You love dogs.
You love snuggles.
You love long walks and wet-nosed greetings at the door.
But you don’t love finding fur tumbleweeds rolling across your living room like you’re in a Wild West pet salon. That’s where these legends of low-shed come in—the dogs that keep their coats to themselves.
Contrary to the myth, “non-shedding” dogs don’t mean “zero grooming” dogs. Oh no. Many of these breeds are basically the divas of the dog world—minimal shedding, maximum styling. But your couch, your black pants, and your vacuum cleaner will thank you.
Whether you’re allergic, tidy, or just tired of finding hair in your coffee mug, these breeds bring all the love with none of the fluff fallout. Plus, they’re not just clean-freak approved—they’re fascinating, cuddly, and come with histories that rival Game of Thrones.
So here are the top 10 dog breeds that shed the least—each one a gift to your lungs, your wardrobe, and your lint roller collection.
Top Dog Breeds That Shed The Least
1. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers—affectionately called Yorkies—aren’t just low-shedding. They’re practically walking hair extensions. Their coat is famously more like human hair than dog fur, which means less floating fuzz and more silky fabulousness.
Yorkies originated in 19th-century England, bred by Scottish weavers who relocated to the south and required a compact dog to chase rats in textile mills. Who knew that the same dog cleaning up vermin in factories would one day strut the runways in designer dog carriers?
What makes them unique is their single-layered, fine-textured coat, which grows long but sheds minimally.
That means regular brushing is a must, but vacuuming every other day? Not so much. Also, no seasonal blowouts—just year-round glam. This hypoallergenic dog breed is a favorite among allergy sufferers
Despite their toy size, they’ve got a Napoleon complex with a built-in attitude amplifier. Tiny? Yes. Fierce? Absolutely. Hairy mess? Never.
2. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu—aka the “little lion dog” of ancient Chinese royalty—is proof that majestic doesn’t have to mean messy.
Despite their long, flowing coats, these canines are famous for being low-shedding dogs, leaving behind nothing but love.
These cute pups were bred solely for companionship in the imperial court. Translation: they were not made to herd, hunt, or hike—they were made to sit on silk cushions and be adored. But that doesn’t mean they’re lazy. They’ve got spunk, charm, and a whole lot of hair that mostly stays put.
Scientifically, this low-shedding dog breed has a hair-based coat instead of fur, and it grows continuously like ours. With regular grooming, this dog’s shed is nearly nonexistent, making it a favorite for allergy-sensitive royalty—and modern-day apartment dwellers.
Secret weapon?
That tail. It curls like a question mark and makes every strut look like a red carpet entrance. And lucky for you, it’s not leaving a cloud of fur in its wake.
3. Briard
Don’t be fooled by the shaggy-dog appearance—Briards are secretly low-shedding ninjas in sheepdog clothing. This French herding breed looks like a walking mop of mystery, but its double coat is surprisingly good at keeping itself to itself.
Briards have a long history, dating back to medieval France, where they were prized for guarding flocks and protecting against wolves and intruders. As per AKC, they’re smart, loyal, and known for having a memory like an elephant (if the elephant had better hair).
The outer coat is coarse and wavy, the undercoat is dense, but together, they trap loose hairs until brushed out, which makes this dog low on shedding but high on grooming needs. Think of it as a fur sponge: nothing escapes until you say so.
Lesser-known fact: Napoleon had Briards with him in battle. Why? Possibly for morale. Definitely for security. And probably because they didn’t cover his camp in hair.
4. Bergamasco Shepherd
Looking like a cross between a sheep, a dog, and a Bob Marley tribute, the Bergamasco Shepherd is a visual stunner—and a shedding minimalist. Those thick cords? They’re not just fashion statements. They’re functional, protective, and shed-resistant.
This dog was bred for herding sheep on harsh mountain terrain. Over time, they developed a coat with three distinct layers that naturally weaves into dreadlocks, forming mats that protect them from cold, rain, and wolves (yes, wolves!).
This natural corded coat means dead hair gets locked into the mats, not floating around your home. As odd as it sounds, once matured, their coat is nearly self-maintaining and doesn’t shed in the traditional sense at all.
The unique matting/dreadlock-style weather-resistant coat acts like insulation, protecting them from snow, rain, and cold in the Italian Alps.
Weird but true: petting a Bergamasco is like running your fingers through a dog-shaped rug—and somehow, it’s incredibly therapeutic. Your vacuum? Will barely notice they exist.
5. Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is the original bearded badass of Germany—equal parts watchdog, family dog, and fashion icon. That wiry coat and dapper beard aren’t just for show—they’re a low-shedding miracle.
First appearing in 15th-century German art, Schnauzers were bred for ratting, guarding, and farm duty, but they’ve since become beloved city companions. Their coarse, wiry coat doesn’t trap loose fur, and it rarely ends up in your home’s air vents.
It wears a short coat ( at times medium as well) wiry coat.
With regular grooming, their hypoallergenic coat produces very little dander and minimal shedding, making this dog a great choice for those who regularly suffer from dog allergies.
What’s the trick? The Schnauzer’s outer coat grows continuously and requires hand-stripping or clipping to stay fresh and healthy. But for that effort, you’re rewarded with practically zero shedding.
Fun Fact: Schnauzers are incredibly intelligent and are often utilized in dog sports.
6. Spanish Water Dog
The Spanish Water Dog brings the curls, the chaos, and the miraculous restraint from shedding. Bred as an all-purpose working dog in the Iberian Peninsula, this breed’s curly, woolly coat is more sheep than shepherd—and it stays right where it belongs.
Originally used for herding, retrieving, and guarding fishermen’s gear, these dogs are super versatile and energetic. Their curly single coat has no underlayer, which means far less loose hair floating around your home.
Here’s the deal: their coat is not brushed, but rather left to curl naturally. That reduces friction, which minimizes shedding. These loyal companions require minimal grooming, basically a little trimming here and there, and they’re good to go—no big blowouts, no fur explosions.
This medium-sized dog is athletic and compact, perfect for active households.
Hot tip: These low-shedding breed dogs love water. So if you have a pool, lake, or sprinkler, they’ll be in it. But the tradeoff? Your furniture stays fur-free—even if it’s a bit damp.
7. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise looks like a cotton ball that went to finishing school—and while you’d expect that poofy coat to rain down fur confetti, it doesn’t. In fact, Bichons are famously non-shedding, making them a top pick for allergy sufferers and cleanliness buffs alike.
These little lap dogs have Mediterranean roots and were once favorites among European royalty. Their coat is double-layered but curly, which means any loose hairs get caught in the undercoat instead of falling out.
One of the most hypoallergenic breeds due to their curly coat and low dander levels, they are a perfect choice for pet parents who often encounter allergic reactions.
That means: brushing is a must, but sweeping is optional. Not so much. A weekly attentive grooming session will remove the trapped hair and keep that marshmallow poof in peak form.
Professional grooming, once in a while, helps to prevent matting.
8. Chinese Crested
What sheds the least? A dog that’s mostly naked.
The Chinese Crested comes in two types—Hairless and Powderpuff. And while the Powderpuff version has a silky, low-shedding coat, the Hairless Crested is the MVP of minimal fur fallout.
Originally from Africa but developed in China, these dogs (also a hairless breed variant) were used on ships to catch vermin. The lack of fur made them ideal for warm climates, while their affectionate temperament made them great companions.
The hairless variety has tufts on the head, tail, and feet, and the rest is bare skin. That means virtually no shedding, but a little skincare TLC (like sunscreen and moisturizer) is required.
Think of them as the skincare influencer of the dog world: glowing, smooth, and mildly high-maintenance. But your floors? Spotless.
9. Poodle
The Poodle comes in all sizes—Standard, Miniature, and Toy—but they all share one beautiful trait: tight, curly, non-shedding coats.
It’s the dog equivalent of owning a self-cleaning appliance.
Bred in Germany as a duck retriever, the Poodle was designed for water and endurance. That coat? It repelled cold water and kept stray hairs from flying into aristocrats’ tea parties. Today, it makes Poodles a top choice for people with allergies and those seeking a clean home.
The trick is in their curly, dense hair, which traps shed hairs rather than releasing them. This means grooming is essential, but shedding is negligible. Use a soft-bristle brush to brush the hair to keep it nice and shiny.
And let’s not forget—these small dogs are brainiacs. They’ll solve your Rubik’s cube, rearrange the couch pillows, and never once leave a strand of hair behind while being your favorite companion dogs.
10. Miniature Schnauzer
Last but definitely not least, the Miniature Schnauzer brings all the schnauzer fun in a compact, clean package. With their signature brows and beard, these pups look like tiny professors, and they don’t shed much while grading your life choices.
Mini Schnauzers were bred down from Standard Schnauzers to be more compact rat hunters. Their wiry double coat is low-shed and weather-resistant, catching loose hairs before they hit the floor.
Grooming involves regular trims, especially to maintain that iconic mustache, but it’s well worth it for a virtually fur-free experience.
Additionally, just like most dogs of a small size, they’re also ideal for pet parents living in apartments and small homes.
Weird but true? They’ll alert you to every leaf that falls outside the window—but never leave a mess behind them.
Clean freaks, rejoice.
Conclusion
Shedding doesn’t have to be part of the dog lover’s lifestyle. With these ten breeds, you get all the love, loyalty, and tail-wagging antics—minus the fluff clouds floating across your floor.
Portuguese water dog, soft-coated Wheaten terrier, Bedlington terrier, Border terrier, Irish water spaniel, Scottish terrier, West highland white terrier, Havanese dogs, and American hairless terrier are also some non-shedding dog breeds loved by those who prefer a neat home over one filled with dog hair.
So ditch the lint roller and upgrade to a dog who keeps their hair (mostly) to themselves. Your vacuum can finally rest—and your heart? Fully full.
