One of the biggest cons our four-legged best friends have is their heavy shedding and flying fur that covers all your luxurious upholstery, expensive furniture, and even the air you breathe.
But who said loving these poofy pooches should always come with the hefty duty of vacuuming endlessly and dealing with constant allergic reactions?
We can understand your frustration, you peeps, and we are here with some remarkable solutions for your doggie dreams. Lo and behold, hypoallergenic dog breeds, pups that don’t shed heavily, are specifically bred for producing less dander and allergens, and are easy to groom, maintain, and raise.
Not to mention, you get all of this without giving up on your fluffy puppy dreams. Yes, you heard that right, most of these pawesome beauties come with silky white coats and luxurious silky white hair. They have the softest fur and are still low-shedding dogs that produce less dander and fewer allergens.
Tip: If you are wondering why these poofy puppies shed less then you should know that in addition to coat type there is a genetic variant called the Reduced shedding variant or the MC5R gene that is present in dogs which inhibits loads of shedding in these canines.
Best Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed Much
1. Poodle
This puffy pup has a reputation for being many things, from an exceptional water dog, highly intelligent canine, remarkable hunter, retriever, performer, and entertainer. But also, a dense curly coated cutie, that is hypoallergenic, non-shedding, yet still the most fashionable, popular dog on the canine block.
These low allergen beauties come in a variety of sizes and colors, from standard or miniature Poodles to toy and from cream, black, apricot, cafe au lait, and white. These elegant athletes are a constant companion for all reasons and seasons.
The dogdom’s true aristocrats, Poodles rule dog shows, fashion walks, field and agility trials, and swimming competitions in a smooth, wickedly smart manner and have this remarkable versatility encased in one peppy puppy.
2. Maltese
Give your expensive cleaning gadgets like the Narwal Flow and the Dyson V15 a much-needed break; robots deserve some rest as well. And bring this healthy, friendly ancient dog of Malta, aka the Maltese, home, and we bet you’ll never be able to go back to the common mainstream shedding dog breeds again.
Often considered a Velcro dog due to its clingy personality, this gallant lover does not trigger allergic reactions, nor does it need a lot of regular grooming for its show-stopping low-shedding coat. Showcasing a pristine white floor-length silky hair coat, this Maltese looks like a spiritual yeti when trotting around the house and is a surprisingly hardy breed.
Most owners prefer to keep their adult Maltese in an adorable puppy cut. But these poofy pups can be styled in a variety of different ways. They make incredibly loving and loyal companions.
According to the AKC, this irresistible long-lived toy dog with the cutest face, big dark eyes, and a gumdrop nose can conquer the most jaded personality. It is a great friend to people of all ages and can be a bit stubborn and willful at times. Hence, reward-based training is recommended for this smooth and effortless gaited pooch.
Fun Fact: Did you know this playful, charming, and gentle pooch has been owned by Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, and even Elizabeth Taylor?
3. Bichon Frise
Curious to know what’s happening around, and enthusiastic about investigating your sock drawer, this peppy pooch with a bright cloud-like plush appearance, is not a simple sweet lap dog. Hence, don’t underestimate its capabilities, as you won’t find a more resilient toy dog than this pup of antiquity.
The Bichon Frise stands among dogdom’s greatest veterans and survivors, has weathered through the sands of time and in the eye of the storms valiantly, and has relied on its beauty, charm, and intelligence to survive wars, revolutions, and even the fall of empires.
With their benefactors sentenced to life in prison or to the harrowing guillotine. These pampered pets of aristocracy, painted in portraits along with their regal owners, performed in circuses and entertained crowds for their upkeep.
Not to mention this breed’s glory is its plush and velvety to the touch hypoallergenic coat, and its alert and intuitive persona.
Bichons even make fine little watchdogs, but according to the AKC, Bichons are lovers, not fighters, and operate under the assumption that there are no strangers in this world, just friends they haven’t met yet.
4. Shih Tzu
Dust off your feet and shoulders and get ready for a run to the salon. Not because you are about to meet a tiresome, challenging high maintenance large breed. But a spiritual, Zen yet athletic pooch with silken hair and an angelic personality.
Meet the Shih Tzu, a dog worthy of praise and a lavish lifestyle. Not to mention that a few dogs are as beautiful as a well-groomed Shih Tzu. You wouldn’t find a more adorable little lion dog than this dog that doesn’t shed.
Believed to be a direct descendant of the Lhasa Apso, this Shih Tzu is a Ming Dynasty treasure and used to be given as a wedding gift for a 10-month safe passage from Tibet to China. Tibetans even believe that this Shih Tzu possesses the souls of monks who have fallen from grace.
The Shih Tzus are especially affectionate with children. These small jubilant dogs used to spend most of their days inside royal palaces and are even ideal for city and apartment living.
Hence, if you don’t have a large backyard, a lot of time on your hands, or a preference for a surprisingly low-shedding dog breed, then this outgoing and mischievous pup is a great companion for you.
5. Havanese
This national dog of Cuba is a smart, social little pup that has a relaxed attitude and, adaptable nature. Basically, a picture of downright adorability, which has made them one of the fastest-growing breeds in their nation.
Small pups with some pep and spring in their step and mischievous expression have coats that are light in texture and silky to the touch. They are equipped with long, wavy hair that stands slightly off their bodies and flows with movement.
Havanese are non-shedding and hypoallergenic dogs that do need regular grooming, but not professional grooming.
These slightly longer than tall puppies with short stubby legs and a rectangular shape, almond-shaped eyes, and dropped ears with distinct folds are not the first dog that comes to mind when searching for a guard dog. But they are alert and intelligent, nonetheless.
The Havanese notice and alert their owners when something is amiss, but are petite and quite pooches that are never aggressive and rarely bark. True extroverts who like being around people and showing off their friendly disposition, you’ll find these dogs very merry when exploring nature’s intricacies beside their owners.
They are one of those pups who’ll smell the roses and wave, and interact with every passerby, and even perform circus tricks to garner attention.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
Lively, tomboyish, and sprightly, these Yorkies love to play and don’t hesitate to protect their family and territory even against much larger dogs.
They are bold, fearless, and confident, despite their small size, and have these longhaired, shimmering, and lustrous coats of silky hair that hang to the floor, straight and even on both sides of the body.
These black, blue, or steel grey and vibrant gold in color, this low shedding breed is best for pet parents who don’t want to spend time collecting dead hair from every possible nook and corner in their home, and are tired of pet dander floating in the air.
Less prone to mess than their long coats suggest, these dogs look like plush toys on the outside and are warm, friendly floofs on the inside. Charming—sometimes sweet, sometimes a little bossy—they weren’t bred as pampered lapdogs.
Instead, they originated as loyal companions to Scottish weavers who lost their work during the Industrial Revolution and moved to northern England in search of new ways to support their families.
Probably the descendants of Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers, these Yorkies don’t stand among the most dog breeds that need frequent grooming for their double coats and brushing regularly. But they are the most determined yet stubborn dogs that every owner who dislikes consistent grooming needs.
7. Chinese Crested
When it comes to this less shedding pooch, you don’t even have to worry, even in the slightest cause, this dog is unique. So unique that it is a nearly hairless dog breed, just like nearly headless Nick from Harry Potter.
And is commonly known for its affectionate nature, distinctive fashionable appearance, and undying loyalty.
Relatively easy to train, calm and sweet, these balanced pooches are a great choice for owners who hate cleaning dog fur and don’t have the time for taking their pooches to the salon, doggie daycare, and spas.
But hey, if you don’t want to adopt a nearly naked version with a cute hairstyle on, then you can also explore the charming, overlooked, and underrated powderpuff variety of this same breed. (Just a warning, it comes in a silky soft flowing coat that is more pronounced, full, and a whole lot appealing than the hairless puppies)
8. Cairn Terrier
This happy, active, and courageous breed was born to explore and dig its way out in times of adversity. Needs only a bit of shaping and trimming from time to time and daily brushing to prevent tangles in its rough and shaggy coat.
Small and stocky in appearance, with a broad head and sharply pointed ears up high, these Cairn Terriers originally came from the Isle of Skye in Scotland and were bred to hunt smaller animals like foxes, weasels, rodents, and vermin hiding in the cairns or rock piles.
Orvis notes, renowned for its appearance as Toto in 1939’s classic film The Wizard of Oz, a bright-eyed, alert, inquisitive pup thrives with attention and struggles when left alone, and is a small working breed that likes to please, keep busy, and be challenged.
P.S. It’s hard to distract these dogs from an activity they love but grooming and maintenance wise these pooches only need weekly brushing and combing as well as occasional hand stripping to retain the coat texture.
9. Lagotto Romagnolo
How would it feel like to find the most beautiful and rare dog you’ve ever seen and then learning the fact that is not just pretty and affectionate but also undemanding. A true heart throbbing moment it seems.
This “Carino” is totally endearing and have a less frequency for shedding fur everywhere. Great for people seeking a genuine connection and companionship this “Truffle dog” with his lavish furnishings are durable workers with excellent sniffers that help them root out truffles, a dainty and pricey delicacy.
Covered in wooly curls from head to toe this chubby cuddly teddy bear has human hair like fur and exist from the times of Renaissance Italy, were originally bred to be water retrievers and working the marshlands of Ravenna.
These keen sporting dogs shed less and have the strength and endurance of a large reliable canine breed.
Conclusion
Still reading about these mind-boggling options of cute and low maintenance dog breeds? You must certainly be one of those people who aren’t interested in Chiengora a fabric made from dog fur and hair and used for its warmth, softness and sustainability.
But hey! everybody has a right to choose what they want in life, and we are certainly not going to vouch that you get something like a pet dog which isn’t a privilege but a responsibility.
So, are you keen about learning in detail about these individual dog breeds? Or want to know what more pooches have these same benefits?
You can learn further about these pooches on the world animal foundation website and even explore more about several other low shedding dog breeds like the Portuguese Water Dog, West Highland White Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, and soft-coated Wheaten Terrier.
And many other hypoallergenic dog breeds and even designer dog breeds like Labradoodles, Bernadoodles, and Goldendoodles that all shed less than the common long-haired pups like German Shepherds or winter breeds like Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and Siberian Huskies.
