Kid Friendly Low Maintenance Dogs: The Perfect Pups for Today’s Modern Busy Families
Kid friendly low maintenance dogs are the holy grail of pets for a busy family with children. As parents, kids can, more often than not, be high maintenance. Hence, the last thing you need is a pooch who needs mothering too.
For families with a hectic lifestyle, opting for a low-maintenance dog can make the possibility of welcoming a four-legged friend into the pack a reality.
To show you what we mean, we’ve picked 10 furry companions that won’t demand too much time from your busy schedule, and will play nicely with the kids too.
What Makes a Dog Low Maintenance?
The word low maintenance is quite often mentioned when it comes to discussing the merits of particular canines. Whether it’s the best low maintenance dog for first time owners, low-maintenance pups for seniors, or even the best pooch for kids.
But, what defines a low maintenance dog?
In short — it depends on the person. As in, low maintenance means different things to different people.
For example, for some dog owners, it can be about the grooming, which can often be time-consuming. To others, it may be more about the energy levels of the pooch and how much time they need to devote to exercising their furry friend. How easy the pup is to train can be another important-to-someone factor.
In general, low maintenance dog breeds are:
Undemanding for coat care.
Eager to please and easy to train.
Low to moderately energetic.
Calm and affectionate.
Friendly towards children and other animals.
In contrast, high-maintenance breeds are typically stubborn, hard to train, highly energetic, and often have coats that require hours upon hours of grooming.
The Best Low Maintenance Family Dogs
Many low maintenance dog breeds fit into the small dog category. However, it’s important to remember some tiny breeds may not be able to deal with the roughhousing of toddlers. Therefore, ensure your child is old enough to understand the difference between a toy and a toy dog before choosing a pint-sized pup.
1. French Bulldog
Height: 11 - 13 inches
Weight: Under 28 pounds
Currently one of the most popular breeds in America, the Frenchie resembles a miniature Bulldog but with distinctive bat-like pointy ears. With minimal grooming needs and a take-it-or-leave-it attitude to exercise, French Bulldogs check all the boxes for easy maintenance dogs.
Their docile, calm and people-pleasing temperament means the French Bulldog can be easy to train. Plus, they get on well with everyone, especially children. To keep your Frenchie in shape, they need a moderate amount of exercise — about 30 minutes a day of walkies and outdoor play should be enough to keep your little pooch happy.
2. Boston Terrier
Height: 10 - 12 inches
Weight: 12 - 25 pounds
With their tuxedo coat markings and impeccable manners, the Boston Terrier has earned themselves the nickname ‘America’s Gentleman’ in the canine world. As good tempered dogs, Bostons have a sweet, calm, and gentle nature, which makes them the ideal pet dog for kids.
Although they love playing with children, they’re low maintenance dogs that like to cuddle. As far as exercise goes, it depends on the dog, some like to run around more than others, so set aside 30 to 60 minutes a day. An intelligent pup, the Boston Terrier is also straightforward to train and has a unique gift for comedic japers.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Height: 12 - 13 inches
Weight: 13 - 18 pounds
With those long floppy ears and small build, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is your typical lapdog. You could be forgiven for thinking that luscious, silky coat would need plenty of grooming, but in reality, requires little more than regular brushing and occasional baths to keep it in top condition.
As dogs that don’t grow too much, the Cav has the constant look of a puppy and makes an affectionate and gentle companion — they’re just as kid-friendly as they are dog-friendly. And, their manageable size also makes them good for families who live in apartments.
The CKC Spaniel will need to go outside daily for some exercise, but short walks or backyard playtime should suffice. And, although they’re eager to please and can be easy to train, they shouldn’t be allowed off the leash. They still retain much of their scent and hunting instinct, often wandering off and not returning when called.
4. Pug
Height: 10 - 13 inches
Weight: 14 - 18 pounds
The sheer lack of activity is what makes the Pug one of the best low maintenance dog breeds. Like most of the small Chinese-origin canines, Pugs were developed to be companion dogs. However, as they love their food, they’re prone to obesity, so don’t skip walkies.
This breed has an even and stable temperament, which makes them a joy to train. With their affectionate, playful, and adventurous nature, they can often come across as mischievous, but they’re quiet dogs and rarely bark.
A Pug’s smooth, short coat doesn’t need much maintenance, but they do shed. A quick brush or once-over with a grooming mitt once per week will do the trick. And, as they’re a flat-faced breed, they can have breathing problems, so you’ll have to watch them in warmer weather.
5. Papillon
Height: 8 - 11 inches
Weight: 5 - 10 pounds
Another low maintenance small dog with a silky coat, which surprisingly needs very little grooming, is the Papillon. What makes Paps easy dogs to take care of is how incredibly clean they are. They have very little doggy odor and tend to do their own grooming, almost as fastidiously as a kitty cat.
Due to their toy size, Papillons make brilliant indoor pets and will quite happily retrieve a small ball or toy while playing with kids indoors. However, they do need some outdoor exercise, about 30 minutes a day is enough for them to remain healthy. That said, most of the time, your Pap will be happier to hang out in the comfort of your lap.
At heart, the Papillon was bred as a companion canine and may get quite stressed if left alone for longer periods of time. Luckily as well as forming strong bonds with humans, they will also gel well with other pets who can keep them company, ideal for busy multi-pet families.
6. English Toy Spaniel
Height: 9 - 10 inches
Weight: 8 - 14 pounds
Similar to their cousins, Cav King Charles Spaniels, English Toy Spaniels are low maintenance small dogs who are happiest when lazing in the lap of their owners. They can, however, be even more easy to care for pets than the King Charles.
When at home, the English Toy tends to be a more reserved and quiet spaniel, sedate and dignified. But, they can be mischievous and playful when they want to be, especially with the kids. Toys also make the ideal pups for urban life, but enjoy the occasional walk on a leash outside. As a smaller pup, they only have very moderate exercise needs.
That mid-length, silky double coat looks a lot more high maintenance than it actually is. Brushing with a fine tooth comb twice weekly can prevent any matting or tangles from forming. This breed is so placid they will enjoy the occasional grooming session, and for the kids, it can be fun too — the English rarely snaps at anyone.
7. Miniature Poodle
Height: 10 - 15 inches
Weight: 10 - 15 pounds
Miniature Poodles are low maintenance hypoallergenic dogs that make the grade for kids, first-timers, seniors, and families with busy lifestyles. Although the Standard Poodle was originally bred as a waterfowl hunting dog, the Miniature Poodle has much less demanding exercise needs.
Poodles are the second most intelligent breed in the canine world. They’re extremely sharp learners, making them easy to train, and they get along famously with children, always happy to show off new tricks. As smaller dogs, most of their exercise can be playtime too.
8. Basset Hound
Height: Up to 15 inches
Weight: 45 - 60 pounds
Instantly recognizable by their droopy ears and soulful eyes, Basset Hounds are incredibly loyal, friendly dogs that make some of the best low maintenance family dogs. The short coat of a Basset requires minimal grooming, and they’re generally low-energy, making them suitable for families that prefer a more relaxed pace.
Basset Hounds are known for their patience and tolerance with children. These pups are calm and docile and even get on with strangers. Training can be more challenging as Bassets can be independent — it will take more time, consistency and persistence, but the result can be a very well-behaved pup. A small price to pay.
What also makes the Basset easy dogs to care of is their short smooth coats, which hardly get dirty. However, they are prone to shedding — a weekly brush can help shift those loose hairs. The biggest maintenance issue is their floppy ears, but careful cleaning with a damp cloth is easy to do and prevents any infections.
9. Bernese Mountain Dog
Height: 25 - 27.5 inches
Weight: 80 - 115 pounds
Compared to many other large canines, Bernese Mountain Dogs are calm, easygoing and quite low-maintenance dogs. They have surprisingly moderate activity levels considering their size, the Berner only needs 30 minutes of exercise to remain healthy and happy.
Their double coat, which although sheds, only requires brushing once a week. But, they will shed heavily during the spring and fall — hence, the ‘quite.’
Berners are affectionate with the whole family and particularly gentle with children — an ideal toddler dog. While these eager-to-please dogs are meant to live indoors with their family, they also enjoy outdoorsy pursuits — Berners are happy to tag along with whatever their family is doing. Plus, they can be left alone for a few hours without too many issues.
10. Mastiff
Height: 27.5/30+ inches
Weight: 120 - 230 pounds
If you have your heart set on a giant dog but are worried about the responsibility and commitments of such a beast, the Mastiff could be the answer. Mastiffs are a big lazy dog breed — that takes couch potato to a new level.
Bred to be guardians of the home, the Mastiff has relatively low exercise requirements and can quite easily live in an apartment. They benefit physically and physiologically from some form of free play or exercise, but their endurance levels suffer due to their larger size. They’re known for plopping down in the middle of longer walks, so never take your Mastiff further than you can carry them back.
Final Thoughts
Owning any dog is a responsibility, and no breed can be considered truly low maintenance — just some are less demanding than others.
So, ask yourself — how much time do you have for exercise or playtime sessions with the pooch? How frequently do they need to be groomed, and how challenging will the pup be to train? And, most crucially — how will they behave when you throw kids into the mix?
The best kid friendly low maintenance dogs help you avoid being overwhelmed by demands on your time and resources by both your children and the pooch. Anything for a quiet life!
Kid Friendly Low Maintenance Dogs FAQs
What Is the Most Child-Friendly Dog?
Golden Retrievers and Labradors enjoy a reputation for being the most child-friendly dogs. But with their high energy levels and heavy-shedding coats, they certainly aren’t low maintenance.
However, the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier make the best puppy for a young family and are also considered low maintenance. Both breeds are small enough to play nicely but not so small they may be too fragile for toddlers.
What Is the Best Family Dog That Is Low Maintenance?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a calm breed employed as a therapy dog who gets on well with the whole family. With moderate to low exercise needs and minimal grooming requirements, the Cav makes an ideal low maintenance pup for families with kids.
What Dogs Are High Maintenance?
Not all dog breeds are easy to take care of. More energetic breeds will need extra time devoted to their exercise or training, while some breeds can have time-draining grooming needs.
If you’re looking for the lowest maintenance pets, we recommend skipping the following breeds:
Australian Shepherd.
Boxer.
Border Collie.
Siberian Husky.
German Shepherd.
Dalmatian.
Russell Terrier.
Chow Chow.
Afghan Hound.
Irish Setter.
Springer Spaniel.
Belgian Malinois.
Akita.
German Shorthaired Pointer.
What Is the Laziest Low Maintenance Dog?
Pugs and Basset Hounds like nothing more than sleeping, which makes them extremely low maintenance dogs. However, as they get older, health issues stemming from their physical makeup — the flat brachycephalic face of the Pug or the droopy ears of the Basset Hound — can add to the maintenance of these pets.
Both breeds also enjoy their food. As a responsible owner, you should ensure your pooch gets enough exercise to prevent them from becoming obese and the health issues that go with that.
Which Are the Best Low-Maintenance Outdoor Dog Breeds?
Although most low maintenance dogs are quite happy to spend more time indoors, the Poodle is a versatile pup who can adapt to any environment. With their origins as hunting dogs, the Poodle is happy to play outdoors and even loves swimming.
Other low maintenance breeds, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Boston Terrier also enjoy playtime outside with the kids.