You should have no doubt about the fact that being a pet parent is going to take up a lot of your time. 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.
There are some key factors that you should take into consideration when looking to buy a dog. The first one is size. When it comes to dogs, size does matter quite a lot. The bigger the dog, the more care it needs. The second factor you should consider is fur length and texture. The longer the fur, the more maintenance time you will need to put in because you will have to brush your dog periodically and you will need to invest quite a bit in grooming.
10. The Most Adorable Low Maintenance Large Dogs – Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers are the most adorable low maintenance large dogs out there. We chose this breed for our no. 10 spot for our readers who are interested in large dogs. If you’re going to get a large dog, then the Labrador is the best possible choice for you. These loveable darlings do need quite a bit of exercise, so you need to have at least a couple of hours to spend with them in the park every day. 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.
You need to be prepared to invest in dog food, a long-term supply of vitamins and minerals, as well as occasional visits to your vet because these adorable sweethearts have a way of getting themselves into trouble quite often.
9. The Most Lovable Low Maintenance Small Dogs – Pugs
This is one of the most charming dog breeds out there. Getting a pug will change your life because they 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.
But if you are prepared to handle the snoring and the wide range of nasal sounds, you will have no other issues with your pug. They are extremely playful and they won’t require as much exercise as a larger dog, so you will have enough time to yourself. Pugs are the most lovable low maintenance small dogs out there.
8. Border Collies
The Border Collie is our no. 8 because it is one of the 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.
This dog is extremely friendly and it gets very attached to its masters, so you will have a long-term companion in it. Walking it is going to be extremely fun because they are very playful, so this is a daily ritual you will look forward to every day. Boarder Collies are the cutest low maintenance medium dogs out there.
7. Shih-Tzu’s
This is the second brachycephalic dog breed that we have included on our list. They are extremely friendly and quite energetic, so you will have a lot of fun with them. You will have a blast finding hairdos for your Shih-Tzu and you can experiment quite a bit with its grooming.
Due to its small size, your investment in dog food and preventative care will be minimal. Shih-Tzu’s are quite low maintenance because they don’t require that much exercise either, so you will have enough time for yourself at the end of the day. Shih-Tzu’s are the silliest low maintenance apartment dogs out there.
6. Jack Russell Terriers
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. What you might not know about this small sweetheart is that it is actually a hunting dog. So whenever you find yourself close to a pond, be prepared to get your clothes wet because your little Jack Russell will immediately start looking for ducks.
You should 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. But their splendid character and genuinely happy nature will clearly pay off for all the incidents you might encounter. Jack Russels are the most eager low maintenance dog breeds out there.
5. Chihuahuas
This one is a very low maintenance dog because of its incredibly small size. You can walk it on a leash or you can carry it in a dog bag. Your Chihuahua will love both options. It is an excellent companion because you can take it with you anywhere.
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. And you can have a lot of fun finding clothes for your small darling. Chihuahuas are the smallest low maintenance dogs out there.
4. Dachshunds
This lovely dog is an excellent companion because it will be excited to follow you anywhere. Its particularly curious nature will keep you entertained every single time you take it out for a walk. This short-legged and long-bodied sweetheart is absolutely lovable. Watching it run will quickly become your daily source of entertainment.
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. Dachshunds are the sweetest low maintenance small dogs out there.
3. Toy Fox Terriers
This little darling is an excellent choice if you want to have time left at the end of the day because they are quite easy to take care of. But they do have a lot to offer because they are very energetic and extremely loyal.
As for any small breed, you will have to take your time training it and you will have to be very strict. You need to resist their charms if you want to have a well-mannered dog from here 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 the most playful low maintenance small dogs out there.
2. Mix-Breeds
We chose mix-breeds for our no. 2 spot because the vast majority of these dogs are far more resilient than pure-breeds. When choosing a mix-breed dog, we recommend that you take into consideration the two main factors we have mentioned above, respectively size and coat length.
You can find a lot of mix-breeds in dog shelters and pounds. Rescuing a dog is always the best way to go because you will be giving it a new chance at life. And you will feel the dog’s appreciation for the rest of its life because it will never forget that you were its savior. Mix-breeds are the best possible low maintenance family dogs out there.
1. The Best Low Maintenance Dog – The Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher is our choice for the no. 1 spot 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 and you will love playing with it because they are incredibly smart.
As for the Dachshund, you should make sure you respect its diet to the letter so that it does not gain weight excessively. Aside from that, taking care of it is extremely easy because they do not require long hours of exercise on a daily basis and they can settle for minimum grooming.
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.