Top 10 Calm Dog Breeds

by Mary Simpson

Published: June 10th, 2018

Just calm down! We don’t want you to be over-stimulated – and that’s why we put together this list of top 10 calm dog breeds.

Move over! It’s time to clear some room on the sofa for these ultra-chill dogs who not only consider themselves to be family and therefore entitled to some stretch-out space but who can’t imagine why you’d ever want them to get up and bark each time the doorbell rings. So, who are these super calm dog breeds that are cool with well, everything.

English Bulldog

This gentle pooch with the barrel chest, short stubby legs and a face only his mama could love is perfectly designed for snuggling up and chilling out after a busy day. He bonds quickly with his human pack, loves kids and other animals and while he’s protective, he prefers to let his face do the talking versus having to actually get up and chase someone. (Photo credit: Marvell/Bigstock.com)

Saint Bernard

Slow and steady wins the race, right? These calm, patient dogs are solid workers when it comes to locating and rescuing avalanche victims but they’re not what you’d call peppy or playful even with treats involved. And after a full day of saving lives (or not), this big boy wants nothing more than to hang with his family and claim his space on the sofa. (Photo credit: newcomer16/Bigstock.com)

Bullmastiff

The massive mastiff is one hardworking and powerful pooch but let’s face it, hyper will never be his middle name. If you’re looking for a watch or guard dog to protect hearth and home, this pup isn’t one to chase down an intruder or jump up and bark if he hears a sound. But he’ll gladly corner and hold him till you’re able to call in some support. (Photo credit: Kuzyk/Bigstock.com)

Greyhound

We hear the name and we think svelte, speedy, super-alert. Well, this handsome boy is all of that and more… for short periods of time. When he isn’t sprinting this timid, sweet-natured pooch is pretty chill and has even earned himself the nickname of “world’s fastest couch potato”. Yes, this calm, easy-going dog has never met a sofa he didn’t like. (Photo credit: krushelss/Bigstock.com)

Pug

This is like the Jell-O of dog breeds. He’s sweet, fun to play with, everyone likes him and his calm personality and super cool demeanor means he can easily morph into any situation. This ultra-easy-going dog is happy living in a small apartment or a big house, yard or no yard, kids and other pets are all coolio … as long as he’s with his family. (Photo credit: Serges/Bigstock.com)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Not all small dogs are hyper! This compact boy is super amenable to any situ. While living in the great outdoors is great, so is co-habiting a small city apartment. His calm, cool and collected personality makes for a quiet, non-barking dog who isn’t easily ruffled by new faces, other animals or playful kids. (Photo credit: Lilun/Bigstock.com)

Shih Tzu

Although this little guy can be a bit headstrong, all is well with the world when he settles into a suitable lap for some one-on-one attention. Calm, obedient and super-trusting, this playful pooch is happiest when he’s hanging out with his peeps and the only watchdog expectations put on him are to watch the world go by from the comforts of his home. (Photo credit: Barbee/Bigstock.com)

Great Dane

About the only thing that agitates this powerful pooch is having to negotiate sufficient sofa space to fully strength his lengthy limbs. This super calm dog is about as easy-going as they come and while leg-room is important to his comfort, he’s pretty easy-going about everything else including exercise. He’s cool with a couple of walks each day. (Photo credit: Life on White/Bigstock.com)

Newfoundland

Doesn’t the easy-going expression on this gentle giant just scream calm, cool and collected? This big boy loves everyone and everything and figures there’s no need to over-react when meeting a new face or animal. Kids? Bring ‘em on. Yes, this placid pooch is the perfect family pet. Watchdog? Not so much… (Photo credit: dleindec/Bigstock.com)

Basset Hound

If a yawn were a dog… wouldn’t this be him? This easy-going, good-natured pooch is an ideal addition to any family because of his strong pack mentality. He gets along with kids, other dogs and his super-calm demeanour and laid-back approach to life makes him a joy to cuddle up with on the sofa when you crave a night in with your best friend. (Photo credit: Ankevanwyk/Bigstock.com)

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Are you looking for a natural born swimmer? If you want a pooch who loves to splash around in the pool, check out our list of water dog breeds! You’re standing at the edge of a lake and decide to throw a stick into the water for your pooch to fetch. Which breeds are splashing down before the target hits the water and which are sneaking back to the car with their tail between their legs? Some dog breeds just can’t get enough of the wet stuff while others are born landlubbers who prefer nothing more than the dry warmth of terra firma. These water breeds below love the water. Why do dogs like the water? Many dogs love to swim. Seriously, think of the term ‘Doggie Paddle’ and wonder where that came from for a minute. The majority of dogs who love to swim do so for a couple of different reasons. One is that a dog’s body is often built to swim. The way their body weight is distributed along with their (sometimes) webbed paws and natural instincts makes them great swimmers. Their tails act like a great rudder to steer them along and their water-resistant coats mean that they stay warm and dry quickly no matter the water they go in. Additionally, dogs with longer legs love swimming because –well, they have the legs that are built for it. Long, lean kicks and movements in the water help keep them afloat and when you combine that with their desire to do smart things for their owners (like hunt and point)? Many dogs just love the water because it allows them to please their owners. Additionally, introducing dogs early on can make them love the water. You shouldn’t ever make your fearful dog get into water if they don’t want to, but take the time to train them and even use life jackets if need be if you’re not 100% sure they’re good. Even though they may be a water breed, they still have normal tendencies that play into their behaviors; be cognizant of that. Now, If you want to go for a dip, here is our Top 10 list of best water dog breeds. Newfoundland

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If you needed something to brighten up your day, you’ve come to the right place. Get ready to feel all sorts of warm and fuzzies with our cutest dog breeds picks. If these pups don’t melt your heart, then you might not have a heart at all! Consult a doctor!

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Everybody needs someone to cuddle – why not make that special somebody a dog? You can count on any of these affectionate dog breeds to stay loyal and never stray! If you want a big kiss or you need to feel loved, nothing beats curling up on the couch with your loyal canine companion. Some dogs simply cannot get enough attention from us, and in turn, show us how much they adore us. In honor of this seemingly endless supply of adorable devotion, we’re pleased to present our top 10 most affectionate dog breeds. We know dogs have emotions. We know that they have feelings and they feel things and are sensitive to us when we are feeling things. We also know that there are just some dogs that we get along with and laugh and love with more because they seem to get us. Like, really get us. What is it about certain breeds of dog that makes that happen? What breeds are they, even that are more affectionate and free in their love? Most people look for a pet for those affectionate relationships and sometimes, when choosing a dog that’s less than affectionate by breed and history, they can be disappointed. It’s nothing against the dog, of course…they are who they are. But if you’re looking for an affectionate dog who’s going to love you forever (and show you too)? Check out this list of our most affectionate breeds (Photo credit: Christin Lola/Bigstock)

Top 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds

Some pooches aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer. There’s no shame with being or owning any of the canines on this dumbest dog breeds list. Is it politically correct to call any critter “dumb”? Let’s call this list of dogs the “not-so-bright” pack! I mean let’s face it, not all pooches (or people) can land within the top IQ percentile and there’s nothing wrong with that… in fact according to author and psychologist Stanley Coren in his book The Intelligence of Dogs, we can’t just broad-brush a breed, we need to be looking at three types of intelligence when ranking our clever canines: The first is instinctive which means he can perform tasks that are part of his natural make-up such as hunting or herding. E.g. the family cat can expect to be corralled.The second is called adaptive and that means he learns to independently problem solve based on past experience with the issue. E.g. the cat scratches so he stops corralling the cat.The third is known as working and obedience intelligence and it means he’s able to learn when being taught by humans. E.g. he’s taught to (and actually does) leave the cat alone before he is scratched. Of course, it should come as no surprise that cognitive studies exist and similar to those conducted on young children, they help determine which dogs are clever little guys and which are well, not so much… So which breeds land at the very, very bottom of the super-smart list? Basset Hound

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Canada’s recent discovery of hundreds of tiny unmarked graves attributed to the residential school system has created not only cross-country outrage but also a determination to locate and repatriate the remains of all children who left home to attend these schools but never returned.Within a few weeks, the number of unmarked graves throughout Canada had quickly grown to over 10,000 and the ability to locate and identify additional sites (that would date back decades), had become almost impossible. Particularly since many of the schools had since been razed and pinpointing potential burial areas leaned heavily toward guesswork.The search had to be done respectfully – meaning without the use of large, excavation equipment – however, the need to cover a vast range of land in a timely manner was a challenge.That’s when the search teams decided to bring in the dogs.Part of the Ottawa Valley Search and Rescue Dog Association, German Shepherds, Recce and Taz are proficient in detecting older, archeological remains with drill work that has included using older cemeteries as their training ground. In fact, Historic Human Remains Detection Dogs have been used throughout North America and Europe to identify human remains in archaeological sites that date back hundreds of years… and longer. These dogs can pick up on the much lower scent levels that come from teeth and bones found in ancient graves… and some are even explicitly trained to detect cremated remains where no bones or teeth remain.This switch from bulldozers to the canine duo is a change welcomed by the area’s former residential school students who feel that because dogs have always been part of the Indigenous culture, they offer a natural, more appropriate approach to finding the missing children.According to Archaeology Professor Adrian Burke, dogs make a great option because they are non-invasive. Although it’s not an exact science – they can’t pinpoint an individual grave - they can hone in on a location and this saves time and the need for random digging. Once dogs flag a site, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is used to confirm what lies beneath.By adding Recce and Taz to the search teams, it’s estimated the time needed to cover a couple of acres can be reduced from a few weeks to just a couple of days.While the process is still slow and time-consuming, Indigenous residents confirm it’s about the children’s families understanding what happened to their little ones, being able to bring them home for appropriate burial, and ultimately experiencing a sense of closure and justice.

Should I Bathe My Dog During Winter?

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When is the Best Time to Start Puppy Training?

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Jolly Pets’ Annual “#WeGiveaJolly” Campaign Helps Shelter Dogs

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Can I Teach A Cat Tricks?

Cats are often stereotyped as being aloof and independent. But beneath that mysterious exterior lies an intelligent and curious being capable of great things – you just have to learn how to tap into it! Whether you’re interested in trick training your cat as a form of mental enrichment or strengthening your bond and creating lasting memories, we have you covered. In this blog post, we will explore the world of cat trick training. This includes debunking common myths, breaking down the process of training a cat, and sharing a list of fun tricks to help you get started. Is it Possible to Train a Cat? Yes! Your cat is just as capable of learning how to perform tricks as your dog. However, there are some differences in how you approach this process. Dogs are often motivated by their bond with their handler and the praise they will receive for performing as expected. This is far less likely to work for your cat. Instead, you will need to find the right inspiration. For many, this comes in the form of high-value treats like diced chicken, sardines, or low-sodium tuna. The smellier the treat, the better. With the right motivator and a lot of patience, your cat can learn a wide variety of fun tricks and useful skills. How Long Does It Take to Teach a Cat a Trick? The time required for a cat to learn a trick will depend on many factors, including the difficulty of the trick, the cat’s eagerness to learn, and the way you approach the training session. We have two cats in our house, and they fall at very different ends of the spectrum. Pippen is highly trainable and quickly picks up tricks, while Jinx is much more stubborn and takes longer to come around. Several of these factors can be influenced by you directly. Have you found the right motivator for your cat? Are you experimenting with different training approaches to find the one that works best? Are you trying to move through the training process too quickly? However, some factors are beyond your control. If your cat is uninterested in training, even your best efforts to motivate them may fall short. Is it Too Late to Teach My Cat Tricks? There is an old myth that states: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This has been proven to be false by many trainers, with dogs even in their senior years. But what about cats? Is there an expiry date on when your cat can be taught to perform tricks? The best time to start training a cat is when they are young, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time! Your older cat may be slower to learn or a little more reluctant to get started, but with a little patience and the right motivation, you can train cats of all ages.

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