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Top 10 High-Maintenance Dog Breeds: Grooming, High Energy & More

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Cavapoo playing in the grass — Note: While the breeds in this collection tend to be high-maintenance, individual pets will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.

29 Dog Breeds

Only show breeds available for adoption near me

Border Collie

Every Border Collie is a shepherd at heart, constantly on the lookout for things to round up. No toy is safe from being gathered! These active workers are intelligent and attentive, and they have incredible agility with the ability to change directions on a dime. They can sometimes be considered workaholics since it’s so ingrained in them to be alert at all times. 

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Golden Afghan Hound dog breed with face forward standing side view against white background

Afghan Hound

While the Afghan Hound looks glamorous, they were originally bred to chase down game over the rough terrain of Afghanistan. They are well-mannered indoors, but once on the scent of something outside might not be able to shake it. While good with kids, they are not considered especially playful or affectionate, although they are devoted. Sensitive and independent, they can sometimes be aloof and reserved, especially with strangers. With family, they are happy-go-lucky and silly.

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Siberian Husky dog breed laying down against a white background

Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies retain their working spirit even in the most docile environment; they are always ready to be active companions. They are friendly, gentle, and watchful with an independent streak. Though generally quiet, they can occasionally express themselves with joyful howls. 

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Akita dog breed standing in a yard with mouth open and tongue out

Akita

The Akita is a bold dog: independent, stubborn, and tenacious with a soft side reserved for their owners. They can be reserved or domineering with strangers, requiring a careful introduction to new dogs and household pets. 

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Australian Shepherd dog breed laying down with head cocked against a white background

Australian Shepherd

With a hardworking spirit and grit, the Australian Shepherd is the epitome of the American West, the place where they first became popular in this country. They were originally bred to drive and herd. Suspicious of strangers but immensely devoted to their families, the Aussie Shepherd dog gets along well with other animals and children if socialized early and often. They love having a job to do, especially on a working farm. They are loving, alert, confident, independent, affectionate, and extremely smart dogs. The Aussie dog learns quickly—and that could include bad habits! It can take a lot to exhaust these dogs properly, and a bored Aussie can be a vocal and mischievous one. 

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Sitting side view of a Belgian Malinois dog breed looking forward against a white background

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois are working dogs that thrive on having a job to do and constant mental and physical stimulation. This is a high-energy and intense breed. These dogs are alert, smart, and serious. They can be aloof with strangers and should be introduced to other dogs and animals carefully. Some can be domineering. When confined, they often run in sweeping circles in an effort to stay on the move. They are protective of their home and family.

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Standing white and red American Cocker Spaniel looking up and to the right against a white background

American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel breed is a playful and energetic companion. These cheerful pups are brimming with confidence and abundant intelligence. American Cockers thrive in families with plenty of love, exercise, and training.

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Chow Chow dog breed standing tall side view with tongue out against a white background

Chow Chow

While bonded to their owner, the Chow Chow is generally reserved and independent. They are not especially playful or affectionate. The Chow Chow is good for owners who enjoy their independence and who don’t mind a dog giving their love from a distance. 

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Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed laying down looking at camera with white background

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Highly valued as companion pets, the Cavalier is sweet, gentle, playful, and eager to please their owners. They are affectionate and quiet, happy to go wherever their owners go, whether to the couch or on a walk. They are affable and easygoing towards other pets, family members, and strangers. They do retain spaniel instincts, so they love to explore, sniff, and chase when playing outside. 

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Black Standard Poodle dog breed standing against a white background

Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles are a high-spirited, energetic breed who love to exercise, solve puzzles, and play with their owners. They enjoy being around their human companions and require a significant amount of care and attention. They are quick-witted, highly intelligent, and love to have fun, but do tend to get bored easily. You can commonly find them running around, swimming,  playing fetch, and loving on their owners. 

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Miniature Poodle dog breed laying on the grass with head up eagerly looking at the camera

Miniature Poodle

The Mini Poodle is a quick-witted, funny, intelligent, and playful dog in a more compact size than the Standard Poodle. They are eager to please, responsive, obedient, and overwhelmingly popular due to their temperament and non-shedding coat. These pups can be sensitive and initially aloof with strangers. They get along well with children, other pets, and other dogs. A bored Mini Poodle can be a noisy one. 

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Toy Poodle dog sitting against a white background tilting his head.

Toy Poodle

The Poodle is famous the world over for its liveliness, sociability, and affection. They are intelligent and amusing and make a wonderful and fun companion. They love to be included in all family pursuits and can be good watchdogs, announcing visitors without being aggressive. Toy Poodle dogs bond closely with their owners and might show their displeasure at being left home alone for long periods of time. 

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Shih Tzu dog breed standing with tongue out against a white background

Shih Tzu

Spunky, sweet, loyal, and vivacious, a Shih Tzu bonds closely with its owner. They are known for having a pep in their step and a personality that makes them seem like perpetual puppies. Affectionate, good with family life, and low on exercise needs, these little sweethearts make excellent companions. They can have a stubborn or tough streak. 

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American Bulldog breed laying down with head cocked to the side against a white background

American Bulldog

A well-trained, socialized American Bulldog should be friendly, enjoy playtime, and get along well with the entire family. This breed has a natural pep in its step and a bouncy demeanor. With the right owner and training, the American Bulldog breed can be humorous and adorable. Due to their size, they can often be clumsy, especially as a puppy.  American Bulldogs are extremely sensitive but with the right training, confidence, and love, they make loyal and devoted pets.

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Black and white Greyhound dog breed standing against a white background

Greyhound

Known as “the world’s fastest couch potato,” the Greyhound breed is quiet, calm, and extremely well-mannered indoors. They are good with other dogs, other pets, and children if raised with them. They still have hunting instincts and might chase things outdoors. They are reserved with strangers, very sensitive, and sometimes timid. Despite their independent nature, they are eager to please those they trust.

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Portuguese Water Dog breed with white on chest sitting tall against a white background

Portuguese Water Dog

The outgoing Portuguese Water Dog lives for two things: family snuggles and splashing in the water. They're great pals with kids, other pets, and even your neighbor's parrot. Their tender hearts mean training should be all about love and treats. Give them direction, and they'll lap it up like a cool drink after a beach romp—they just can't get enough of being active and making you proud!

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Standing French Bulldog breed with head slightly tilted against a white background

French Bulldog

Clowning around comes naturally to the French Bulldog, who enjoys playing and enchanting their families. They make excellent cuddle buddies and are very happy simply snoozing next to their favorite person. Amiable, sweet, companionable, and willing to please, they make excellent companion dogs. 

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Golden Retriever dog breed sitting tall with tongue out against a white background

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers have never met a stranger, making friends with everyone they encounter. Sunshine embodied, they are known for their devoted and obedient nature as a family companion. Ignoring a Golden’s active nature and powerful physique can lead to behavior problems, though, so they need to have their physical and mental needs met every day. Some Goldens may be overly exuberant and boisterous, but most are eager to please and enjoy learning. Well-trained and exercised Goldens are calm and mannerly at home, and enthusiastic when invited to play. The Golden Retriever breed’s achievements in competitive obedience are remarkable. This dog especially enjoys games that involve retrieving and loves to carry items in his mouth—it’s preferable that it’s a toy, though, and not a gift from outside. 

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Long haired Yorkshire Terrier dog breed laying with head up against a white background

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies pack a lot of attitude into their small bodies. Lively, curious, and into everything, owners will have to get used to being tailed everywhere by this inquisitive shadow. These pups need a lot of stimulation. Long walks are helpful, but games and toys keep their busy brains occupied.

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