10 Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds That Need Minimal Grooming and Salon Visits
The responsibility of adopting a dog does not just stop with providing them with basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter. To ensure better health, dogs must have a grooming routine somewhere between twice a month and each quarter of the year. Keeping dogs clean is the best way to start taking care of their health. You may need to have your trusted dog salons for a major clean up — or you can do grooming tasks at home.
Planning a grooming routine is essential to your dog’s health. Dogs love to play outside, and their fur is exposed to dirt, various allergens, and dander. Practicing good hygiene can lead to a better smell, and it won’t invite ticks and fleas. Maintaining good hygiene lessens emergency vet visits.
However, if you really love dogs and don’t have the time to keep up with the routine, you might want to opt for low-maintenance dog breeds. A highly demanding job with a hectic schedule doesn’t have to stop you from adopting a dog. Low-maintenance dog breeds in terms of cleanliness, grooming routine, and salon visits may be your perfect match.
10 Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds
If you plan to adopt a dog but don’t want to go to the groomers regularly, you might find a dog breed just for you in the list below.
Beagle
A beagle will definitely make your house feel homier. They are the perfect fun companion, and you don’t have to set up a schedule for monthly salon visits. Beagles don’t have a long coat of fur, so that will save you from costly grooming services. You just have to ensure that your beagle will have a regular bath schedule. Check their nails, ears, and teeth regularly and maintain good hygiene.
Basenji
This short-haired dog does not take grooming lightly. A basenji gives extra attention to maintaining a neat and clean fur. For this reason, a basenji does not have that typical dog smell, saving you some time, as they don’t require a regular bath schedule. Basenjis also don’t like getting wet — they certainly are cat-like dogs. But brushing their short coat of fur weekly is also essential.
Bedlington Terrier
Despite the lamb-like coat of a Bedlington terrier, this dog breed is a light-shedder. You only need to trim its curly fur monthly. A lint roller is an essential item for a Bedlington terrier parent. You also don’t have to worry about potty training since the lamb-like dog is intelligent and can be easily trained. Important parts of a Bedlington terrier’s grooming routine are ear cleaning, nail trimming, and hair clipping — the recommended frequency is every six to eight weeks.
Japanese Chin
Like the Basenji, a Japanese Chin is also a cat-like dog. The little creature habitually grooms itself and rarely sheds hair. A Japanese Chin’s grooming routine includes licking its paws and then using the paws to comb its fur and remove dirt. Occasional hair trimming is vital to grooming a Japanese Chin, and brushing and combing are also important. Owners should also plan a bath schedule every 6 weeks.
Greyhound
Due to the lifestyle of a Greyhound, the short-haired dog rarely exposes itself to dirt that might build up on its fur. They may look sporty and outdoorsy, but a Greyhound prefers to laze around and sleep in its favorite spot at home. The recommended frequency of a Greyhound’s bath schedule is every two to three months. With their short coat, Greyhounds don’t have a foul dog smell. Brushing their coat bi-weekly will keep it shiny and healthy between baths. It’s also best to regularly check their ears, nails, and teeth.
American Hairless Terrier
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Nyaah
AKC Vice President Gina Dinardo regards the American Hairless Terrier as a clean and neat dog breed. They do not shed fur, as they basically don’t even have hair. Grooming an American hairless terrier mainly focuses on skin care — this dog breed is prone to skin conditions. Sunscreen and mild shampoos will be your go-to skincare essentials. Although these dogs have minimal hair, frequent brushing is still important. The American hairless terrier is not just perfect for career-driven people but also for allergy sufferers.
Italian Greyhound
Most Italian Greyhound owners only use a damp cloth to wipe their bodies, and this is because frequent baths can irritate their skin — they also don’t prefer water exposure. A complete bath is only a good option if your Italian Greyhound has full-on dirt and foul smell on their body. Only use a gentle shampoo for this dog breed because they have sensitive skins. Regular ear, nail, and teeth cleansing must be prioritized as well.
Dalmatian
If you have your own Pongo and Perdita, you’re in luck, as they are very low-maintenance dogs. Of course, dalmatians also require regular bath schedules, but a weekly schedule is unnecessary. A bath schedule every six weeks will do for these adorable spotty dogs. Dalmatians have short and sleek fur, making them dirt-resistant. These dogs are also moderate shedders — occasional grooming salon visits will be part of your routine to keep their coats shiny and healthy. Aside from the necessary ear, nails, and teeth checkups, dalmatian anal glands must be routinely checked by your trusted vet.
Whippet
Short-haired dogs are the perfect breeds for people with busy schedules, especially the whippet. These dogs don’t require the usual bath schedule with their short coat and lean bodies. A soft-bristled brush will be your primary grooming tool for a Whippet, and this will help remove dirt and loose hair — but be careful with brushing, as they have sensitive skin. Furthermore, brushing their coat once or twice a week is enough to maintain coat health. Many whippet parents opt for a damp cloth or wet wipes instead of a brush.
Chihuahua
Photo: Pixabay/ClaudiaWollesen
A Chihuahua is low-maintenance not because they don’t have a regular grooming schedule but because they only need minimal care. They are tiny and easy to manage, and Chihuahuas have a thin coat that can be easily groomed. You just have to gingerly handle them, because they have tiny statures. All grooming tools you need to use must be according to their size. The suggested regular grooming and bathing schedule of a Chihuahua is every week or up to six weeks. Select skin and hair products wisely to assure coat health.
Clean and Neat Dog Breeds for the Busy Person
It’s best to weigh your options before picking a dog breed to adopt. Consider your lifestyle to ensure that your dog’s needs will be met accordingly. Taking care of a dog is quite similar to nurturing an infant. You have to be aware that it is a huge responsibility, and their health is a priority. Hence, gathering information about the dog breed should be the first step in planning adoption.
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