Are you looking for a laid-back dog that is more easygoing than excitable? Some dog breeds are well-suited as working animals or running companions, while others would rather have a leisurely walk or cuddle time on the couch. Many low-maintenance dog breeds suit each personality and family.
Ready to learn what breeds are the best low-maintenance breeds? Or what is the best low-maintenance dog for apartments? Read ahead because we have answered the most commonly asked questions on the best low-maintenance dog breed.
Included below:
What is a low-maintenance dog?
Every dog needs care from its owner to survive and remain healthy, but different breeds have different temperaments and need additional care. Some need extra care, such as further exercise, grooming, and attention. Meanwhile, some don’t need much extra care, and these are considered low-maintenance dogs.
How did we decide if a breed was low maintenance? Grooming, exercise, and personality or temperament were the main criteria for comparing dogs. Some require daily brushing, while other dogs have coats that don’t need much upkeep and they require less exercise, so that would be a low-maintenance breed.
To sum up, a low maintenance dog is
- Their activity level is balanced, so they are not overly active pets.
- Laidback or lowkey personality
- Do not get sick often, and would be considered hearty.
- Responds well to training and commands
- They get along with other people and animals.
- Grooming does not exceed regular brushing or the occasional visit to groomers.
What is the best lowest maintenance small dog?
Many dog owners assume a smaller dog means a low maintenance personality. This can be true for many smaller breeds, but not all would be classified as low maintenance. Some smaller breeds require excessive grooming, constantly bark, and have dominant or high-energy personalities.
The breeds below benefit from their smaller size, low maintenance qualities and laid-back personalities many dog owners are looking for.
Maltese
Temperament
Maltese are some of America’s most popular small dogs, partially due to their low maintenance qualities. Maltese are sweet-tempered, gentle, lively, friendly dogs always loyal to their human family.
They are perfect for families in apartments because they do not require much room to run and play as other, larger breeds. That is not to say they don’t like to play, but they also enjoy their time as a lovable lap dogs.
Exercise
This breed does not require much outdoor activity aside from a short walk and playtime with its owner. Preferring to spend time with their owners, exercise, and playtime can be tossing a small toy inside the home if you do not have a yard. This dog breed is not suited for extreme hot or cold weather, so indoor play is best during these times.
Grooming and Health
Maltese require minimal grooming maintenance compared to other small or tiny dogs. Their coat can be kept short to long, but the longer the coat is, the more grooming you will have to do yourself. To keep your Maltese’s hair manageable, visit a groomer every 6-10 weeks or you can learn how to trim and groom your Maltese.
A full brush out 1 to 2 times a week is best, with baths every 2 weeks. When a Maltese coat is kept shorter, you do not need to brush it out as often and once a week is still preferred.
The Maltese is a healthy breed; however, like all dog breeds, the Maltese have specific health issues and conditions they are more likely to be affected. Ensure that you provide proper care, keep scheduled wellness checks, and know the signs of certain health conditions.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Temperament
King Cavaliers are incredibly loving and attached to their owners. They are relaxed and happy as a lap dog, so cuddle time is always appreciated. They enjoy following their owners around the house and don’t do well when left alone for long periods, so this breed does well with older people and single adults who work from home becasue they are happy as a companion dog.
Exercise
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel makes a great companion dog for people who don’t have the opportunity or ability to take their dog out for hours of exercise each day. A short walk or indoor play each day with your Cavalier’s favorite chew toy is enough to keep them happy and healthy.
Grooming and Health
Cavaliers are relatively easy to groom aside from regular brushing 2-3 times a week. Be careful brushing around their ears and legs because you can find tangles and mats in these areas. Some owners like to get their fur trimmed, but you can also let it grow out.
The Cavalier’s ears should be checked regularly and wiped out with a clean washcloth or cotton ball to prevent buildup. You should check their skin for sores, tender spots, and rashes when you wash or groom your dog so you can catch any issues before they become serious.
Best low-maintenance medium-sized dog?
Many low-maintenance medium-sized dogs are great for families with kids because some smaller dogs can be hurt easily when young children are around. Medium-size were often bred for working, so fewer low-maintenance options were available due to their high energy nature .
Standard Poodle
Temperament
The Standard Poodle is an excellent medium-sized, low-maintenance choice for almost anyone, including older adults, families, and single individuals. Poodles are easy to train because they are one of the most intelligent breeds. They do well alone, so there is no need to worry while you are at work as long as you show affection when you are home.
Exercise
Most medium-sized dogs have high energy, so the Poodle requires more exercise than other low-maintenance breeds. A long walk or playing in the yard will help keep your Poodle happy as they enjoy being close to their owner and have a lot of energy to use up.
Grooming and health
Poodles have the added benefit of shedding the least out of all breeds with a coat. Although they do not shed, their coats are not low maintenance. They will need to be taken to the groomers regularly, every 3-8 weeks, and brushed daily to avoid matted hair.
The standard Poodle is a heartier breed with a life span of 12-15 years. Many breeders will have testing done to warn of any health issues in their breeding stock. So regular vet visits are recommended to check for Poodles’ most common health issues: eye issues and hip dysplasia.
Best low-maintenance large-sized dog?
Although many large dogs are low-maintenance, we narrowed it down to the Bull Mastiff and the Labrador Retriever.
Bull Mastiff
Temperament
The Bull Mastiff is a large breed with an average size of 100 to 130 pounds. Bred to be stealthy and surprisingly quiet, the Bull Mastiff barks less than other breeds and are excellent watchdogs and born protectors. The Bullmastiff is a great family dog with a laid-back disposition but will need to be supervised around small children due to their large size.
Exercise
Although the Bull Mastiff has a large and athletic build, they are delighted to relax on the couch with their owner or sit outside in the sun. They do not need constant exercise to remain happy and only need a short walk or time spent relaxing in the yard. Due to their size, you may think you need a large space for your dog, but the Mastiff will do just as well in an apartment.
Grooming and Health
Many large breeds have a shorter life span, and the Bull Mastiff is no different, with an 8-10 years average life span. They are a healthy breed without too many issues; according to the American Kennel Club:
“Bullmastiff breeders support the American Bullmastiff Association Health & Research Committee and screen their breeding stock for cardiac issues, hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and eye problems. Like many dogs, both purebred and not, Bullmastiffs can develop cancer and bloat, sudden and life-threatening swelling of the abdomen; owners should educate themselves about its symptoms and what to do should bloat occur.”
The Bullmastiff requires no extra grooming, just a regular bath and brushing to keep their short coat healthy.
Labrador Retriever
Temperament
The Labrador Retriever (Lab) is one of the most popular dogs in the US. The Lab is an excellent companion dog or service animal due to their sensitive, intelligent and affectionate nature. This breed is known for its ability to learn quickly and train easily since they love to please and take well to positive reinforcement.
Never aggressive, Labs are known to be one of the best breeds for families with young children and get along well with other dogs and animals in the home.
Exercise
Labs are higher energy dogs and will do best with a family that enjoys being active. This breed will be happy playing in the yard with the kids or going on a walk. Labs need time outdoors each day so make sure you have the time to take them for a walk or play after work.
Grooming and Health
Labs have a short sleek coat that sheds, but there are ways to help limit shedding with daily brushing and regular baths. Like other large dogs, they can develop life-threatening conditions like bloat, hip dysplasia, and eye issues, so regular vet visits are essential for your pets’ health.
Best low-maintenance dogs for apartments?
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a great small breed for apartments due to its small size and easygoing nature. This breed is playful and loves spending time with its owners. Many apartments allow pets under a specific weight, but other factors to consider when buying a dog to live in an apartment include the following:
- Does the breed bark more often and louder than most other breeds?
- Will your dog require much outdoor activity, or is a walk and playtime enough for their energy level?
- How will your dog react to passing neighbors in the apartment complex?
- Are they friendly, or is the breed known to be defensive?
- Will you need to worry about damage to the apartment if the breed is known to chew or get stressed when alone?
The Bichon Frise is hypoallergenic, so it does not affect those with dog allergies as much as other breeds. This breed needs a routine that includes regular brushing and a visit to groomers every 8-12 weeks. Their grooming is relatively standard, so you may be able to watch your groomer or an instructional video to learn how to groom your pup if you do not have the time and money for the groomers.
The Bichon Frise is ideal for apartment living because they are not to chew, so they will not damage your apartment, which is a concern when owning a dog.
- Activity Level/Exercise– Bichons do not require much outdoor activity. They will do well with a short walk or playing indoors with their owner.
- Reaction to strangers– They are a friendly breed that will approach neighbors with a warm and excited demeanor.
- Shedding/Chewing problems– Bichons are not known to excessively chewing or become stressed when owners leave.
- Barking/Noise– Bichon Frise is not an overly loud or excessive barker.
Best Low-maintenance non-shedding dogs?
Goldendoodles
The Goldendoodle is a great breed to own if you are looking for a dog that does not shed and is low maintenance. A mix of a Labrador Retriever and Poodle, Goldendoodles have the qualities of both breeds, which makes them an easygoing and non-shedding breed.
Goldendoodles are intelligent, family-friendly, and easy to train due to their high intelligence. They make great companions for families with children and elderly adults because they are active dogs and happy with a walk with their owners.
Best low-maintenance dogs for first-time owners?
Beagle
Beagles are a great dog for first-time dog owners. The Beagle is a smaller dog that averages between 18 and 30 pounds, and although smaller, they are a hardy breed. They are great companions to almost anyone from a large family to a one-person household.
Beagles were bred to hunt rabbits and are known as scenthounds. They are active dogs and happy when outdoor activities like a slow walk allow them to use their nose to sniff everything around. Be careful because they become very involved while sniffing and chase anything that catches their scent.
Although they are a low-maintenance breed, it is important to know that they can get bored if left alone for an extended time and may dig or chew. The Beagle is a beautiful, happy, friendly companion and an excellent option for first-time dog owners.
Conclusion
Many dogs are considered low maintenance, but it is important to understand that all dogs require care, attention, training, and interaction to grow and remain healthy and secure. Although there are many low-maintenance dog breeds, that does not guarantee that your dog’s personality will not require more attention than the breed typically requires.
Just like people, dogs have unique personalities so when selecting a breed, remember that characteristics are a guide and not a guarantee of a pup’s personality or temperament. Once you have a puppy chosen, you may want to ask the breeder to visit the animal for a few hours because this will help you know your pup’s personality and gauge if you can integrate a furry friend into your life.
*photo by PantherMediaSeller – depositphotos