As I can remember vividly, it all began when my friend’s newly adopted German Shepherd ate her sofa—one more time.
As she stood outside her apartment door in the sweltering heat of the summer, holding a half-chewed cushion, she turned to me and cried, “Next time, I’m getting a dog that doesn’t need a personal trainer and a cleaner in the human form.”
And honestly, she had a point.
It’s next to impossible to have a high-maintenance dog in the fast-paced urban life. When you have to drive through school runs, be on time for all the office Zoom calls, and make fresh dinner every night, keeping a dog that is high maintenance is not a possibility.
But, wait! Take a breath!.
You don’t necessarily need to go crazy doing all that, as there are dog breeds with very few maintenance requirements. They enjoy a lazy Sunday and won’t require you to spend hours being active outdoors.
Let’s check out the nine easy dog breeds for low-maintenance homes that make life uncomplicated!
Easy Dog Breeds for Low-Maintenance Homes
1. Dachshund
This dog wears a smooth coat and is super huggable.
What’s even better?
It doesn’t have extensive grooming needs and sheds minimally.
Dachshunds are known for their low-maintenance traits, and this makes them a popular choice amongst urban pet owners who really don’t have a lot of time for their maintenance.
This low-maintenance dog breed doesn’t ask for regular bathing. Rather, just swiftly wipe down the dog with a towel or hound glove, and it will keep the coat neat and sleek.
Yes, they are active dogs and need daily exercise.
However, their small body size points out that they don’t need extensive workouts. Also, the walks will be short and swift. Extensive jogging can make them strain their backs.
This Reddit Thread says owning this dog is pretty easy, and adopting a Dachshund may turn out to be the best decision of your life!
2. Greyhound
Greyhound is a calm and affectionate dog, known for its minimal grooming needs.
It wears a short coat that requires minimal grooming.
There is no need to spend several hours a day just making them appear presentable. Regular brushing and occasional baths will be sufficient for this canine.
If you are a first-time dog owner, choosing this dog over other pets would be a good idea, as it is the least demanding canine EVER!
With this dog’s gentle, calm, and friendly nature, it adapts well to any living situation. Even for apartment living, pet owners, this is a reasonable dog to have! Give them enough space to stretch out and relax, and they would love being with you in that small space!
3. French Bulldog
While living in a metropolitan city and having a full-time job, the best way to deal with your loneliness is to have a French Bulldog.
In terms of grooming, this is one of the least maintenance dogs out there.
All you need to do is brush the dog regularly. You can do it over the weekends, no stress!
Invest in a good, soft-bristle brush.
Regular brushing (once or twice a week) with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt helps remove loose hair and keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Occasional baths work well with them. However, make sure to check their facial folds and ears regularly. Clean them up regularly to prevent dirt and moisture buildup.
With these dogs having moderate energy levels, there is no need to fret over their exercise needs. Just take them for a walk every alternate day, and that would suffice!
4. Shih Tzu
This tiny little dog doesn’t require a lot of space!
Rather, a small apartment that has its favorite people in it would do well for the Shih Tzu.
If you are someone who instantly gets repelled by the idea of heading out of the house (cause you are super introverted), these dogs won’t really force you to come out of your comfort zone (a.k.a your cozy apartment).
WebMD says they were bred to be indoor dogs!
They are content with indoor living and short walks once in a while. When compared to other dogs, they love spending time with their owners, no matter whether it’s inside the four walls or outside!
For your own ease, brush their long, flowing coats on a regular basis. This way, the chances of matting will be minimized!
5. Basset Hound
Minimal grooming and moderate exercise, that’s all a Basset Hound asks you for!
Thanks to their short, smooth coats that don’t really require hours of maintenance, they are a good choice for busy owners. Brushing the coat twice a week would be enough for their maintenance.
However, they have distinctive long ears, and you need to clean them on a regular basis so dirt and debris don’t accumulate in them.
In terms of physical activities, they just ask for moderate daily walking.
If you are a first-time pet parent, get this dog as weekly brushing won’t be too tough to handle, even if you have a super busy lifestyle.
AND, here’s a thing;
These dogs are prone to obesity, so keep a good check on what they eat!
6. Chihuahua
The small Chihuahua is content living with you in a small space and wouldn’t ask you for a backyard!
Not a GOLDDIGGER, at all!
A Chihuahua just needs love and attention. This low-maintenance pet is easy to manage even in tough urban life.
Oh, the long-haired Chihuahuas will require a bit more attention than those that come with shorter hair.
This is a fairly low-energy breed that loves to procrastinate. These dogs are the ultimate couch potatoes and totally devoted to spending their evenings snuggling with you in bed and watching a Netflix season.
These are great family dogs and extremely well-suited to apartment living.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This is a gentle, friendly, and affectionate dog, best for busy families with very little time for a dog’s grooming needs.
These dogs tend to be super comfortable in a small living space as they don’t have enough energy to run through a big house with many rooms.
Compared to large dogs that are always on the lookout for ways they can release their excessive energy, this one prefers spending most of its time lying on its favorite rug.
This loving and adaptable companion will love a good play session or walk, but won’t necessarily ask for it!
8. West Highland White Terrier
Do you know what the best part about owning a West Highland White Terrier is?
You can sleep on its regular grooming needs and then, just one fine day, take the dog to a professional groomer to prevent matting and maintain coat health.
You’ll have to pay some bucks (obviously), but the dog will come out nice and sleek.
These terriers are low-maintenance dogs and just require occasional brushing. Bathing is also required once in a while, or else it may end up drying the dog’s coat.
A win-win situation, isn’t it?
The only place where you’ll have to put in some effort would be in training. These dogs are independent and stubborn. While training them, keep a lot of patience and use various techniques, and it will help the dog learn how to behave well!
9. Brussels Griffon
If you want a dog with minimal grooming needs, choose a smooth-coated Brussels Griffon over a rough-coated one.
These dogs ask for minimal grooming, requiring only occasional brushing.
Though they need daily exercise, they are not extensive. Rather, a quick walk around the corner would serve the purpose (Well, you should also perform this much physical activity to stay healthy)
As they are prone to overheating, extensive exercise doesn’t suit them well.
PetMD notes they are otherwise generally healthy dogs with few health concerns.
As far as it’s about their training goes, give them lots of treats and the dog will happily learn new commands.
Conclusion
If you want an easy-going life without added responsibilities and yet want a dog to be in your home, choose a low-maintenance dog. These friendly dogs are great low-maintenance companion owing to their low shedding, less energy, and an innate love for comfort over effort. These dogs require love, not a backyard for them to thrive in your low-maintenance home.
