12 Best Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds — our top picks
Whippet
Whippet: very low grooming needs and medium energy — undemanding on grooming, exercise and constant company alike. Medium-sized sighthound, gentle and quiet indoors. Perfect balance of athleticism and calm companionship. Worth knowing before you commit: the Whippet does badly left alone all day.
French Bulldog
French Bulldog: very low grooming needs, low energy and medium independence — undemanding on grooming, exercise and constant company alike. Muscular flat-faced breed with bat ears and adaptable personality. Excellent apartment companion.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier: very low grooming needs, medium energy and medium independence — undemanding on grooming, exercise and constant company alike. American Gentleman with tuxedo markings and friendly disposition. Intelligent and easy-going companion.
Vizsla
Vizsla: very low grooming needs. Elegant Hungarian pointer known as the "Velcro dog" for their close bond with owners. Athletic and affectionate. Worth knowing before you commit: the Vizsla needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Greyhound
Greyhound: very low grooming needs, medium energy and medium independence. Fastest dog breed, built for speed. Gentle "45mph couch potato" with calm indoor temperament. Worth knowing before you commit: a strong prey drive makes off-leash recall a long project for the Greyhound.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinscher: very low grooming needs. Elegant German guardian with athletic build. Intelligent, loyal, and fearless protector when properly trained. Worth knowing before you commit: the Doberman Pinscher needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Boxer
Boxer: very low grooming needs. German working dog with playful nature and distinctive square head. Energetic, loyal, and excellent family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the Boxer needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Chihuahua (Smooth Coat)
Chihuahua (Smooth Coat): very low grooming needs, medium energy and high independence. World's smallest dog breed with huge personality. Alert, confident, and devoted to their family despite their tiny size. Worth knowing before you commit: the Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) is vocal, which matters if you share walls.
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier: very low grooming needs. Powerful American bull-type terrier. Confident, good-natured, and devoted family companion when properly trained. Worth knowing before you commit: the American Staffordshire Terrier needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: very low grooming needs. British bull-type terrier with gentle nature toward people. Muscular, courageous, and excellent family dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Basenji
Basenji: very low grooming needs and very high independence. Barkless African hunting dog with cat-like cleanliness. Independent, intelligent, and unique. Worth knowing before you commit: the Basenji needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Beagle
Beagle: low grooming needs, medium energy and medium independence. Small to medium scenthound with gentle temperament. Excellent family dog with moderate exercise needs. Worth knowing before you commit: a strong prey drive makes off-leash recall a long project for the Beagle.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking based on your own answers.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for low-maintenance owners
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a popular choice, but high grooming needs and very high energy put it at odds with low-maintenance owners. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Siberian Husky needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a popular choice, but high grooming needs and low independence put it at odds with low-maintenance owners. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Bernese Mountain Dog needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a popular choice, but very high grooming needs and high energy put it at odds with low-maintenance owners. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Golden Retriever needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the best dog for low-maintenance owners?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Whippet ranks as the top choice for low-maintenance owners, followed by the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier.
- How was this list of dogs for low-maintenance owners chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for low-maintenance owners — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for low-maintenance owners?
- The Siberian Husky, The Bernese Mountain Dog, The Golden Retriever all rank near the bottom for low-maintenance owners despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.