Love to have a dog, but worried about your hectic routine and cannot give proper time to your dog? You’ll surely be glad to know that some dog breeds are pretty easier to own as they require less care and maintenance. Some dogs have strong genetic traits that do not demand lifelong emotional, physical, and mental needs.
Key features of a low maintenance dog include:
- No special exercise.
- No need for a ton of grooming.
- Tend to be more independent.
- Easy adaptability to the changing environment.
Some dogs require low-level mental exercises on daily basis, and their demand for physical exercise is fulfilled merely by walk in the home’s premises. So, you need not worry, we’ll describe a few dog breeds that will perfectly match your lifestyle and will be proved to be the best companion.
So, here’s a list of some the best low maintenance dog breeds.
1- Boston terrier
Boston terrier is the brown-eyed and black and white tuxedo-style coat; hence the “American Gentleman.” Low maintenance grooming makes them the perfect choice for people with hectic routine.
They are small and dense with a short tail and pointy ears. This breed is smart, easily trained, and friendly yet can be stubborn at times.
They are quiet and bark only when necessary. Both females and males require minimal grooming.
2-Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are the best reflection of “I’m up for literally anything!” due to their kind and friendly nature. Walk on a few blocks is enough to meet their exercise demands. Chihuahua doesn’t require frequent visits to groomers, quick brushing is enough to maintain a short or long-coated Chihuahua.
With high energy reserves, Chihuahuas are healthy. They are the perfect companion if you are travel longing, as their nature and size are good to travel with. Their excellent temperament makes them good to learn basic training.
3-Manchester Terrier
If you have a busy schedule and always on the run, but love to own a dog, Manchester Terrier is one of the best low maintenance breed to have.
Available in standard and toy sizes, they have a sleek and carefree coat. They get proper refreshment after a brisk walk and love to curl up and don’t need any expensive lick into shape sessions at your groomer.
Not your typical terrier breeds, the Manchester Terrier is intelligent and inquiring; they like to snoop around. Very affectionate yet strong and feisty.
A notable issue with this breed is their life span, around 12 years only. They have heritable genetic health problems, which lead to early retirement.
4-Dachshund
One of the most popular low maintenance dog breed. Dachshunds or wiener dogs as they are commonly referred to, are short-legged long-bodied hound dogs.
Dachshunds are a lovable, and affectionate dog breed, that has a positive personality and is available in small and medium sizes. They are loved for being great couch buddies. They don’t require any specific exercise, as running around the house is enough for their healthy life. For your dog-friendly home office, Dachshund is the perfect match, as it loves to sit quietly by your side.
There are three types of coats for the sausage dogs; smooth, long-haired and wire-haired. Obviously, the long-haired Dachshund requires more grooming than the other two types.
Due to a somewhat stubborn nature, basic foundation training is a key requirement.
To help your Dachshund get a good night’s sleep, check out my blog 7 Best Dog Beds For Dachshunds.
5-French Bulldog
A perfect loafing companion, the French bulldog is an even-tempered canine and demands minimal grooming.
It barks infrequently and can adapt to the changing environment very well. Their approach to exercise depends on a “take it or leave it” policy.
Your gleeful Frenchie is the most cheerful dog breed and has plenty of energy reserves.
Their weight maintenance requires a moderate walk and love to adjust anywhere. They quickly learn to respond to the basic foundation of training. They require low maintenance grooming.
6-Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Looking for a dog that will look like a puppy throughout its life? The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the perfect match.
Adapt easily to the owner’s temperament, gentle, affectionate, and mild-mannered nature makes them a popular low maintenance breed to own.
These small-sized dogs require weekly brushing to prevent tangling of their long coats. Their small size and lower weight make them perfect for easy handling and training. These canines have pet and kids friendly nature.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are usually healthy pets but they can inherit or acquire heart diseases at any stage of their life. They have some grooming needs like ear cleaning and occasional groomer visits.
7-Bull Mastiff
Bull Mastiff is the perfect option for you if you are looking for a low maintenance large breed . Despite a ferocious look, Bull Mastiffs are compliant and friendly with people and pets.
A daily walk is necessary to maintain a healthy weight. Training on basic commands, and weekly brushing is their only demand.
Socialization is very important, as the breed can be independent.
Bullmastiffs are prone to certain hereditary diseases like elbow and hip dysplasia and arthritis.
8-Rat Terrier
A very friendly nature dog breed, Rat Terrier, is cute, compact-sized, and has a very playful nature.
If you had a hectic day out and left your buddy Rat Terrier alone at home, she will calmly wait for your arrival. Her warm greeting as soon as you open the door will fade away all your tiredness within a few seconds.
They love to have a long interactive session with owners, so it is easy to train them and they are good learners and adapt well. Rat Terriers like to be social as they are people and pets friendly. Proper socialization at an early stage is critical though.
Like most active and intelligent breeds, Rat Terriers tend to be happier when they receive a great deal of mental stimulation and exercise. Rat terriers are usually loyal to their owners and are very respectful, if they receive the proper amount of training at a young age.
Like any intelligent and active breed, Rat Terriers are happy with exercises. Give them the proper training at a young age and they will love, respect and be very loyal to you.
9-Doberman Pinscher
Medium size dogs, muscular and powerful. Very loyal and obedient dog. The Dobermans are, in general, low maintenance breed. The coat is smooth and short. They don’t shed much, very manageable when they do, easy to clean.
Also, dirt doesn’t hold on to their coat compare to other breeds. So they don’t smell as bad as other long-haired dogs. Regular brushing once a week will remove dead hair and keeps shedding to the minimum.
A bath once a month or even 2 months is all you need to keep your dog clean. You can wipe them down with a wet cloth once in a while.
As for exercise, Dobermans are working dogs; they need plenty of exercises.
10-American Staffordshire Terriers
American Staffordshire Terriers love being active. They are brilliant, good-natured, and make for a good companion. These are confident and easy-going canines.
No special care is required for this pretty creature as their coat is very smooth and doesn’t shed much. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair.
11-Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is a loyal, affectionate and highly alert dog breed. They could be dominating around other breeds. Socialization and training should start at an early age to start obbeying commands. They tend to be very stubborn.
They have a long coat that needs brushing almost daily to avoid knots in the hair. But surprisingly enough, they don’t shed much. You will see some hair on the brush, or if you use a glove, some dead hair will stick on it.
12-Beagle
One of the easiest going breeds. The Beagle has a friendly, curious, lovable, happy, and loving nature. These are the best companion dogs, as they love to please people. They have a cheerful nature that makes them worthy of having.
The Beagle is intelligent, of good average size, and is almost free from genetic diseases. They could be a little stubborn, so they require proper training.
A major issue with Beagles though is that they are prone to separation anxiety. So they can’t be left alone for a long period of time.
They don’t care much for exercise and do not need to exhaust themselves before they rest. Daily walks help keep off the weight gain to which the breed is prone.
Beagles have short hair, so their shedding is not very noticeable. They shed more in the spring because their coat gets thicker in the winter.
13-Italian Greyhounds
Although Italian Greyhounds are not energy-rich dogs, they are the perfect couch companion. They enjoy daily walks, but they don’t demand any excessive exercise; otherwise, they have good overall health.
They readily accept training but don’t require any regular grooming.
A short-coat, low-fat breed, Italian Greyhound require a little extra care in the winter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
a- What is a low maintenance grooming dog?
A low maintenance dog breed is a breed that is people-friendly, low shedder, require less frequent grooming sessions, need moderate exercise, and don’t need any special care.
b- What type of dog can be left alone during the day?
Dog breeds that can be left alone for longer period of time are breeds that cope with solitude better than others. They tend to be independant and low-maintenance and less active.
That includes : Basset Hound, Chihuahua, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, to name a few.
c- How often should you wash your dog?
There is no straight answer to this question. It depends on many factors; the breed, lifestyle, length of coat, etc.
Generally speaking 4 to 6 weeks. Thick-coated breeds give the dog good insulation, so you shouldn’t bathe them as often.
I bathe my Shitzue once every 3 months. But I maintain the coat properly by brushing daily and keeping his paws clean with a wet cloth after his daily walks.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a low-maintenance dog breed, that needs no special exercises, can easily be trained, is friendly natured with kids and other pets, and can be left alone for several hours, all of the dog breeds listed above completely fulfill those criteria. You can choose the one that perfectly matches your requirements.
Make sure you do your homework and have your house pet ready.
Related reads:
Best Dog Accessories For New Dog Owners.
Self-Warming Dog Bed; Why You Must Have It.
Puppy Socialization Stage Training And Behavior.
References
- https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/the-easiest-dog-breeds-to-own.html
- https://www.purina.co.uk/dogs/dog-breeds/dog-types/low-maintenance-dog-breeds
- https://www.rd.com/list/low-maintenance-dogs/
- https://www.purewow.com/family/low-maintenance-dog-breeds
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