Calm Dog Breeds

From providing companionship to helping human beings in hunting, dogs have been at the side of their human masters since time immemorial. Some act as watchdogs, alerting us of unwanted intruders whereas others are guard dogs who attack anyone who trespasses their master's premises. There are different types of dogs with different temperament that decide the role that they play. While some dog breeds are aggressive, others are calmer. Those who want pet dogs for their family, are usually interested in calm breeds. This is all the more important for those who have kids. Here are some popular choices that are good with family and other pets.

Popular Dog Breeds with calm temperament

The Basset Hound: They are extremely gentle breed of dogs. Basset Hounds have long and heavy bodies supported on short, stout legs. This dog breed has excellent sense of smell and was developed by human beings so that they could follow the dog on the trail of rabbits and badgers while hunting. Despite their use in hunting, there isn't a lot of aggression in the Basset Hound. It has high levels of tolerance and is extremely calm around children. Its short coat does not require a lot of grooming and hence, it is a good choice for a first time dog owner. Brushing it once or twice a week will keep the coat shining. Exercise is important for this breed of dog as they tend to overeat and gain weight easily. One flip side of this breed is that these dogs can be stubborn and may require gentle coaxing during dog training sessions.

The Mastiff: They are one of the very popular large dogs calm in nature. Also known as the gentle giants, Mastiffs were originally bred as war dogs. This fact and their size is a far cry from their calm disposition. The Mastiff is happy spending time in the house with family. This large dog breed is gentle with children and act as a devoted guardian when adult members are not around to take care of the kids. The Mastiff is a good choice for those who are looking for pet dogs for the family.

The Labrador Retriever: Although it is one of the larger dog breeds, the Labrador Retrievers is a very popular choice for families. It is so because despite its size and strong muscular build, this dog is very friendly and affectionate. The labs are loyal, good natured and very intelligent. Although non-aggressive, these dogs are usually reserved with strangers. Nevertheless, they have a lot of patience and are very affectionate with children. The labs are devoted to those they consider family and can easily adjust with other dogs. However, an important aspect of good dog care for the lab is that they should have enough space, say a yard in the house. If not, then a dog owner should ensure that he can take his pet out for walks daily.

The Cocker Spaniel: This is a small to medium-sized dog with a mellow temperament and boundless energy. The Cocker Spaniels are very playful and always willing to please. Though they are good watch dogs, they are usually friendly even towards strangers if they are introduced properly to new people. They are not aggressive and territorial and also, adjust well with other dogs. Cocker Spaniels are excellent choice as pet dogs for families with children.

The Yorkshire Terrier: Though Yorkshire Terrier belongs to the toy group of dogs, they are brave and determined dogs and hence, are popular among the small breeds having gentle disposition. They easily adapt to any surroundings and are good with other pets. They do not require too much of exercise but their long coats need to be groomed on a regular basis. They are extremely playful with children. However, due to their small size they require some supervision when they are with kids. Despite its size, it is important to remember that the Yorkie is still a terrier dog breed. It is difficult to make it do what it doesn't want to. It is best to introduce this dog to other animals under supervision as it might not be very nice to other creatures if not introduced properly.

These are some of the popular calm dog breeds. Other than these, the Beagle, Bearded Collie, Samoyed, Belgian Sheepdog, Poodle, Saint Bernard are other types that are popular for their gentle disposition. Although the characters discussed of each breed stand true, individual dogs may show some variation in their personality.