Short hair dogs require little grooming or bathing, and there is a huge selection of breeds that qualify as short-haired. From the world’s most popular breed, the Labrador, to one of the world’s biggest, the Great Dane, you can find everything you are looking for in a dog without the worry of having to brush, cut, and otherwise groom the latest addition to your home. Below are the 20 best short-haired dog breeds for your consideration.
Top 20 Short Hair Dogs:
1. Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is a small sighthound and pretty much everything about the breed is low maintenance. Despite their appearance and people’s expectations, they do not require huge amounts of exercise. They are sweet-natured, rarely vocal, and need minimal grooming. They can be a little fragile, however, so you will need to take some care when handling them. This is a famous short hair dog breed!
2. Boston Terrier
Known as the “American Gentleman,” the Boston Terrier is a playful, fun, and exuberant character. He is great with kids, especially if they are willing to put some effort into playing with him, and because he is a small breed, he can go pretty much everywhere with you. Despite their small size, they are surprisingly robust little dogs and will never get aggressive with their owners.
3. Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher is another small breed that is tough and hardy. However, the Min Pin requires a lot of exercise and demands plenty of attention from his human family, too. They have a good lifespan, of around 13 to 14 years, and their combination of attributes makes them a great choice as a family dog.
4. Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is a little bigger and this firehouse resident is brave, lively, and loving. They can be well trained, although their high exercise requirements mean that they might not be the best option for a first-time handler.
5. Whippet
The Whippet is similar in a lot of respects to the Italian Greyhound. He is a sighthound, does not require excessive levels of exercise, and he is a sweet-natured and loving companion that is also happy sitting on his own on the sofa. Just be prepared for an incredible turn of pace if he gets off his leash and he catches sight of a cat or small animal running away.
6. German Pinscher
The German Pinscher is loyal, clever, and loving. And these attributes have seen him used to breed some of the most popular breeds in the world. He does have high energy levels so will require a decent amount of exercise every day, but he won’t require a lot of grooming, and he will serve as a courageous watchdog as well as a superb family dog.
7. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a playful and sometimes daft dog. He is brave and loyal but can be boisterous and has a very high energy level. As long as you have the time to try and tire him out, he will make an excellent companion for all members of the family, and he is one breed that seems to have an innate sense to be gentle around small children.
8. Vizsla
The Vizsla and the Weimaraner look similar, except that the Vizsla has a beautiful brown coat while the Weimaraner is a striking silver or blue color. The Vizsla also tends to be a little smaller and has lower energy levels. He is very intelligent, easy to train, and he makes an exceptional companion dog.
9. Boxer
Boxers are known for their distinctive face, their loving personality, and for being a bit crazy. They are also very understanding and patient with small children and tend to get along with all family members, including furry and human family members. They do have high energy levels, and you will regret it if you fail to meet their exercise requirements, but they make great family companions.
10. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is an exceptional guard dog, but also makes a loving and caring family dog. He is very good with children and is a fiercely loyal companion who will do anything to protect his family. He does tend to be quite strong-willed, maybe even a little stubborn, but he is also a sucker for food treats, which can absolutely be used to your advantage when it is time for training.
11. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is tough and loyal, but he can have a strong prey drive, having been originally bred for hunting. He is a big dog with moderate energy and exercise requirements, but he makes a great pet for a couple or individual.
12. Mastiff
The Mastiff is considered a gentle giant, weighing as much as 200 pounds. Despite his size, he is a calm and loving dog that is great with kids of all sizes and he makes an excellent family pet. He also tends to plod, rather than run, although he can be playful on occasion. This means that you won’t have to take him on extra long walks, but you do need to ensure he gets enough exercise otherwise he has a tendency to put on a lot of weight.
13. Great Dane
The Great Dane is another gentle giant breed. He will need early training, but his calm nature means he is not only popular with families but is also popular as the subject of photos with kittens and other small animals. He requires minimal exercise and minimal training, but he will grow up to be a giant of a dog, so be prepared to lose your couch.
14. Chihuahua
At the other end of the scale is the fun and playful Chihuahua. The short-haired variant of this breed requires minimal grooming, but you should be prepared to put in a lot of time giving attention. You should also be prepared for a little dog with a big attitude and a lot of bark.
15. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is another small breed that is popular as a companion dog. He is especially popular with children, doesn’t need much exercise, and they can be excitable and playful. They make great companions but be prepared to stop and let every child you pass pat him.
16. Dachshund
The Dachshund is a fearless and adventure-loving breed that comes in a variety of colors and coat lengths. They do require quite a bit of exercise and will demand a lot of attention, but if you’re willing to put the time in, they will reward you with love and affection of their own.
17. Pug
The Pug is loving and silly. They are a very popular breed because of this combination, coupled with the fact that they require minimal grooming and maintenance. They can be prone to extreme heat and they tend to snore and wheeze because of overbreeding. You will also need to clean their wrinkles on a weekly basis, using a damp cloth.
18. Labrador
What can you say about the Labrador? It is the most popular dog breed in the world and has been for years. The Lab is loving, affectionate, and can be prone to moments of silliness. He doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body and gets on well with family members of all ages. He does require a bit of exercise, but the effort is well worth the reward, and this breed is very easy to train, hence their regular use as a service dog.
19. Jack Russell
The Jack Russell is a small breed with a big heart. They were originally bred as ratters and while they have minimal grooming requirements, they have massive exercise requirements. They do make a great addition to an active family but be prepared to invest in plenty of toys for your Russell to chew or face losing household items.
20. Beagle
The Beagle is a happy and active dog. They are scent hounds and, once they have a scent in their nose, it is very difficult to take their attention away from it. They do require a lot of exercise but make excellent family pets that are well worth the investment of time and energy.
Choosing A Short Hair Dog Breed
This really is the tip of the short-haired iceberg and there are many other dog breeds that are known for having short hair and are easy to care for. Whether you want low energy or active, caring or aloof, you can find what you are looking for in the list above and in other short-haired dog breeds.
Featured Image Credit: officeinteractive0, Pixabay
