The Best Dog for a Sedate Lifestyle

When choosing a dog for your family, one of the most important aspects to consider is your lifestyle. This is done not only to ensure the pet doesn't become an overly demanding pest, but also so the dog stays healthy by getting the amount of exercise it needs. With so many breeds out there, it can be hard to discern which one fits you best, especially if you lead a more sedate, laid-back lifestyle.

  1. Large Dogs

    • Mastiffs are among the largest breeds of dogs on the planet.

      If you're looking for a large dog for your home, there are factors to consider before lifestyle, including the presence of small children and breakables. However, once these are accounted for, two of the best large dog breeds for sedate lifestyles are mastiffs and Clumber spaniels. Both of these dogs are great with kids, but may accidentally knock them over due to their size. Because they are relatively inactive inside the house, care must be taken not to allow these dogs to become obese.

    Bulldogs and Hounds

    • Bulldogs are popular dogs with recognizable faces.

      If gargantuan dogs aren't really your thing, you may want to consider a slightly smaller dog. For people with more laid-back lifestyles, bulldogs and basset hounds make great pets. The English and French bulldogs are similar, but the English bulldog is better with children. Both of them, however, have some common health problems that an owner needs to be aware of. The basset hound is a large dog on short legs. Basset hounds are highly motivated to be great companions and are also good with kids and other dogs.

    Pug and Shih Tzu

    • Pugs are small, friendly dogs that have unique personalities.

      In a weight class below the bulldogs, small dog breeds often appeal to owners with less space in their homes. Pugs are great, low-activity companions that are considered by many to be "magnet dogs," meaning they will follow their owners around the house. These dogs, however, are very prone to obesity. Another option is the Shih Tzu, which is a fairly small dog that will get most -- if not all -- the exercise it needs running around the house during its characteristic energy bursts. They are friendly dogs who simply need their coat to be brushed and cleaned to be happy.

    Smallest Dogs

    • Chinese crested dogs come in "powderpuff" and hairless varieties.

      If none of the above breeds suits your fancy, you may want to consider the handful of very small breeds suitable for a laid-back lifestyle. The Pekingese, Chinese crested dog and the Chihuahua are all good for sedate lifestyles. The Pekingese have long, flowing coats, while the Chinese Crested dogs have very little hair, making them great for allergy-sufferers. The Chihuahua is a commonly owned dog, but needs to be socialized from an early age.