Low maintenance dogs make good pets for people who cannot spare enough time for grooming their pet. This story has a list of breeds that are easy to own.
Before we proceed, keep in mind that there is no dog that requires zero maintenance. Toy breeds like Shih Tzu, which is a high maintenance dog, requires grooming after every two weeks, while a dog like Shiba Inu can groom itself. Many times it happens that pet lovers buy a dog, enjoy grooming and caring for it for a month and suddenly they realize that keeping it is not so easy.
Food, shelter, physical activity, bathing, brushing, health care, etc., are some of the basic maintenance requirements of a pet dog. Moreover, since they are social pets, they require special attention.
Some dogs have long silky hair that require brushing on daily basis, while some have no hair. Some breeds require daily exercise routines like walking and running, while some are lazy and have very low physical activity requirements. So, we can say that every dog is unique and so are its maintenance requirements.
Low Maintenance Dog Breeds
A low maintenance dog can be defined as a dog that does not require frequent grooming, sheds less hair, requires less exercise, has no serious health concerns, drools less, etc. There can be several reasons why one may require such a dog. Many people like to adopt a pet, but they refrain from doing so because of their busy schedule or old age.
At such times, a low maintenance breeds can make a good pet for them. Some dog breeds shed heavily and can create a mess in your house. Low shedding dogs on the other hand are hypoallergenic. As said earlier, there is not a single dog breed which does not require maintenance, but there are few dogs that have very few requirements.
Pugs: Pugs with their small size make excellent pets. Grooming these dogs is very easy and they require very less amount of exercise. They have very short hair on their body, but require brushing on daily basis to avoid shedding. Brushing them is very easy and you do not require special efforts. Pugs are good with kids and hence make lovely pets for families with small children and elder members. Moreover, they also get along well with other pets like cats.
Bullmastiff: Bullmastiff is one of the large-sized low maintenance dogs. Bullmastiff is basically a cross breed of English mastiff and Old English bulldog. This dog is very lazy and requires very less amount of exercise.
Moreover, it has a very short-haired coat and is counted amongst the dogs that don't shed or shed very little. Bullmastiff may not be a good pet for you, if you are living in a small space. Due to their large sized body, these dogs require more space to move around.
This dog is loyal, affectionate, patient, and calm. One drawback of this dog is that it has tendency to drool and hence you have to clean slob every now and then.
Boston Terrier: With minimal grooming requirements, Boston terriers make great pets for lazy dog owners. This dog breed is small in size and can weigh between 15 and 25 pounds. Boston terriers are known for their loyal behavior towards their family and even for their intelligence. Though they are small in size, they are good watch dogs and protectors if trained properly.
Shiba Inu: If you are looking for a dog that can take good care of itself, then you should think of adopting a Shiba Inu. Shiba Inus are also sometimes referred as "Little Brushwood Dogs" because of their small size.
This dog breed belongs to Japan and was originally bred for hunting. Like cats, these dogs like to keep themselves clean all the time and hence spend a lot of time in grooming. Moreover, Shiba Inus have very short waterproof hair that add to the less maintenance. These dogs are required to be taken for daily walks.
Other Dog Breeds That Are Low Maintenance
Boxer Dogs
Chihuahua dogs
Puggle
Bulldog
Rat Terrier
Bolognese
Ensure that you have conducted thorough research regarding the breed's requirements before you adopt a dog. Remember, keeping a pet is a huge responsibility that should never be taken lightly.