What Does a Low-Maintenance Dog Imply?
You may be wondering what constitutes low maintenance dogs and about who would need good low-maintenance dogs. Unfortunately, the truth is that no one has the best definition for dogs that are low maintenance. But you can probably already narrow down some traits that make your dog an easy dog to care for.
The easiest category to follow is the “low-maintenance dogs for seniors” because, naturally, seniors may find cleaning up after their pets difficult. However, you might also find seniors want easy dogs to take care of because of mobility issues.
Seniors aren’t the only ones who want low-maintenance dog breeds. In addition, young couples may wish to acquire low-activity dogs if there are infants or toddlers to be taken care of.
As they attend school, teenagers working part-time might also prefer caring for the most low-maintenance dog, since they have little free time for high-maintenance pets.
We want to help you figure out which low-maintenance dog breeds are best for your lifestyle. So let’s get started on that now.
Low Maintenance- Small Dogs
Chihuahua
Most people will agree that this is one of the best “low-maintenance small dogs” because it is both sweet and noble at the same time.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Short-haired and easy to trim |
Size | It won’t take up much space in small residences |
Temperament | Fiercely loyal to their human owner |
Personality | It is a good companion, ideal for seniors who are alone |
Dachshund
This breed may be funny-looking, but is the best dog to get if you don’t like getting up to walk it often. It’s satisfied with just a 30-minute daily walk.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Smooth and short-haired |
Size | Will be happy to live in small residences |
Temperament | Loyal to the owner but challenging to house train |
Personality | Owners who are alone can bond with this breed |
Maltese Terriers
This breed of low-maintenance dogs is known for being cute and cuddly. But, don’t let their appearance fool- you’ll have to take care of it by bathing it regularly. You’ll also have to remove tear stains from their muzzle.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Single-coat dog breed yet doesn’t shed hair |
Size | Small enough to take care of indoors |
Temperament | Will be fierce against potential threats to its owner |
Personality | It could be appropriate for people who live alone |
Low-Maintenance- Medium-Sized Dogs
Basset Hound
This breed fits nicely into this “low-maintenance medium-sized dogs” category because they are the epitome of laziness. Sleeping all day is not unusual.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Short-haired and wrinkly skin makes it look amiable |
Size | Happy to be left alone in small residences for hours |
Temperament | It is a great companion if the owner prefers long periods of silence and idleness |
Personality | Can live peacefully with other dog breeds in the same house |
Australian Cattle Dogs
Though not famous (or notorious), this breed has a good reputation as a low-maintenance dog. It likes to hang around its owner but will require some walking routine.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Needs minimal care |
Size | Appropriate for a small family’s house |
Temperament | Undemanding, gets along well with other family members |
Personality | Will need to be walked to burn off excess energy |
Italian Greyhound
If you are looking for a dog as a constant companion, this breed could be just what you need. You just need to specify where its doggie bed should be, so it can stay there while you work.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Short-haired so doesn’t require much brushing |
Size | Small enough to cuddle on your lap |
Temperament | A bit clingy but very affectionate |
Personality | Prefers the company of the owner than meeting strangers |
Low- Maintenance- Hypoallergenic Dogs
American Hairless Terrier
This breed from the “low-maintenance hypoallergenic dogs” category is either of the hairless or short-coated breeds. Take note that some potential dog owners may still be allergic to this one.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Has minimal hair, doesn’t need much brushing |
Size | Not too small nor too big |
Temperament | Does well in a small family with children |
Personality | Playful |
Giant Schnauzer
This may not count as a small breed but is known as one of the preferred hypoallergenic dogs. Therefore, if you feel you need a companion, this breed fits the bill.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | It doesn’t shed much hair |
Size | One of the biggest low-maintenance hypoallergenic dogs |
Temperament | Easy to train due to intelligence |
Personality | Loyal and hardworking |
Basenji
This particular dog breed isn’t known for its loud barking and emits a strange yell instead. That’s why it’s called a “bark-less” dog, which is great if you don’t want to be disturbed.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | The short coat doesn’t require weekly bathing; it does shed a bit |
Size | Its size is just right for a small family home. |
Temperament | It tends to be independent, meaning it isn’t clingy like other dogs |
Personality | Very smart, gaining a reputation for its intelligence |
Low-Maintenance- Big Dogs
Bloodhound
This breed ranks first in the “low-maintenance big dogs” category because it tends to avoid physical exertion (though it needs it.) Consult a vet about its health risks too.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Sheds hair once or twice per year only |
Size | Requires special diet for big dogs due to health risks |
Temperament | Easygoing to the point of being lazy |
Personality | Very sociable |
Bull Terrier
This is an excellent kind of dog to have around, especially if you live by yourself and need assurance that it is guarding you while you sleep.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | It doesn’t require much brushing of smooth coat |
Size | Large enough to serve as a guard dog |
Temperament | Can sometimes insist on getting the owner’s attention |
Personality | Needs to be trained since they can be stubborn |
Rottweiler
This breed is big-boned and heavy but low-maintenance because the dog will try to match your energy level. A Rottie is affectionate, too, which is an excellent trait to have.
Qualities | Benefits of Each Quality |
Coat | Manageable shedding of heavy fur |
Size | Large but doesn’t try to dominate other dogs |
Temperament | It is a kind dog, can be protective of its owner |
Personality | It loves |
How to Choose the Right Low- Maintenance Dog For You
If you are unsure about what is the easiest dog to take care of, you can examine your lifestyle first. Jot down on paper what you prefer to do daily, meaning the activities that you (the potential dog owner) like to engage in.
Then you can start searching for the right dog breed that you think would be most compatible with your habits.
For instance, do you like to take a brisk walk around the neighborhood before breakfast? Do you rush through your chores so that you can catch the bus to work? Will you be in the house all day doing work-from-home tasks? Do you think a dog would fit in that kind of schedule?
When you’ve answered those questions honestly, and you still want to own a dog, you can start to run through our list of low-maintenance dogs and their characteristics. Do you think any of those breeds would be ideal for your lifestyle, personality, and temperament? Did you spot any characteristics of the dogs that caught your eye?
You should also take note of the cost of adopting and sustaining your preferred low-maintenance dogs. Some dogs can cost a lot to maintain, especially when they develop health problems over time. This is quite true for the older dogs, who might be healthy when they arrive as puppies but develop some disorder or illness in the future.
You can then create a shortlist of low-maintenance dog breeds that you feel are good candidates for you to choose from. Again, these should be dogs that you know are the best kinds of dogs for someone in your situation.
Don’t force yourself to pick a dog simply because it’s a popular choice among your friends, family, or co-workers. Remember, you will be living with this dog for quite a while. So, make sure you and that dog breed are an ideal fit. Otherwise, keep searching for a better choice.
High-Maintenance Dog Breeds to Avoid
While debating which is the best dog to get, some dog breeds are very high-maintenance. You might be tempted to adopt one of these, but you should always honestly assess if you and the dog are a good fit.
Here are some of those High-Maintenance Dog Breeds that you should steer clear of.
Belgian Malinois
This dog breed is not suited for people avoiding physical exertion because it is very much a furry bundle of energy that will be a handful for you. This is why the police and other emergency responders may choose a Belgian Malinois as their team mascot. The dog is just too hard to keep up with if you’re not motivated to exert energy or have a disability.
Border Collie
If you are eyeing this herding dog to adopt as a pet, don’t. It is trained to be a herding dog because it has a lot of surplus energy to go after livestock to keep them in line. You and the dog would probably hate each other after just one day of trying to cope with one another’s preferred activities.
Beagle
One aspect of your preference for most low-maintenance dogs is that you probably want some peace and quiet around the house. If that’s true for you, then a Beagle is not the right pet for you. This dog breed is known for being very vocal, sometimes just because it feels like it. So, a Beagle is not the best dog to get if you want to maintain the quiet atmosphere where you live.
Conclusion
So, which is the best dog to get? In your case, you should adopt a dog that you know will value you even if you prefer to stay at home. In addition, the dog should be one that doesn’t create much mess or problems for you, even if you’re not paying attention to it for most of the day.
The ideal dog will always be one you know you can attend to for a short time, daily. This applies to the elderly, people with severe physical disabilities, and people who cannot afford dogs that create expensive problems for their owners.
You should also look for a dog that you won’t mind living with 24/7. This is especially true if you are a work-from-home professional, keep odd hours at work (such as being on graveyard shifts), or have to attend online meetings throughout the day. It’s kind of like getting married, but better.
If you think the dog won’t constantly intrude on you, and is content with sleeping on the couch while you work. Also, if the dog isn’t clamoring to play when you need to rest, then it is the best dog to get for someone like you.