10 Best Low Maintenance Dogs

Have no doubt that having a pet is going to take up a lot of your time and will require some changes in your habits. But depending on the breed you choose, you might get some time for yourself every once in a while. We have prepared a list of low maintenance dogs that you should really consider if you only have a limited amount of time at your disposal to take care of the dog. We prepared a list of dogs that require little to no grooming, trimming, or stripping and also analyzed their size, ease of training, exercising needs, how often and how much they shed, and life expectancy.

Pug





Pugs are unexpectedly energetic and loving; before you’ll even know it, you’ll have yourself a new best friend. But like all brachycephalic breeds (dogs with a wider than longer skull and very small noses), they are prone to developing quite a few respiratory problems throughout their lives.

Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 14-18 pounds, 10-11 inches Difficult Below average Constant 12-15 years

Pros

While having low exercising needs, they are very playful

Great with children

Ideal for first-time dog owners

Cons

Snoring and a wide range of other nasal sounds (which can also be cute)

Not great for first-time dog owners

Could be considered unattractive by some

Border Collie





The Border Collie is one of the few low maintenance dogs with long coats. You should be prepared to do quite a bit of brushing, but this dog’s coat is quite easy to handle compared to other long coat breeds. They are extremely friendly and get very attached to their masters. They are also very playful and easy-going, so hanging out with your collie will be a daily ritual to look forward to. Boarder Collies are the cutest low maintenance medium dogs out there.

Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 30-45 pounds, 18-23 inches Easy High Moderate 10-14 years

Pros

Very intelligent and quick to learn

Have a long adolescence

Requires brushing

Cons

Can create their own fun activities which might be destructive if not trained

Hard to unlearn bad behaviors they pick up

Very energetic

Chihuahua





This one is a very low maintenance dog because of its incredibly small size and short hair . You can walk it on a leash or just carry it in a dog bag – your Chihuahua will love both options. We recommend the short coat Chihuahua so that you can save time with brushing and grooming. You won’t have to invest too much money in food and preventative care precisely because it is so small, which makes them some of the best small low maintenance dogs out there.

Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 4-6 pounds, 6-9 inches Difficult Low Moderate 14-18 years

Pros

Great for those living in apartments

They learn fast and can get used to a litter box easily

Great for traveling with pets

Cons

Fragile and weaker than most other dog breeds

Not great for families with children, as they tend to bond with just one family member

They can be noisy

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is like a ray of sunshine. It will always be extremely excited to see you and it will enjoy every single moment of playtime. You should, however, be prepared to visit your local vet’s office quite often because your Jack Russell will get its nose into trouble on a regular basis. Their good personalities and genuinely happy nature will clearly pay off for all the incidents you might encounter. Jack Russels are the most eager low maintenance dogs out there.

Fun fact: Jack Russell terriers are actually hunting dogs! So whenever you find yourself close to a pond, be prepared to get your clothes wet because they will most likely chase ducks and other birds!





Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 13-17 pounds, 12-14 inches Difficult High Constant 13-16 years

Pros

Very affectionate, smart, loyal, and protective

Highly entertaining thanks to their energetic nature

Good guard dogs

Cons

Will kill small animals lie mice, rats, or lizards and probably bring them to you as gifts

Can be noisy and aggressive towards unfamiliar people or dogs

Not ideal for families with children

Dachshund





Dachshunds are excellent companions thanks to their excitement, curious nature, and good personality. These short-legged and long-bodied sweethearts are absolutely lovable! While dog food will not be all that expensive, it is crucial that you make sure that you Dachshund doesn’t gain too much weight because they have a predisposition for obesity. You will have to be strong and resist their begging to keep them healthy and happy for a long time. Nevertheless, they are some of the sweetest low maintenance small dogs out there.

Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 11-32 pounds, 8-9 inches Fairly easy Low Minimal 12-14 years

Pros

Very lovable, cuddly, and adorable

Playful, feisty, and funny

Intelligent and very loyal

Cons

Can be stubborn and overly protective if they do not socialize enough

Need their weight closely monitored

Are fear-biters and barkers

Toy Fox Terrier





Toy fox terriers have a lot to offer, are very energetic, and extremely loyal. As for any small breed, you will have to take your time training them and you will have to be very strict. You need to resist their charms if you want to have a well-mannered dog from there on. Otherwise, it will take on the role of pack leader and it will order you around before you can even realize it. Toy Fox Terriers are some of the most playful low maintenance small dogs out there.

Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 4-7 pounds, 9-11 inches Difficult Low Moderate 13-14 years

Pros

Very intelligent, quick learners – very easy to litter train

Few genetic health problems, as the breed has been recognized as late as 2003

Good watchdog

Cons

They have an instinct to chase, dig, and flee

Tend to only bond with one family member

Not ideal for families with children

German Shepherd





German shepherds are some of the most reliable canine companions you could ever have. They are very intelligent, obedient and loyal, alert, very confident, and courageous. The breed is medium-large and is also known as Alsatian in Britain and Ireland.

Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 75-95 pounds, 22-26 inches Easy High Constant and seasonal 10-12 years

Pros

Very protective, are great watchdogs and guard dogs

Intelligent and quick learners

Highly adaptive to their owner

Cons

Some might say they’re too needy

Not ideal for apartments

Shedding can get out of hand

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher made this list because it has the character and the energy of a large breed, all in the body of a very small dog. This little guy is extremely perky and curious, which also go well with how naturally intelligent they are. It’s safe to say that play time is lots of fun!





Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 8-10 pounds, 10-13 inches Easy Low Moderate 12-14 years

Pros

Smart and very easy to train

Loyal

Great with children if trained

Cons

Tend to be stubborn and have selective hearing

Can become overprotective if allowed

Tend to loudly bark

German Shorthaired Pointer





German shorthaired pointers are a versatile breed, very friendly and extremely easy to train. However, they require plenty of exercise as they do have lots of energy, but are low-maintenance as they need very little grooming over the span of their lifetime.

Size Training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 45-70 pounds, 21-25 inches Easy High Moderate 12-14 years

Pros

Very playful and energetic

Very intelligent

They love adventure and the outdoors

Cons

Will struggle if living in an apartment

Can suffer from separation anxiety

Not ideal for sedentary people

Labrador Retriever





Labrador Retrievers are the most adorable low maintenance large dogs out there. They are very loving and loyal, but do need quite a bit of exercise, so you need to have at least an hour to spend with them in the park every day, preferably a backyard too. But their friendly and playful nature gives out so much positive energy that it will make up for having to turn your schedule upside down to prioritize the dog.

Size Ease of training Exercising Needs Shedding Life Expectancy 55-80 pounds, 22-25 inches Easy Regular Moderate and seasonal 10-12 years

Pros

Great for new owners

Great with children

Intelligent

Cons

Fairly active, requires regular exercise

They can heavily shed at times

Can be too friendly towards strangers

Conclusion

We hope our list of the 10 best low maintenance dogs has been helpful to you and that you have a better idea of the best-suited dogs for you. Whichever one you choose, you are going to fall in love with it and you will have a new furry best friend to keep you company! Do you have other breed suggestions for this top? What about other criteria you’d like analyzed?