog breeds good with children?

A: Most easy-going dog breeds are excellent with children, but individual personality varies. Always supervise interactions between dogs and young children, and teach children how to properly handle and respect dogs. Some breeds, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are particularly known for their patience with children.

Q: Do easy-going dog breeds require less exercise than other dogs?

A: While many easy-going breeds have moderate exercise requirements, some like Golden Retrievers are quite active. The key is that easy-going breeds are adaptable to their owner’s lifestyle and don’t become destructive if exercise is occasionally limited. Always check individual breed requirements.

Q: Are easy-going dogs easier to train than other breeds?

A: Generally, yes. Easy-going breeds like Golden Retrievers and Collies are eager to please and respond well to training. However, individual dogs vary, and consistent, positive training methods work best for all breeds.

Q: Can easy-going dog breeds live in apartments?

A: Many easy-going breeds adapt well to apartment living, particularly smaller breeds like Bichon Frises and French Bulldogs. Larger breeds can also adapt as long as they receive adequate exercise and mental stimulation.

Q: How do I know if an easy-going breed is right for my family?

A: Consider your living space, activity level, time availability for training and socialization, and any specific needs of your family members. Research breed characteristics thoroughly and meet dogs of the breed before making a decision.

Q: What’s the average lifespan of easy-going dog breeds?

A: Lifespans vary by breed and size. Smaller breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels typically live 12-15 years, while larger breeds like Great Danes may live 8-10 years. Proper care, diet, and veterinary attention can positively influence lifespan.