A dog trainer has identified three of the easiest dog breeds to care for, including one that might surprise you. While the idea of having a furry companion is appealing to many, the reality of their care can be more demanding than expected. Dogs need regular walks, affection, and lots of attention, but some breeds are more low-maintenance than others. With this in mind, expert canine behaviorist Will Atherton took to TikTok to share his top picks for the most manageable dogs.
“As a canine behaviorist, I’ve worked with countless breeds, and I’ve seen some that are really easy to own and work with, and others that are much more challenging,” Atherton explained. He then highlighted the breeds he considers the easiest, starting with one that often gets an undeserved bad rap.
“First on the list has to be the greyhound,” Atherton said. Although these dogs are commonly associated with racing and perceived as “high-energy,” he noted that this assumption is actually misleading. “They’re super lazy, super chill, and super quiet dogs,” he added.
Next on Atherton’s list was the Shih Tzu. “Yes, they can be a bit yappy at times, but that’s easy to correct. Other than that, theyre just really easy to live with,” he said.
Rounding out his his list was one of Atherton’s personal favorites, which might not be the breed you’d expect. He suggested that older Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or ‘staffies,’ particularly those form rescue centers, make excellent pets despite their sometimes negative reputation. “Yes, young staffies can be more energetic, like any young dog. But there are rescue centers full of older staffies that would make wonderful, low-maintenance companions,” he explained.
Atherton has also previously discussed the dog breed he finds most challenging: the husky. Though popular for their striking appearance, he describes them as “aloof” and “drama queens.”
“I believe that certain breeds have specific needs and are better suited to certain lifestyles,” he emphasized. “Siberian Huskies don’t tend to look to their owners for guidance and direction. They’re very independent, and I often find them aloof and overly dramatic. My training system relies on a relationship where the dog sees you as a loving leader, someone they look up to for guidance, and that doesn’t align well with the husky’s temperament.”
