15 Top Calm Dog Breeds Medium Sized Dogs
If you’re looking for the best calm dog breeds medium sized dogs, this guide offers a full rundown. Whether you want a calm, quiet dog suited to apartment living or a pup to train for therapy work or emotional support, these dog breeds are known for being mellow and even-tempered. We rate each breed's activity levels, barking level, affection with family, friendliness to strangers, and adaptability.
Some dog breeds on the list are more on the small size - such as French Bulldogs, while others are closer to large - looking at you, Golden Retrievers. The top calm dog breeds medium sized dogs are also generally adaptable and usually get along well with strangers and other dogs.
Top Calm Dog Breeds Medium Sized Dogs
1. Greyhound
Greyhounds make excellent apartment dogs. These docile sight hounds were bred for high-speed chases but are surprisingly lower-energy off the track. Greyhounds love to lounge and make great cuddle buddies. These affectionate pups do best living indoors and need protection from the cold due to their thin frames and short fur. They are easygoing and usually get along well with other dogs and strangers.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
2. Whippet
Whippets are easygoing and affectionate sight hounds that look like smaller greyhounds. As with greyhounds, these pups are fast on the track but mellow at home. Whippets are quiet dogs that rarely bark and are friendly with other dogs and their families. Whippets require plenty of daily exercise, but they love to cuddle, nap, and be near their humans around the house.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Barking Level: 🐕 1/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
3. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a cheerful, playful dog that is friendly and loving with family. These medium-sized calm dogs are great with kids and are generally laid back around the house. Like most medium-energy dogs, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers need daily activity, with walks and playtime.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Adaptability:🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are adaptable, sweet-tempered pups that do well with indoor living. These popular apartment dogs are one of the top calm dog breeds medium sized. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their big, soft brown eyes and silky fur. They tend to be well-adjusted and are great with children, families, other dogs, and strangers.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
5. Poodle
Poodles are intelligent and adaptable dogs that are one of the best calm dog breeds, medium-sized, small-sized, and large. Because they come in three varieties - toy (small), miniature (medium), and standard (large), poodles offer three size options. These hypoallergenic pups are usually very affectionate with family, friendly to strangers, and very adaptable. Poodles have more energy than some of the breeds on this list, so they require plenty of daily exercise, which will help them stay calm around the house.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Related Post: 20 Kinds of Doodle Dogs and Poodle Mixes
6. English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are fun, outgoing dogs with stocky, medium-sized builds. They tend to be low to medium energy and are great couch potato companions. Bulldogs enjoy cuddling with their humans and are also friendly with strangers, often reveling in attention from passersby. They tend to be quiet dogs (besides the sounds of their breathing) and can do well in apartments.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕 2/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
7. American Bully
The American Bully is one of the top calm dog breeds medium sized pups. These increasingly popular dogs are happy, adaptable, and intelligent. Since the breed is still being developed, there are more variations in size and temperament than older breeds. Overall, however, American Bullies are excellent companion dogs that love people and have a medium energy level. They can be willing cuddle buddies in the house and adaptable apartment dogs. Some American Bullies can be reactive toward other dogs, so early socialization is necessary for these pups.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕 2/5
8. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog was ranked the most popular dog breed in the U.S. by the American Kennel Club. These medium-energy dogs are a small to medium size that’s perfect for apartment living. Frenchies are fun-loving, friendly, and adaptable dogs that tend to be calm around the house. However, they often have a stubborn streak, making patience a necessity when training.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Barking Level: 🐕 1/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/ 5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
9. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound may be your best bet if you want a laid-back dog that gets along with everyone. These lovable, long-eared hounds love to be couch potatoes and do not require high activity levels. However, Basset hounds can be barkers, so they’re not the best option for people seeking quiet dogs.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕 2/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
10. Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are one of the top calm dog breeds of medium sized pups. They’re affectionate with adults and kids and get along well with other dogs. Cocker spaniels are highly adaptable and can do well in apartments and smaller homes.
Activity Level:🐕🐕 2/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
11. Xoloitzcuintli
If you’re looking for a fur-free medium-sized calm dog, the Xoloitzcuintli - also known as the Mexican hairless dog - is a great choice. These ancient dogs come in three sizes - toy, miniature, and standard, with the miniature coming in at 15 to 30 pounds and the standard at 30 to 55 pounds. The Xoloitzcuintli is a loyal, even-tempered dog that loves to cuddle and relax in the house.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
12. Pug
Pugs are charming small to medium-sized dogs with a flare for comedy. These friendly pups love adults and kids, and both family and strangers. They’re an ideal match for someone looking for a medium-energy calm dog that doesn’t bark a lot. Pugs are usually friendly with everyone, and enjoy lounging around the house or apartment.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Barking Level: 🐕 1/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
13. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are intelligent, adaptable, outgoing dogs with a medium energy level. These friendly dogs usually love all the people and dogs that they meet. Golden Retrievers are medium to large-sized pups with silky golden fur. They’re known for being easy to train and eager to please, and they love to cuddle and relax in the house.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Barking Level:🐕 1/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
14. Bichon Frise
For a smaller calm dog breed, the Bichon Frise is a perfect choice. These small white pups are easygoing and friendly with people and other animals. They’re playful, curious, and need daily exercise to stay active and happy. Bichon Frises are highly adaptable and can live well in cities.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Barking Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 5/5
15. Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel is a mellow dog breed that is medium to large sized. These chill dogs are affectionate and adaptable and make the perfect lounging buddy for relaxing in the house.
Activity Level: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
Barking Level: 🐕 1/5
Affection: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Friendliness to Strangers: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Adaptability: 🐕🐕🐕🐕 4/5
Good with Other Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕 3/5
In addition to these calm dog breeds, there are many easygoing mixed-breed pups. If you’re looking for a dog to adopt, check out rescues and sites like Petfinder for many adoptable pups of every breed and mix.
Related Post: 10 Tips to Prepare Before Adopting a Dog
