If you want to become a dog owner without spending a significant amount of your time and energy on your pet’s grooming needs and exercise, you need a low-maintenance dog breed in your life. While all doggos need to be taken care of, some require minimal grooming and moderate exercise to stay happy and healthy.
High-maintenance dog breeds are often the highly energetic ones or those with extensive grooming requirements. These pups have their own perks, but they are better suited for dedicated pet parents who don’t mind spending their money and time on their dogs.
For busy pet parents who have a schedule full of many other tasks, or the low-energy ones, low-maintenance dogs tend to be ideal companions. Go through our review of seven amazing dogs to care for, and find your new furry best friend.
Top Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds for a Relaxed Lifestyle
1. French Bulldog
If you want a pet that’s great to hug, is amusing, can adapt to apartment living, and requires minimal grooming, you can go for a French Bulldog without much overthinking. Frenchies are among the most adorable dog breeds and come in a tiny body, have perky ears, and a flat face.
This tiny dog has a big heart and an ability to get along well with everyone in the household, from children to senior pet parents. They are quite bright-tempered and happy-go-lucky dogs that can be kept healthy with minimal exercise, even indoors.
When it comes to grooming, French Bulldogs shed a little, and some weekly brushing can keep their short coat healthy. These pups are among the brachycephalic breeds that need some special care, especially during summer. If they’re playing outdoors, make sure they don’t overheat, and take care of their hydration.
2. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are feisty small dogs known for their dramatic personalities, but they’re also one of the easily managed breeds. These pooches are compact and can fit in small apartments easily. Their size has earned them the “purse dog” label, as they can be literally carried around in bags.
Chihuahua might be small, but it lacks nothing when it comes to personality. This breed’s appearance makes it even more fascinating, with its deer-shaped head, big eyes, and perky ears. They tend to be quite playful and energetic, and think of themselves as big dogs at times, according to PetMD.
They tend to bond closely with their favorite humans and tend to get nervous when left alone for long periods of time. Make sure to train your pup to spend some alone time; adding toys to their routine might help them.
These pooches are smart and loyal but can also be strong-willed; a certified professional dog trainer can help make them well-rounded pets. Despite all their quirks and playful nature, Chihuahuas can burn off their excess energy by playing around and don’t need extensive exercise.
Their grooming needs are also no more than once a week (for long-haired Chihuahuas). Short-coated varieties require even less coat care (preferably occasional brushing and bathing).
3. Pug
The Pug is one of the most popular small dog breeds and makes an amazing apartment pet. This dog’s origins can be traced back to China, where it enjoyed the company of Chinese emperors, according to Britannica. This pooch is known for its clownish and friendly nature, and makes a decent pet even for first-time dog owners.
Pugs are sturdy little dogs, with dark eyes and an adorable wrinkly, flat face. They require the same kind of care as all brachycephalic dogs, including being kept in a well-ventilated place when they’re indoors. They make pets with a calm nature and are well suited for pet owners looking for low-energy dogs, though they won’t mind some short daily walks.
Pugs’ smooth coat does shed minimally, but it’s still a low-grooming dog that requires only once-a-week brushing sessions. It’s a great pet for you if you’d rather spend your weekends at home instead of scheduling that professional groomer appointment. Though it’s a friendly dog, a Pug is quite alert and can make a decent watchdog (but it’s not a protection dog).
4. Dachshund
Dachshunds are fascinating scent hounds originally developed in Germany around the 15th century and were used to hunt badgers, according to Orvis. These short-legged doggos have a longer body and powerful scenting receptors that helped them find their prey. Though these dogs can be a handful due to their tendency to chase smells, they’re among the friendliest and most loving pups.
Though Dachshunds, or “badger dogs,” can stay active while chasing a scent, they have moderate exercise needs and can live a low-key life with their owners. They can burn off their energy by walking around in the house and playing indoors, but they shouldn’t be made into complete couch potatoes.
Though this breed’s grooming needs can vary with its coat’s length, they don’t need extensive grooming. The short-coated Dachshunds have minimal grooming needs, while the long-coated ones might need a bit more brushing. They won’t need as much professional grooming as many other dogs with thick and long coats.
Dachshunds can be sweet lap dogs, as well as alert watchdogs that’ll alert you with their barks when some stranger arrives at the door. They can also become a bit overly protective of their human families.
5. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are curious and joyful little dogs with an amusing personality. Their sturdy, compact bodies come in a tuxedo-like black and white coat that has earned them the title “The American Gentleman”. These pups make great dogs for apartment dwellers due to their manageable size, though they can live happily anywhere they’re being taken care of.
Boston Terriers are quite portable doggos and can be carried along easily while you take the metro. They make pretty good urban pets due to their sociable and adaptable temperament.
As a small dog breed, they don’t need an aggressive workout routine, but a daily walk will keep this pup healthy. Though this pooch won’t need an overly active lifestyle, if you want to engage it in some dog sports, it’ll do well in different activities like playing flyball and agility.
Boston Terrier’s minimally shedding coat needs weekly brushing and occasional bathing to stay in a good state. They can act stubborn at times, but they’re smart dogs that learn fast if they’ve been trained early.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the prettiest dog breeds with an adaptable and loving nature. Despite being a playful and moderately active breed, Cavs live well with easygoing pet parents. They make sweet apartment pets and can live well with first-time dog parents.
Cavs are aristocratic doggos that have been cherished by British royals like King Charles I and II. Their gorgeous silky and wavy coat immediately steals hearts and stays healthy with some regular brushing and occasional bathing. They’re spunky dogs that enjoy fun and games with their human families. Other than indoor physical and mental stimulation activities, they won’t mind some occasional walks outdoors.
Cavs are great pets if you have children and other pets at home, due to this breed’s friendly nature. They make great playmates for kids and are sweet around elderly family members as well. As intelligent doggos, they can learn to participate in different dog sports like agility and rallying.
7. Whippet
Whippets are sleek and agile dogs that look like smaller versions of Greyhounds. Despite being one of the fastest dog breeds, Whippets are surprisingly low-maintenance dogs as long as they’re getting some opportunity to stretch their legs.
When on the pursuit of their prey, Whippets can run around 35 miles per hour. Their bursts of energy and active periods tend to follow relaxed and sedentary time, which makes them wonderful companions for cozy evenings. They can even live in apartments as long as they’re getting enough exercise.
Whippets’ short coat will save you a lot of time, as these dogs need only weekly brushing and occasional bathing to stay clean. Though Whippets are calm-tempered dogs, they are also quite sensitive and don’t tolerate harsh behavior. Their thin coat makes them susceptible to catching a cold; make sure to give them some nice doggo sweaters in the winter.
If you’re wondering what weekend activities you can play with your Whippet, other than enjoying some old-fashioned games of fetch, they’ll also do well in playing frisbee, hiking, dock diving, and agility.
Conclusion
These were a few of the most low-maintenance breeds that can stay healthy and happy with minimal exercise and coat care. But even the easiest dogs require some level of activity and upkeep; make sure to not avoid your dog’s needs.
You can talk to a vet about how much exercise your pup should be given, as well as the amount of food it should be having.
