If you’re looking for a small dog with low grooming needs, you’re not alone. Small dogs make wonderful companions but if you have a busy schedule, complicated grooming is not always ideal. Here are 10 amazing small dog breeds with short hair that are exceptionally easy to care for.
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1. Beagle
If you’re looking for a little dog that’s active with low grooming needs, a Beagle might be the dog breed for you. Beagles are hounds so they love to use their sense of smell to follow small game like rabbits or follow any interesting scent. They’re even used in some airports as drug sniffing dogs.
Beagles have a sweet, friendly expression and big, dark brown or hazel eyes. They’re loving, outgoing dogs that are determined, inquisitive, and want to be everyone’s best friend. Because of their small size, they can do well in an apartment with an owner that’s willing to take them outside for a walk or somewhere to run around for about an hour every day.
As for grooming, their smooth, dense, water-repellant double-coat should be brushed once a week with a medium bristle brush. Their coats get thicker in the winter so they shed in the spring, but since their hair is short, shedding is not too bad. In general, beagles are clean dogs and don’t need frequent baths unless they run off after something or get messy entertaining themselves outdoors.
2. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is an adorable and loving companion dog with big ears, an adorable wrinkly face, and an enormous heart. These pups are small with a strong, muscular body, reaching only about a foot high at the shoulder and weighing between 16 to 28 pounds.
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Frenchies love to play and are easy to train as long as you try to make it fun. This dog breed is naturally stubborn and obedience training is difficult but essential. They’re mischievous, curious, and need a firm, patient, and consistent owner.
As for grooming, their short coat only requires occasional brushing to stay in good shape. Start brushing when your dog is young so it gets used to the experience. Baths are needed about once a month, just make sure to use a high-quality shampoo to keep your pup’s skin from drying. Frenchies, like most dogs, need their nails trimmed regularly. This is something you can learn to do on your own but if you’re unsure, go to an experienced groomer.
3. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers were bred as fighting dogs but you’d never know it. Today, this breed is one of the most affectionate companion dogs around. Known as the American Gentleman, this pup’s unique coloring looks like a tuxedo which makes it even more adorable.
These dogs are fiercely intelligent and can be extremely stubborn. They’re on the small side but have a tough, muscular build and a presence much larger than their size. Boston terriers make great family pets. They love people and children of all ages and will try anything to make you laugh.
Training can be a challenge if not approached in the right way. It’s important to be consistent and persistent while keeping things low-key and motivating your Boston Terrier with praise and a positive tone.
As for grooming, these pups only need a quick brush once a week and a quick dry bath using powder shampoo. Give wet baths only when needed but wipe their face daily as their eyes are prone to corneal ulcers and require a little bit of extra care. Boston Terriers do shed but it’s minimal and you should be able to keep it under control with regular brushing.
4. Miniature Pinscher
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Another small dog breed that’s easy to groom is the Miniature Pinscher. This dog was originally bred to hunt small pests like mice and rats. While it looks like a mini Doberman, the Min Pin is a distinct breed that’s more closely related to Italian Greyhounds and Dachshunds.
This is a small, agile, delicate-looking dog. At most, it’s a foot tall at the shoulder and weighs about 11 pounds, though some are much smaller. Min Pins have arched necks and a muscular body, so while it may look delicate, it’s tough.
Miniature Pinschers are full of personality and will try to rule the household. You have to be firm to maintain your position as leader of the pack. This isn’t a dog that you can leave to its own devices. They’re really curious and will explore everything and everywhere if given the chance. Miniature Pinschers skilled at escaping and should always be kept on a leash when outside.
This is one of the easiest dogs to groom. Just brush your Min Pin’s short, shiny coat every few days and that’s it. It’s best not to bathe them too often as they have sensitive skin but a bath every once in a while may be necessary, especially if they get into something they’re not supposed to.
5. Short-Haired Chihuahua
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While some types of Chihuahuas are a little more work, the short-hair type is particularly easy to groom. This little pup has a big personality. They may be small, but they’re all dog.
Chihuahuas love to be with their people and prefer to follow them everywhere. They’re happy to sit in a purse or tote bag and join their person for an afternoon of errands or a quick trip to the store. They often form a tight bond with a single person and tend to be a little demanding if you spoil them.
These little pups are affectionate, intelligent, and learn fast. They’re curious and bold but it’s important to think about their size before you get one. They can be as small as six-inches tall at the shoulder and don’t often reach more than six pounds so it’s easy for them to sneak through gates and fences.
As for grooming, all you have to do is brush your Chihuahua weekly using a brush with short, natural bristles. They shed a little throughout the year but they’re so small, you might not even notice the tiny hairs laying around.
6. Smooth Dachshund
Dachshunds are one of the most recognizable dog breeds. They’re small and might appear to be delicate but don’t let their size fool you – they’re excellent hunters and very strong. This breed’s name actually means “badger dog” because they are tough enough to take one on.
While the long body and short legs of a Dachshund certainly make it even more adorable, these features were bred into the animal for a reason – so they could dig tunnels to trap and fight small prey. They’re serious and stubborn while on the hunt but playful and relaxed at home.
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Dachshunds are extremely intelligent. They like things to be their way and are set on getting it. In fact, shyness is considered a serious fault in the breed standard. They tend to bond to a single person and can become snappy and territorial if not socialized.
Smooth Dachshunds have short, shiny coats and only need brushing every once in a while. They do tend to get cold in the winter, though, so invest in some adorable Dachshund sweaters.
7. Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound has been a favorite companion since back in the middle ages but it’s worth pointing out that this breed is more than just a lap dog. These hounds are fast and have the determination and stamina to hunt small game. Even though they’re not really used for hunting anymore, they still have the instinct and desire and will chase anything that moves.
This pup has a sweet, loving personality with its family members but it is usually a little shy around strangers. They’re smart, easy to train, and a bit self-centered. Give them a lot of praise and show them what’s in it for them and they’ll be more motivated to learn. If they feel they’re being ignored, they’ll let you know about it.
Care is super easy. They don’t shed much at all and need minimal grooming. Brush them occasionally and bathe them only when they get dirty.
8. Jack Russell Terrier
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If you have experience with dogs, consider a Jack Russell Terrier. They’re a handful and can be difficult to train but they’re a great fit for someone with experience. This is a lively, clever breed that’s bold and athletic with a big personality in a small body. They’re about a foot tall at the shoulder and weight between 13 and 18 pounds.
It is possible to train a Jack Russel Terrier but it is a challenge. They’re very bright and independent and hate being bored. Keep them busy or entertained or they’ll make their own fun – usually by being destructive. That said, when effectively trained, these dogs are ideal family members. They love their family and will even join you for a morning run when they grow up.
Jack Russell Terriers come in two coat types, smooth and broken. Broken coats are a little longer and the pups appear to have eyebrows and a beard. Each has a coarse texture with a double coat. Regardless of what your pup has, brush it once a week. If you groom your Jack Russell regularly, it will rarely need a bath.
9. Rat Terrier
Rat Terriers are feisty little pups that like to dig and chase rats and other vermin. They’re fun, funny, lively, and energetic but aren’t too bothered by impressing their owner. This short haired dog breed is meant to be a farm dog but can root out rats just about anywhere. They’re best for an experienced dog owner because they can be difficult to train.
This pup is really smart and takes a lot of work to train but their love and companionship is worth the effort. They’re excellent watchdogs and skilled escape artists. Like most terriers, they like to dig so give them a little area of the yard to do so and they’ll be happy.
Rat Terriers have short, smooth coats with dense fur that’s particularly easy to care for. Grooming is simple, just a quick brush every week and a bath when they get dirty. They do shed a bit, particularly in the spring and fall.
10. Toy Fox Terrier
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As their name suggests, the Toy Fox Terrier is a smaller version of the Smooth Fox Terrier. They’ve been used to catch rats and mice and are smart enough to perform tricks but their favorite role is to be a loyal, loving family member. They form a close bond with their family and are very eager to please.
Toy Fox Terriers make great pets because they housetrain easily and are small enough to use a litter box or pee pad. They’re tiny but hardy, weighing between three and seven pounds and measuring about eight to 11 inches at the shoulder.
These pups have short, smooth coats of fine fur that are pretty much hands-off. All they need is an occasional brush every now and then and a bath when they get dirty. They do shed quite a bit but their fine hairs are so small, it’s not very noticeable.
Choosing the Right Short-Haired Small Dog Breed for You
All of the pups we mentioned are pretty low maintenance when it comes to grooming but there are some other factors you should keep in mind before choosing a breed. One is to make sure you have the time and energy to give them the amount of exercise they need. Some of these small breeds are insanely energetic and need daily exercise so they don’t get bored and destructive.
You should also consider how difficult it is to train the breed you’re considering. Some of these breeds take a lot of time and effort, and while it’s definitely worth it in the end, not all dog owners can rise to the challenge. One thing’s for sure, if you stick with the breeds on our list, you won’t have to spend a lot of time at the groomers.
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I grew up in a household that was filled with animals. I believe that my fate as a dog-loving person was sealed in early childhood since my parents owned several dogs of varying sizes and breeds. There was no choice but to take care of and learn about dog habits and the best animal care practices — otherwise, I’d be clueless about how to go about the creatures I was surrounded by day and night.
As a life-long puppy lover, I know a thing or two about dogs and how to go about caring for them in the best way possible. Although I’m not a professionally trained dog behaviorist, trainer, or veterinarian, all of my knowledge and experience with canines comes from a place of love and a deep-rooted passion for dogs and animals in general.
Seeing as dogs kept me company throughout every stage of my life, I decided to follow a different path in my academic life and obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing Management and Digital Advertising, which ultimately allowed me to combine my professional training and personal experience by creating the ultimate dog lover’s resource website! Along with my husband, Dave, I run MySweetPuppy for like-minded dog lovers who want to have a single, clear, and reliable information source about anything and everything related to dogs and their well-being.
