20 Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds for Busy People (With Info & Pictures)

“Low maintenance” can mean different things to different people. Perhaps you don’t want to spend an excessive amount of time grooming your dog, or you prefer a dog that needs minimal exercise. Maybe you would like a dog that can be left home alone while you go to work.

Whatever your preference, we’ve created a list of dogs that cover several of those characteristics.

The 20 Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds

Independent, Easily Groomed, and Minimal Exercise

This first section of our list features six dogs that can be left alone without you coming home to a ruined house. Grooming isn’t too intensive, and their exercise needs are pretty reasonable.

1. Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a very low-maintenance dog because they have short coats and are independent. Bassets shed quite a bit and must be brushed at least once a week, but they are calm and enjoy resting on the couch.

They are very independent pups, so they can be challenging to train but form strong bonds with their owners.

2. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is so tiny that just running behind you while you go from room to room in your home can be almost enough exercise to satisfy them. However, they still need daily walks outdoors. Chihuahuas only need occasional brushing and baths, provided you have the smooth-coated variety; the longhaired Chihuahua requires brushing once a week at a minimum.

Chihuahuas attempt to take over the house if you let them, but their independence makes it easier to leave them alone while you’re out.

3. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow needs more grooming than the other dogs in this section, but they only need a monthly bath and brushing two to three times a week. They require a moderate amount of exercise and enjoy playing games with their owners.

Chow Chows are highly intelligent and independent dogs, so leaving them alone while you’re out is usually okay.

4. Greyhound

You wouldn’t think to find Greyhounds included on a list of dogs that don’t need a lot of exercise. After all, they’re famous for racing! They enjoy lying around the home, so while they need time to run, they will also indulge in lazy moments.

Grooming the Greyhound is a breeze thanks to their short coats, and they generally do fine when left alone.

5. Lhasa Apso

Like the Chow Chow, the Lhasa Apso requires grooming two or three times a week, but you can keep their coat short, making the grooming sessions much easier. They are energetic dogs that require regular exercise, but their small size makes them easier to handle.

Lhasa’s independent and stubborn natures make them challenging to train, but they do better than other dogs when left alone.

6. Mastiff

The Mastiff is not the right dog for just anyone. They are very sweet and devoted to their owners, but their large size and protective nature require a firm, patient, and loving owner.

With their giant size, you’d think they would need lots of exercise and a large house with a yard, but they only require regular walks and play sessions and can live in a spacious apartment. Their short coats require brushing just once or twice a week, but be aware that Mastiffs drool a lot.

Easily Groomed and Minimal Exercise

This next section of seven dogs is probably what most people consider low-maintenance canines. We’ll examine the dogs that need less grooming and not a lot of exercise.

7. Boston Terrier

The adorable Boston Terrier is famous for their tuxedo coat, which only needs occasional brushing. They are relatively active dogs that require regular exercise, but 45 minutes of daily exercise is usually enough. They don’t do well when left alone, so be sure to spend time with them.

8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a gorgeous medium-length, silky coat that needs extra grooming, but generally only a few times a week. They are lap dogs, which is why they can’t be left alone for long, but they only need daily walks and play sessions to keep them happy.

• Also See: 13 Dogs that Don’t Need a Lot of Exercise (with Pictures)

9. English Bulldog

Bulldogs just need a quick brushing a few days a week to keep them healthy. They need moderate exercise, but long walks should be avoided on hot days as they have more trouble breathing on hot and humid days. Bulldogs enjoy being lazy with their owners and napping indoors.

10. French Bulldog

French Bulldogs don’t shed too much and only need brushing about once a week. Like the English Bulldog, they also don’t do well in hot weather. They really only need one short walk every day or at least some active play that takes place outdoors to keep them in shape.

11. Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhounds are active dogs that need regular exercise, but most are happy with around an hour of daily exercise. Grooming is relatively easy since they only need the occasional brushing and bath.

12. Pug

The Pug is a very affectionate and loving dog that prefers to snuggle with you on your couch than almost anything else. They are energetic dogs that need moderate exercise, but like Bulldogs, hot weather is an issue. Pugs just need a weekly brushing and the occasional bath, but be aware that they shed frequently.

13. Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel enjoys daily walks and loves to go for a run, but they’re also happy lying around the house. They only need a weekly brushing, but their ears should be inspected and cleaned regularly.

Easily Groomed and Independent Dogs

Perhaps you want grooming your pup to be a breeze and don’t want to worry about them when you go out. The following is a list of five dogs that fit the bill.

14. Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd has a dense double coat that only needs brushing about once a week but will shed a fair bit in the fall and summer. They were bred to be independent, as they watched over flocks of sheep and were used to spending time alone. It is recommended to avoid any kind of training that encourages protection since they are naturally prone to this already.

15. Basenji

The Basenji is considered the most catlike breed partly because of impressive grooming habits. Instead of barking, Basenjis make yodeling sounds. They require brushing once a week and don’t need a bath too often, as they don’t typically have a doggy smell.

Their catlike behavior also extends to their independent nature; they can handle being alone.

16. Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier has a short and smooth coat and only needs brushing about once a week. They are courageous, devoted, independent, and will take to training quite easily. Bull Terriers can also be left alone for most of the day.

17. Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier can be stubborn and independent, and training might be challenging, but they do okay when left alone. Grooming is relatively easy as they only need brushing once a week, but like some wire-haired terriers, they also require hand-stripping.

18. Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is easy to groom since their coats don’t mat, but they shed quite a lot. They are also independent and have pretty good bladder control, so being left alone is fine in most cases.

Less Exercise and Independent

Lastly, maybe you enjoy grooming, but you’re looking for a less energetic and independent dog. Here are two dogs that might be the perfect fit for you.

19. Caucasian Shepherd

The Caucasian Shepherd, like many of the shepherd dogs, was bred to work alone to protect the flocks from predators and trespassers. This makes them capable of spending time alone, but Caucasian Shepherds are protective of their family. They have excellent endurance and do best with a large yard but are pretty low-energy dogs.

20. Romanian Mioritic Shepherd

Like the Caucasian Shepherd, the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd is fiercely protective of their family and is used to being alone. They only need a weekly brushing and rarely need a bath. They can be stubborn during training, but they’re incredibly loyal.

Conclusion

All dogs require grooming, exercise, and your company. Regardless of how infrequently your dog might need brushing, they’ll need their ears cleaned, teeth brushed, and nails trimmed regularly. However, there are exceptions to the rule. One Bulldog will be lazy, and another prefers a lot of exercise.

Do your research and decide which qualities in a dog are the most important versus those you won’t mind putting up with. However, when a dog chooses you, and you end up falling in love with them, you might find that it doesn’t matter much if they’re higher maintenance than you expected.

Featured Image Credit: Eve Photography, Shutterstock