Too many people decide that they wanted a cutesy, wootsie little dog to love
and then spend a ton of time and money picking out a perfect pooch. Then these
people proceed to ignore the dog after a couple of months when the novelty wears
off and they realize that a dog is work.
I want to shake those people and scream: “A dog is not a lawn ornament or a
household decoration!” In addition to the basics—water, food and shelter—a dog
needs attention, affection, mental stimulation, grooming and physical
activity.
So for those who insist on dog companionship but
have no intention of taking 30-minute walks daily, spending weeks, or money, for
training, or taking the dog to the groomers bi-weekly, I offer this list of
low-maintenance dogs. (I know, some people really aren’t physically able to walk
a dog everyday for whatever reason but would still like companionship. Ignore
the “lazy” in the title and read on.)
Note: I am not in any way advocating that you neglect or ignore any dog. My
point here is, please don’t adopt a high-energy Border Collie if you hate
walking to the car or a high maintenance Shih Tzu if you barely brush your own
hair. Bring home a dog that needs a tenth of the work for the same amount of
love.
10. Bolognese
This breed was thought to have descended from dogs like the Bichon Frisé in
southern Italy. The Bolognese became popular as a companion dog among royal
courts and nobility of Spain, and other parts of Europe, up to the early 1800’s.
This is a sturdy breed of Toy/Companion dogs without any particular genetic
health problems. A Bolognese needs for:
Space – Minimal. A good apartment dog. This toy breed has a
sturdy body and weighs 8 – 14 pounds, the size of a
newborn.
Exercise – Low. A playful dog, but not highly
active. Occasional walks are good.
Training – Low. This dog
is smart and trainable. She may be reserved with strangers, but she gets along
with kids and other animals.
Grooming – Moderate. This is a
long hair breed with white hair. It mats up easily, but it doesn’t shed much and
is actually considered hypoallergenic.
9. Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin, also known as the Japanese Spaniel, is actually believed
to have originated in China and brought to Japan as a gift from a Chinese
emperor. It was a popular dog of Japanese royalty and was introduced in Europe
in the 1800s. The Japanese Chin needs for:
Space – Low. This is a small dog not quite reaching a foot
in height and weighing 8 to 11 pounds.
Training – Low. This
is a smart, quiet, mild-mannered dog. The Chin gets along well with almost
everyone, including strangers, other animals and children. They are also alert
and sensitive to their surroundings.
Exercise – Low. This
small dog is made for the lap. Plus, with its shorter muzzle, too much exercise
could cause breathing and heat problems. Occasional short walks would
do.
Grooming – Moderate. The Chin’s coat needs regular
brushing/combing to maintain its appearance and avoid matting. And they do shed
lightly year-round but are very clean and do not smell.
Cons – Difficult to housetrain during the first 4 months of life. Other
health concerns include luxating patellas, heart problems, back problems,
cataracts.
8. Greyhound
A racing dog on a list for 10 Best Dogs for Lazy Owners? A-ha, you learn
something new all the time. Yes, they do sprint fast, but they are not
high-energy dogs. In fact, Greyhounds have been referred as “Forty-five mile per
hour couch potatoes.” Greyhounds have been around for some time, and can be
traced to ancient Egypt and Greece and have often been used for hunting and
herding throughout history. The Greyhound needs for:
Space – Low. Seriously. Yes, this is a larger dog (60 to 70
pounds as an adult and 2 1/2 feet high), but they can thrive in small spaces.
Most Greyhounds are quiet, gentle animals, and actually make better “apartment
dogs” than breeds that are smaller but more active.
Training
– Low-ish. These dogs are rather obedient and get along well with strangers,
school-aged children, and other dogs. You maybe should train or supervise them
around smaller pet animals or very young children.
Exercise
– Low to moderate. Yes, greyhounds are sprinters and they love running, but they
do not require extensive exercise. A 20 to 30 minute walk many days will keep an
adult Greyhound healthy.
Grooming – Low. She has a short,
smooth coat and no undercoat. These are good dogs to have if you have
allergies.
Cons – Some skin sensitivities and sensitive to extreme temperatures
7. Bullmastiff
Yes, a Bullmastiff, as in that super large dog, is pretty low maintenance.
This powerful guard dog was developed in the mid-1800s as a cross between the
English Mastiff and the Old English Bulldog. They were bred, not to attack
intruders, but to stand in front of them or knock them down and hold them. For
their size, they tend to be pretty low-energy dog. A Bullmastiff needs for:
Space – Low-ish. Because of its size (100 to 130 lbs, 21 to
27” in height), you do need enough space in the house just so the dog can move
and lounge around. However, these are calm, low-key dogs and they actually do
fine in apartments. And they do best when they live inside with the
owner.
Training – Low. Some training is recommended just for
walking the large dog so he doesn’t pull. This dog is very loyal to its family,
even-tempered, calm and very tolerant of children. In fact, these dogs crave
human attention and are quite affectionate.
Grooming – Low.
It has a short, smooth coat that sheds little.
Exercise –
Low to moderate. The Bullmastiff is a calm, low-energy dog—it’s even known to be
a lazy dog, clearly OK with lying on the sofa. However, because he is such a
large dog, obesity can be a concern. Occasional long walks are a good idea, but
they can be leisurely, low-key walks.
Cons – Some tendencies for bloating, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye
problems. Cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. Tendency to drool or
slobber.
6. Pug
Originating in China, Pugs were probably used as royal gifts or for barter in
China as well as Tibet and Japan, eventually making their way over to Europe. A
Pug needs for:
Space – Low. This dog gets to about 18 pounds at the upper
end of the scale (if not overfed!) and up to a foot in height. Perfect for
apartment life.
Training – Low. Despite it pinched-looking
face, Pug’s are typically affectionate dogs that enjoy children. They are also
notoriously stubborn. Consider training if you seriously don’t want him on the
couch, but he insists.
Grooming – Moderate. Here’s a
drawback. While a relatively short-haired dog, Pugs tend to shed quite a bit.
And, you do actually have to clean in those wrinkles occasionally to avoid
irritation or infection.
Exercise – Way low. You really
don’t want to exercise this dog too much. Because of the way the Pug’s head and
face are built, they have very compact breathing passageways. This means they
have trouble breathing if they overdo it and they have difficulty controlling
their body temperature (dogs cool their temperature through panting). Definitely
no strenuous exercise for the Pug and no outings where she might get really
hot.
Cons – Snorer—don’t let her on the bed with you if you’re a light sleeper.
Possible respiratory problems, hip dysplasia and encephalitis.
5. Glen of Imaal Terrier
The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a type of working dog from Ireland, bred for
hunting vermin, badger-baiting and hunting fox. The Glen of Imaal Terrier needs
for:
Space – Low-ish. This terrier gets up to 35 pounds (about
the weight of a 2-year-old) and up to 14 inches long. This dog works well in
apartments and houses with small yards.
Training – Low to
moderate. Clever and highly trainable dog, Glen of Imaals get along well with
people and kids, but may be yippy and territorial with other dogs. They also
might see other household pets as game if the terrier is not socialized to get
along.
Exercise – Low-ish. These terriers have short legs
compared to their body, so they aren’t really built for running, jumping or
other strenuous activities. Some short walks are still good for them, but he
won’t stress you out everyday about it. In fact, it is said the Glen of Imaal
Terriers tend to make up their own exercise, so if you have a yard, that would
be good for them, too. (But have a good fence because they like to
dig.)
Grooming – Low to moderate. A Glen’s outer coat will
grow to 3-4″ if left unattended and it will matt, but this breed does not shed
much.
4. Bulldog
Bulldogs were originally bred in the 1600s to hold bulls for butchers, and
later used for fighting, or “bullbaiting”. When fighting was outlawed, breeders
bred Bulldogs with gentler temperaments to soften the breed. A Bulldog needs
for:
Space – Low. A small but muscular dog, weighing in at 40 –
50 pounds, apartment living is fine, but avoid this breed if you have back
problems.
Training – Low. An affectionate and very loyal
dog, Bulldogs get along well with people, kids and other house
pets.
Grooming – Low. A short hair dog, but they do require
wrinkle cleaning of the folds on their face.
Exercise – Not
a particularly active breed. However, these dogs can easily become obese, so a
little exercise is good. Low intensity exercise only, like casual walks is
recommended. In fact, because of its short muzzle, heavy exercise and exercise
in hot weather can be a health hazard.
3. Puggle
A Puggle is considered a recent crossbreed (sometimes known as a “designer
dog”) that is a mix of a Pug and a Beagle. He or she may be an original mix or a
second or third generation. Puggles are low maintenance dogs that make excellent
house pets. A Puggle needs for:
Space – Low. Puggles are smaller dogs (15 – 30 lbs, up to
15” in height), good for apartment or house life.
Training –
Low. Puggles are laid-back and cheerful. They are sturdy and playful, but also
affectionate, lap dogs. They pretty much get along everyone including children,
other dogs and other family pets. They are also very loyal and eager to please
their owners.
Exercise – Lowish. These dogs do have a little
energy to work off (the Beagle in them) so occasional walks or a romp in the
yard is good. On the other side, Puggles tire quickly and like to kick back.
Additionally, because of its shorter nasal cavity (inherited from the Pug), long
or strenuous workouts are a big no-no. This can cause trouble breathing or
controlling body temperature.
Grooming – Low to moderate.
They are generally low maintenance, but they shed quite a bit, especially in the
spring. They may also need wrinkle cleaning depending how much Pug they
inherited.
Cons –Because of the shorter nasal cavity, Puggles are a little more
susceptible to heat stroke.
2. Rat Terrier
Sometimes also known as an American hairless terrier, the Rat Terrier was
bred to control, guess what, rats…and any other vermin or game they could catch.
Originally bred in England, they were common farm dogs in the US in the early
1900s and Teddy Roosevelt hunted with them often. A Rat Terrier needs for:
Space – Low. The upper weight limit for this guy is 25
pounds and a foot tall or less. Practically shoebox size. There is also a
Miniature Rat Terrier that is under one foot and under 10
pounds.
Training – Low. Rat Terriers are friendly dogs that
get along well with everyone: strangers, children, dogs, cats. They are
generally cheerful but they can be very sensitive to changes in their
environment, like increased activity or its owner’s mood. If you want to train
him, he is very smart.
Exercise – Low. They love lounging on
the sofa or in a lap as much as tearing about the yard. Some occasional
exercise, walking or playing in the yard, will occupy
them.
Grooming – Low. These dogs have a smooth coat with
little shedding.
1. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world, named after the
state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where it was discovered in 1850. Its breeding
origins are uncertain, but assumed to be descendants of dogs of Chinese or
Spanish explorers. A Chihuahua needs for:
Space – Minimal. Pretty much an indoor dog, 2 – 6 pounds, up
to 9 inches high, can fit in your purse.
Training – Low.
However, if you have other animals or kids, consider another dog or you may have
a nervous breakdown on your hands. Chihuahua are fiercely loyal to one person
but are often considered high-strung.
Grooming – Low. Both
the short-hair and long-hair types require minimal
grooming.
Exercise – Minimal. An occasional walkie is nice.
But do not let them become overweight as it brings on serious health problems
for this small breed.
Cons – Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies such as epilepsy
and seizure disorders, hypoglycemia, heart problems, or collapsed trachea.
Contributor: Tracy from Exercise My
Dog
