Some dog breeds naturally need little exercise. In most cases it goes back to their past. Hunting dogs and sheepdogs are the opposite here.
Basically there are small, medium and large breeds that require relatively little exercise. In general, however, larger four-legged friends are usually more active.
Here is an overview of our top 3 recommendations:
- Small dog breed: Pekingese
- Medium-sized dog breed: Basset Hound
- Large dog breed: Chow Chow
Below you will find a list of 33 dog breeds that require little exercise. The four-legged friends are also divided into small, medium and large breeds.
>> Our top recommendations
Small dog breeds
#1 Pug
The Pug is a small dog with a sociable, playful nature. The Chinese four-legged friend was bred as a lap dog and is popular as such. [1]
He is one of the dog breeds that need little exercise and barks little. The pug has only a weak hunting instinct and is also well suited as a dog for first-time owners.
He gets along great with children and other dogs. The curious four-legged friend likes to follow his owners wherever he goes. Unfortunately, it doesn't tolerate heat very well.
Fun fact: Healthy ones Pugs have a long life expectancy. A pug named “Snookie” even lived to be 28 years old, making him the fourth oldest dog in the world.
#2 Dachshund
The Dachshund from Germany is a small hunting dog breed with a strong hunting instinct. The playful, clever four-legged friends love to dig and bark a lot. [2]
They are small dogs that require little exercise and are moderately trainable. The four-legged friends are well suited to keeping in apartments. They are trusting and sweet.
First-time owners get along well with their four-legged friends. However, they can be bold and stubborn at times. Nevertheless, overall they can be handled well.
Fun fact: Hot dog lovers will get their money's worth with this dog. Because they have a real “Sausage Dog”.
#3 English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a small dog breed from England. Her wrinkles on her face are particularly noticeable. The purpose of this was to keep blood out of the eyes during fights. [3]
The broad, muscular Great Dane is one of the dog breeds that needs little exercise. She has a weak hunting instinct and barks very little. She gets along great with children.
English Bulldogs bond very closely with their families and children. They are very patient and sociable. But they also have no problem doing their own thing.
Fun fact: Sexual intercourse is difficult for these four-legged friends due to their anatomy. Most English bulldogs are therefore artificially inseminated for breeding purposes.
#4 Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a Mexican dog with a lively, alert nature. The little four-legged friend is one of the small dogs that doesn't need much exercise.
The four-legged friend sheds little, is moderately easy to train and only weighs around 2-3 kg. The Chihuahua is the 33rd most popular dog breed worldwide. [4]
The handbag dog can live up to 20 years. When buying, the following generally applies: the smaller the Chihuahua, the more expensive it is. The breed rarely gets along with other dogs.
Fun fact: A dog as big as a hamster, that would be it! At 9.5 cm, little “Milly” is also a mini specimen and record holder as the smallest dog in the world.
#5 Tibetan Spaniel
The Tibetan Spaniel is a stubborn, self-confident dog from Tibet. He was bred as a companion and lap dog. It belongs to the short-legged breeds. [5]
The small dog is a very old breed of dog. There is evidence that points to its existence before 1100 BC. Because the Tibetan Spaniel barks a lot, it is ideal as a guard dog.
But he can also be kept in the apartment as a family dog. The four-legged friend gets along well with children. He is a dog that doesn't need much exercise.
Fun fact: Anyone who can't decide between a dog and a cat is well served here. Because These dogs lick their paws, walk particularly elegantly and are just as stubborn as the velvet paws.
#6 Pomeranian
The Pomeranian comes from Germany and has almost no hunting instinct. He is easy to train and barks a lot. At 2 kg it is one of the small Spitz species.
Overall, the Pomeranian is a breed of dog that requires little exercise. Therefore it is well suited for the apartment. The small dogs do not tolerate loneliness well. [6]
The four-legged friends enjoy attention and are ideal family and watchdogs. They are also well suited as therapy dogs. There are 23 different coat colors in the breed.
Fun fact: “Hey look, the dog is laughing!” – Not directly. The mouth of many Pomeranians is curved upwards at the back. This makes it look as if the animals are grinning at us.
#7 Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu comes from China and is a playful, loyal four-legged friend. When fully grown it reaches around 6 kg and a shoulder height of between 20 and 28 cm.
The little four-legged friend lives up to 18 years and is ideal for apartments. He is one of the dog breeds that needs little exercise and is trusting towards the family.
You should be careful with small children as they could easily injure your four-legged friend. Shih-Tzus are popular today, ranking as the 20th most popular dog breed. [7]
Fun fact: A dog in a fur skirt! Shih-Tzus' fur sometimes grows so long that you can barely see their legs from the side.
#8 Boston Terriers
The Boston Terrier is a small dog breed that weighs around 8 kg when fully grown. The friendly four-legged friend sheds little, is easy to train and barks a moderate amount. [8]
Boston Terriers have a weak prey drive and love attention. They are also known as “American Gentleman”. American dogs require little exercise.
They like to play clowns in front of people. Therefore they are very popular as companions. They are very suitable for both the apartment and for first-time owners.
Fun fact: The Boston Terrier is a great dog with a little problem. Due to its short nose, the four-legged friend takes in a lot of air when eating, which usually leads to flatulence…
#9 Pekingese
The Pekingese is a good-natured dog that is well suited to seniors. He has always been kept as a lap and house dog. It was bred in China. [9]
The lap dog has an almost flat face and a very high-maintenance coat. The four-legged friend likes the cold and usually gets along well with other dogs or pets.
It is also one of the dog breeds that requires little exercise. The stubborn dog can also be kept well as a guard dog. He barks a lot but is highly trainable.
Fun fact: If you want to run around with a dog instead of a walking mop, then you should definitely book regular hairdressing appointments with this four-legged friend.
#10 French Bulldog
The French bulldog was bred specifically for the purpose of being a domestic dog. It is ideal for keeping in apartments. She is one of the small dogs with little hunting instinct.
The small bulldog is well suited as a beginner dog and is one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide. According to surveys, she is even the cutest dog in the world.
This four-legged friend is a dog that doesn't need much exercise. He also gets along well with children, other dogs or strangers. [10]
Fun fact: This breed is a wonderful entertainer because it remembers behavior that makes people laugh and loves to demonstrate it.
#11 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred as a lap dog from the start. The dog breed comes from England and is one of the 20 most popular breeds today. [11]
In terms of character, this four-legged friend is gentle and adaptable. He is a dog that requires little exercise and is relatively easy to train. His hunting instinct is moderately strong.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have black and brown fur. They are ideal for first-time owners and are playful, extroverted and curious.
Fun fact: “I’m taking off…” – the motto of these four-legged friends’ floppy ears.
#12 West Highland White Terrier
The friendly “Westie” comes from Scotland and was bred as a rat catcher. He is easy to train, but still has a strong hunting instinct. [12]
He also barks a lot and has a courageous, resilient nature. He is trusting towards the family. He gets along excellently with children and other dogs.
The four-legged friends can live up to 17 years and are one of the dog breeds that need little exercise. They are good for beginners and are considered the happiest type of terrier.
Fun fact: Be careful with balcony railings and fences of any kind. These dogs are so curious that they are constantly poking their heads through something.
#13 Japan Chin
The Japanese Chin is a calm dog from China. The small dog breed is one of the dogs that doesn't need much exercise. He is moderately easy to train. [13]
The intelligent four-legged friend sheds a moderate amount and rarely barks. He is well suited as a lap and companion dog. But the clever four-legged friend is also suitable as a therapy dog.
The Chinese dog lives up to 15 years. It is ideal for keeping in apartments. Beginners have no problem with this independent, easy-going dog.
Fun fact: Dog or cat? Cat or dog? If you can't decide either, then the Japan Chin is perfect! This dog loves to lick its paws, climb, and look down on things from above.
#14 Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tuléar is a four-legged friend from Madagascar. The “Cotie” reaches a weight of 4 to 5 kg. Its particularly soft fur makes it one of the most expensive dog breeds. [14]
A purebred “Cotie” usually costs no less than €2000. These four-legged friends are lively, vocal and curious. They are dogs that require little exercise.
The four-legged friends can live up to 19 years and are ideal for first-time owners and for keeping in the apartment. They get along well with children, strange animals and people.
Fun fact: Is that a dog or a fur ball? This breed is known for jumping around for joy.
#15 Griffon Bruxellois
The Griffon Bruxellois is a Belgian four-legged friend. When fully grown, the small dog weighs 4 to 5 kg. He is comprehensive, sensitive and alert. [15]
The four-legged friend is also considered selfish and impatient. He enjoys climbing and loves to cuddle. He belongs to the breed of dog that needs little exercise.
Griffon Bruxellois get along well with children and dogs. However, they cannot tolerate heat or cold. They don't like loneliness and are often afraid of strangers.
Fun fact: These dogs have a particularly interesting way of eating. They open at…