A run around the park does sound great, but do you know what sounds even better? Chilling out. Dogs come in all different shapes, sizes and personalities, with some of our canine friends being born to run for miles and miles, whereas some were simply born to snooze.
Every dog needs some exercise to prevent them from piling on the pounds and to bust their boredom, but some definitely don’t need, or even want as much physical activity as other breeds.
This might sound perfect for you if you’re too busy for a super active lifestyle, or if you just prefer a more sedentary way of living, so we’ve created a full list of dogs who simply don’t want to do a lot.
Top 15 laziest dog breeds
Here we have our roundup of some of the laziest dog breeds, so if you’re wondering who your new sofa buddy should be then you’ve come to the right place.
English Bulldog
Small, stocky and sturdy, the English Bulldog is a breed with incredible strength, but they’d just rather not use it, much preferring to doze the day away. Their stocky physique probably gives away that this breed doesn’t do much exercise.
Once wrongly bred for fighting purposes, the English Bulldog has evolved into a breed far away from their violent past. Nowadays, they’re loving, gentle and above all, lazy, with no sign of that fighting heritage they were once known for.
If you’re looking for a dog to play fetch with you, this breed is not the one, you’ll likely be dragging them off the sofa instead.
Breed stats
Height: 30-45cm
Weight: 18-25kg
Life span: 8-10 years
Temperament: Loving, brave, gentle
Just remember, every breed’s temperament on this list would also say ‘lazy’!
Great Dane
Nicknamed the ‘Apollo of dogs’, Great Danes were once bred to hunt down wild boar, but nowadays, that idea is pretty laughable!
They’re mellow and love chilling out, but just imagine if they didn’t! You’d have a giant, clumsy creature racing and chasing around your home, knocking everything in its sight straight over. Although, make sure you’re still prepared for their strong tail to sweep off your lamps and picture frames. It’s all totally by accident though, they just forget their size!
Danes are incredibly friendly and affectionate, not like their imposing, intimidating appearance would otherwise suggest. They’re the epitome of a lazy lapdog, just not the right size to be one. Expect your legs to go numb after hours of snuggling with this huge hound.
Breed stats
Height: 70-90cm
Weight: 50-90kg
Life span: 7-10 years
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, easy-going
French Bulldog
These bat-eared Bulldogs are charming and cute with a clownlike attitude to life. Packing tons of personality into a small, compact body, French Bulldogs are simple pooches, they like to eat, play, sleep and snuggle.
They enjoy making their owners smile with their silly antics, but they don’t care for mountain hikes or racing around the dog park, they’re happy to chill out with their human all day long.
As a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, their laziness shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, most breeds with a squashy, wrinkly muzzle like to chill their days away. As long as they’re chilling with you, they’re happy, they just won’t let you move. Frenchies can be pretty clingy.
Breed stats
Height: 22-35cm
Weight: 9-20kg
Life span: 10-13 years
Temperament: Loving, clingy, fun
Greyhound
You might be shocked to see the Greyhound on this list, as it’s pretty common knowledge that they’re often bred to be racing dogs. However, one short dash a day to stretch out their long legs is enough to do the trick, after this they’ll be done for the day and ready for a snooze.
This is a relatively typical trait for most sighthound breeds, which are dog breeds used to hunt prey due to their speed and impeccable sight. Greyhounds like plenty of peace and quiet to have a good kip, as long as their human is close by for company. You’ve got a loyal lapdog for life with a Greyhound.
Breed stats
Height: 65-78cm
Weight: 25-40kg
Life span: 10-14 years
Temperament: Affectionate, quiet, gentle
Pug
Deep wrinkles, expressive eyes and an abundance of personality, the Pug makes a great four-legged friend to keep you company. They’re comical and cute and their fun-loving personality will keep you entertained all day long, but this will turn to stubbornness when it comes to walkies, they’d much rather enjoy the warmth of their home.
Funnily enough, a group of Pugs is actually called a Grumble, and they’ll definitely have a grumble at the idea of a walk in the park! You’ll have your work cut out to battle with this reluctance, but they’re prone to becoming overweight without their walkies, so don’t give in.
A brisk walk followed by the rest of the day napping is enough to keep your squashy-faced friend happy.
Breed stats
Height: 25-35cm
Weight: 6-8kg
Life span: 12-15 years
Temperament: Cheerful, loving, charming
Saint Bernard
Wrapped up warm in all that toasty fur, it’s no surprise that the Saint Bernard loves nothing more than moping around the house and collapsing for a good old snooze.
Once upon a time, they were courageous rescuers, saving people from the icy temperatures of the Western Alps, but nowadays, you’re more likely to see them snoozing and snuggling with their human. There’s no other way to describe the Saint Bernard other than being a total couch potato.
A stranger might feel a bit intimidated by their huge size, but this will be quickly forgotten once they see the Saint’s loving, sociable nature. Be prepared for a lot of shedding, you’d probably be able to make yourself a cosy blanket from all the shed fur.
Breed stats
Height: 70-95cm
Weight: 60-90kg
Life span: 8-10 years
Temperament: Loving, patient, gentle
Basset Hound
Boasting drooping eyes, a wrinkled brow and long ears that sweep across the floor, the appearance of the Basset Hound just epitomises laziness. You’ll have to do some serious convincing to get this breed out on a walk with you, they’d rather be catching zzz’s.
However, when you do, prepare for them to have their nose stuck to the ground sniffing, as they’re a scenthound breed with a remarkable sense of smell.
They’ve got a love for food, but not for exercise, so you need to make sure you work to keep them active. Keep your food totally out of reach as they’ll be able to sniff it from far away, you’ll just have to make sure you don’t succumb to those mournful, droopy eyes begging you for it. Expect your Basset to howl at you for food too…
Breed stats
Height: 28-38cm
Weight: 20-30kg
Life span: 10-12 years
Temperament: Devoted, loving, stubborn
Newfoundland
Don’t worry too much about the maintenance of taking your Newfoundland for a super long walk, you need to worry more about the maintenance of the drool and mud that they’ll bring in.
Those huge heaps of fur pick up anything and everything to deposit all around the house. Other than that, Newfies make great pets for most households, as long as there’s enough room to fit this gentle giant in!
The breed will easily capture your heart, they’re gentle, affectionate and patient, they don’t ask for much other than your love and care. They love a sofa snuggle, but unfortunately you might have to curl up in the corner to make room for your Newfie to sprawl out.
Breed stats
Height: 60-85cm
Weight: 50-75kg
Life span: 8-10 years
Temperament: Loving, brave, gentle
Pekingese
Nicknamed as ‘Pekes’, the Pekingese is a lovely little lapdog that used to once spend their days roaming palaces, being the perfect companion dogs for Chinese aristocrats.
Nowadays, the breed still thoroughly enjoys being a lapdog, they just more commonly frequent the sofa than the throne. They’ll be willing to leave their sofa throne to come sit on your knee though, this charming cutie loves affection.
As a toy dog breed, they don’t ask for much in terms of exercise, however, their tremendous puffball coat asks for quite a lot of brushing, so have your hairbrush at the ready!
Breed stats
Height: 15-23cm
Weight: 3.2-6.4kg
Life span: 12-15 years
Temperament: Intelligent, stubborn, affectionate
Bernese Mountain Dog
A surprisingly subdued breed, the Bernese Mountain Dog was once bred to be an all-rounder working dog. They’re sturdy and strong, so they were once particularly adept at pulling heavy carts.
Nowadays, they just enjoy spending their downtime by their owner’s side, or on their owner’s lap, whatever takes their fancy as long as they’re close by.
Although lazy may not be the right way to describe a Berner as they’re always up for a play and a walk whenever you want, they’re more than happy to chill out the rest of the day as long as they’re getting plenty of love and affection from their human. Mellow and chilled in the home is probably the best way to describe this breed.
Breed stats
Height: 58-70cm
Weight: 38-50kg
Lifespan: 6-10 years
Temperament: Devoted, intelligent, loving
Bullmastiff
It might seem surprising that this huge hound that once worked as guard dog would be lazy, but they’re actually docile, chilled out and love a good snooze.
People might be intimidated by their imposing looks and size, but realistically, the Bullmastiff is just a big softie. They’re super mellow and aren’t too interested in bouncing off the walls or barking the house down, often referred to as being the ‘silent watchdog’.
The only reason you’d notice your Bullmastiff in the house is their huge size and pools of drool on the floor, otherwise they’re quiet and reserved. They’ll happily start their day with a nice steady stroll followed by stealing a spot on your lap for a long catnap.
Breed stats
Height: 60-70cm
Weight: 45-60kg
Lifespan: 8-10 years
Temperament: Courageous, quiet, devoted
Chow Chow
If you’re looking for a fiercely devoted companion, a Chow Chow might be the perfect dog for you. Although they won’t be making BFFs with strangers in a hurry, this breed forms a close, unconditional bond with their family, wanting nothing more than to please and protect their loved ones.
Chows are commonly described as looking like a mix of a lion and a bear, but possessing the temperament of a cat, independent, aloof and a big fan of dozing all day.
When they’re walking around the house, they look dignified, unique and regal, but this all goes out of the window when they’re sleeping. Expect some snoring and lots of drool, Chow Chows can do some serious snoozing.
Breed stats
Height: 45-60cm
Weight: 20-40kg
Lifespan: 11-15 years
Temperament: Quiet, loyal, independent
Shih Tzu
Most dogs were once bred to work, whether that be hunting, herding, retrieving, ratting or even racing, but not the little Shih Tzu, they were bred to be a companion dog, whose only job is to lounge all day.
Shih Tzus come from a Chinese heritage, and their breed name is amusingly Chinese for ‘little lion’. However, there’s nothing lion-like about this pooch other than their appearance, they definitely don’t live up to their name in terms of personality and energy levels. Lounging around all day is much more up their street.
Shih Tzus thrive on the company of their humans, they like to act as a hot water bottle for their owner. They don’t need a lot of exercise, but their long locks will need some upkeep, you might even want to tie their sweeping hair into a little top knot.
Breed stats
Height: 20-28cm
Weight: 4-7.2kg
Life span: 10-16 years
Temperament: Cheerful, loving, stubborn
Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is another dog breed that many believe to be similar to our feline friends, they’re elegant, quiet, dainty and they love a good catnap. You’re also likely to walk into the house to find your Japanese Chin posed on the kitchen worktops or perched on your bookshelf.
Their delicate, agile form makes them experts at jumping up onto high surfaces, much like a cat, and they definitely take advantage of that ability.
When they’re not parading round on the surfaces, you’ll find your Japanese Chin either curled up in their bed or curled up on your lap, most likely the latter. They relish in the company of their loved ones.
Breed stats
Height: 20-27cm
Weight: 2-7kg
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Temperament: Intelligent, quiet, loving
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Although they’re not the laziest breed on this list, they’d definitely be willing to give it a good go. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are pretty simple creatures, they’re happy to do whatever their human wants to do.
If you want to go out on a long walk, then yes, your Cavalier King Charles will be more than happy to do it, but if you fancy spending your day lounging around, then that’s no problem either!
You’ll never be short of affection from a Cavalier, they’ll always be happy to see you, greeting you with a kiss and a waggy tail. They’re the ulti-mutt companion.
Breed stats
Height: 30-33cm
Weight: 5.5-8.2kg
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Temperament: Loving, cheerful, gentle
Recap
The lazier dogs come in all sizes, so whether you’re wanting a little lapdog, or a huge hound who still thinks they’re a lapdog, there’s a breed that suits everyone’s lifestyle and needs.
If your pooch is on the lazier side, a bit of a serial snoozer, then they might be reluctant to go for a walk. However, no matter how much they don’t want to, your canine couch potato must be exercised regularly despite their protests.