Which dog breed is easiest to take care of?

Getting a dog is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. Of course, you’ll have to feed and walk the pupper, but you’ll also have to make sure to train them properly – for their own safety and yours –, keep them clean, groomed and healthy all around, provide them with enough space in your house or flat to feel comfortable, and ensure the doggo will get sufficient exercise and attention to stay active, engaged and happy.

What exactly all that entails and how much grooming, exercise and more is sufficient varies greatly from dog breed to dog breed – just like how friendly they will most likely be around kids or other animals, or how well they’ll respond to training. So, if you’re looking for a pooch to love that you can properly take care of and provide - one that fits perfectly into your lifestyle -, look no further and let us introduce you to some of the easiest dog breeds you can adopt.

What is low maintenance?

Low maintenance dogs are dogs who are easy to take care of because they are usually very undemanding in terms of required training, daily exercise/activity, grooming and/or temperament. This, in turn, means that in order to take care of low maintenance dog breeds, you have to invest less time – and money for puppy school, grooming, etc. – than you would for high maintenance dog breeds.

Depending on how big your home is and how much dog you feel you can handle strength-wise, you might also want to consider the size of the dog breed. In the following, we’ll introduce you to some of the easiest dogs to take care of, categorized by size.

Low maintenance dogs – small breeds

They may be little, but what these low maintenance small dog breeds lack in size, they make up for in colossal amounts of love and affection!

1. Italian Greyhound

At the very top of the list of best low maintenance dogs – at least when it comes to small dog breeds – sits a little grey fur baby that’s easy to groom, loves to cuddle, and - thanks to their small size - do just fine living in an apartment.

Italian Greyhounds are super friendly, calm, relaxed puppers who love to play but also to just chill out with you. And thanks to their short fur, grooming won’t be an issue, either. Italian Greyhounds can be a little stubborn, though, so be sure to pay special attention to their training; and when out and about, their hunting instincts tend to run wild, so keep a firm grip on that leash.

2. Bedlington Terrier

If you’re looking for low maintenance small dogs that are super friendly, great with kids, but also high-energy so you can take them on family trips and hikes, the Bedlington Terrier might be for you! Because of how loyal, intelligent and bold they are, they also make great watchdogs.

However, Bedlington Terriers can be a little harder to train and need much attention – don’t leave them alone for longer periods if you want your pupper to be happy! – and need regular grooming, too. They should be thoroughly brushed several times a week and see a dog groomer about once every month or two at the maximum.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

No less friendly than the Bedlington Terrier – maybe even friendlier – but a little calmer and less stubborn are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. These very gentle, quite sensitive dogs will be your best friend 24/7 – and we mean that when we say it.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will want to be by your side all day every day, so don’t leave them alone for too long and for longer periods of time/overnight stays, consider getting a dog sitter to keep them company. Since they are also rather easy to train – as long as you stay patient and calm while doing so – they won’t cause you trouble, anyway.

As for grooming, they enjoy a good brushing several times a week, and to keep them looking their best, taking them to the groomer every couple months or so should do the trick.

4. Chihuahua

For a super sweet, rather easy to train and groom dog that will love you like no other look to the Chihuahua. A Chihuahua will love you so much, they will never want to leave your side, even for a minute – luckily, thanks to their small size that shouldn’t be too much of a problem. We’ve all seen the Chihuahua-in-the-purse/bag-thing, right?

Exercising your Chihuahua also won’t strain your time or energy levels too much: even though these affectionate dogs love to run wild, their short legs won’t take them too far too fast – 30 minutes of moderate walking will keep them happy and healthy. Oh, and did we mention Chihuahua’s don’t need much grooming, either?

Low maintenance dogs – medium breeds

Not too small, not too big... just right! Check out these low maintenance medium breeds.

1. Basset Hound

Do you love to binge-watch entire seasons of whatever TV series on your days off? The Basset Hound (aka, the Canine Couch Potatoes) will gladly lounge next to you all day long while you do so, with only short playtime sessions and walks necessary in-between. Perfectly relaxed, unfailingly loyal and the all-around perfect family dog, Bassets won’t ask much of you – except for regular brushings, a little patience during training and much love and affection.

2. Cocker Spaniel

Ever watched “Lady and the Tramp” and wished you had a pooch as sweet as Lady? Most Cocker Spaniels indeed will be! Friendly, loyal, obedient, eager to please and just sooo cute-looking, those little fur babies will charm you in no time.

Cocker Spaniels love to learn new tricks and are always up for new adventures with their dog owners, but they can also be a little shy around strangers and get lonely easily, so be sure to keep them at your side as often as possible. The only thing not low maintenance about these lovely puppers is their grooming, as they need daily brushings and monthly trips to the groomer for a haircut.

3. American Eskimo

American Eskimos look like fluffy clouds – and their personality goes with that. Being great around other pets and even strangers, American Eskimo’s make for very lovely family dogs but not the best watch dogs. They will, however, be sure to brighten any family trip – and that’s a good thing, too, because Eskimos really don’t like being left alone at home and might even get a little anxious or destructive if they are.

They are curious, intelligent and easy to train, but need lots of stimuli. Provide it, along daily brushings and medium-length walks, and they will repay your attention with their undying love and loyalty.

Low maintenance dogs – large breeds

Are you a lover of giant dog breeds, but looking for something a bit more low maintenance? You're in luck! Here are the easiest dogs to own - giant style.

1. Bernese Mountain Dog

If you think of Berners, how do you see them in your mind? Probably calmly lounging about, looking like big, fluffy teddy bears. Bernese Mountain Dogs are pretty big and need a lot of love and affection, as well as regular brushing and grooming sessions.

On the flip side, this working breed makes for fabulous family pets that love to play and cuddle, are very keen on learning new tricks, loyal to the bone and adorably goofy. What's more - thanks to their friendly nature and highly intelligent noggins, they also make for great service dogs!

2. Greyhound

What is the easiest dog breed to train and take care of, you ask? Greyhounds are top contenders, we reply! Just like their miniature version, the Italian Greyhound, these lovely pooches love to be challenged with new things to learn – and they learn as fast as they run.

However, they also love nap time, and will gladly spend an entire lazy afternoon or three on the couch with you. Just be sure to shower them with love and patience as they can be a little shy, especially if not properly socialized while they’re pups. In terms of grooming, they don’t require more than regular brushings and the occasional bath.

3. Newfoundland dog

If the chillest dude or dudes you know turned into a dog, they’d be a Newfoundland dog. Possibly the kindest, cuddliest and most family-friendly of all dog breeds, Newfoundland dogs don’t just love their humans, they’d quite literally die for them.

Newfoundland dogs are fiercely protective of their pack, aka their family, and have even been known to save their humans from drowning and other dangerous situations. Newfoundland dogs need a lot of brushing and grooming, but are otherwise extremely low-maintenance, with hearts as gigantic as their stature.

So, what kind of low maintenance dog would you choose? A lovely, high-energy pooch to accompany you on family day trips, that’s easy to train and groom? Or maybe a big-hearted, relaxed pupper you get to brush every evening, while you chill out together?

No matter which dog breed you choose, just be sure to remember that every dog is different, and that the breed alone is no guarantee for specific character traits. Plus, there are many super lovely, mixed-breed fur babies at various shelters that will quite literally surprise you in terms of their personality but will also be over the moon to find a new forever-home with you. Just go and meet the doggo – if it’s love at first sight, everything else hardly matters!

Need a sitter for the new doggo?

Do you have plans for a trip or holiday away from home and need someone to look after the pooch while you’re gone? TrustedHousesitters’ verified and reviewed dog sitters will take care of your precious fur baby with just as much love and affection as you yourself would – in your own home and therefore as stress-free for your dog as can be.