Table of Contents
*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
META: Check out our list of 10 dog breeds that don’t shed. We included small, medium, and large dog breeds to help you find the right pet.
Is there a breed of dog that doesn’t shed? The short answer is yes. Over two dozen dog breeds do not shed excessively. However, all dogs shed like any other animal with hair. Dog breeds that don’t shed still need regular baths, haircuts, and brushing. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule reduces the amount of hair your dog leaves on furniture and floors.
If you love dogs, and you should, it is heartbreaking to find out your pet is the chief cause of your allergies. However, don’t get too upset until you try to fix the problem. Dander, dead skin that naturally falls off anything with skin is the primary cause of dog-related allergies. Regular bathing and grooming reduce the amount of dander your dog produces. It’s not the dog hair that fires up your allergies.
If you don’t own a dog and plan on buying or adopting one, you can choose from several dog breeds that do not shed a lot. We put together this list of dog breeds that don’t shed to help you get started. We chose dog breeds that are known to produce less dander and shed less hair. These breeds are less likely to aggravate your allergies or cover your furniture in dog hair.
We broke the list down a little further and divided the dogs into groups. Our list of dog breeds that don’t shed includes large dogs, small dogs, and medium-sized dogs, so there is a dog on this list you will love. We tried our best to limit the dog breeds to those considered family friendly and hypoallergenic. No dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, but these breeds come pretty close.
Small Dog Breeds that Don’t Shed
Everyone loves small dogs. They make great family pets and are less likely to drag you down the street on the end of their leash. Many small dog breeds shed terribly and the amount of hair they shed increases with age. If you know this shedding will cause allergy issues in your household, choose one of the small dog breeds on our list as your new pet. They don’t shed very much if you keep them groomed.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies come with a lot of personality and energy. Even old Yorkies tend to be energetic and great companion dogs. These little dogs were originally bred to help quell rodent problems, so they double as a cat in your home. They require a lot of attention and training to keep them from running off after every bird or squirrel they see.
They’re nearly perfect companion dogs for the elderly or anyone that lives alone, or just needs a furry friend. We advise against bringing a Yorkie into a home with small children. They are loving dogs, but kids can get rough, and Yorkies will respond aggressively sometimes. They don’t intend to hurt the child, but they can damage the skin on small children with their tiny teeth.
West Highland White Terrier
These little dogs are excellent companions like the Yorkie. Every one of these terriers thinks it is six feet tall. They’re playful and loaded with personality, but they will aggravate larger dogs and children if not trained well. With proper training and a lot of patience, these dogs fit in almost anywhere. However, like the Yorkie, they don’t deal well with small children.
They tend to be stubborn dogs, but once trained they behave and follow commands as expected. They have a lot of energy and require loads of attention and playtime. Boredom can lead to chewing or misbehaving. Don’t buy or adopt one of these dogs unless you plan to commit to a regular grooming routine and lots of playtime.
Shih Tzu
If your house is small or you live in an apartment, these dogs are perfect for you. They are small and usually pretty quiet. Among small dog breeds, the Shih Tzu is one of the less demanding breeds to train. Any simple dog training book will suffice if you stick with the training and remain patient with the dog. They love company and usually get along well with other dogs and small children.
If you choose this breed, prepare yourself for a daily brushing and regular trips to the groomer. Their hair needs daily brushing and weekly bathing to remain tangle free and healthy. If the maintenance doesn’t bother you, these dogs are great friends. Mind your footsteps though; they tend to turn into little hairy shadows and follow your every move.
Miniature Schnauzer
These small dogs do not shed much hair, but they might drive you crazy. Rest assured they do it out of love. They have nearly unlimited energy. Miniature Schnauzers are loaded with personality and sometimes seem like little fizzy comedians.
Their reaction to small children is hit or miss. Some dogs love kids and will tolerate anything while others will tolerate nothing. It’s best to avoid this breed if you have small children, just to be safe.
They require less maintenance than many of the dogs on our list. They’ll be fine with a weekly bath and quick brushing, but they need professional grooming at least once every six weeks. They need a lot of attention and exercise, but they learn fast and train quickly. They do not like being alone and might destroy things around the house, so make sure they get plenty of attention.
Maltese
Maltese dogs seem to get annoyed at everything. They make excellent companions for a single person and bond quickly. We don’t recommend them environments with other dogs or children. If they are raised alongside another small dog, they will tolerate that dog but no other dog. They’re harder to train than most dogs and don’t exhibit much personality.
They do have a lot of energy and enjoy attention when it suits them. They get lonely when you leave that alone and tend to bark constantly or chew on anything their mouth fits around. They have long hair but don’t shed like you’d expect a long-haired dog to shed. Plan to brush them daily and take them to the groomer at least every two weeks to maintain their coat.
Havanese
These little dogs will shower you with love and attention. If trained from birth, they can be taught not to bark or whine while alone. Havanese dogs are afraid of everything. They’ll hide from aggressive kids or other pets and rarely defend themselves. While this may seem like they’d make a good fit for a house full of children, it makes for a miserable life for the dog.
If you decide on this breed, prepare to commit to constant bonding exercises from the very beginning. Otherwise, you’ll have a cute little dog you may never see because they’re hiding from you. They need brushing at least three times a week and visits to the groomer about every four weeks. They’re beautiful, loving dogs if taken care of properly.
Basenji
This breed is the hardest to train on our list of small dog breeds that don’t shed. They are very independent but loving dogs. Never take them outside with a leash. They were bred as hunting dogs in the Congo, and their need to chase things outweighs their need to obey your commands. They know what you want them to do, but they’re likely to ignore you if the mood strikes them.
This breed is challenging and not recommended for new or inexperienced dog owners. However, they are low maintenance. If you know what you’re doing, most of their grooming needs can be handled at home with rare visits to a professional groomer. They make great pets if you have the time and patience to deal with them, and they don’t shed a lot.
Medium Dog Breeds that Don’t Shed
Medium size dogs need a little more room than small dogs. Some of the dogs on this portion of the list barely qualify as a medium-sized dog. This part of our list is shorter because most medium size dogs shed a lot. Even the dogs that made our list require regular maintenance and care to keep their coat healthy and minimize shedding.
Wheaten Terrier
These dogs are probably the softest dogs on the planet. They fur almost feels like goose down or anything else you can imagine that’s extra soft. They love attention and playtime. They’re great with kids and are known to tolerate almost any abuse children throw at them. That said, it’s always a good idea to teach your kids how to handle the dog.
They learn very quickly but come with a long list of bad habits including digging, barking, and chasing smaller animals. Training helps keep most of these habits to a minimum, but when they get bored, they’re going to dig or chew on something. Plan to brush them daily and take them to the groomer at least every four weeks.
Schnauzer
Like their miniaturized cousins, these dogs may or may not tolerate children well. They’re usually gentle dogs that love playing or napping. Whatever you are doing they want to do it with you. They accept training better than the miniature version of the breed, but they will get into trouble if left alone for very long.
Don’t feel bad if this dog outsmarts you. They will do anything for you, but they also have a mischievous side. If left to boredom, they will chew up everything in your home then treat you like it’s your fault. Their thin grey coat doesn’t shed a lot, but they need weekly baths and brushing at least every other day. You can limit trips to the professional groomer to three or four times a year.
Large Dog Breeds that Don’t Shed
Large dogs require a firmer commitment than most dogs. They need more room and care than smaller dogs. Choosing to buy or adopt a large dog is not a decision you should make hastily or lightly. They are big and taking care of them is expensive. If you live alone or otherwise want a dog for added protection at home, big dogs are at least more intimidating than a Yorkie.
Komondor
These dogs were bred as guardians for livestock. If they are raised around kids, they tend to tolerate most things and will protect “their” children violently if they see a threat. They are loud when angry and very territorial. They’ll love you and your family but won’t tolerate strangers very well. Consider their territorial nature and guardian tendencies before getting one.
Taking care of these dogs is a significant undertaking. They look like a walking mop, and like a mop, their coat collects everything it touches. Plan to bathe them a couple of times each week and brush their coat daily. Their hair doesn’t grow quickly, but it’s a good idea to take them to a professional groomer at least once every four weeks.
What to Consider Before Buying or Adopting a Dog
Don’t buy a dog if you can’t commit to loving them and taking care of them. That’s the first rule of dog ownership. There aren’t many other tips we can give you. The descriptions of each dog on the list outline their needs and whether or not they make excellent family pets. Consider how much time you have to invest in a dog and if you are ready to commit to them because they will commit to you.
A Few Final Notes
Owning a dog is no different than having a child. You are responsible for their health and care. Taking care of a dog is expensive and preventing unnecessary shedding almost always requires paying a groomer every few weeks to groom your dog. If you choose wisely based on the size of your home and the amount of time you have to devote to a dog, they are worth every dime and every minute.
