9 Best Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds

It can be difficult to understand the time commitment that comes with caring for a new puppy before you bring them home. While any new puppy takes time and effort to house train or leash train, the amount of physical exercise and playtime your new pet will need can vary greatly depending on their breed. A Jack Russel Terrier or Great Pyrenees will require much more time walking and playing outside than a Chihuahua or English Bulldog.

It's natural to want to do right by your dog, they are often seen as family after all. So it's important to think about how much time you can spend with your dog daily, before choosing which dog to adopt. If you've decided that a low-maintenance breed would be the best fit for you and your family - that's great! This blog will show you 20 low-maintenance dog breeds that might just be your perfect match!

What makes a dog low-maintenance?

A low-maintenance dog generally doesn’t demand lengthy walks or hours of playtime and and often has a laid-back attitude. Typically, low maintenance breeds are also low shedders and easy to groom, cutting back on the time and cost of maintaining their coats. Keep in mind that any dog will still need time and attention - any dog on this list will still want to go for walks and play outside, and they will still want to spend time bonding with you, but the daily time commitment is smaller.

Characteristics of low-maintenance breeds

Defining characteristics of low-maintenance dog breeds include:

Of course, a dog does not have to check all these boxes to be considered low-maintenance. Realistically, no dog will check all of these boxes. But knowing the typical traits of low-maintenance dog breeds allows you to choose a pet with the traits that matter most to you and best align with your lifestyle.

Best low-maintenance dog breeds

Whether you want a family dog that’s content to nap the day away on the couch and doesn’t need much attention or a dog dedicated to keeping up with all the family activities, there are breeds to fit your preference. But, if you’ve decided that a low-maintenance breed is your best bet, here are some of the best choices for low-maintenance dog breeds:

1. Dachshund

What makes them low-maintenance:

Drawbacks:

German Badger dogs are a great fit for most families looking for a low-maintenance addition to their home. Playful and devoted, Dachshunds are lively dogs that make great companions. The smooth-coated dachshund is one of the easiest variations to care for, they need minimal brushing and are low shedders. They do still need a daily dose of attention from their pet parent though, especially for a little bit of exercise.

2. Chihuahua

What makes them low maintenance:

Drawbacks:

Even though they are the world’s smallest dog breed, Chihuahuas have unending love for their pet parents. These little guys are also surprisingly low-maintenance. A quick grooming is enough to keep them looking their best. And although they do get little bursts of playful energy, they generally don’t require much exercise.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

What makes them low-maintenance:

Cavaliers are a small, loving, playful breed that has captured the hearts of pet parents worldwide. Their sweet temperaments make them a perfect low-maintenance dog for families or people living in small city apartments. Cavaliers are also non-shedding, hypoallergenic dogs and don’t require much grooming. They’re set with just a few baths a year. Cavaliers are known for having low energy levels and don’t need anything a short walk can’t accomplish.

4. Boston Terrier

What makes them low maintenance:

Drawbacks:

Boston Terriers are smart, affectionate, even-tempered companions. Generally, Bostons are well-behaved and friendly. Because they are infrequent shedders, Boston Terriers don’t require much grooming. And although they need a bit more exercise than other breeds on this list, a daily walk is plenty. These dogs are content to lounge around at home more often than not.

5. Italian Greyhound

What makes them low-maintenance:

Have you ever seen an Italian Greyhound? Even if the answer is yes, you probably saw one in a painting before you ever saw one in real life. The Italian Greyhound has been the subject of paintings for hundreds of years. These dogs are sensitive, sweet, and gentle dogs that are often reserved around strangers. Italian Greyhounds require little maintenance to look and feel their best.

6. Papillon

What makes them low-maintenance:

Drawbacks:

Known for their huge, lovely ears, the French Butterfly dog is surprisingly easy to care for. Papillon are very smart and easy to train, and their tiny size makes them ideal for anyone living in a city apartment. You may also be surprised that even with their long coats, all they really need is a quick brushing to keep up with their coat.

7. Pug

What makes them low-maintenance:

Both charming and cute, Pugs are adored for their lively personalities. These puppies are ideal for living in small city apartments. They generally don’t bark much and love to spend large parts of their days napping. They are the typical low-maintenance dog, but you may want to give their short coat a quick brush to keep them looking their best.

8. Toy Poodle

What makes them low-maintenance:

Drawbacks:

Poodles are one of the smartest breeds in the world. So, like their large cousins, toy poodles are highly intelligent and easy to train. They are small dogs with big personalities; friendly and outgoing toy poodles are highly dedicated to their families. There is some brushing and grooming that needs to be done to keep their beautiful coats from becoming matted but they don’t need much exercise to be happy.

9. Basset Hound

What makes them low maintenance:

Basset Hounds were originally bred to hunt small game, like rabbits. They are sweet-tempered dogs, who need moderately low amounts of exercise. Basset Hounds take frequent naps and can often be found lounging in different areas of their homes. They have a short coat that is easy to groom and maintain. Their laid-back demeanor makes them a wonderful pick if you’re looking for a low-maintenance dog.

Ready to get a low-maintenance dog?

We hope this list helped you narrow down your choice for your new low-maintenance dog. No matter the breed you choose, please remember dogs still need attention and love from their families to thrive. Make sure your new pet is protected with a dog insurance plan provided by Spot.