Estrela Mountain Dog
The beautiful Estrela Mountain Dog is a large breed that doesn’t require a lot of exercise. If the weather is unpleasant, a little indoor play or play in the backyard will be enough if there isn’t time for a long walk. The Estrela would do best in a house with a yard due to their size. Plenty of backyard activity will help this large dog from becoming bored.
The Estrela has a thick coat that only needs brushing about once a week. The Estrela is an amazing family dog that does well with children if properly socialized and is protective, loving, intelligent, and devoted.
The Pyrenean Mastiff is an extra-large dog that definitely needs its exercise but can do quite well playing in the backyard. Care needs to be taken while they are puppies due to their large size, so they do not incur any injuries. Shorter walks on softer surfaces (try to avoid cement) will help them while they are growing and their bones harden. The Pyrenean can be exercised with several walks a day or playtime in the backyard.
The Pyrenean is double-coated and will need brushing about 2 or 3 times a week. They are intelligent, gentle, loving, and protective dogs.
Things to consider when choosing a dog breed
If you’re seriously thinking about adding a dog to your family, consider right away the basics every canine needs. When and where will you fit in daily walks (morning and night), nail trimming (at least monthly), regular vet visits (at least twice per year) and quality time? Think about your proximity to local dog parks and reputable veterinarians. Do you travel frequently for work? Do you have a partner who is equally as busy or who might have more time to devote to a dog?
These questions are just the tip of the iceberg, but a great place to start. If you ask us, grooming and exercise needs are two factors that can dramatically impact whether a dog is low- or high-maintenance.
While all dogs require ample care and attention, there are some breeds more ready and willing to gel with your definition of hectic than others.
With their big brown eyes and tuxedo-style coat, Boston Terriers are gregarious pups who just want your approval. The amount of exercise they need will definitely vary from dog to dog (as with any breed), but a couple walks a day and some playtime indoors is typically sufficient. They’re great apartment dwellers for singles in the city and do just as well with families and kids in the suburbs. Plus, that coat is as low-maintenance as it gets
Chihuahuas are like your Leo friend who’s always saying, “I’m up for literally anything!” They are adaptable creatures with independent streaks (so instill commands early) who really only need to trot around behind you for a few blocks to get enough exercise. Short-coated chihuahuas require nothing but a quick brush now and again, but even long-coated versions don’t require groomers visits.
The grooming thing comes up a lot when talking about dogs and hectic lifestyles. Scheduling an expensive salon session for your pooch every four weeks (more often than you get highlights)? No, thanks. Manchester terriers (both standard and toy sizes) have sleek, carefree coats. These dogs also love to curl up and chill after a brisk walk.
Dachshunds have a positive disposition and are typically game for anything you throw at them (frisbee or otherwise). Exercise can consist of running around the house (though be careful of stairs) or leisurely walks. If you work in a dog-friendly office or from home, your Dachshund will be content sitting by your side as you focus on tasks.
Disclaimer: Only get a Doberman pinscher if your definition of hectic involves ample time for physical fitness. Working out regularly is part of a healthy human lifestyle and bonding time with owners is part of a healthy canine lifestyle. Kill two birds with one stone by taking your Doberman for a run every night. These loyal dogs need lots of exercise (if you have a yard, that’s best) and solid training as puppies, but are otherwise pretty low maintenance.
The even-tempered French bulldog demands minimal grooming, barks infrequently, adapts well to his family’s lifestyle and approaches exercise with a “take it or leave it” attitude. Make sure they are walked enough to maintain a healthy weight, but beyond that, these dogs will fit in just about anywhere, with anyone.
Due to their ability to sense and adjust to their owners’ temperaments, Cavalier King Charles spaniels are terrific for people always on the go. Yes, brushing every week is necessary to make sure their longer coats don’t tangle, but these canines can go with the flow and work well with kids and other pets.
A bull mastiff might look ferocious, but they are often compliant and friendly with their families. Train pups early to establish commands, run a brush through their fur every other week, walk regularly to maintain a healthy weight, and you’re good to go.
This dog is ideal for a family with kids because of its relaxed demeanor and devotion to its people. Soccer game this Saturday? Bring the dog! Family hike at a local state park? Bring the dog! Broholmers like to be outdoors and part of the team.
Take this cute, compact and playful pup anywhere and she’ll appreciate you. Leave her at home while you finish errands and she’ll calmly welcome you back with open paws. Training early is best as rat terriers love to learn and please but can be sensitive. Ideally, you’ve got either a big family or enjoy hosting friends frequently (rat terriers like to be social).
Ah, a gentle giant, the Tosa. They are great guard dogs because they’re wary of strangers and frankly look intimidating. However, they are quiet softies who are patient, leisurely and obedient. Walking is solid exercise, but punch up the activity level if you notice your Tosa gaining weight.
This is another dog who loves being in on the action. These dogs enjoy people-centric exercise like biking, running or playing frisbee, so are ideal for anyone who’s perfect weekend involves a trip to a pup-friendly brewery after a nice hike. American Staffordshire terriers are confident, easy-going canines.
Now, for one of the laziest blobs on our list: the basset hound. These dogs are so low key and patient, you might think they didn’t care if you were home at all if it weren’t for their undying loyalty. They do well with other dogs, too. The only semi-high-maintenance aspect of basset hounds is they might need a solid brush-through three times a week to keep their coat healthy.
Whether your routine is hectic or relaxed, a Drever just asks for some balance. Brisk walk in the morning followed by a couple hours of downtime until the dog walker gets there? No problem. Their coats are resilient and require very little grooming. If you’ve already got a dog or have lots of people living in your home, Drevers will embrace this group life and go with the flow.
Tibetan spaniels are keen on lounging around the house (they won’t ask your permission to do it, either) and occupying themselves with toys. They are playful, yet veer towards calmer dispositions and intense obedience. As far as grooming goes, a swift brush through every week should prevent the fur behind the ears from tangling.
A true dog’s dog, the border terrier is lovable and trainable, affectionate with kids and in need of a quick brush every week or so. He’ll play and then follow routine when it’s time to eat, work or sleep. Ideally, border terriers have yards to run in, but they’re known for adapting well to city life as long as there’s a park they can prance through on occasion.
Low-maintenance in just about every sense of the word is the whippet. These pups are content to lay out on the bed until you’re home from work and ready for a walk. Their short coat takes grooming almost completely out of the question and their barks are few and far between.
Similar in stature to whippets, Italian greyhounds are tiny dogs that hardly take up any space at all (making them great for busy city people). They do love a good, warm lap and may follow you around when you’re home, but they know how to settle down, too. If dog parks are sparse in your area, this is the canine for you; they’re often too small and wary of other dogs to enjoy themselves and would rather hang out at home.
The true lap dog. Maltese pups are adaptable canines who will sit with you calmly or trot as needed for a bit of exercise. Another perk? They hardly shed at all. While super friendly, they might be stubborn if you don’t teach commands (and offer plenty of treats during training) early. After that? Smooth sailing.
Think about a roly-poly pile of love that just wants to eat snacks and hang out with you. That’s the pug! These rotund little pooches do well with other dogs, kids, singles—pretty much anyone. Yes, they shed, but require very little brushing.
Toy breeds abound on this list, and the Pomeranian is one of the most popular. People around the globe love these tiny companions. This is probably because they have a positive disposition, are smart (so they grasp commands early and stick with them) and short bursts of playtime indoors is enough to get them some daily exercise.
Another breed eager to please and ready to learn and retain commands is the miniature schnauzer. These dogs are great companions to children and other pets. Grooming is the only area in which this pup may require some extra effort—brush often to prevent their wiry coats from getting tangled.
It always looks like the Papillon is smiling! Probably because they are a happy breed, content to play wherever they happen to be. Folks living in big country houses, small urban apartments, hot deserts and chilly tundras will find the Papillon to be a hearty companion. They have no undercoat, so grooming is a cinch.
If a Havanese was a person, they’d be the class clown who can entertain themselves and others, but knows how to read the room and chill when it’s time to focus. They don’t bark or shed much and they love learning new tricks (they tire easily though, so beware of pushing them too hard while exercising).
One of the biggest dogs out there, the Irish wolfhound brings a calm, almost serene presence to his home. Ideally, you’ve got a yard where he can run around a few times a day (they’re fast and are built a lot like Greyhounds). Known for being super sweet, they actually make ineffective watch dogs since they’re so agreeable.
Between the huge, floppy ears and those sweet, big eyes, you’d have to be a seriously strong person to not fall for these ultra-cute pups. Though they can be quite naughty, beagles are known to be very merry, with quirky personalities that will make you laugh. They make loyal companions, are very playful and are very good with children.
Speaking of dogs whose faces you can’t deny, how absolutely adorable are these teeny doggos? If their puggy little faces and tiny teeth don’t steal your heart, then you’ll certainly fall for the huge personalities packaged in their tiny bodies. Though most Brussels griffons average between eight to ten pounds, they’re quite vocal, energetic and are easily chummy with new people.
When choosing a dog breed, it is essential to select one that fits with your lifestyle and preferences. If you aren’t very active, it is often best to choose a dog that isn’t very active either. This will prevent a mis-match in your lifestyle. No one wants to plan to spend the day sitting around at home only for your pooch insists on a 3-hour walk.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known as the “lap dog” of the spaniel world. They are less active than other spaniels and more suitable as family dogs. They are very friendly and enjoy being around their family. They are highly affectionate and playful. They get along with both children and other animals, making them ideal for family homes.
Because of their short faces and prominent wrinkles, these dogs are prone to many health problems. Their short muzzles make them unable to breathe properly, which is one reason they don’t exercise a lot. Some breathing problems are more severe than others, depending on the exact genetics of the dog. Eye problems are common as well since their eyes “bug out” quite a bit. Their hip sockets aren’t formed correctly in many cases, with causes hip dysplasia. This affects nearly 64% of Pugs, though the severity can differ widely.
These dogs typically only need a walk or two a day. They are smaller dogs, so short walks are usually all that is required. Care should be taken in warm weather, as they are somewhat prone to overheating.
This breed is best for experienced dog owners, as they can eat up quite a bit of time. Though they are small dogs, they can be quite active. Their short legs usually mean shorter walks are appropriate, however. They are not the most laidback dog on this list. These dogs love playtime and will enjoy fetch and similar games.
5 Lazy Dog Breeds That Don’t Need Much Exercise
If you’re looking for a furry canine companion in your life, but can’t manage a pup with high exercise needs, there are still plenty of breeds for you to choose from that will be happy and healthy with a short daily walk or even just some playtime at home.
We’ve picked our top 10 breeds that need less than 45 minutes of activity a day – of course, each individual dog has varying exercise needs so you should be flexible enough to give them a little more (or less) if they need it.
Bichon Frises are a popular toy breed that are easily recognisable by their pure white, curly coat. They were originally bred as a companion dog and were particularly popular with the aristocratic families of Europe. These playful little dogs are usually content with around 30 minutes of exercise per day and live well in flats and houses without a garden. They form strong attachments with their owners which can often lead to separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long.
Chinese Crested dogs come in two varieties – hairless and ‘Powder Puff’. Like many toy breeds, these little dogs have low exercise requirements, needing just 30 minutes of activity per day – a walk or a fun play session will usually do the job. Like many other toy breeds they live well in flats and houses without a garden. They don’t do well when left for long periods of time due to their strong bonds with their owners and need for attention.
Griffon Bruxellois’ are small and intelligent dogs. Originally bred in Belgium, these dogs were used in stables to catch rodents, but soon became popular as house pets. Their exercise needs are low, but if you’re living in a flat you still need to make the effort to ensure they get either a daily walk or some vigorous playtime, along with plenty of mental stimulation. The Griffon is a brachycephalic breed, so it’s important not to over exercise them as this may lead to respiratory distress.
Japanese Chins have surged in popularity recently thanks to their gentle manners and playful characteristics. Needing just 30 minutes of exercise per day, this can be taken as a gentle stroll around the block or a play session at home that gets them moving. Like some other dogs in this list they are considered to be a brachycephalic breed so avoiding overexertion is key.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are amongst the largest of the toy breeds. They make excellent companion dogs but also retain some of the sporting instinct of their larger spaniel ancestors. They can be fairly athletic dogs, able to hold their own in canine sports against similarly sized breeds. However, as another brachycephalic breed, they are at risk of going into respiratory distress if over exercised, so owners of these dogs will need to ensure they don’t overdo it.
Malteses are hard to miss thanks to their flowing white coat. They are remarkably agile, adaptable and friendly, making them fantastic companion dogs. They live well in flats and love to be around people, meaning they often excel as therapy dogs. They require around 30 minutes of activity per day so will be content with a short walk or some quality playtime with their favourite person – you!
Pugs have exploded in popularity in thanks to their affectionate and playful nature. With their origins dating back almost 1800 years, they are an ancient breed of dog, historically prized by nobility in Asia and Europe. They were bred as lapdogs and to this day they are devoted companions. They have boundless energy, but this is easily worked off with a gentle walk and some playtime. As a brachycephalic breed they will need close attention to ensure they don’t overdo it and go into respiratory distress.
Bologneses are member of the Bichon family. These little dogs originated in Italy and make wonderful companions. Their high intelligence means they need lots of mental stimulation, but when it comes to exercise most will be satisfied with a couple of short walks a day, or some high-quality playtime. They adapt well to apartment living but, like many toy breeds, can be difficult to housetrain.
English Bulldogs are an iconic breed, first bred in the 1300s for bullbaiting. However, with bullbaiting banned in the 19th century, enthusiasts soon developed the breed into a loving, mellow companion pet. Bulldogs are a relaxed sort who are happy with a short romp around your local area for their daily exercise. That said, as a brachycephalic breed, it’s best to let them take it easy on warm days and ensure they don’t overexert themselves.
By far the biggest dog on the list, you might be surprised to hear that this gentle giant needs fairly little exercise. In fact, they’re quite content to lounge around all day in the home and in your garden, provided they get a daily walk to help keep them in good shape. They like space to stretch out, so a house with a garden is ideal, but you don’t need to live in a country estate to keep these pups happy.
Even these low energy breeds still need their daily exercise to keep them happy and healthy. In fact, when you have a dog with lower exercise needs, it can be easy to slip into bad habits – after all, they’re much less likely to remind you that they need to go out for a walk when they’re quite content napping on your sofa!
You can keep track of their exercise levels, and check they hit their goals (as well preventing them from over exercising themselves) using a PitPat dog activity monitor.