Which High Maintenance Dogs Are A Bad Idea For Busy People?

We’ve all had moments where we wished we had more time to do the things we want to do.

There already are questions over full-time employees’ ability to properly care for pets.

These questions make sense when you consider the fact that some pets need constant supervision. More importantly, they need friendly company to feel comfortable and at home. So, if you happen to be a busy person, you might want to know if your future pet would eat up a lot of your time.

Some dogs are couch potatoes. They don’t need as much exercise, maintenance and attention as your average dog. They’ll happily sit on a couch and watch TV all day. That doesn’t mean they don’t need regular grooming or daily walks but they’re still lower maintenance.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are a number of high maintenance dog breeds that are not at all suitable for you if you cannot match their energy and intensity or don’t have enough time for their many different needs.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular high maintenance dog breeds.

Siberian Husky

Despite looking very much like wolves, Siberian Huskies are as far from wolves as Bulldogs or Poodles are.

Huskies are dogs, not wolves. Even though they have wolfish characteristics with their seemingly unlimited energy and endurance, they were originally supposed to be sledge dogs capable of running long distances without tiring. So, it’s not wise to expect them to be content in an indoor environment for long periods of time.

Huskies need lots of exercise every single day. If you go for a run or a bicycle ride every day, they should go with you.

Also, don’t get a husky if you don’t have outdoor space available because indoor confinement brings out destructive behaviour from them.

Stay on top of Huskies’ grooming needs as their double coat often sheds for weeks on end spreading their fine hair all over your house which means their grooming is time-consuming.
Also, never cut their hair off, only brush and groom them using fur rakes and brushes.

Border Collie

While Border Collies don’t need as much attention as Huskies when it comes to hair shedding and grooming, they possess as much or more energy. That energy needs to be released in a constructive way to ensure good behaviour.

You can go for runs, play fetch or other sports with Border Collies.

Widely known as one of the smartest dog breeds, Border Collies need to be rigorously worked every day to keep their boundless energy in check.

Keeping them indoors can lead to bad habits and destruction of furniture and other possessions.

Border Collies need social training from an early to help them integrate with people. An owner should try to limit their instinctual herding habits from the beginning or steer them in the right direction by going to sheep-herding clubs as that will help stop them from herding things and people.

Finally, be aware of any health issues by taking your dog to a vet every few months. Collies are prone to hip dysplasia which is preventable with regular medical check-ups and a healthy lifestyle.

Australian Shepherd

Much like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds are herding dogs. But they’re not actually from Australia. They originated from the West of America a couple of centuries ago.

These dogs have tons of energy and are very lively. Their physical energy needs to be spent in a way that is physically and mentally engaging.

You can take them out for a run behind your bike or car, or play catch for a couple of hours and you will have done barely enough to contain their energy for a day.

When Australian Shepherds are confined in an indoor setting and unable to move freely, they can bark and howl for hours on end. In extreme scenarios, they can even start tearing apart household items out of sheer boredom and frustration.

Thankfully, since they don’t shed a lot of hair, regular hair maintenance is enough for Australian shepherds.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador retrievers are very high-energy dogs that require copious physical exercise every day to stay in a normal mood.

These dogs need to be taken out for a walk or exercise daily for at least an hour.

Even though grooming Labradors is not as complicated as Huskies, for example, you do need to regularly brush their coat, preferably with a bristled brush.

Combine that with a nutritious diet, and you have a very good, loyal and loving pet at your hands.

You do need to understand, though, that these dogs need attention and time with the owner outside of the exercise time. Separation anxiety is a real problem in Labradors. The only way to control it is to spend time with them.

Wolf Dog Hybrids

Wolves are wild animals. They are supposed to stay in the wild. They hunt prey, feed themselves and cover large distances because that is the natural order of the world.

Wolfdogs are fascinating animals because they represent an aspect of the wild that can be tamed.

However, homing them is expensive, time-consuming and only suitable for those who can care for them full-time. These animals need huge spaces to live. It’s difficult if not impossible to keep them happy as inside dogs.
Wolfdogs need a lot of food and exercise. Although every wolfdog is unique, almost all of them eat raw meat. This is an expense you have to be aware of beforehand if you want to keep your pet healthy and happy.

When it comes to exercise, dogs with more wolf in them can be easily agitated by new people and unfamiliar surroundings and find them threatening. To ensure complete safety, you should not walk wolfdogs on a leash like normal pets. Instead, give them large playgrounds in a confined area to make them more at home with their instincts.

Last but not least, most wolfdogs have a tendency to howl. If you can’t stand howling, then these animals are not the right fit for you.

Author’s Bio
Hannah Carter is a marketer/blogger living in the UK. She works at SunnydaysPets.co.uk and loves pets. In her spare time, she likes to cook and travel whenever possible.