10 Best Dog Breeds For People With Busy Lifestyles

10 Best Dog Breeds For People With Busy Lifestyles

These low-maintenance dog breeds are the most even-tempered and generally well-behaved puppies that don’t require excessive exercise or extensive grooming. So if you are a busy professional, these eager-to-please pups are some of the best ever furry pets you’ll ever get.

These perfect loafing companions, with low energy levels and low-shedding coats, a laid-back nature, and easy-to-train, adaptable dogs, will be the best thing that ever happened to you. All they’ll ever ask from you is a little bit of quality time and a lot of cuddles, as much exercise as you can give them, and just a few baths.

These great couch buddies will keep you warm and toasty in the winter and make you feel all loved up on New Year’s Eve and even the Valentine’s Day with their sweet presence and affectionate nature.

Hence, what are you waiting for? If you are a busy person, just take a few hours out of your daily hustle and bring in these superheroes and sidekicks to make your life a little bit colorful and meaningful.

Best Dog Breeds For People With Busy Lifestyles

1. Dachshund

Dachshund

These cute sausage-like weiner dogs are not just some common pups, no, they are sturdy little hunters. They are loud, expressive, and alert; they know who they are and what they want. Hence, if you are a banker or engineer who doesn’t know where your life is going. Get one of these German babies and you’ll be the most sorted person ever.

Dachshund Profile

These low-maintenance dogs will give you enough love and affection to fill your hearts and keep you motivated to be a better person and to reach your dreams. They don’t take much of your time. Dachshunds typically need only a moderate amount of exercise due to their physical structure.

They might need your help in climbing the stairs, because you’ll have to carry them. But once you get hooked on their unique quirks, we swear there is no going back.

2. Greyhound

Greyhound

This racehorse might be winning every lure coursing and agility trial present on earth, but is a true blue loafer at home. If it sounds quite shocking to you, then there is more to know. Greyhounds are dogs that generally enjoy lounging around on the couch rather than sprinting all day long and do not require extensive exercise.

Greyhound Profile

Of course, they need their power naps like a baby boss when they are not busy being champions. These racing dogs are not on high energy levels. Don’t expect them to lift a fingernail or a paw after a sprint on the race course.

Continental Kennel Club notes that they match in looks and personality with the Italian Greyhounds and the Whippets, which are just as affectionate as they are. But also enjoy some alone time, making them suitable for busy lifestyles.

Greyhounds are very easy to handle and are larger dogs, but very responsive to training. The bonus part is that they are not clingy. If you take them out on a daily or occasional run or jog in the morning before rushing to work, they’ll happily snooze for the next few hours without disturbing you.

P.S. Both the Italian Greyhounds and Greyhounds have smooth, short coats that require little grooming.

3. French Bulldog

French Bulldog

Are you confused about deciding whether you need another human or another dog in your life? Humans are so time-consuming and impossible to please, but then, dogs can be rambunctious and feral. Let us help you; becoming a pet parent shouldn’t ever feel pressurizing or troublesome.

French Bulldog Profile

Just close your eyes and open them on counting to three. Here you have it, the best cheerful and happy solution to all your solo problems, we have for the most popular dog breeds of all time. The relatively low-maintenance and cutest Frenchie. It is the perfect pooch for anyone who wants a dog but not the mess they bring.

French Bulldogs are adaptable and require only moderate daily exercise, making them suitable for busy individuals like you, and don’t even have to spend hours pampering and grooming them; just a bit of occasional brushing and attention will make the Frenchie feel like they are the only person in the world for you.

French Bulldog grooming

They are very much pleased with themselves and don’t need constant praise and fluffing up of pillows. Moreover, these French Bulldogs were once the favorites of the Parisian ladies and will give you just the right edge in an event to get you the attention you need.

4. Shih Tzu

Ditch the idea of getting your girlfriend a cuddly teddy bear; instead, get her one of these adorable, fluffy puffs, which are hypoallergenic and require only regular hair brushing to maintain their cuddly appearance and silky locks.

Purina UK affirms these pooches will be the best mood lifters and most comforting, and cushy snugglers for your partner on her low-energy and sad days. They love human interaction and attention, and will happily join you on short walks and gentle strolls on the beach or park.

The bonus part: they shed minimally, are quite charming and intelligent, which makes them easy to train. But yes, they can get a bit stubborn, but that doesn’t diminish their adorability or popularity among dog lovers.

5. Basset Hound

These slow-paced scent hounds with floppy ears are great assistants for hunters who prefer hunting on foot. They have strong noses and a docile temperament. These medium-sized pooches are stubborn and independent on one side and devoted and calm on the other.

This Basset Hound is quite a combo, but the most interesting thing about these pooches is their sudden snooze fest after a bit of play and exercise. Their melancholic pleading eyes are so adorable to look at, and even though they shed a lot, you can always save their fur to make a cool scarf or sweater for yourself.

If you are a keen hunter or lover of nature, then these low-to-moderate energy level pups will be the right fit for your busy schedules. Basset Hounds are content to relax at home and require minimal exercise, for about 30 to 60 minutes a day, making them suitable for busy lifestyles.

6. Chihuahua

Looking for a perfect pocket-sized pooch with a burst of energy and a bit of attitude? Meet the Chihuahua, the perfect bundle of sass and sweetness all wrapped up in one neat, compact puppy. Who’ll boss you around like a little tyrant and need a lot of basic obedience training!

Chihuahuas generally do not require a lot of exercise due to their low energy levels and are often content resting on their owner’s lap. But also love being a dominant ruler in the household. If you start pampering these apple-headed pooches, you’ll have to deal with a spoiled brat in no time.

But these Mexican beauties have very minimal grooming needs, especially smooth-coat Chihuahuas. Long-haired Chihuahuas are a whole other story. Hence, not many people can resist their charm or benefits.

7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Is hustling with a busy schedule making you too depressed and less connected with your true self? Why don’t you just leave the work aside just for a little bit, like for about an hour, and go to a nearby local shelter or animal rescue center and spend some quality time with these calm and regal Cavaliers?

We bet you’ll forget about all the stress and trauma of your current and past lives by just cuddling and petting these silky puppies. The old English Spaniels are equal parts toy and spaniel, which means they are sturdy like the Spaniels and cute like the toy dogs.

Hill’s Pet states this popular dog breed can equally do well in an active household and a laid-back setting. Unique and different from other breeds, Cavaliers just need their owners to want them and give them a bit of love, and they’ll happily frolic around and follow you to the ends of the earth.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Why They’re Special-01

Weekly brushing and regular exercise are recommended along with health checkups to keep these endearing beauties happy and in their best, sweet shape.

8. Brussels Griffon

Do daily walks make you feel more connected and in sync with yourself amid your more active lifestyle? But you still miss a caring and affectionate partner who can dote on you and make you feel you matter? Hmm, we hear you loud and clear. It’s a sign to get a small dog, but not just any dog out in the market.

Get one of these Belgian puppies, not to offend the chocolate lovers, but they are better than the Belgian chocolate itself. Adorable, spunky, and excellent companions that only need an occasional trip to the salon.

Generally low-maintenance, cute, bearded, tiny dogs with a clever spark in their eyes and a bit of mischief all mixed up and covered in a cloudy fluff of mystery and intrigue. These tiny professors of the dog world are great entertainers in the day and couch potatoes in the evening when you need a companion to watch movies with.

They are fun and delightful to raise, and quite goofy and energetic. Hence might need a bit of exercise every day. But they are a sweet, sweet option for busy peeps like you.

9. Bullmastiff

Want a dog that is less messy and stress-free? Try getting a Bullmastiff, totally devoted, highly alert, and protective, but also docile and a low-shedding breed that fits your active lifestyle perfectly. The Bullmastiff is a low-energy breed that can also adapt well to apartment living and requires only moderate exercise.

Who knew this daunting puppy had such low requirements? It’s easier and breezier to keep these pups happy. Just be consistent, treat them with patience and positive reinforcement, and congratulations, you now have a great companion for a lifetime, who’ll guard you with his life, won’t let any intruder sneak into your territory, and will keep the stealing and poaching to a minimum.

10. Poodle

Poodle

These fashionistas of the dog world come in three sizes and deserve to be obsessed over equally by their owners, aka you. Although you might have heard these popular pooches are the most intelligent breed in the world after Border Collies, they are not the most hyperactive geeks.

They like to look at their reflection in the mirrors or any reflective surfaces and will spend most of their days checking themselves out, to see if there is no fur out of place, and they are looking their best. (These water dogs are as devoted to themselves as they are to you.)

Get them an adorable, professional, well-trimmed look, and you’ll have no trouble in maintaining their curly hypoallergenic coats that need regular brushing.

The moderate energy dogs need daily exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. But will also rest because beauty sleep is important. A good hour of physical exertion and activity like long runs or hikes, in nature, or a walk on the fashion runway will keep them happy.

But yes, when these poised and graceful fashionistas with a long snout turn into bored dogs, they may become frustrated and even depressed without proper attention. Hence, don’t ever take them too lightly, or they’ll know.

Conclusion

If you have a very busy lifestyle that doesn’t allow you to have a bit of time to yourself for contemplation or growth. Then it’s important to get a gentle dog in your life. Because these low-maintenance dogs tend to be more independent and more content, they are less active.

But every dog breed still needs the basic care and attention, such as a high-quality diet and health care.
Even if you get a low-maintenance breed with fewer grooming needs, there is no such thing as a maintenance-free dog. Of course, all dogs require some time and attention.

And, if you can’t devote the time to properly care for a dog, consider bringing home a cat or some other pet instead. (You are such a heartbreaker and a playboy, don’t even try to come near these sweet innocent puppies)

It is important to provide attention and playtime when you return home from work. Or else these dogs may eat furniture or become anxious without confidence in temporary separations. Which will be your fault, not theirs, cause you asked for it to happen.

Russel Fawn
Russel Fawn is a writer with nearly two decades of experience creating pet-focused content. He has a deep passion for animal rescue and spends his free time volunteering to help animals in need. Over the years, Russel has cared for a variety of pets — including dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, and horses — and has always enjoyed learning about animal care, training, and breed behavior. Especially interested in canine obedience and training, Russel loves helping dog owners strengthen the special bond they share with their pets through kindness, patience, and understanding.