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Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
The five low-maintenance and easygoing dog breeds that are the perfect companion for busy pet owners
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FINDING a dog to suit your lifestyle can be tricky, especially if it's a busy household. There are plenty of adorable dog breeds that may steal your heart, but their exercise and training needs could make them unsuitable for you. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Certain breeds have been recommended for buys owners Credit: Getty So if you're looking for a pooch that's easy-going, the experts at pet insurance firm Many Pets have revealed the five breeds that fit the bill perfectly. No dog is totally low-maintenance as they all rely on their owner for food, activities, and healthcare. But some dogs are undoubtedly easier to care for than others. Opting for a manageable pup isn't just about minimising your responsibilities as a groomer and exercise provider. It's also about finding a companion who fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. Here's the breeds that are ideal for those seeking low(er)-maintenance pups. Basset Hound 6 The experts at Many Pets describe the Basset Hound as the "laid-back lounger". As a breed, they are calm and easygoing, which makes them excellent companions for the listless and lackadaiscal. Their short coat requires minimal grooming, and they're generally content with short walks. And while their droopy ears and soulful eyes don't have much bearing on their low-maintenance status, they certainly add to their charm. Basset hounds are perfect for individuals and families who want a laid-back pet that enjoys affection without demanding too much activity. They're great with young children and fit well in homes without large gardens. I'm a vet & wouldn't own 5 dogs – watch out for a breed prone to pricy back problems & secretly-high-maintenance pooches French Bulldog 6 Known by Many Pets as the "sturdy sweetheart", French Bulldogs are compact, affectionate, and require minimal grooming. They enjoy short play sessions and are generally low-energy, making them perfect for busy families. This adorable breed is best for owners looking for a companion that doesn't need extensive exercise but is still playful and loving. They adapt well to apartment living and are good with children. Italian Greyhound 6 Italian Greyhounds are elegant and low-maintenance dogs who enjoy short bursts of play but are mostly content to relax indoors. Their short coat requires minimal grooming, but also means they may need a cute jumper or coat to stay warm in the winter. They're perfect for anybody who wants a small, gentle dog that doesn't need much grooming or exercise. They fit well in quieter homes and are great for individuals or families who enjoy a calm environment. Pug 6 This small breed is very sociable and loves to be the centre of attention. Their short coat is easy to care for, and they don't require a lot of exercise. Known for their playful and affectionate nature, pugs make great companions. Pugs are ideal for families who want a loving and interactive pet that doesn't require extensive physical activity. Boston Terrier 6 This breed, nicknamed the tuxedo doggo due to its colouring, is known for its friendly demeanour. They're low-maintenance with short coats that require little grooming and only have moderate exercise needs. But it's their playful and affectionate nature that makes them great companions. They're also adaptable and easy-going, which makes them great if you're raising kids.
Metro
11-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
I wish I had put my anxious dog down sooner
Last May I sat on the floor of my kitchen with my husband and our vet, sobbing and holding onto the now-peaceful body of my first dog, Jess. After months managing the symptoms of a brain tumour we had made the difficult decision to put her to sleep. We'd planned a weekend doing her favourite things, feeding her seafood and cuddling on the sofa but in the end she was suffering too much so we brought forward her euthanasia. Watching her fall asleep for the last time was a relief. The stress and pain left her body and we were able to share a moment of calm with our sleeping girl before she left us. Little did I know that, just three weeks later, I'd be making the same decision for my other dog, Otto. Knowing when to let your dog go is notoriously difficult and was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. And yet the fact that 91% of dog deaths in the UK involve euthanasia means it's a decision most of us will have to face. Talking with my Instagram followers in the months since our dogs passed, I discovered that it's rare to find someone who feels they got the timing right. I know I certainly have regrets – the main one being that, in both my dogs' cases, I wish we'd done it sooner. Otto, an Italian Greyhound, was 18 months old when he came to live with us after a frightening fall-out with another dog in his household. While we'd been told that he was scared of being touched or approached, within a few days of bringing him home we realised that Otto's problems were far more extreme than we suspected. In fact, it soon became clear he was terrified of us. If he sensed our attention on him he'd often be so frightened that his body would tremble and his knees would knock together. He was also too scared to let us take his collar on and off or attach his lead. To try and establish trust, we took it in turns to sleep on an airbed in our kitchen with him for the first two weeks. But all he'd do was eye us warily from the other side of the room. On a couple of occasions he crept into bed with me at night, only to scream and bolt if I moved unexpectedly in my sleep. Desperate to help him any way we could, we took him to our vet but it was quickly apparent that physical exams, scans and tests would only traumatise him further. Luckily, our vet helped us to start Otto on a course of anti-anxiety medications. They seemed to take the edge off slightly – enough to make us want to explore more. Then, with the help of a clinical behaviourist from the Royal Veterinary College, we tried and tested treatment options to see what he would respond to. From what we could tell, Otto's brain appeared to be malfunctioning, flooding him with stress hormones. It explained why he was spending hours each day in fight or flight mode, skidding around the house and screaming at sudden movements. For a year we experimented with different medications, developing a complicated routine to make sure he got what he needed at the right times of day. There were times we thought it might be working but they were always short-lived and followed by dramatic regressions. The shrieking would worsen, he would barely eat and the only times we saw him were when he skidded out of a room, panicked, as we walked in. Finally, as we hadn't seen much improvement with Otto, our vet raised euthanasia as an option. To help us make the decision our behaviourist encouraged us to try to measure Otto's quality of life on a scale from 'a life worth living' to 'a life worth avoiding'. And when we did, the balance between positive and negative experiences in his life was strongly weighted towards the negative. The reality was that, some days, we still weren't able to get close enough to attach his lead to his collar so he couldn't even leave the house – and what life is that for a dog? Still, we had fallen in love with Otto and our hearts broke at the thought of euthanising him at only two years old. Rather than put him out of his misery we decided to keep trying. But then, when Jess died, everything changed. Otto lost the only uncomplicated relationship in his life overnight. He went off his food and spent long periods without eating, which meant we couldn't administer his medication. We bought steaks, sausages, cheese, fish and tried everything to get his pills down him, often unsuccessfully. And without food and water he soon became physically ill, gradually spending more and more time in a state of unmedicated panic. Now we were forced to confront that every day he spent in that state was a cruelty that we could save him from. As we grappled with the decision our behaviourist told us something that has stuck in my mind ever since: 'it's better to euthanise your pet a day too soon than a moment too late'. I wish I'd been brave enough to do that, instead, we were still trying to reconcile ourselves with the decision when, on a particularly bad day, our vet told us firmly, but gently, that it was time to say goodbye. If we'd let him go sooner he would have suffered less. So many of us wait for our dogs' suffering to become untenable before we put them to sleep. More Trending I think it helps to reassure us that we made the right decision when we chose euthanasia. But as owners we have a responsibility to make our pets' lives as happy as possible, and that includes humanely ending their lives with as little suffering as possible. I know it's hard to play an active role in the death of someone you love and it's far too tempting to wait for absolute certainty that it's the right time but by the time that moment comes it's often too late. Letting them go even a day sooner can be the difference between a good death and a bad death or a good last day and a bad last day. I just hope my story helps other people avoid my mistakes and put their pet's quality of life above their own fears or comforts. Don't extend your pet's life just for them to suffer. Be brave enough to let them go on a good day. It's the biggest gift you can give them. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Emmerdale villain John Sugden is easily 2025's most fascinating soap character MORE: My son didn't respond to texts – I knew something terrible had happened MORE: We ran an ultramarathon together – but within months my friend was dead
CBS News
11-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Bay Area high school turns to therapy dogs to help students cope with stress
High school can be a jungle with students rushing to class stressed and overwhelmed. But one campus in San Francisco found a way to tame the beast, with a pair of pooches dressed as tigers. Meet Luna, a 3-year-old Italian Greyhound, and Brixton, an 11-year-old Golden Retriever — Two therapy dogs who aren't just cute, they're the ultimate stress busters, sinking their teeth into anxiety and helping students pounce over the finish line. Aksh Varma, a senior at Lick Wilmerding High, said the dogs had given students a much-needed pause from the chaos and pressure of student life. "One lunch period changes the entire momentum of the day, whether it's having a bad day to a good day or a good day to an even better day," he said. "It's definitely a big event when they come, said Sydney Kitchimghan, a sophomore. "It's just stress relief; it's really calming." High schools are facing a growing mental health crisis worsened by the pandemic and social media. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 39.7% of high school students in America experience persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, 28.5% experienced poor mental health and 20.4% seriously considered attempting suicide. For years, therapy dogs have comforted hospital patients and calmed kindergarteners. Now, high schools are discovering what wagging tails and wet noses can do for stressed-out teenagers, especially around midterms and finals. Studies show these canines counselors can reduce stress, boost learning and even improve attendance. School counselor Yuka Hachiuma said the dogs are more than just classroom pets, they're changing the way students connect with each other. "It's kind of a ripple effect," she said. You see people start noticing and you then you just see more smiles." There are some concerns associated with pet therapy including safety, allergies and hygiene, but that hasn't stopped schools from booking these dogs over and over. Tina Mitchell from the SF SPCA said Luna and Brixton have an instinct for spotting students who need them the most. "I think that animals can really sense when people can use their interaction and their connection," she said.
