There’s no denying it – owning a dog is a lot of work. From training and exercise to grooming and feeding, our pups require a lot of time, effort, and love – though that last one is a little easier to manage! All that responsibility is sometimes enough to put prospective paw-rents off altogether. But it’s important to remember that not every breed is the same. Each has different exercise and grooming requirements, and some are susceptible to fewer health conditions than others. So, if you’re looking for a furry friend that’s easy (or at least easier) to look after, you might want to consider one of these low-maintenance dog breeds.
#1: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
It’s starred in our picks for the Calmest Dog Breeds as well as the Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Living, so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel here, too! Beloved among families, the Cav is renowned for its laid back personality and friendliness. In fact, it’s these traits that make it such a popular breed to mix with others. As a result, most Cavalier mixed breeds (like Cavoodles and Beagliers) are also very gentle and sociable.
Oh, and don’t let their luscious locks and regal appearance fool you – these sweet pups are much easier to look after than they appear. Regular brushing is all that’s needed to maintain their beautiful looks, and as they’re quite low-energy, they only require moderate exercise.
#2: French Bulldog
They’ve exploded in popularity in recent years, and it’s not hard to tell why. The French Bulldog is a pint-sized entertainment machine! Ask any Frenchie Owner and they’ll attest that there’s never a dull moment with one of these cheeky pups around.
Thanks to their short coats, Frenchies require minimal grooming – the odd bath and regular brushing to keep their coat clean is all that’s needed.
As for their exercise needs, a daily walk should be enough to tucker them out. In fact, with some training, they can be left alone quite happily for short periods of time. That said, they are known for their alertness, so keeping them occupied with enrichment toys while you’re gone is always a good idea.
#3: Greyhound
They may be the fastest dog breed in the world, but did you know Greyhounds are also one of the best low maintenance dog breeds? Aside from the occasional bout of zoomies, you’ll probably find them lounging around in their favourite spot. Despite what their sporty stature might make you think, a daily walk is usually enough to tire a Greyhound out.
In addition to their relatively low exercise needs, they don’t make much noise, love to nap, and are quite aloof… in many ways, they’re a lot like cats! Also, thanks to their short, mostly non-shedding coat, they require very little grooming. They also happen to be generally quite healthy and aren’t prone to many health conditions.
#4: Chihuahua
Pint-sized but packed with personality, the Chihuahua is a top contender for the most popular low maintenance dog breeds. They’re incredibly adaptable and highly loyal. Because of their teeny-tiny size, they don’t require much exercise, but they do need a bit of training. Chihuahuas can be notoriously cheeky, sassy, and quite stubborn, too, so Owners need to be quite disciplined and attempt not to get sucked in by those puppy-dog eyes.
As for grooming, there isn’t much beyond a regular brushing that needs to be done. Even long-haired Chihuahuas can get by with brushing and only require the occasional grooming session.
#5: Shiba Inu
You might recognise this adorable breed as the face behind the Doge meme (which even spawned its own cryptocurrency). But it’s only been in recent years that the Shiba Inu has started gaining ground in Australia.
Originally bred as hunting dogs, Shibas are incredibly popular pets in Japan thanks to their cute, fox-like appearance, overall good health, and aloof personality. They do need regular brushing (especially during shedding season), but very rarely will they need a professional groom.
Of the breeds on our list, Shibas do have slightly higher exercise needs. A decent walk (or jog) per day should be sufficient, but if not, it might be worth calling in an experienced local Dog Walker to help out.
#6: Dachshund
You may be starting to sense a pattern here – small, short-haired dog breeds. Well, that’s for good reason. The Dachshund in particular is a solid choice for those searching for low maintenance dog breeds. They may be short in stature, but these pups are big characters!
Not only do they require little grooming, but Doxies aren’t exactly the most outdoorsy breed around. They’re perfectly happy relaxing with you indoors. That said, due to their long bodies and short legs, any excess weight can put pressure on their backs. To avoid this, you’ll want to ensure their weight is well managed with a daily walk and healthy diet.
#7: Bullmastiff
From one of the smallest breeds to one of the largest, the Bullmastiff is surprisingly low maintenance considering its colossal size. They may look like big toughies, but these lovable giants are total softies at heart. They make great guard dogs as they tend to be a little wary of strangers, but they absolutely melt in the company of their loved ones.
You might be surprised to learn that they don’t require any more exercise than most of the breeds on our list. One walk a day should be perfectly sufficient. Likewise, their short coat doesn’t need too much looking-after, though you will need to keep an eye out for all that drool!
What to keep in mind when considering low maintenance dog breeds
All the breeds above tend to require less maintenance than others, it’s worth remembering that not only is every breed different, but so is every individual dog! So don’t rule out that favourite breed, and similarly, don’t rule out adopting a beautiful mixed-breed pup. Research is your best friend when it comes to finding the right breed for you, so make sure you read up on the health, grooming needs, and exercise needs of each breed that interests you.
