What dogs shed the least? Or don’t shed at all?
Owning a dog can be one of the biggest joys in life. Their waggy tails, cuddles, and love are all to die for! What’s not so pleasant, though, is all of the fur that can end up literally everywhere. Perhaps it’s the reason why you haven’t gotten a dog yourself. In this article, we want to answer these burning questions: which dog breeds shed the least? Which dog breeds don’t shed AT ALL? There are hairless dogs, dog breeds that shed the least, and dogs that need minimal grooming.
Another reason why you may be hesitant on being a dog owner is because of allergies. Getting a hypoallergenic dog has long been hailed as the solution, but in reality, they do not really exist. Most hypoallergenic breeds are actually just dogs with single-layer coats. This differs from double coated breeds like the Golden Retriever, who shed significantly. While a hypoallergenic breed is less likely to shed as much, that is not the cure to allergies. You see, the fur isn’t what causes those annoying allergic reactions. Dander is the true root of the problem; and is unavoidable no matter the dog breed. However, a low shedding dog helps minimize the spread of dander, which can help keep allergies at bay.
If you love dogs but loathe the idea of picking up dog hair daily or shudder at the thought of constant grooming, pick a pooch that’s a minimal shedder. Here’s a quick list:
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds
Small Dog Breeds That Shed the Least
Basenji
The African-bred Basenji tops on our list as a breed that both doesn’t bark AND is a light shedder.
The Chinese Crested dog is famous on the internet for its unique ways and on-point hair styles. These dogs are definitely unique-and we wouldn’t have them any other way!
Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintli)
No hair, don’t care! For those who want hairless dogs, these pups can’t be beat! Just remember, since they’re all skin, you’ll need to put sunscreen on them! They can definitely get a sunburn.
Ecuadorian Hairless Dog (Perro calvo dorado ecuatoriano)
The Ecuadorian Hairless is very similar to the Mexican Hairless (also a dog with no coat) so make sure you take care of their skin needs!
American Hairless Terrier
Another of the bald dog breeds, they’re sweet and very friendly.
Tibetan Terriers
Once a companion to monks, these wookie lookalikes are minimal shedders.
Maltese
Resembling snowballs on legs, this breed was trained to catch rats in the Medieval Ages. Now, they’re often found nestled on human laps worldwide. Their coats are hypoallergenic, but they do need to be brushed daily.
The most ubiquitous of all the small dog breeds, Yorkies are low shedding dogs with a big attitude. They were, after all, bred initially to hunt rats and other vermin.
Medium and Large Dog Breeds That Shed the Least
This breed stands nose and ears above the rest when it comes to dogs that shed the least. Known for their curly, soft, hypoallergenic coat, poodles are also odorless! You’ll never have to deal with that eau de wet dog scent. They come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. They don’t shed very much but they do need to have their coats clipped on a regular basis to prevent matting. Many Poodle hybrids like the Labradoodle, Cockapoo, Goldendoodle etc., are also minimal shedders and hypoallergenic.
Doodle-anything
See above note about Poodles, and apply it here.
Afghan Hound
Yes, this seems counter-intuitive, but the Afghan Hound’s long flowing coat does not shed. However, to keep their locks movie-fresh, they need to be bathed and brushed once a week.
Portuguese Water Dog
When President Obama and his family moved into the White House, they chose Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog as their family pet. Since Malia Obama has allergies, Bo’s hypoallergenic, curly coat was a perfect match. However, this web-footed medium-sized breed does need regular grooming.
The Plott Hound is the state dog of North Carolina. A medium-sized dog with a calm, placid demeanor at home, they’re also great hunters. Plotts have smooth, glossy coats that need little work and don’t shed a lot.
Peruvian Inca Orchid
The Peruvian Inca Orchid (or Peruvian Hairless) comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. They don’t shed at all, as they’re a hairless breed. That means of course that they do need sunscreen if you’re going to take them to the park.
Airedales are super smart pups. They’ve been used to carry messages during both World Wars. They’ve also worked with police forces all over, and are loyal, protective companions. This English mid-sized breed is a low-shedder, but does need regular clipping to keep their dense, double coat neat looking.
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