Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds That Make Perfect Companions (The Best Dogs For Families)
If you want a dog that’s low-maintenance, breeds like the Basset Hound, Chihuahua, and French Bulldog are excellent choices. They usually need less exercise and grooming, making them perfect for a laid-back lifestyle. Gentle breeds such as the Shih Tzu, Maltese, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel provide loving companionship without requiring too much fuss. Whether you’re after a mellow lap dog or a bit more energetic but still easygoing companion like the Greyhound, there’s a dog to fit nearly any lifestyle.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus make wonderful pets for those seeking a loving and laid-back companion. Their compact size suits apartment life perfectly, and their exercise needs can often be met with indoor play. Although their long fur does require grooming, opting for a regular "puppy cut" helps keep upkeep simple and stress-free.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are an excellent pick for anyone looking for a low-maintenance furry friend! Their warm, adaptable personality and compact size make them ideal for apartment living. A brief walk and some playtime keep them content, and their coats are relatively easy to care for. Truly, they're the perfect blend of relaxed and affectionate.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are adored for their charming faces and relaxed temperament. With their compact size and short, low-maintenance coat, they're easy to care for and thrive on spending time with their humans. Though they can be a bit clingy, their gentle nature and strong desire for companionship make them a favorite among dog lovers.
Greyhound
Though Greyhounds are quite large, they're surprisingly calm, preferring brief spurts of activity followed by long periods of relaxation. Known for their gentle demeanor and friendliness toward strangers, they make wonderful companions. Their short coat is easy to care for, and they generally have fewer breed-specific health issues, making Greyhounds a fantastic option for many dog lovers.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas may be tiny, but unlike many small breeds, they sport short coats that are simple to care for.
Despite their small stature, these dogs often have big personalities and sudden bursts of energy. However, their size means they require minimal space and don't need intense exercise to stay happy.
Clumber Spaniel
Clumber Spaniels feature a gorgeous, thick coat that's short and relatively easy to care for—shedding is light, and just occasional brushing is enough to keep it in great shape.
These medium-sized dogs are celebrated for their calm temperament, effortlessly adjusting to different living situations and peacefully coexisting with other animals.
Maltese
Even with their elegant coat, Maltese dogs shed minimally, and routine brushing is sufficient to keep their fur looking healthy.
An additional benefit of the Maltese is their sharp intelligence, which often makes training simpler than with many other small breeds. They appreciate playtime but tend to have a moderate energy level.
Basset Hound
Known for their distinctive droopy expression, Basset Hounds exude a calm and trusting demeanor—and they truly live up to that reputation.
Though they appreciate daily walks outdoors, these dogs are usually perfectly content to unwind at home, happily lounging and spending time with their owners.
Old English Mastiff
Often referred to as a gentle giant, the Old English Mastiff is content to lounge peacefully at home. Its short coat demands minimal grooming and only moderate shedding.
Though large and impressive in size, this breed is celebrated for its sweet, affectionate temperament and calm, easygoing attitude.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian's iconic fluffy coat requires regular brushing, but with routine care, it’s fairly manageable.
Despite their lively energy, their compact size means they don’t need extensive exercise—brief walks usually do the trick.
Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco Sheepdog may look high-maintenance due to its shaggy coat, but it's surprisingly easy to care for. Its unique coat requires minimal brushing and doesn’t need trimming. The coat also acts as a protective layer, reducing shedding. These dogs are generally content with a daily walk, making them a great low-maintenance option.
Tibetan Spaniel
Anyone looking to split the difference between a cat and a dog could seek out a Tibetan Spaniel, since these unique dogs have a cat-like independent streak.
Occasional brushing of their medium-length coat and short daily walks are about all the Tibetan Spaniel requires. Additionally, their independence makes them a great choice for anyone who doesn't want a needy dog.
Irish Wolfhound
While the large size of the Irish Wolfhound makes it a poor choice for apartment living, anyone with the space will find that this is a surprisingly low-maintenance dog.
They're known to be easygoing and don't shed heavily despite their thick coat. Their calm temperament makes them a great fit for families.
Pekingese
Smaller dogs like the Pekingese are often picked for their convenience, as they can thrive in smaller living environments or even fit into a purse.
The benefits of the Pekingese extend beyond this, though, as they're known to be quiet, loyal, and affectionate. Their long coat requires regular brushing, but periodic haircuts can reduce grooming time.
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are known as gentle giants, as their large frame is tempered with an affectionate and easygoing nature.
Unlike other big dogs, Saint Bernards don't require intense exercise. They do shed, especially during shedding season, but brushing once a week is usually sufficient.
Pug
While pugs can be excitable at times, pug owners know that this breed has two speeds: Chaos mode and lounging mode.
Owners who can deal with occasional bursts of energy will find a lot to like in this friendly, playful breed. Their signature wrinkles require occasional cleaning, but they're otherwise low-maintenance dogs.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are known to be easygoing dogs who can be easily scooped up without much fuss. They're also intelligent and loyal, making them ideal companions.
A calm demeanor and low upkeep thanks to a short coat makes Boston Terriers a good choice for families, single people, and everyone in between.
West Highland Terrier
Also known as Westies, West Highland Terriers have a thick white coat that sheds minimally, and requires brushing every few days (along with occasional professional grooming).
Like other terriers, Westies can be energetic, but are generally happy with a daily walk and some playtime. They also don't demand constant attention.
Shiba Inu
The distinctive Shiba Inu features a double coat that sheds seasonally, but only requires occasional brushing. Despite this thick coat, they're clean dogs and don't often need to be bathed.
Shiba Inus are relatively easy to train, but often have an independent streak. They're full of personality, but don't require intense exercise or upkeep.
Havanese
Havanese dogs have a gorgeous, silky coat that can be tamed through regular brushing or occasional trimming. Despite this coat, they don't shed much, which makes them a good choice for anyone with allergies.
While they enjoy daily walks and playtime, they're otherwise generally content to simply relax indoors.
