15 Lazy Dog Breeds

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Dogs are great but sometimes they can be a little bit too enthusiastic and energetic. Don’t worry, we get it… You don’t want to play fetch all day or get dragged on 2-hour walks by your dog, you want to sit back and relax with your dog relaxing by your side. Some dogs are better suited to the couch potato life than others so choosing the right breed for your home is vital.

If you’re looking for a lazy, low-maintenance dog who’s a total couch potato, look no further. We’ve rounded up 15 of the laziest dog breeds:

1. English Bulldog

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Description: English Bulldogs love to snuggle on the sofa, they are couch potatoes and are well suited to apartment living. If you want a dog that’s up for binge-watching your favourite series with you, the English Bulldog won’t disappoint… Although they may snore and drool!

Height: 30-40cm
Weight: 23-25kg
Character: English Bulldogs are one of the most laid-back dog breeds in the world. They are gentle, dependable, and love to be around people making English Bulldogs excellent family pets. This breed is mellow and loveable but they are also stubborn and are not the easiest dogs to train.
Origin: England

2. Pug

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Description: Let’s be honest, Pugs don’t like physical activity. These small dogs are happiest when lazing around in the comfort of the house with their owners by their side. The Pug breed has never needed to be active (they were bred to be lap dogs) so they have evolved to suit the slower-paced life.

Height: 25-36cm
Weight: 6.3-8.1kg
Character: Pugs are sweet, affectionate dogs that love to be the centre of attention. These lap dogs are excellent companions and natural entertainers, they are bound to make you laugh and will win over anyone they meet.
Origin: China

3. Basset Hound

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Description: Basset Hounds are medium dogs but they have short legs and they don’t need much of a walk before they’ll lay down and take a nap.

Height: 28-38cm
Weight: 20-30kg
Character: Basset Hounds are stubborn, calm, and kind. These pack dogs are known for being excellent with children and hate to be left alone for long periods of time. Basset Hounds are docile and curious so should be given plenty of time to sniff when out on walks.
Origin: France

4. Great Dane

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Description: Great Danes may be big but they love to sleep. An adult Great Dane is content with a good walk and the rest of the day snuggling on the sofa. Having a Great Dane is kind of like having a giant cat rather than a dog.

Height: 30-32 inches
Weight: 45-59kg
Character: Loyal, entertaining, and affectionate Great Danes are fantastic family dogs. They do need a decent walk each day but after this, they are happy to relax. Great Danes are quite goofy and they love to keep everyone smiling with their antics.
Origin: Germany

5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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Description: After a short play session, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more than happy to snuggle into your lap and snooze. These spaniels can fit into most routines and they are a good dog to have around children and other animals.

Height: 30-33cm
Weight: 4.5-8kg
Character: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are friendly, affectionate, and eager to please. These dogs are happy, easy to train, and quiet so you’ll rarely hear them bark. Cavaliers enjoy short play sessions followed by hours of napping.
Origin: United Kingdom

6. Chow Chow

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Description: Despite being a working dog, the Chow Chow prefers to spend the day relaxing inside. Chow Chows are known for their unique blue/black tongue and fluffy coats. Their thick coats mean they are heat sensitive and much prefer being inside and enjoying the air conditioning.

Height: 43-51cm
Weight: 20-32kg
Character: Chow Chows are devoted to their family but do have a stubborn streak. These independent dogs are suspicious of strangers and tend to be quiet so are frequently described as being “cat-like”.
Origin: China

7. St Bernard

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Description: Despite their reputation as alpine rescue dogs, these days St Bernards are more likely to be found snoozing at home. These huge dogs are known to slobber and shed so there is a lot of hoovering involved in owning a St Bernard.

Height: 26-30 inches
Weight: 54-80kg
Character: St Bernards are fantastic family dogs, they are relaxed, adaptable and very gentle. These big dogs enjoy life at a slower pace, they are also quick to learn and get along with everyone.
Origin: Switzerland

8. French Bulldog

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Description: One of the most popular dog breeds for apartment living is the French Bulldog. This dog is content with a short walk around the block and is extremely calm when at home. French Bulldogs are laid-back and will go in whatever direction their owner takes them.

Height: 27-30cm
Weight: 7-12kg
Character: The French Bulldog is adaptable, low maintenance, and loves to be with its family. This breed is known to be an incredible companion and is a popular choice for people with smaller homes. French Bulldogs are happy to relax with you as long as they get a short walk and some play time each day.
Origin: France

9. Bernese Mountain Dog

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Description: These big dogs are not overly demanding, as long as they get enough mental and physical stimulation they are more than happy to relax inside.

Height: 58-70cm
Weight: 35-55kg
Character: Bernese Mountain Dogs are even-tempered, easy-going dogs. They enjoy playing and spending time outside but also enjoy relaxing. We’d say Bernese Mountain Dogs are more calm than lazy, although they are certainly lazy compared to other working dog breeds.
Origin: Switzerland

10. Neapolitan Mastiff

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Description: Neapolitan Mastiffs are excellent guard dogs thanks to their huge size and fearless nature. These dogs are characterised by their loose skin and heavy wrinkles.

Height: 60-78cm
Weight: <70kg
Character: Neapolitan Mastiffs are large, goofy, and affectionate. They are naturally protective of their family and when not on guard you’ll find them snoozing. Neapolitan Mastiffs love to cuddle but be warned, they’ll take up the whole bed if you let them.
Origin: Italy

11. Bichon Frise

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Description: Small, cute, and sleepy. The Bichon Frise loves to play but one short burst of energy is guaranteed to be followed by a long nap. These little white dogs are happy with a couple of short walks each day.

Height: 23-28cm
Weight: 3-5kg
Character: Bichon Frise dogs are loveable, gentle, and always want to be the centre of attention. These dogs are always up for a play but are just as eager to sleep. They’ll often match your energy so if you want to relax, they will too.
Origin: Mediterranean

12. Japanese Chin

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Description: The Japanese Chin is a tiny dog with a long, silky coat. They are lap dogs and will never turn down a cuddle. If a Japanese Chin is feeling especially energetic they’ll make the effort to jump into your lap, otherwise, they’ll demand you lift them up.

Height: 18-28cm
Weight: 1.8-3.2kg
Character: These lap dogs are charming, intelligent, and mischievous. Japanese Chin are social but are loyal to their owners. These dogs are highly adaptable and if there was an award for relaxing they’d probably win it.
Origin: China

13. Boston Terrier

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Description: The Boston Terrier is a compact dog that enjoys doing absolutely nothing when at home. This is the kind of dog that won’t have moved from the sofa since the last time you saw them.

Height: 38-43cm
Weight: 7-11.5kg
Character: Boston Terriers are adaptable, intelligent, and people-orientated. They love to be with their owners and are more than happy to spend the day relaxing. If you want to keep a Boston Terrier busy, give them a chew toy.
Origin: America

14. Bullmastiff

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Description: The Bullmastiff is a formidable dog that is powerful and muscular. Despite their size and power, you’re most likely to find them curled up napping. These dogs are so lazy that they actually suit life in a small home because they don’t use the extra space of larger homes anyway.

Height: 61-68cm
Weight: 45-59kg
Character: The Bullmastiff is a gentle giant that loves to relax. This huge dog is brave, loyal, and affectionate. Bullmastiffs are not active when inside and will spend the day on the sofa, they sometimes don’t realise their size and will try to climb into your lap for a snuggle too.
Origin: England

15. Dachshund

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Description: Dachshunds have short legs and long bodies, and are interested in napping. Although originally bred to hunt, the Dachshund is one of the best lazy lap dogs.

Height: 20-27cm
Weight: 11kg
Character: Dachshunds are intelligent, fun-loving, and loyal. These dogs are free thinkers so they can be feisty and stubborn at times. Dachshunds are charming dogs that like to play games.
Origin: Germany