20 Low Maintenance Dog Breeds For First Time Owners

If you like low maintenance dogs that are energetic as well as elegant, then you will love having a Maltese for a pet. These little guys want to run, play later spend some quality with you afterward. A Maltese will become attached to you in time; hence, you should leave the poor pooch alone for a long time. Your Maltese will also be very protective of you, which is the reason that that they will be suspicious of other canines and people. Nonetheless, a Maltese is a dog that is easy to train.

While the Maltese is a low maintenance fido, it is not for best dog for a lazy person who can’t do grooming. The dog breed’s long and beautiful coat requires brushing to stop tangles and mats. On the plus side, the Maltese’s elegant coat sheds little hair.

Most dog breeds by their nature are meant to love and abide by their owners' sides, like in the case of the Havanese pooch. The Havanese makes good pets for either a single person or a family due to its adaptable nature. The canine is timid, but you are spending a lot of time with it coupled with meeting other people will bring the doggie out of its shy shell.

Though the Havenese doesn’t require complicated care, it is not the best dog for a lazy person. The Havanese still needs daily walks, playtime, and obedience classes to keep itself fit. Also, the dog breed requires a haircut and frequent grooming. Lastly, the attachment of this pooch to humans is strong that it will feel sad and howl when left alone.

Many small dog breed like the Pomeranian have personalities that are bigger than their physical size. When it comes to instilling good behavior in your Pomeranian, be firm (but gentle) and establish right from the onset as to who is the boss of the house. Though Pomeranians are low maintenance dogs potty training them and curbing their excessive bark will take some work due to their stubbornness.

However should you manage to get the dog to behave and obey you, you will find that this dog breed is curious and confident. The animal loves getting attention and has new experiences. The fluffy coat needs a brush, and it sheds a copious amount of hair.

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Some folks would say that the Dachshunds are the perfect dogs for lazy people due to their love of napping all day long. Nonetheless, despite the laidback nature of this doggie, it is still a bundle of joy that loves play or takes a walk outdoors. The Dachshund is easy to train with new tricks along with routines hence making the task a joyous one, but potty training is another story. The canine’s love for long naps makes it one of the best low maintenance dogs.

For small-size dog breed, it is stubborn, so make sure to use crate training and letting the pooch go into your backyard when necessary. Nonetheless, Dachshunds are the perfect companion pets for families or singles due to them being able to adapt to their owner’s routine and home. This pooch has a brave temperament, but it tends to chase and bark at anything that catches its attention. The noise that the canine makes can be a potential annoyance to your neighbors if you have any.

Yorkshire Terriers are low maintenance dogs for people who live or rent an apartment. These canines are live for the love as well as the companionship of their owners, especially if the owners are singles. Yorkshire Terriers or Yorkies also like being the center of attention and with said trait comes with having a big personality and some little sass. Unlike most apartment dogs, the Yorkie still has its drive to hunt its prey. Not a surprising fact since the Yorkie was initially bred to hunt rodents for their owners. Squirrels, birds and other small animal pets will get the attention of the Yorkie which is then followed by barking and chasing.

The Yorkie is a member of the lapdog breed types meaning that it likes to cuddle up in your lap and take a nap. Of course, you still need to play and walk the fido to keep it fit and healthy. Also do some socialization training too since the canine sort of dislikes fellow dogs, other family members or unfamiliar people. Socialization should mitigate the Yorkie’s attitude and go out for a walk is one suitable method to use.

This dog breed has an unusual alternate name; "Velcro dog" since like Velcro the pooch likes to stick with you. The Cavalier King Charles likes to spend every second, minute, hour, or day with their owners. This particular possessiveness of the fido also shows that it does not want to be alone or away from you for long periods. However, the dog makes for an excellent travel companion if you can bring it with you.

When you are dealing with the Cavalier's misbehavior, do not yell or scold your pet harshly since it will only run then hides from you. Some low maintenance dogs like Cavalier have tender feelings as well as gentle demeanors so instead use positive reinforcement and training. In this way, the two of you can build up a relationship based on trust. The fido has a willingness to learn, so teaching it should be that hard. The Cavalier is also a family dog since it has a friendly personality and likes to share its love with everyone. A lot of people tend to smile at the canine's winning personality. 

Dog grooming is an unavoidable fact of life when it comes to owning one even if the dog breed requires little maintenance. Miniature Schnauzer is one such canine breed, so this may not be for you or dog owners who can't do regular grooming. The fido’s wiry hair need grooming every 6 to 8 weeks, and in some cases, a groomer is required for the task.

However, should you find it easy to groom the Miniature Schnauzer for whatever reason, then this dog fits right in with you and with your family (if you have one). Schnauzers are energetic animals that love being in the spotlight. Take the doggie out for daily exercise and give it some mental stimulation to prevent it from getting bored. Boredom tends to lead to destructive behavior.

The Basset Hounds’ popularity as companion pets is due to its adorable long ears, innocent-looking eyes, firm loyalty to its owners and gentleness. The pooch's good-nature makes it very sensitive to harsh or adverse treatment. Favorable treatment of the canine when it comes to training is a must since that is the only way that it will respond positively. Some tasty treats given out as a reward also helps a lot.

The trait that makes Basset Hounds be one of the best low maintenance dogs is their activity level. These fidos like to lounge during the day and sleep most of the time. However, their sedate attitude doesn't mean that you shouldn't ignore playtime and daily walks for them. Of course the canine tires quickly so don't overdo their physical activities.

These breeds are small, lovable low maintenance dogs that come in one great package due to their loyalty, playfulness, kindness, and adventurous behavior. This big-hearted fido is also eager to meet new friends, go out for a walk and just chill with their owners. A lonely Beagle is a sad, animal that tends to do bad behavior like barking, digging, and chewing, so keeping it company is a must.

The Beagle is one stubborn dog breed, so you need to be patient and invest some effort into training the pooch. Training helps curb the doggie's negative behavior. Once you manage to control the canine's behavior, it will be an even more lovable pet companion.

The American Eskimo is a medium-size dog breed that can be considered as a “Velcro dog” due to its strong bond to its owner. This pooch will be at your side almost every time, and it gets along well with kids, strangers, and other dogs as well as cats. Smaller animals, on the other hand, may have problems with the American Eskimo due to the latter's prey drive instinct. The breed is adaptable to any type of home

American Eskimos, despite being low maintenance, dog breeds requires physical exercise, mental stimulation, playtime, training, and daily walks to keep itself healthy. The doggie is also an energetic animal, so doing those activities will tire it out as well as keep it out of trouble. The canine is a heavy shedder, so its coat requires brushing to maintain it.

Most low maintenance dogs have long hair that requires some constant brushing and grooming, and the Cocker Spaniel is one such breed. Assuming that you are willing to brush the coat daily and go to a professional groomer once a month, this canine is one awesome and lovable to pet companion.

The Cocker Spaniel is an intelligent family dog and is always up for a physical challenge, so training, along with socialization, should be an easy task for you. The canine tends to a timid animal, and its bark is loud as well as excessive. Hence training and socialization should stop those behaviors of the doggie.

This big guy is a large-sized dog breed that has a comedic personality and can bring out at least a small chuckle with their antics. A Bernese Mountain dog also likes to please you; hence, they are receptive to training coupled with positive encouragement. The pooch is not just a fun animal, but also gentle, so negative scolding and discipline will hurt the poor thing's feelings.

The Bernese is an excellent family dog, so make sure not to leave it alone and have it join in any family-related activities. With the right training, the Bernese Mountain dog will make a great member of your family. Also, you need to do constant grooming and brushing on the fido’s coat.

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From a casual glance, the Grey Hound looks like a fast dog breed, and it is one of the fastest canines. Luckily for you, the Grey Hound, in addition to being a lovable animal, has a calm personality. The doggie likes to hang out with you and your family, take naps and lounge in the sun's warmth. Though the Grey Hound is a pet that is easy to care, you need to socialize the pooch to make it overcome its timidity.

However, for a timid canine, the Grey Hound likes to chase small creatures due to its hunting instincts. Therefore keep a tight leash on the dog all the time and make sure that it can jump over (below 6 foot) your fences.

Some dog breeds have ancestors that were partners and helpers in humanity's never-ending work like Newfoundland dog. Before becoming a family pet, the Newfoundland helped its owners in the docks and fishing boats. Aside from being a sweet, intelligent pooch, the Newfoundland is also a rescuer.

The only difficulty about the breed is in managing the fido’s coat, which is relatively easy to groom with daily brushing. Also, the Newfoundland’s size and weight might be difficult to handle, especially when playing or running.

If you like low maintenance dogs that are good at doing obedience and agility courses, the Standard Poodle is your prime choice. The combination of energy and smarts of the canine lets it excel in training and have the stamina for physical exercises. Mental stimulation and daily walks provide an outlet for the pooch’s boundless energy.

The Poodle is one dog breed that requires elaborate haircuts and needs extensive grooming for their coat. Sometimes you will need a professional groomer or at least the right grooming tools.