As winter approaches, you might be worried about having to take care of your dog’s health while also giving it its regular exercise. It can be tempting to stay indoors when the temperature drops below your tolerance, and cozying up with your pup while having hot chocolate on the couch can feel like heaven.
For pet parents with a busy lifestyle, it’s important that their pets are easy to maintain and don’t need a lot of effort to take care of. Certain dog breeds need either vigorous exercise or have health needs that require a lot of attention from their owners.
If you want a pup that needs minimal effort in taking care of and won’t drive you crazy with its extensive grooming and exercise needs, here are 7 breeds for you.
Amazing Dog Breeds Requiring Little Effort
1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are energetic dogs and do need a decent amount of daily exercise. But they are highly trainable and adaptable dogs often used in therapy work and as emotional support dogs due to their empathetic nature.
They live happily with their owners in different kinds of living conditions and are friendly and even-tempered, even around kids.
Labs were originally bred to retrieve hunting game for hunters; as intelligent and gentle dogs, they make amazing companions for families and individuals.
Labs have thick water-resistant coats that do shed but need occasional brushing and bathing to stay healthy. If you feel like taking a hike or a walk outdoors, they’re one of the best partners you can dream of.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are everyone’s favorite, dreamy, golden-coated dogs with a joyful and friendly temperament. They make amazing family dogs; a well-trained Golden can live amazingly with children and other dogs in the household.
As per the AKC, Golden Retrievers are hard-working dogs often used in search and rescue work and as guides for visually impaired people. These beauties with brains learn cues and commands fast and, as loyal dogs, can live well with their owners in both urban and farm settings.
Goldens will cozy up with you on the sofa happily, as well as get their daily physical stimulation, and will love some outdoor exercise. They shed heavily but need some brushing once or twice a week to remove loose hair and stay in good shape.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are happy-go-lucky dogs that make amazing companions for people living in apartments. With a regal but sociable temperament, Cavs are the ultimate dream pets for busy owners who need low-maintenance pets.
Despite being smaller dogs, Cavs do enjoy taking short walks outdoors and play sessions indoors. But they’re happy and healthy with minimal exercise and are a great option for first-time dog owners. So, with Cavs, you don’t necessarily need to go on a hike every other week or have them run on a treadmill; some toys and brief walks will do the trick.
As per PetMD, the Cavs’ coat has minimal grooming needs, like regular brushing with a bristle or pin brush to keep the coat tangle-free. Bathing is also fine once or twice a month to keep these pups free of dirt and dandruff.
4. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers, also called the “American Gentlemen” due to their tuxedo-like white and black coats, are clownish little dogs with their origins in Boston (as the name suggests). Despite having a high energy level and a love to engage with their human family members, they’re adaptable dogs that need only moderate exercise.
Great for apartment living, Boston Terriers make fancy little city pets that will happily bounce by your side on cafe sidewalks. As brachycephalic dogs, these pups can struggle with breathing, especially when it’s hot outdoors. Keeping them indoors in such weather is a good idea.
These small dogs are all smiles and playfulness and get along well with children, as long as the children are old enough not roughhouse with them.
5. Beagle
Playful and friendly, Beagles are one of the most loved low-maintenance dog breeds that get along well with everyone in the family. Originally bred as small fox hunting dogs, Beagles might have a prey drive, but with early socialization training sessions, they turn out to be the most amiable little pets.
Though Beagles are not exactly a low-energy dog breed, they can stay happy playing in a fenced year. Keeping it on leash will keep it from planning an escape, which is something it’s prone to. With some physical and mental stimulation, they will prove to be the most loyal pups that cherish their human families.
According to Britannica, these dogs are prone to putting on weight, so careful nutritional choices are important in taking care of them. Their coats go through minimal shedding, except in their shedding seasons, and need some weekly upkeep.
6. Pug
Every dog lover’s sweetheart, Pug is one of the most popular dog breeds, especially among people who love easygoing, indoor pets. From taking brief daily walks outdoors to being couch potatoes with their pet parents, Pugs are all about human companionship.
This brachycephalic but low maintenance breed has low exercise needs and will enjoy playing with toys indoors. They’re totally devoted to their favorite person and make great lap dogs. If you have older people or kids at home, Pug will get along with all of them as these dogs crave being adored.
Though Pugs do shed, their short coat needs minimal grooming, like once or twice a week brushing sessions. These sensitive doggos are eager to please and aren’t very hard to train, especially with positive reinforcement.
7. Whippet
Whippets are one of the fastest dog breeds. Despite this, they’re surprisingly good family dogs and adapt well to different types of living situations.
Alert and playful, Whippets can be a real pleasure to have around as pets. They can go with the flow, so whether you chill with them on the couch, or take them to a dog park, they’ll be happy either way.
Whippets were developed by selective breeding of Greyhounds and Terriers, and have been used to hunt small game. Now, they’re affectionate dogs that can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.
They can stay happy indoors, but it’s important to give them at least a moderate amount of exercise daily, so they don’t fall into destructive tendencies.
Whippets are seasonal shedders and their very short coat is quite easy to take care of with some weekly brushing and occasional bathing.
Conclusion
These easy going and low maintenance dog breeds are amazing choices for first time pet parents, or owners who don’t have a lot of time for high maintenance pets. Despite this, like all doggos, these pups should also be taken care of, so make sure to give them some quality time, schedule their vet visits, and take care of their nutritional needs.
With early socialization and consistent training, these dogs turn out to be wonderful companions. Some other options may include Bernese Mountain Dogs, Chinese Crested Dogs, Great Danes, Basset Hounds, Border Collies, French Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus.
