37 Low-Maintenance Dogs (Small, Medium & Big)

When adopting a dog as your pet, you need to do research on what kind of grooming they will require. Some dogs are very high maintenance when it comes to their coat and will need to be groomed every week, while others are low maintenance and only need to be brushed every few weeks.

In this blog post, we’ll be discussing low-maintenance grooming dogs; specifically, which breeds are best suited for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time (or money) on grooming.

To come up with this guide, I have used a book by Sue Dallas et. al,(2006) and other resources online including AKC and the Spruce Pets guides.

What is a low-maintenance dog?

A low-maintenance dog is one that doesn’t require a lot of grooming; this could mean they don’t need to be bathed often, their coat is short and easy to brush, or they don’t shed much. Some dogs may only require grooming every few weeks, while others may only need it a few times a year!

To come up with a truly low-maintenance dogs’ list, I specified the requirements of what I wanted to see in low-maintenance dogs to involve coat grooming and shedding.

For coat grooming, I looked for dogs that either don’t need to be groomed often or have coats that are easy to groom. For shedding, I considered how much hair these dogs shed and how often they shed.

Therefore, our list of low-maintenance dogs has dogs that have met these two conditions;

• Infrequent grooming needs not exceeding once in a week
• Minimal shedding: Dos that are described best as having low-to-medium shedding. Our preference was low-shedding breeds but that limited our list significantly.

It is important to understand that grooming as a word encompasses several activities including;

• Bathing,
• Brushing,
• De-shedding,
• Nail care,
• Hair trimming
• Ear cleaning and more.

When we talk about low-maintenance grooming dogs, we are typically referring to breeds that require less frequent bathing, brushing, and de-shedding. However, all dogs will still require some level of grooming (nail care, ear cleaning, etc.) regardless of their coat type.

Coat types of low-maintenance dogs:

There are three main types of coats that low-maintenance grooming dogs typically have:

Smooth/short coat:

These are short hair and close to the skin. The only grooming they need it to remove dead coat and give a glossy finish.

These coats are easy to care for and only require occasional brushing. Bathing can be done as needed but is typically not required more than once every few months. Breeds with smooth/short coats include the American Foxhound, Beagle, Boston Terrier and more.

10 Low-maintenance dogs:

Here are some low-maintenance grooming dogs that are perfect for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time (or money) on grooming:

#1.Beagle:

The Beagle is a short-haired breed that only requires an occasional brushing. Bathing can be done as needed but is typically not required more than once every few months. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

• Coat: Short and smooth
• Color: Variety of colors

Is it good as a pet?

The Beagle is an excellent choice as a family pet. They are gentle, loving, and have a reputation for being good with children. They are also relatively easy to train and are known for being very food motivated, which can be helpful when teaching new tricks or behaviors.

AKC noted that Beagles are among the best breeds to have with children.

#2.Boxer:

The Boxer is another very short-haired breed with thin coats that you won’t have to worry about them getting too dirty or matted. Bathing can be done as needed but is typically not required more than once every few months. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

• Coat: Very short and smooth
• Color: Variety of colors

Is it good as a pet?

Boxers are part of the working group and are very energetic and playful. They love to run and play fetch and will need daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. They are also very loyal and protective of their families, making them excellent guard dogs.

While they are typically good with children, Boxers can be a bit too energetic for very young kids. They may accidentally knock them over or jump on them in their excitement. For this reason, it is important to introduce Boxers to children at a young age and teach them how to interact with them safely.

#3. Doberman Pinscher:

The Doberman Pinscher is another short-haired/coat breed that requires at least once a week brushing. Bathing can be done as needed but is typically not required more than once every few months. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

Coat: Short and smooth

Color: Variety of colors

Is it good as a pet?

The Doberman Pinscher is an intelligent, loyal, and protective breed. They make excellent guard dogs and are very loving with their family. They need a lot of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

Dobermans can be a bit aloof with strangers but are typically not aggressive unless they feel their family is threatened. With proper socialization and training, they can be very well-mannered dogs.

#4. Great Dane

Great Danes are large-breed dogs with a very short and smooth coat that any lazy dog owner can adopt. You can do weekly brushing as their shedding is described as a ‘moderate to high shedding breed’ with shedding throughout the year.

Bathing can be done as needed but is typically not required more than once every few months. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

Coat: Short and smooth

Color: Variety of colors

Is it good as a pet?

The Great Dane is a gentle giant that loves being around people. They are incredibly loyal and protective of their family. Great Danes need a lot of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

Like other large-breed dogs, you need to be careful when having them close to kids as they may accidentally knock them over or jump on them in excitement. With proper socialization and training, they can be very well-mannered dogs.

#5.Dachshund

There are different types of Dachshund but the short-haired type is the one we’ve included on this list. Dachshund is considered a low-shed breed and only requires at least once a week brushing.

Bathing can be done as needed but is typically not required more than once every few months. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

Coat: Short and smooth

Color: Variety of colors

Is it good as a pet?

Dachshunds are a very popular breed due to their small size and big personality. They are loyal, protective, and loving with their family. They need a moderate amount of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

Dachshunds can be a bit stubborn but are typically very well-mannered dogs. With proper socialization and training, they can get along well with other animals and people.

#6.French Bulldog

While French Bulldogs have been listed by the spruce pets as a low-maintenance breed, I agree with that somewhat as they indeed require minimal brushing. However, they are also a high-shed breed that sheds all year round.

If you live in a space where allergies are a concern, you may want to steer clear of this breed as they do require regular bathing and grooming. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

Coat: Short and smooth

Color: Variety of colors

Is it good as a pet?

French Bulldogs have a great personality and make excellent family pets. They are loving, playful, loyal, sociable, and protective of their family. French Bulldogs need a moderate amount of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

#7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a hypoallergic, low-shedding dog that will not bother you needing some grooming every other time. This small-to-medium size breed has a coat that is silky and long, but it does not require too much grooming. You can get away with brushing them once or twice a week, and bathing them every few months.

Coat: Long and silky

Color: Variety of colors

Bathing can be done as needed but is typically not required more than once every few months. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

Is it good as a pet?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an excellent companion dog that loves being around people and is best described as affectionate, active, and family-friendly. Cavaliers need a moderate amount of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

With proper socialization and training, they can be well-mannered dogs that get along with people and other animals.

8. Weimaraner:

The Weimaraner sheds throughout the year, even in the cold months but is still considered a low-maintenance breed with a recommendation to only groom every other 4 to 8 weeks. Grooming for this breed is important in order to clean its ears, clip nails, check anal glands and insure the coat and skin are in healthy condition.

Their short coat is easy to groom and can be done with a hound glove, curry comb or bristle brush. You will want to use a dog shampoo that is made for their coat type and avoid human products as they can dry out the coat.

Regular grooming will help to reduce shedding, but it will not completely stop it. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

• Coat: Short, smooth and sleep
• Color: Solid and a variety of colors
• Size: Medium-size
• Profile: Read AKC Profile for Weimaraner

Is it good as a pet?

The Weimaraner is an excellent family companion that is loyal, loving and protective of its family. They are also active dogs that need a moderate amount of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

9. Vizsla

Vizsla is a medium-sized low-to-moderate shedder that requires one weekly brushing to help remove dead hair and keep their coat looking healthy and shiny. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

Coat:  Short, smooth, dense and close-lying

Color: Rusty gold

Size: Medium-size

Profile: Read AKC Profile for Vizsla

Is it good as a pet?

The Vizsla is an excellent family companion that is loyal, loving and protective of its family. They are also active dogs that need a moderate amount of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

10. Whippet

Bred from Greyhound, Whippets are graceful, elegant and low-maintenance dogs that only require weekly brushing to help remove dead hair and keep their coat looking healthy and shiny. This breed is also relatively easy to groom at home with minimal equipment.

Coat: Short, smooth and close-lying

Color: Solid colors including black, blue, ar, fawn, light blue, red and white

Size: Medium-size

Profile: Read AKC Profile for Whippet

They are described as a low-shedding breed, which means they will not bother you too much with their grooming needs. AKC has recognized this breed since 1888 and is among the most popular dog breeds in the US. They make great pets for people looking for a low-maintenance, loving and loyal companion.

Are they good as pets?

Whippets are described in their AKC profile as gentle, amiable, and friendly, and they are capable of great intensity during sporting pursuits.

Low-maintenance small dogs:

1. Dachshund

The Dachshund is a small-breed dog that requires minimal maintenance such as weekly brushing to help remove dead hair and keep their coat looking healthy and shiny. It is also a low-shedding breed that is perfect for those looking for a loving and loyal companion.

Coat: Smooth, short, and close-lying

Color: Solid colors including black, brown

Dachshunds come in two coat varieties: smooth and wirehaired. Smooth Dachshunds have short, smooth hair, while wirehaired Dachshunds have longer, wiry hair. Both types of Dachshund require minimal grooming and are low-shedding dogs.

Size: Small

Profile: Read AKC Profile for Dachshund

Are they good as pets?

Dachshunds are described as being intelligent, playful, and curious dogs that are eager to please their owners. They make great pets for those looking for a low-maintenance, loving and loyal companion.

2. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is another small breed dog that requires minimal grooming such as weekly brushing to help remove dead hair and keep their coat looking healthy and shiny. This breed is also a low-shedder, making it perfect for those looking for a loving and loyal companion.

Coat: Long, silky, and close-lying

Color: Blue & tan

Size: Small

Profile: Read AKC Profile for Yorkshire Terrier

Are they good as pets?

Yorkshire Terriers are described as being intelligent, playful, and curious dogs that are eager to please their owners. They make great pets for those looking for a low-maintenance, loving and loyal companion.

3.Maltese:

Associated with the Island of Malta, Maltese is part of toy group dogs and is perhaps my favorite low-maintenance toy group dog breed. While Maltese is a low-shedding breed, it requires brushing to keep their coats from getting matted.

Maltese descends from dogs originating on the Mediterranean island of Malta. This breed is hypoallergenic and does not shed, making it perfect for those with allergies. The Maltese are also known for its gentle and loving personality, making it a great companion dogs.

Low maintenance guard dogs

Guard dogs are bred to protect and serve, but some require more maintenance than others. The following breeds are low-maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs, but they may require more exercise and training to stay happy and healthy.

While I thought I knew all the guard dog breeds, I was surprised to learn some breeds for the first time. Petkeen has put together a list of low-maintenance guard dogs including;

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Komondor
• Briard
• Catahoula Leopard Dog
• Puli
• Giant Schnauzer
• Brazilian Mastiff

10 Dogs that don’t need a lot of exercise:

One way of determining or labeling a dog ‘low-maintenance’ is by the amount of exercise a dog needs. On average, dogs need 1 to 2 hours of exercise each day and low-maintenance, low-exercise breeds can do with few minutes of walking around and will perhaps not need you to walk them. The daily walking in the house can provide all the exercise it needs;

Below are the 10 breeds that require minimal exercise;

1.Shih Tzu

2.Pekingese

3.Lhasa Apso

4.Maltese

5.Yorkshire Terrier

6.Dachshund

7.Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

8.Chihuahua

9.Miniature Poodle

10.Boston

Quiet low-maintenance dogs:

Quiet dogs are those that barely bark and they make good indoor dogs as they will not disturb the peace in the neighborhood with their bark. They are also low-maintenance when it comes to grooming and exercising, making them perfect for those looking for a low-key companion.

Some of the quietest low-maintenance dog breeds include;

1. Affenpinscher

2. Australian Terrier

3. Basenji

4. Bedlington Terrier

5. Border Terrier

6. Cairn Terrier

7. Chinese Crested Dog

8. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

9. Scottish Terrier

10. Norwich Terrier

Least destructive dog breeds:

While all dogs can cause destruction in the home, some breeds are more destructive than others. The following breeds are known for being low-maintenance and less destructive;

1. Affenpinscher

2. Australian Terrier

3. Basset Hound

4. Beagle

5. Bichon Frise

6. Boston Terrier

7. Brussels Griffon

8. Bulldog

9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

10. Chihuahua

Low maintenance big dogs:

The following breeds are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, but they may require more exercise and training to stay happy and healthy.

1. Afghan Hound

2. Airedale Terrier

3. Akita

4. Alaskan Malamute

5. Anatolian Shepherd Dog

6. Bernese Mountain Dog

7. Boerboel

8. Borzoi

9. Boxer

10. Briard

Dog breeds that dont dig

The following breeds are known for being low-maintenance and not diggers;

• Chihuahua.
• Dachshund.
• French Bulldog.
• Havanese.
• Maltese.
• Pug.
• Shih Tzu.
• Whippet.

Easiest dogs to take care of

The easiest dogs to take care of are those that require minimal grooming, low-shedding, and exercise. The following breeds are low-maintenance and easy to take care of;

1. Affenpinscher

2. Australian Terrier

3. Basset Hound

4. Beagle

5. Bichon Frise

6. Boston Terrier

7. Brussels Griffon

8. Bulldog

9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

10. Chihuahua

Apartment low-maintenance dogs

citydogslife.com listed 23 low-maintenance dogs that you can have if you live in a small space such as an apartment.

1. Chihuahua

2. Basset Hound

3. Dachshund

5.Affenpinscher

5. Brussels Griffons

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Read the full list here.

FAQs:

Q: Are dogs low-maintenance?

A: All dogs require some level of care, but some breeds are easier to take care of than others. Low-maintenance breeds typically don’t require as much exercise or grooming, making them a good choice for those with a busy lifestyle.

Q: What are the easiest dogs to take care of?

A: The easiest dogs to take care of are typically low-shedding, low-maintenance breeds that don’t require a lot of exercise. Some of the easiest dogs to take care of include the Affenpinscher, Australian Terrier, Basset Hound, Beagle, and Bichon Frise.

Q: What are some low-maintenance big dogs?

A: Some low-maintenance big dogs include the Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, and Anatolian Shepherd Dog. These breeds typically don’t require as much grooming, but they may need more exercise than smaller breeds.

Q: Do any dog breeds not dig?

A: Some dog breeds that don’t typically dig include the Chihuahua, Dachshund, French Bulldog, Havanese, Maltese, Pug, Shih Tzu, and Whippet. These breeds are typically low-maintenance and easy to take care of.

Q: What dog breeds are good for apartments?

A: Some dog breeds that are good for apartments include the Chihuahua, Basset Hound, Dachshund, and Affenpinscher. These breeds typically don’t require a lot of exercise and can be easy to take care of.

Q: What are some low-maintenance medium dogs?

A: Some low-maintenance medium dogs include the American Eskimo Dog, Australian Cattle Dog, Bearded Collie, and Belgian Malinois. These breeds don’t require a lot of grooming and can be easy to take care of.

Q: Which dogs don’t need haircuts?

A: Some dogs that don’t need haircuts include the Affenpinscher, Australian Terrier, Basset Hound, Beagle, and Bichon Frise. These breeds have low-maintenance coats that don’t require a lot of grooming.

Q: What are some non shedding low energy dogs?

A: Some non-shedding, low energy dogs include the Affenpinscher, Australian Terrier, Basset Hound, Beagle, and Bichon Frise. These breeds don’t require a lot of grooming and are typically low-maintenance.

Q: What are some laid-back dog breeds?

A: Laid-back breed are those that move minimally, don’t exercise a lot, don’t shed a lot, require minimal grooming and rarely don’t bark. Some of those include the Australian Terrier, Beagle, and Bichon Frise. These breeds make great companions for those with a busy lifestyle.