20 Lovable Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds

We love relaxed dogs that we can spend more time snuggling with than grooming and lint-rolling their fur off the furniture. Here are our favorite breeds for busy owners and households.

By: Erin Gifford

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Easy, Breezy Dog Breeds

Not all dogs are easy to care for, but some dog breeds are generally lower maintenance than others. They require less grooming, they don’t shed (or don’t shed much), they have few health problems and they don’t need to spend a lot of time outside to burn off energy. Often, these are small pups that like to play, cuddle, please and love on their busy humans.

We’ve rounded up 20 of our favorite dog breeds that are generally good picks for those who want to love and be loved by a dog, but don’t have hours to spend bathing, grooming, brushing and walking their adorable pets. If you’re on the hunt for a low-maintenance dog, here are our faves.

Also See: What's the Best Dog Breed for You?

Shih Tzu

The vibrant and active shih tzu is an outgoing pup that does well with children and families. This healthy breed doesn’t need a lot of exercise. A short walk or two will do. The shih tzu does well with apartment living and first-time owners who are still figuring out daily life with a doggo. He wants to be a loyal companion and will gladly join his human for a cuddle on the couch or a stroll to the dog park to meet up with the neighborhood pups.

Also See: The 15 Best Dog Breeds for Apartment Dwellers

Brussels Griffon

It’s easy to be won over by the Brussels griffon. This adorable pup with big black eyes and a black muzzle can peer into your soul. This small breed is playful and sturdy, but he’s not much into rough play with children. He can become lonely, so look for this pup to be by your side for life, eager to please and a cinch to maintain. The Brussels griffon is social, affectionate and easy to train. He’s also generally healthy and as devoted as they come.

Also See: 40 Adorable Small Dog Breeds We Love

Basset Hound

The basset hound is widely considered a low-maintenance breed, if only because this doggo loves to laze the day away on a sunny afternoon. He’s a low-energy breed, so there’s no need to take a basset hound out on long walks. A short walk around the block will suffice. Take it slow, too. That’s just their speed, whether walking or eating. Basset hounds are affectionate and laid-back. They’re not fussy, especially when they can get in a long nap after a leisurely stroll.

Italian Greyhound

The short-haired Italian greyhound is a low-maintenance breed with a coat that requires minimal grooming. There’s no need to spend loads of time brushing this doggo, though they do love their walks and play sessions at the local dog park. This small dog is one for frequent exercise and does well both in the city and in the suburbs. He’s hypoallergenic and laid-back, as well as affectionate and gentle. He loves quiet homes where he can spend quality time with his humans.

Also See: 20 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Won't Shed All Over Your House

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The gentle and dignified cavalier King Charles spaniel is not only as cute as they come, but also surprisingly low maintenance, making this pup a good pick for first-time dog owners. This smooth and silky breed is hypoallergenic and does not shed. Even better, the cavalier King Charles spaniel only needs a bath a few times a year, though it’s a good idea to groom him more often. This regal toy breed also doesn’t need a lot of exercise, so he does well in big cities and small spaces.

Shop Our Picks: 10 Top-Rated Dog Grooming Essentials Under $40

French Bulldog

The French bulldog — you know, the Frenchie — is fairly low maintenance given his short hair, little legs and preference for snuggling on the couch over long walks around the neighborhood. Frenchies do love attention, but mostly they want to be with their humans. This breed has skyrocketed in popularity. According to the American Kennel Club, Frenchies are the second most popular dogs in the United States, just behind the affable Labrador retriever. French bulldogs are curious, loyal and lovable. These dogs tend to do well in small spaces, too.

Dachshund

Some may consider the dachshund to be a touch needy, but it’s only because they love to spend time with their humans, whether cuddling up on the bed or romping around the backyard. These family-loving pups have low-shed short coats that require hardly any grooming. Dachshunds are loyal and not overly energetic, so you won’t need to take them out for long walks. They are good with other pets in the house, so you also won’t need to break up any dog fights.

Pug

The pug is a low-maintenance breed thanks to his short, glossy coat and relaxed, quiet demeanor. This breed does not bark a lot. They’d rather spend their time snoozing than stirring up trouble. Pugs are smart, curious and easy to train. They are good with kids and love to dote on their humans, but they don’t need to spend all their time with their humans. Again, they do love to snooze. Of course, these pups need to get their steps in, but they don’t need loads of exercise to stay healthy.

Also See: The 20 Best Dog Breeds for Families With Kids

Chihuahua

The chihuahua has fairly basic needs. Just give him a bath now and then and take him out for a spin around the block to get in his steps. These petite and portable pups are loyal and lovable. They are also quite healthy, not prone to genetic issues, so they will be with you for years to come. Chihuahuas can be well-mannered too, which is a plus when friends stop in for a visit. Given their size and exercise needs, they make great city pets.

Beagle

The beagle is a gentle and affectionate breed with a short coat, floppy ears and a breezy, light-hearted nature that makes him a popular pick. Even better, this pup is loyal and low maintenance. Beagles want to please their humans and be good companions, whether on a hike in the country or a cuddle in front of the television. Their fun and friendly nature makes them a good pick for first-time owners and active families. These doggos love to spend time exploring outdoors.

Boston Terrier

The Boston terrier is a top choice for first-time dog owners, in large part because this pup is low maintenance. He’s smart, curious and lovable, and gets along well with children and families. This short-haired breed requires only light grooming. The Boston terrier is not hypoallergenic, but he also does not shed much. These black-and-white doggos are both quiet and social. They love to shower affection on family and friends — even strangers — but this gentle breed is not prone to unnecessary barking when the moment strikes.

Shiba Inu

Native to Japan, the Shiba Inu has a thick double coat, so he requires fairly regular grooming, but he is also loyal, quiet and not likely to cause a ruckus when the mailman delivers the mail. This breed is intelligent and a fast learner that has a lot of energy and appreciates a big backyard. The Shiba Inu is not a good choice for a first-time dog owner but will do well with an owner who knows the ins and outs of life with a doggo.

Pomeranian

The pocket-sized Pomeranian is a smart pup with a big personality. He has a lot of energy, but given his small size, it doesn’t take much for this doggo to get in his daily exercise. Pomeranians can be very attentive and affectionate. They love to play and snuggle. They are also well-attuned to the emotional state of their humans, eager to give wet kisses as a pick-me-up. This spunky toy breed is a good pick for city life in a small apartment.

Labrador Retriever

Everyone loves a Labrador retriever, so it’s no wonder that this breed is the most popular in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club. Labs are playful, lovable, smart, easy to train and eager to please — all traits that make them exceedingly low-maintenance dogs. This active breed almost never has a bad day, but will want to get out and play every day to burn off energy and connect with his humans. He can shed, but it’s easy to manage with regular brushing.

Also See: 40 Big Dog Breeds We Love to Love

Maltese

The Maltese is a small lap dog with a soft, fluffy coat and a big heart. This low-maintenance dog is fun-loving and happy-go-lucky. He enjoys regular exercise, but there’s no need for long afternoon walks. A short walk or a few laps around the backyard is plenty. This breed also sheds very little, making him a good pick for those with allergies. Give this pup a brush now and then, maybe while you’re cuddling up together on the sofa, to keep away the tangles.

Bullmastiff

The bullmastiff is a large dog — weighing in at up to 130 pounds — but he’s noted for his ability to adapt to living in a large home in the ‘burbs or a small condo in the city. He’s got short hair, so he doesn’t need much grooming. He’s also a low-energy doggo, so it's not necessary to take him out for long walks. The bullmastiff is loyal and protective. He’s also easy to train and loves to cuddle, even if he does take up most of the space on the sofa.

Pekingese

The Pekingese has a silky, flowing coat that requires regular grooming, but that certainly doesn’t make this a high-maintenance breed. This breed is smart, loyal and loving. They also have a fairly long lifespan, living up to 15 years and longer, so this pint-size pup will be with you for a long time. Pekingese pups don’t need a lot of exercise. A walk around the block will do so they can get in their daily exercise and mingle with the neighborhood doggos.

Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa apso is an ancient breed that hails from Tibet. At one time, this small dog was tapped to watch over monasteries and palaces, so don’t be surprised to pick up on a few watchdog tendencies. You may need to bathe and groom this pup as often as once a week to keep his long, flowing coat healthy, but he's also known for minimal shedding. There’s no need to set off on long walks with a Lhasa apso. He’s well-suited to short walks around the neighborhood.

Papillon

The pint-sized papillon may have a long coat, but it’s exceptionally easy to maintain. A brush once or twice a week while you’re snuggled up on the sofa will do. He loves to play, but given his small stature, he’s not the best pick for homes with active children. This smart and gentle breed is easy to train and quick to give kisses. Papillons have a long lifespan, often living up to 15 years, thanks to generally good health and few health conditions.

West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland white terrier has a thick coat, but it’s easy to groom and only requires a brush now and again. Even better, this breed does not shed much, so he’s largely hypoallergenic. The westie is a social pup and a good family companion. He’s good with children of all ages, as well as other dogs, both in the house and those he meets on daily walks. This adaptable pup also does well in various environments, whether in a condo in the city or a big house in suburbia.

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