The 15 Most Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds

Finding the perfect dog can be extremely difficult, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle. Dogs require a lot of care and attention, and if you have kids, a stressful job, or just prefer not to spend all your free time grooming your pet, you might wonder if they're the right companion for you in the first place. But if you've always dreamed of being a dog owner, don't worry — there are some breeds that don't require nearly as much upkeep as others. Many people aren't aware of all the hard work that goes into owning a dog. Plenty of people go out looking for a unique breed , but then have a rude awakening when they discover just how difficult it is to train or groom their new pet. And even though there are plenty of breeds that are great for families, it isn't always easy to find a pup that's suited for people who don't have every second of the day to devote to their pets. Even though you should be absolutely certain you have the time and funds to dedicate to a dog before you bring one home, there are some breeds that require less grooming, training, vet visits, and exercise than you might expect. I always thought number 4 would be really hard to take care of, but I sure was wrong!

1. Dachshund 

As long as you get the smooth-coated variety, Dachshunds are easy to groom. Their small bodies also mean that when you do have to groom or bathe them, you won't have to spend all day with a brush or shampoo bottle in your hand.

They have a lot of energy, but in terms of trainability and grooming, beagles are pretty easy. Just make sure you clean underneath their floppy ears on a regular basis to prevent infections.

Bred for the farm life, these pups are easy to keep around as long as they get enough exercise. They're easy to train, and as long as you brush away their undercoat during shedding season, they don't require a lot of grooming.

They have a reputation for being speedy sprinters, but these long, lean dogs are actually quite content to hang out on the couch all day. They don't need any more exercise than your average pup, and their short coats have easy upkeep and won't make your allergies go crazy. You can adopt a greyhound from a number of off-the-track racing dog organizations and give them a great retirement!

These tough-looking dogs were bred to guard the home, but instead of attacking intruders, they'd use their large size and heavy weight to keep them pinned until the authorities came. Today, these pups are still extremely loyal and easy to train, and they're more than happy to just veg around for most of the day. Plus, their short coats don't require extensive grooming.

It might not come as a surprise that the breed of dog most famous for being carried around in purses is pretty easy to have around. They have low-maintenance coats, are content to live in even the smallest of apartments, and are so small that portability is pretty much a non-issue.

These affectionate little dogs have playful tendencies, but as long as they get enough exercise, they're a cinch to take care of thanks to their short coats and mild-mannered personalities.

Even though you sometimes take a gamble when getting a mutt, most people find that these are the easiest dogs to have around. They tend to have great personalities, and thanks to their varied gene pool, you'll likely be spending much less time and money at the vet's office with them.

Often known as the "mini-greyhound," the itty bitty whippet has short hair and an easy-going personality. They require an average amount of exercise, and for the most part, they're pretty content to hang out on the couch with you all day.

The Bichon is a great family dog, and even though their fluffy coats require regular grooming, they make up for it by being couch potatoes. These dogs only need minimal exercise to stay happy, and they'll be at peace sleeping by your side while you browse the internet.

Labs have a reputation for being great family dogs thanks to easy-going nature, but they are also low-maintenance in other areas as well. They're easy to train, easy to groom (aside from having to brush out their undercoat), and require an average amount of exercise.

Beneath that funny-looking exterior is a heart of gold. Pugs are easy-going dogs with short coats. They also don't require a ton of exercise, but puppies in particular really like to play.

The short coats on these little dogs are super easy to keep clean. And just like the Chihuahua, the toy fox terrier is so tiny that you can take them just about anywhere with you!

They might require more grooming than many of the other dogs on this list, but cocker spaniels are otherwise easy to have around. They don't require a ton of exercise, and most of them couldn't be happier lounging around the house all day.

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