Some dog lovers do not adopt a furry friend just because they can’t keep up with their high exercise and grooming needs. These high-maintenance breeds make wonderful companions, but are not well-suited for busy owners.
Fortunately, certain dog breeds are happy with moderate exercise and minimal grooming. These low-maintenance dog breeds are easygoing and provide the love, warmth, and companionship that any pet parent would desire.
Such breeds are ideal for first-time owners and individuals who don’t have enough time to spend with their dog. It is worth mentioning that there is no such thing as a zero-maintenance dog, but some canines can match your hectic schedule better than others.
Here are the top 9 dog breeds to avoid for those who can’t handle high maintenance.
Dog Breeds to Avoid for Those Who Can’t Handle High Maintenance
1. Whippet
A smaller version of Greyhounds, Whippets are quick and agile dogs known for their love of chasing. Recognized by their sleek bodies and sweet faces, Whippets are adaptable canines who get along nicely with children and other pets.
One of the fastest dog breeds on Earth, Whippets are quiet and gentle, making them highly suitable for apartment living. They experience short bursts of energy, but you can find them lounging most of the time. Being sprinters by nature, Whippets require at least an hour of daily exercise, as per PDSA.
Their short coats are incredibly easy to maintain. Whippets don’t shed much and require weekly brushing to remove loose hair.
Do You Know? Whippets are quite robust and run at the speed of 45 miles per hour. A Whippet named Reas was declared to be the fastest dog in America in 2022, as noted by the American Kennel Club.
2. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are friendly and bright dogs who make excellent companions for people looking for a snuggly friend. Recognized by their tight tuxedo jacket, they are nicknamed “The American Gentleman.” Boston Terrier is a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming.
They don’t require frequent brushing, and their coat does not shed much. Brush your Boston Terrier’s coat once a week using a bristle hair brush. They are energetic but do not require lots of exercise to stay healthy.
Bostons should not be exercised more than an hour daily as they are prone to overheating. They are “go with the flow” type of pooches who are content with whatever they are doing. Boston Terriers are eager to please canines well-suited for a busy lifestyle.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle and affectionate dogs who were bred as companions for the aristocracy. These loving pooches enjoy lots of attention from their owners and can do well in different types of social situations.
Their silky hair can be easily maintained with regular brushing. Occasional baths also help maintain their thick double coat in top-notch condition. Professional grooming every four to six weeks is also required. Cavaliers are adaptable; they make great companions for both active owners and couch potatoes.
According to the American Kennel Club, Cavaliers stay happy with outdoor activities and moderate exercise daily. One hour of exercise should be split into at least two walks, and sometimes off-leash. Cavaliers have a unique combination of athleticism and calmness in their personality.
They get along nicely with kids and other pets. Cavaliers thrive on human companionship and form strong bonds with their owners. They make ideal family pets but are prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long and can exhibit destructive behaviors.
4. Chihuahua
Rounded apple head and luminous, expressive eyes are the hallmarks of this breed. Chihuahuas are little dogs with big and charming personalities. Their petite size makes them great lap dogs and enables them to adjust well in different types of homes.
Smooth-coated Chihuahuas with short fur have minimal grooming needs, while long-haired variants require regular grooming two to three times a week to prevent mats. They require only occasional baths and nail trimming every two weeks.
Despite their small size, Chihuahuas are active dogs but do not require extensive exercise. Only half an hour to one hour of physical activity would suffice. Chihuahuas don’t eat much or take up lots of space. They remain healthy as long as they are getting regular exercise and a balanced diet.
5. French Bulldog
With their large bat ears and squishy faces, French Bulldogs look simply adorable. Frenchies are smart, adaptable, and low-maintenance in terms of grooming. Their short coat is easy to maintain with weekly brushing and minimal bathing.
Brushing promotes hair growth and helps keep the coat healthy. Frenchies are not high-energy dogs, so they do not require plenty of exercise. They can be frisky and playful one moment, and an uber couch potato the next. Short walks and indoor play sessions provide them with enough exercise.
However, they are brachycephalic, so you need to be careful. Do not over-exercise or over-heat your French Bulldog. Plus, the skin folds of these wrinkly dogs need to be cleaned thoroughly and gently to prevent moisture buildup and bacterial infections.
6. Great Dane
Great Danes are large dogs, but do not let their imposing appearance fool you. They have fairly low energy needs compared to their size and do not require lots of exercise to stay content. Danes require around one and a half to two hours of physical activity.
These short-haired canine companions do not shed much, so extensive grooming is not required to keep their coat in top-notch condition. Regular grooming should include weekly brushing using a soft-bristle brush.
Great Danes are easygoing and sweet-natured dogs, but make vigilant guardians who can scare away intruders with mere presence. They are patient and loving around kids and make new friends easily. However, obedience training is a must for Great Danes, like all other big dogs.
7. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested dog is an affectionate toy dog breed available in two varieties: hairless and coated. Hairless dogs have smooth skin with tufts of hair on the head, tail, and ankles. While long-haired or “powderpuff” dogs require consistent grooming, the hairless variety has no frequent grooming needs.
Although these dogs require regular physical activity, WebMD explains that a relatively small amount of playtime or a daily short walk is required to stay healthy. Chinese Crested dogs are happy spending their time indoors and lounging on the couch.
These happy and alert pooches are a good match for owners who can provide constant companionship. Their lively and loving personality means they are well-suited for homes with children. However, households with young kids should avoid keeping a Chinese Crested dog.
Chinese Crested dogs are generally healthy, but prone to some diseases like all other breeds. They have a long lifespan, so if you want a low-maintenance breed that stays with you for many years, adopt a Chinese Crested. Use this calculator to find your furry friend’s life expectancy:
8. Greyhound
Greyhounds are sweet-tempered sighthounds, which means that they rely on speed and their remarkable sight to track prey. Their energy levels are low to moderate despite being one of the fastest dogs in the world.
Greyhounds require an hour of exercise daily. Although backyard exercise is perfectly acceptable for them, a daily walk in the dog park provides more mental as well as physical stimulation. However, if you live in an apartment, then 2-3 daily short walks may be needed to keep your dog happy and healthy.
According to PetMD, when it comes to grooming, the Greyhound is pretty low maintenance. Aside from occasional baths and nail trims, they do not require much routine grooming.
Interestingly, it can be difficult to train Greyhounds to “sit” as this is not a natural position for them. Their body shape and muscle tone in their back and hind end make sitting not a comfortable or natural position for them. Many Greyhounds will learn this command by balancing on their tail.
Their gentle and friendly personality enables them to fit well into most families, including those with children and other dogs. However, do not leave a Greyhound alone with boisterous kids to avoid accidental hurt.
9. Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu makes it to the list of low-maintenance dog breeds due to their naturally clean and fastidious personality. They require little grooming as their coat repels dirt and odor, making them perfect for individuals who can’t handle high-maintenance dog breeds.
Having an independent personality, Shibas aren’t those cuddly pets who want constant human interaction. Quite popular in their homeland, these Spitz-type dogs have a thick double coat that needs to be brushed one to two times a week. Daily brushing is not needed.
Shiba Inus are fairly energetic dogs, but not hyperactive. They love to go for daily walks and require only 40 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. Shiba Inus love playtime and excel at activities like agility and lure coursing.
Conclusion
If you are a busy dog lover or unable to keep up with high-maintenance breeds, you can adopt a low-maintenance dog breed. Low-maintenance dogs do not have high energy levels, so they might not require extensive exercise.
They do not have heavy shedding coats; instead, they have easy-to-maintain coats that rarely require professional grooming. These intelligent dogs usually have easy trainability and make fun-loving partners.
