The age-old saying is true. Dogs are a man’s best friend. Still, from middle-of-the-night potty runs to gut-punching vet bills, dog ownership isn’t always a walk in the park. When it comes to adopting a new furry friend, prospective owners have a lot to consider.
Carefully evaluating the qualities that characterize each dog breed is critical in picking out your new pup. For many human hopefuls, ease of grooming is an enticing factor. If you’d like to spend more time playing with your puppy and less time wrestling them into the bathtub, you should consider adopting a dog that requires little upkeep.
Fortunately, some dog breeds shed very little and are easy to groom with or without the help of a professional groomer. If you’d like to spare yourself the hair, check out this list of the six easiest dog breeds to groom.
Labrador retrievers
Labrador retrievers have been a popular dog breed for over 25 years. If you’re looking to adopt your easy-to-groom bundle of joy, you can usually find lab mixes in shelters or get your paws on lab puppies for sale from reputable breeders.
Labs shed their coats just twice a year, requiring some grooming, but won’t require regular shaves. With gentle brushing that starts as puppies, these pups grow easy to maintain coats and offer a low-maintenance grooming experience.
Weimaraners
German hunting dogs, once used to help hunters track deer and bears, Weimaraners make great family pets. Their high energy levels and athleticism require vigorous daily exercise and intensive training that begins when they are puppies. While their hyperactive personalities may require extra time and energy investments, taking care of a Weimaraner’s grooming needs is a much different story.
Regular brushing keeps this breed’s minimal shedding at bay. What’s more, Weimaraner owners won’t have to make regular appointments with a groomer for cuts. Because Weimaraners only require bathing and brushing, owners can complete most dog grooming at home.
American bulldogs
A squishy-faced favorite, American bulldogs have short and neat hair. If you can bathe the dog when it’s visibly dirty and brush its fur regularly to remove any loose hairs and stimulate the dog’s skin, you’ll find that your grooming checklist is nearly complete.
Nail trims, ear cleaning, and other tasks are usually best left to groomers, but American bulldogs need these services performed infrequently. Owners of bulldogs can leave worries of bi-monthly haircuts and fur scrubs in the doghouse.
Beagles
While a beagle’s short hair prevents owners from trimming their manes into silly styles like dog mullets, their neat coats create the need for fewer grooming appointments and expenses.
Beagles need brushing about once or twice a week, and they need bathing when they get dirty. Regular brushing keeps any shedding in check, making beagles a good choice for people with a low tolerance for pet hair.
Boxers
Another working dog breed from Germany, boxers are high-energy dogs that need daily exercise. They make great family companions and are excellent with kids.
They also have thin coats and short hair, so shedding is minimal. Bathe them when they’re dirty, and occasionally brush them to remove dirt and debris.
Boston terriers
Since this small, pug-faced dog doesn’t shed much, weekly brushing will suffice. Occasional baths when they get dirty or when it’s been a while since the last tub time are helpful to keep the dog’s skin and fur healthy.
Well known for their hilarious canine dispositions that their owners often capture on video, Boston terriers are not hypoallergenic. Still, their shedding is minimal, and their nails and ears tend to stay clean for more extended periods compared to those of other breeds.
Before you go
Whether you’re on the hunt for your first furry friend or looking to add a new hound to your pack, you don’t have to dread spending loads of time and money on grooming. After all, opting for an easy-to-groom dog will help your pet adoption journey become less hairy.
