Getting your first dog is an overwhelming experience. Along with all the joy comes a little nervousness regarding whether you will be able to look after your pup or not. Adopting a dog is a huge commitment, so choosing the right breed is important.
Is it your first time having a pet? Or do you find yourself too busy to take care of a pet? We recommend that you adopt a low-maintenance dog breed. Such dog breeds are relatively easy to handle.
These dog breeds have minimal exercise and grooming requirements. Their easy-going nature and easy-to-train personalities make them ideal family companions. But remember, no dog breed is completely maintenance-free.
Here are the 8 most easiest dog breeds to own and love.
Most Easiest Dog Breeds To Own & Love
1. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a highly intelligent and adorable breed. These pooches have a thirst for learning new things and are very trainable. If you adopt a Shih Tzu, expect them to train you quicker than you can train them.
Eager to Please: Shih Tzus are eager to please and even know what you are about to do before you do.
Moderate Energy Levels: Their moderate energy levels and small size mean they do not require extensive exercise to stay healthy. PDSA recommends only an hour of daily physical stimulation for a Shih Tzu.
Hypoallergenic Coat: Their luxurious coat is hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about your allergies. However, the fur needs daily brushing and lots of care.
Shih Tzus are easy to manage and obliging, but they are prone to separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods.
2. Poodle
Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds. They excel at learning new tricks and mastering obedience. These devoted and affectionate canines make wonderful cuddle partners and love playing with kids.
Intelligence and High Trainability: All three Poodle varieties, Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodle, are very intelligent and full of playful energy. Poodles’ eagerness to please and people-oriented nature make training easy.
Easy-going Personality: These easy-going companions are not aggressive and get along nicely with kids and other dogs.
Hypoallergenic Coat: Their beautiful coat is surprisingly hypoallergenic.
However, their high levels of intelligence and athleticism mean they need plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation.
3. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is a popular breed for city and apartment living. These peppy dogs have a cheerful and outgoing personality, meaning you can handle them easily. Bichons are compact yet low-maintenance dogs who do not require too much exercise.
High Trainability: Bichons are highly trainable, eager to please, and smart dogs who learn quickly. According to PetMD, they can easily master simple cues like “sit” and “stay” due to their intelligence. These traits make them well-suited for first-time dog owners.
Hypoallergenic Coat: Their fluffy coat gives them a powder puff appearance. Surprisingly, their cotton-like hair sheds very little, and they are hypoallergenic dogs.
Sociability: Bichons are sociable dogs who make easy-going companions for all family members, including children.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These warm and affectionate pooches were originally bred as companions and lap dogs. Their friendly and gentle demeanor makes them a good choice for novice pet parents. Those soulful eyes and luxurious coats can easily melt your heart.
Adaptability: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their adaptable nature. Their tolerance levels and patience around kids and other pets make them ideal family dogs.
Moderate Exercise Needs: They have moderate exercise needs; daily physical activity should include a two to three-mile walk and play sessions.
Eager to Please: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are intelligent and eager to please. So, you can easily train them using positive reinforcement methods.
However, Cavaliers thrive on human interaction and should not be left alone for extended durations.
5. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are known for their big personalities, silly antics, and wrinkly faces. They love their family and enjoy playing with them. Frenchies are great around kids, but interactions with rough children need to be supervised.
Easy-going Personality: These intelligent doggos have an easygoing personality. According to the American Kennel Club, they are people pleasers and, therefore, easy to train.
Calm Nature: Frenchies make perfect companions due to their calm nature. These quiet dogs are relatively low-maintenance and do not bark excessively.
Low Exercise Needs: Frenchies have flat faces, which makes them prone to respiratory problems. Due to being brachycephalic, they do not need extensive exercise for stimulation. Only half an hour of exercise, including walks, games of fetch, and hide and seek, will suffice.
6. Havanese
Like sunshine on a cloudy day, Havanese bring warmth and joy to your life. These playful fellas make new friends wherever they go. These extroverts from Havana love interacting with everyone, including children, other pets, and even the postman.
Havanese are typically healthy and live a long life, but may encounter some health problems like patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, and dental disease.
Moderate Exercise Needs: These moderately energetic canines benefit from daily brisk walks and fun play sessions with owners in the backyard. No vigorous exercise is required.
Intelligence: Havanese are exceptionally intelligent and easy to train. They learn best with positive reinforcement-based training methods.
Adaptability: Havanese can adjust well in all types of locations, be it a large home or a small apartment in an urban setting.
7. Golden Retriever
Having a sunny disposition, Golden Retrievers are one of the friendliest and most popular dog breeds in America. They can break the ice with their outgoing behavior. Goldens’ easy-going personality means you don’t have to worry about their interactions with new people.
Ability to Learn Complex Commands: Golden Retrievers are notoriously intelligent and learn commands easily. From simple commands like “stay” and “leave” to complex cues, everything is a piece of cake for them.
Little Training Needs: Goldens do not require intensive training; however, little training is a must for every breed.
Adaptability: These playful and bouncy dogs are adaptable. They make wonderful family dogs and are the right choice for first-time pet parents. Goldens are unwaveringly loyal and devoted mutts who thrive on companionship.
8. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are easygoing and adventurous fellows who make a good pet for active families. These social butterflies bond easily with everyone, including kids and strangers. Labs also serve as protective and trustworthy companions for your kids.
Willingness to Please: Labradors’ high intelligence and willingness to please make them one of the easiest breeds to train.
Quick Learning: These high-spirited and outgoing pooches are quick learners. They can easily master simple as well as complex commands. These obedience champs respond best to positive reinforcement methods.
Easy to Maintain Coat: Their short and sleek coat is weatherproof and easy to maintain. Petplan recommends weekly brushing to keep their coat in top-notch condition. However, they are prone to shedding.
Conclusion
Some dog breeds give a tough time and require experienced handlers, but others are a piece of cake. From Labradors to Goldens to Cavaliers and Poodles, easy dog breeds are eager to please, smart, and highly trainable.
They do not require extensive exercise to stay happy and healthy, and have easygoing personalities. Many of these breeds have an easy-to-maintain coat, so you do not need to take out extra time for grooming.
However, you must remember that no dog breed is maintenance-free. Every dog requires attention, love, daily exercise, and regular grooming to be the best.
