Deciding to get a dog is a big decision. Not only do you have to decide what size, age, and breed of dog is right for your family, but you also have to think about how much time and effort you're willing to put into caring for your new pet. If you're looking for a "low-maintenance" option, we would like to put out this disclaimer: 

there really is no such thing as a completely low-maintenance dog. 

Of course, dog breeds have strong characteristics that make them unique and different from one another. But it's important to understand that dogs will vary widely in their personality and temperament even within the same breed. This is true even for puppies within the same litter! One sibling can have a completely different personality and energy level than another. 

 to understand how good of a match you are with different dog breeds. After taking the quiz, you can see which of the following "low maintenance" dogs you have a high "pup score" with. 

The first thing to clarify is what we even mean by "low maintenance." What we wish to answer is- 

But that is not a straightforward answer because that depends on what characteristics are easy or challenging for each family. For example, giving your dog plenty of exercises may be a breeze for a professional marathon runner. Yet that same professional athlete may need to travel for work frequently, and the dog's independence and low anxiety need to be the primary factors. 

Bearing that in mind, take these with a grain of salt and understand what truly a "low maintenance dog" means for you. The characteristics we will take into account for these suggestions are: 

Of course, these four categories are not an exhaustive list. The dog's size, for example, may be crucial for someone living in a small apartment and who travels often. Everyone's situation is unique, so taking the 

Low maintenance dogs for first-time owners

For a first-time owner, all 4 of the factors listed above should be considered. However, we think it's even more essential that a first-time owner picks a naturally friendly breed with other dogs and humans and that tends to be receptive to training. 

Poodles surprisingly don't require a lot of grooming, are hypoallergenic, and are relatively easy to train. 

 are also known for being intelligent and good-natured, which makes them an excellent choice for households with young children. The poodle family's breed includes the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle, and the Toy Poodle. For first-time owners, we recommend a toy or miniature poodle, not only for convenience but because they are even less likely to have aggressive or territorial tendencies. This frees the first-time owner to focus on other aspects of training and raising their puppy.

 are social animals that enjoy being around people 24/7. They're also patient and gentle with kids, making them an excellent choice for families. Although they require more exercise than other breeds on this list, they are receptive to training and wish to please their owners. They are playful, friendly, easy to train, and are known for being obedient dogs. 

Beagles are small dogs that don't require a lot of space; they're content with several short walks or one longer walk each day. 

 don't need to be groomed frequently; brushing once or twice per week should suffice. They're also relatively easy to train but may require patience due to their independent nature. 

Just like when considering an easy-to-care-for dog for first-time owners, it's essential to consider all four factors when looking for an easy dog for senior citizens. However, even more, emphasis should be given to getting a less powerful dog with a lower energy count for a senior citizen. A Siberian Husky or a Labrador is not the best option for a senior. Here are some dog breeds we would recommend for a senior: 

Despite the Chihuahua's prominent personality, they are also relatively low maintenance. They have some pent-up energy, but they would do perfectly fine with a couple of small daily walks because of their size. They shed little and require only an occasional brushing. They are very healthy dogs overall and can do well in hot weather. The 

 is independent and does not need rough housing or constant play to keep them satisfied.

The Bichon Frise can make an excellent companion dog for seniors. One or two daily walks should be enough for them, and they will be happy to be at their owner's side without needing constant play and stimulation.

The final recommendation for senior citizens is the Havanese. This native dog of Cuba is quite alert and can make a good watchdog. They prefer occasional walks rather than intense exercise and will be happy with the occasional walk and a nice window to people watch. 

If you would like to find low-maintenance dogs by size, we have compiled the following lists for dogs that require the least amount of time and devotion: 

Just remember to take all of these with a grain of salt. Some criteria we use for "low maintenance" could be essential for one family and a non-factor for another. Furthermore, much of this comes down to the dog's personality; just like humans, there is a range. In other words, the most difficult "low maintenance dog" could require considerably more time and effort than an average "difficult" dog breed. 

What is the best low maintenance dog?

A few aspects make all big dogs require extra maintenance, regardless of the breed. They are more challenging to travel with and, in some cases, are simply too big for planes altogether. If they shed, it will be exponential purely based on their size. They are more expensive because they eat more. And finally, more often than not, big dogs have more health issues than smaller dogs. 

If you are in the research phase, take the dog world quiz to see 

. From there you can label it down and compare your pup scores to the following low-maintenance large dog breeds:

We are going to start with not only a large dog... but one of the most giant dogs in the World, the ever-famous Saint Bernard. The 

 is genuinely a friendly giant, a fantastic family dog that is excellent with kids and loyal to the family. They do not need much exercise, and although they prefer to be around their family, they typically do not get anxious when left alone. The Saint Bernard does lose some points for the shedding and drooling, though. 

The Newfoundland may be just about the most friendly giant dog you can find. They are the ultimate "nanny" dog that adores children. They have an average amount of energy, and although they prefer being with the family they love most, they most likely won't get anxious if you occasionally leave them alone. They shed, however, and have a long coat requiring a good amount of brushing. If you can live with that, the 

 is an excellent low-maintenance large dog.

 deserves a spot on this list because, despite their size, they are generally low-energy dogs that will be perfectly fine with a couple of short daily walks. They also have a short coat which is very easy to maintain, and they are great with children and generally friendly with everyone they meet. They can become protective and territorial, so there is time that needs to be dedicated to early socialization with people and other dogs when the English Bulldog is a puppy.

 is a large and powerful dog but is happy lounging around for most of the day. As long as they have an owner they respect, some daily walks, and occasional mental challenge and stimulation, they will be a low-maintenance large dog you can count on. They are independent, have a short and easy-to-maintain coat, and are generally friendly. 

Two large dog breeds that are incredibly friendly with both people and other dogs. They have a medium amount of energy and can occasionally be left alone. Both get docked some "low maintenance" points because of their long hair and heavy shedding. 

Both are large dogs with a very short coat that is easy to maintain. They are friendly, especially with their family, and have medium to low energy. Despite the low energy, they will need to get their daily walk in to avoid being destructive around the home. And although friendly, some work and energy will need to go into early socialization and training to not get overly territorial.

What are low maintenance large dog breeds?

Is there such thing as a small husky? "Wouldn't a smaller version of a 

This question is more common than you think. And if you too are looking for a mini husky the bad news is that this variation of the breed does not exist. The good news is that there is a completely separate breed that is more commonly mistaken as a "mini husky" than anything else. 

Huskies are typically between 40 and 70 pounds, while the

 typically weighs 8 - 22 pounds. Klee Kais also need a lot of exercises just like huskies but are indeed better for apartment living. Obviously, they are smaller, but they also don't need quite as much intense exercise as huskies do. Overall they can be more manageable, but don't let that fool you into thinking they are not a demanding breed as well. Alaskan Klee Kais are smart, energetic, and need a strong-willed leader.

Alaskan Klee Kai with stunning blue eyes

Klee Kais can have stunning blue eyes, and just like their husky counterparts can oftentimes have two different colored eyes

Alaskan Klee Kai Agility Course

Once again, just like their husky counterparts, the Klee Kai is a natural athlete. Yet they are even more well suited for agility events, because of their small size and agility, and high-level focus. 

If you are looking for a smaller husky, or have doubts about owning a husky with the exercise demands, then be sure to check out the Alaskan Klee Kai. They would be a better fit for apartment living, and probably a better fit for first-time dog owners as well. Be sure to "inquire about puppies" if you are interested in 

purchasing or adopting an Alaskan Klee Kai

Dog World Blog

Is there such thing as a mini husky?

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What is the best low maintenance dog?

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What are low maintenance large dog breeds?

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