Picture this: you walk into a pet store, see those irresistible puppy eyes, and think “how hard could it really be?” Three months later, you’re googling “how to remove dog hair from everywhere” at 2 AM while your adorable but demanding furry friend destroys another pair of shoes. Trust me, I’ve been there.
The truth is, some dogs are like that high-maintenance friend who needs constant attention, regular spa days, and sends you passive-aggressive texts when you don’t reply immediately. While every dog deserves love and makes a wonderful companion with proper care, certain breeds simply demand more time, energy, and resources than others. As veterinary professionals consistently point out, choosing the wrong breed for your lifestyle can lead to frustration for both you and your pup.
So let’s get started on this journey through the breeds that might leave you wondering if you accidentally adopted a part-time job instead of a pet.
Border Collie: The Overachiever Who Never Takes a Break
Meet the valedictorian of the dog world. Border Collies are often referred to as canine Einsteins with a desire to work that borders on the obsessive, and keeping a Border Collie entertained and exercised can be quite a chore for an owner who is not equally active.
These brilliant pups were bred to herd sheep all day, every day. Their laser-sharp focus, high intelligence, extreme energy and strong herding instincts make this breed unsuitable for regular family life, as they need hours of exercise daily to meet their physical needs. Without proper mental stimulation, they’ll find creative ways to entertain themselves, like herding your children or rearranging your furniture.
German Shepherd: The Professional Shedder
German Shepherds can be easy to care for in some instances, however they are high maintenance in other regards, particularly shedding as this is a double coated breed with a thick coat that requires weekly brushing to have some semblance of control over shedding.
As the AKC notes, German Shepherd owners would be wise to invest in a good vacuum cleaner because this breed does shed quite a bit, especially when it’s getting its new coat twice a year. Think of it as having a furry roommate who never pays rent but leaves their hair everywhere as a calling card.
Siberian Husky: The Escape Artist Who Never Stops Talking
Arctic breeds like the Husky are common among high maintenance dogs because they have a lot of energy, shed like crazy, and will pull you everywhere, plus they are very talkative and will howl and bark whenever they’re upset.
Huskies are extremely active, especially as puppies, which requires dedicated training, and as working dogs historically used to pull sleds, they need a job to be satisfied. Without proper outlets for their energy, your Husky might decide that redecorating your backyard or serenading the neighborhood at 3 AM is their calling.
English Bulldog: The Walking Vet Bill
Those adorable wrinkles come with a price tag that extends far beyond cuteness. Bulldogs seem to be bred for appearance, not for health, resulting in an incredible number of genetic disease conditions, with most having some degree of airway compromise due to brachycephalic syndrome.
These adorable roly-poly dogs are prone to a wide variety of health problems, with nearly three out of four English Bulldogs developing hip dysplasia in their lifetime, plus allergies, respiratory problems, and eyesight problems. You’ll want to have plenty of money set aside for veterinary care with this breed.
Afghan Hound: The Supermodel Who Knows It
This is the dog that everyone admires when they see one with their silky coat and magnificent feathering, but they are the highest maintenance dog with a reason you don’t see one being walked at every street intersection.
Afghan Hounds are often compared to a cat personality-wise because they tend to do whatever they want, whenever they want, often ignoring your prompts and commands, and they may take to training but later decide they no longer want to listen. It’s like living with a beautiful but moody teenager who happens to have four legs.
Chow Chow: The Independent Thinker With Attitude
Chow Chows make it to the list of both mysterious and challenging dog breeds, better known for their aloof personality traits and cat-like independence, as they are not naturally eager to please.
The strong personality isn’t the only thing that makes this breed a challenge, as they also have a dense and fluffy double coat that requires lots of grooming. Think of them as that colleague who does excellent work but only when they feel like it, and they definitely won’t be bringing you coffee.
Akita: The Dignified Guardian With Trust Issues
The Akita is a large breed from the mountains of northern Japan that, as long as they receive adequate training and socialization, are fearless, alert, loyal, and protective, but they require daily long walks and must be socialized from birth as they are cautious around new people.
Akitas are dignified, loyal, and intensely protective, known for being quiet and reserved, but they can be stubborn, territorial, and challenging to train and socialize, needing properly trained pet owners who understand the importance of daily training and clear boundaries.
Saint Bernard: The Gentle Giant Who Drools Everywhere
The Saint Bernard is incredibly lovable but also a lot of work as he drools constantly and is known to ingest items like socks and dishtowels, and because of his enormous size, he’s prone to heatstroke and loves being around his people.
Saint Bernards are a giant breed requiring an owner experienced in caring for very large dogs, as they often develop health issues common in giant breeds like hip dysplasia and bloat, and their owners must find the perfect balance between keeping them fit without too much activity.
Jack Russell Terrier: The Small Dog With Big Energy Problems
The Jack Russell digs, barks, runs, and jumps, hardwired to be active and needing a full-time activity director to keep him busy in constructive rather than destructive ways.
You cannot be fooled by this small dog as Jack Russell Terriers are high-energy breeds with a strong prey drive and highly independent nature, bred for hunting foxes with strong instincts to chase and dig, needing a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. They’re like having a caffeinated toddler who never naps and thinks everything is a toy.
Dalmatian: The Spotted Handful
The “101 Dalmatians” movies did no favors for this breed as they have a tendency to be snappy with children, and genetic factors result in approximately 8% being born completely deaf, with an additional 22% having partial hearing loss, making training even more difficult.
As hunting dogs, Dalmatians have a high prey drive and may not be trustworthy off-leash until thoroughly trained, with housetraining being particularly challenging for the breed, demanding experienced owners prepared to meet their needs through consistent training. They require more patience than most people expect from such a recognizable and seemingly friendly breed.
Conclusion
Honestly, every single one of these breeds can make an absolutely wonderful companion with the right owner and proper care. The key is being realistic about what you can handle. These dogs aren’t “bad” or “difficult” by nature, they’re just bred for specific purposes that don’t always align with a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Before falling head over heels for any breed, ask yourself: Do you have time for daily grooming sessions? Can you handle extensive exercise needs? Are you prepared for potential health issues and their associated costs? Most importantly, can you commit to training and socialization for years, not just months?
The perfect dog for you is out there. Sometimes it’s just not the one you initially imagined. What do you think about it? Tell us in the comments.
Gargi from India has a Masters in History, and a Bachelor of Education. An animal lover, she is keen on crafting stories and creating content while pursuing a career in education.
