The most placid, easy going breeds

[WetRainbowRoses]

In your experience?
Any size, colour, coat type, breed group, the only criteria is ‘generally placid and easy going’

We have two dogs already, two breeds known for being high strung and feisty!
They are both great dogs in their own ways but they are hard work.
One is quite old and I have commented to DH that I’m not sure I want another dog really when she passes, but DH pointed out that our younger one probably would not cope without a companion dog and will be absolutely devastated when the old girl goes so we probably should get him a companion when that happens.

I 100% do NOT want another ‘hard work’ breed with a reputation for being ‘challenging’, ‘feisty’, ‘headstrong’, ‘experienced owner’ etc.

I want something with a reputation for being laid back, relaxed and easy.
I don’t care about trainability/desire to please as long as they are friendly and relaxed in temperament.

Mulled over the possibility of a Leonberger for a big breed and a Shih Tzu or Tibetan Spaniel for a small breed.

Are you going to get a puppy or an adult dog? A puppy of any breed could pick up your existing dog's undesirable traits.

I've met many hyper pugs and feisty Shih Tzus, and I would only rescue one of these breeds because I wouldn't want to support the breeding of either of them by buying one.

[quote Stellaris22]@Inthesameboatatmo we are the same now, our basset is our first and there's no way I'd have any other breed now. She's so laid back, and while ours isn't lazy she still loves a good snooze (snoring away now).[/quote]

@Stellaris22. Yes mines exactly the same . Very active bit lazy at the same time.

@WetRainbowRoses

Golden Retriever This was one breed that DH suggested but aren’t they quite ‘full on’ and puppyish until maturity? How did you find adolescence with yours?

We've a (rescue) pug
He is the sweetest, most peopley dog ever and is a total go-anywhere dog
He’s gorgeous laurie

He’s always been pretty chilled to be honest, although he was a bit of an arse during the teenager years but only for his desire to be everyone’s friend. I have had 4 and they have all been pretty chilled apart from number 3, who was the only Bitch - but even she wasn’t too bad

I have a lab/poodle cross and she’s very chilled
All the labradoodles I've net have been mental!
In a good way, sweet, happy dogs but mental!

I had one GSD left that wasn’t coping as an only dog and so along came the leonbergers
I love the sound of these dogs.
They honestly sound perfect.
But enormous..

DSIS has a Shar Pei and it’s the calmest dog I’ve ever met
Shar pei I’m not sure about tbh

We have a Basset Hound and she is the most easy going and laid back breed
DD would love that!
She loves them

Are you going to get a puppy or an adult dog? A puppy of any breed could pick up your existing dog's undesirable traits
Puppy. 100%.
Most likely we’ll buy the puppy when my lovely older dog has gone so it’ll be my youngest to learn off.

He’s a lovely little lad tbf but quite shy.
He’s only 7 months old so still in dickhead phase, I think he’ll mature into a very well behaved dog actually but it’s been hard work getting him here and there is still some work to do.

Whippet. My boy is the most placid pooch on the planet.

Cairn. Very off trend, i haven’t seen one around for years.

Used to have one as a kid, the most laid back dog.

I have a yorkie now and he is very easy going, proper lap dog with bouts of mouse hunting. Just potters around with us all day. All the yorkies I’ve had have been like this, but I do think you need to be very careful when sourcing a puppy, and treating it like a dog rather than a baby- i’ve met some that are nightmares!

@WetRainbowRoses they are large but they don’t actually move around the house much…horizontally they aren’t that big

I know you've said no to greyhound because you have a smaller dog, but you are exactly describing a greyhound (or greyhound lurcher)!

My greyhound lurcher has incredibly high prey drive, having spent the first five years of her life as a hunting dog, but never ever ever shown any 'prey' interest in any size of dog. My DSC have a teeny Jack Russell, and she has always treated it as a dog. Dogs recognise other dogs, small furry dogs are definitely distinct in their mind from small furry things that are fun to chase and kill.

Golden retriever. Mine was such a good pup. Actually the best pup we had. No chewing, she wasn't boisterous and still isn't. We trained her pretty much straight away and is honestly the most affectionate, amazing dog.

Dogs recognise other dogs, small furry dogs are definitely distinct in their mind from small furry things that are fun to chase and kill

Not always. I have a yorkie that nearly died from being caught and shaken by a lurcher. Sometimes if they see small furry in the distance the prey drive kicks in before the brains compute dog.

I used to have rough collies of the lassie type- the last was very loving, loyal and lazy!

I have a rescue pug and she is just a wonderful little dog. She's very laid back, a proper little coach potato (she's asleep on my foot as I type). I would never recommend buying a pug puppy from a breeder but there are many looking for homes in rescue including pug mixes who seem to fair a little better healthwise.

Golden retriever. Our boy is 3 and he's just perfect - calm and gentle but so loving. Needs a decent walk every day but then happy to just chill out and so easy going.
Was a wonderful pup too - never really had any problems.
We're currently looking after a friend's vizsla (same age) while they're on holiday and the contrast is incredible- the vizsla literally never stops, never sits still, barks at everything! He'd drive me mad to live with long term!

@ukborn

Cavalier King Charles

The best. Today …

A Cavalier. Ours was a cuddly lovely lapdog. Our Cocker now is also pretty easy but needs more walking than a Cavalier.

Greyhound. Most laid back doges ever. Kind, gentle, amusing and the opposite of high energy. So easy that if I don't have the pesky cats I'd probably have about 5 - because they are literally on other all all. All the joys of having a dog without the drama of a dog.

Some people might say labs. Once they get to about 5 yes.

Greyhounds with small dogs they know are fine normally. The only one I ever trusted with the cats was very old and couldn't have caught them if she tried (she didn't, one of them practically slept on her)

If you contact ex racer charities they'll be able to advise on a dog to suit.

My friend’s pug is an absolute lunatic! Clearly she didn’t get the memo on being laidback and chilled - at all!

Greyhounds and lurchers

OP what breed do you have already?

Some breeds are a better mix with other breeds.

I have a Ridgeback and is ridiculously placid, both inside and outside the home. Don't get me wrong he loves a walk but inside and in garden he just chills in the living room. His temperament is often commented on. And all other Ridgebacks I know are very similar in nature.

Greyhound rehoming charities can help with a small-dog friendly hound. They are so chilled, it’s unbelievable.

Mine is 3, retired from racing after an accident. Today he’s had his yearly jabs, had his few claw clipped (the quick got caught, poor boy) and had a full health check. Not a murmur. He bounced a bit at DS’s mates as he was pleased to see them when we got home. Then had a snooze.

Three hours later, he’s still snoozing.

OP what breed do you have already?
Some breeds are a better mix with other breeds
My current two are polar opposite breeds already to be fair, I won’t be going for a greyhound or lurcher (despite understanding they often are famously placid) because I just feel it’s too much of a risk with such a tiny dog but I’m open to considering pretty much anything else.

@PollyRoulllson

OP what breed do you have already?

Some breeds are a better mix with other breeds.

The youngest is a Chihuahua.