Do you keep juggling different tasks, from work to family commitments, with hardly much time for yourself? If you and your family have a busy lifestyle, bringing a dog home that is high maintenance can make things go further downhill.
Luckily, there are many doggos that are quite low maintenance and live nicely with busy owners.
Some dog breeds need a lot of time spent on their grooming, and some need a lot of outdoor exercise and quite vigorous routines. You don’t want to commit to dogs like these if you already have several pending tasks on your daily to-do list.
If you’re looking for a pup that will blend right into the packed routine of you and your family, here are 7 breeds you can consider.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds Perfect For Busy Families
1. Pug
The ultimate pet for families who don’t have a lot of time to go hiking with their doggos, the Pug is a small dog with a big heart. While it enjoys human attention, it won’t bug you to take it outdoors and will enjoy its play sessions indoors.
According to PetMD, these pooches originated in China about 2,000 years ago, where they lived with Chinese royals in their palaces. They’re brachycephalic dogs, which means they should be kept indoors in hot and humid weather, and are prone to snoring and breathing difficulties.
Their short, smooth coat is easy to care for, and Pugs are generally quiet dogs who don’t bark much. Pugs are great for first-time owners or apartment living since they’re calm and don’t need much space.
With a Pug by your side, you get to have a friendly and loving pet that will snuggle into your lap on the couch, but won’t drive you crazy if you fail to take it outdoors for its daily walks. Some exercise and physical activity is good for it, though, as obesity isn’t good for this already stocky doggo.
2. Papillon
Papillon is the ideal easygoing companion for families who want a doggo that can adapt well to indoor living and look cute while doing it. If you’ve seen a Papillon, you know why they got this name; their butterfly-like ears and beautiful coat make them one of the most loved little dogs.
Papillon is small but not lazy; this happy-go-lucky pooch is quite playful and enjoys hanging out with its pet parents indoors and in dog parks.
Papillons come in two varieties, as per AKC, one with erect ears, the other (Phalene type) with its ears down. Despite its long hair, it has minimal grooming needs as it doesn’t have an undercoat, which is good news for busy pet parents.
Papillons are really smart and sociable doggos; whenever you can, take them outdoors for small walks and let them play indoors so they can keep themselves occupied. Papillons are quite watchful and alert in nature, though not aggressive, which makes them a good small watchdog for your apartment.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the most friendly and affectionate dogs that can stay happy playing in a fenced area and indoors. They’re quite relaxed in nature, but not complete couch potatoes; they do enjoy little games and play sessions.
Cavs have a body a bit longer than their height, and they come in a silky, beautiful coat that fascinates their admirers. This beautiful dog is a wonderful companion for tea parties and peaceful evenings at home, but also a nice walking partner outdoors.
As an adaptable dog, Cav can get along well with all the family members and other dogs (even cats). Cavs are quiet dogs and don’t tend to bark a lot, as per Britannica, so they won’t be the best watchdogs.
A quick heads-up about Cavaliers: they do shed, and you’ll notice it even more during spring and autumn, so a little extra brushing during those seasons goes a long way.
4. Chinese Crested
While dogs with thick, lush coats are quite a vision with their gorgeous appearance, some of them also have huge grooming needs. Chinese Crested are one of the most unique, medium-sized dogs that come in a hairless variety as well as a hairy one.
Whether Chinese Crested is hairless or “powderpuff”, it has a joyful and people-friendly nature and doesn’t act cranky when meeting new people. The hairless Crested comes with a tuft of hair on its head, tail, and feet; the rest of its skin is smooth and needs sunblock before it goes out in the sun, as well as some doggo moisturizer.
Some quick baths will keep your hairless dogs clean and preppy. These pooches are said to have a feline-like personality, but they make very loving pets to owners they’ve bonded closely with.
Their exercise needs are easily met with short daily walks and some playtime in the yard. They love being with their owners, which also makes them great for fun, competitive dog sports.
5. Great Dane
The Great Dane is a graceful and loyal dog you can really count on with its friendly and calm temperament. Also called “Apollo of Dogs” due to its majestic stature, this pup is surprisingly low-maintenance.
As a large dog, it does need some daily exercise and walking, and its short coat needs nothing more than some weekly brushing and occasional baths.
Great companion for busy owners, Danes are very gentle towards children and live to please their humans. With early socialization training, they can adapt well to new situations and people they meet.
Despite their easygoing nature, these tall dogs make good watchdogs and can keep off intruders with their athletic appearance and confident pose.
Danes have powerful noses, which make them amazing at tracking jobs, but it also means they should be kept on leash so they don’t run off to chase scents.
6. French Bulldog
Clownish and sturdy, French Bulldogs are one of the most popular pets, especially for city and apartment living. They’re perfect lap dogs with their calm and adaptable nature and a great choice for busy households.
French Bulldogs are playful and amiable small dogs that stand out due to their brachycephalic face and bat-like ears. Best suited for indoor living, they require only short walks and play sessions indoors to stay healthy. Don’t let them become total couch potatoes, as obesity can cause several other health issues in these pooches.
Other than moderate exercise, Frenchies need weekly brushing as their short coat tends to shed moderately. They will require more than just occasional brushing during their heavy shedding periods (spring and fall).
Frenchies respond well to positive reinforcement and can master basic training amazingly, as they love to learn (especially if enticed by food).
7. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are loving little pooches that live wonderfully with families, even busy ones, but they’re prone to separation anxiety. As long as they’re getting enough attention from one family member or the other, they’re quite adaptable dogs that can live well in small spaces as well.
Boston Terrier has been nicknamed the “American Gentleman”, not just due to its tux-like black and white coat, but also because this breed was developed in the U.S. as a companion dog. They adore their humans and befriend not only kids in the home, but also other pets.
This petite dog breed isn’t a lazy one; they can be quite spunky and active and enjoy activities like agility and flyball. As brachycephalic dogs, they need some care as these pooches are prone to snoring and breathing difficulty, especially in hot and humid weather.
FAQs
Are low-maintenance dog breeds good with children?
While it can vary from breed to breed, most low-maintenance dogs are good with children due to their low energy levels and calm nature.
Are low-maintenance dog breeds healthier than others?
Not necessarily. While some low-maintenance dogs can be healthy, some might be prone to genetic and other health issues. For example, brachycephalic dogs suffer from certain health problems due to their flat faces.
Are low-maintenance dog breeds best for small homes or apartments?
Yes. Most of these dogs are perfect for small homes (unless they’re too large in size) as they don’t need a lot of outdoor exercise.
Conclusion
These low-maintenance breeds make excellent family dogs if you and your family members have an overwhelming schedule, or a sedentary lifestyle. Like all dogs, these pups also need some level of activity and care from their humans and should not be completely ignored.
