Living in an apartment doesn’t mean giving up on your dream of having a dog.
For many dog lovers, the real challenge isn’t space-it’s dog hair, allergies, and keeping a tidy living space. Since dogs shed at different levels, choosing from the best low-shedding dog breeds for apartment cleanliness can complete your experience of apartment life.
Hair on the sofa, hair on clothes, hair that never seems to disappear.
Here, low-shedding dog breeds come to the rescue. They offer the best choice for people who want a furry companion without constantly cleaning behind them. The dogs fit into tidy homes, organized lives, and a routine where cleanliness matters.
If you’re a first-time pet parent or just want to add a doggy to your household, here are the best 9 low-shedding dog breeds for apartment cleanliness you can pick from.
Best Low-Shedding Dog Breeds For Apartment Cleanliness
1. Miniature Poodle
A Miniature Poodle is smaller than the Standard Poodle. They are perfect dogs for people who live in apartments and have an active family lifestyle with an intelligent, social, and playful temperament, and love spending time with their owners outside and inside the house.
Miniature Poodles are intelligent, adaptable, and ideal for small places. Their curly coat traps dead hair, making them one of the most reliable hypoallergenic dogs. However, regular professional grooming is essential for them.
They are perfect for the owners who are busy and enjoy mental stimulation, puzzle toys, and positive reinforcement training. They stay calm indoors and adjust easily toa structured routine easily.
2. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are small but adaptable and strong with a great personality, according to the American Kennel Club. They are known for their charm, beauty, and intelligence.
They have a cheerful personality and a laid-back nature, making them suitable for confined spaces. Its fluffy and low-shedding coat requires regular brushing and a balanced diet to maintain its skin and air quality indoors.
A great choice for families with other pets, as this breed forms deep bonds easily, their confidence and size make them ideal for urban spaces.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
A popular dog breed around the world, they are affectionate and very close to their families. As dogs who are living in an apartment and living an active lifestyle, Yorkshire Terriers are excellent companion for them with their brave personality, which makes them express.
Despite a big personality, their silky hair sheds less than many shedding dog breeds, but they need regular scheduled grooming that keeps things neat. They need more exercise than the normal dogs of the same size due to their high energy.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a classic dog among apartment dogs, thriving in apartment spaces and ideal for owners who want a small and cute dog that enjoys daily walks without demanding excessive space.
4. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are known for their cuteness, charm, and beauty. Because they’re very social, they adapt well with humans and other animals and looking or calm companion, as mentioned by WebMD. Mentally, they can be curious, bright, and alert.
They have easy going, affectionate nature. This breed falls under low-shedding breeds, though dogs require regular grooming to avoid mats. They don’t need enough space for exercise, but need more space to play happily.
Because they have hair on the top of their head, please make sure to clip it and don’t let it fall on their face; they can become irritated, or if you cut their hair short, that can make easy to go.
5. Biewer Terrier
Biewer Terrier is an intelligent, devoted, and elegant dog with three colored coat. Their life purpose is like give and take for love, and happy-go-loving dogs smiling when asked if they’re happy. They are a little bit alert to the company, but not a constant barker.
They are known for being easy adapter for a new place, while considered a low shedding dogs, it benefits from regular grooming to manage fine hair. If you choose to keep your Biewer in a short coat, minimal grooming is needed.
They are great for singles and couples who are looking for small dog breeds, an option that brings great charm and loyalty.
6. Bolognese
Bolognese are easygoing, devoted, and playful dogs. They are a white companion with a short coat and generally a serious dog, not a high-energy dog, and are shy towards strangers.
They are small dog breeds from Italy; their cotton-like coat offers minimal shedding, but they need regular brushing rather than intensive trims. Regular grooming is needed when a Bolognese is kept in its full coat, and occasional baths can keep your Bolognese clean and healthy.
Originally bred as companion dogs, the Bolognese thrive in quiet apartment life and enjoy a predictable routine. Bolognese dogs are often recommended for people with mild allergies because they shed so little and produce less dander than many other breeds.
7. Maltese
Maltese are friendly, loving, and cuddly dogs, and love the attention of their family, especially when they’re playing. They love to enjoy with children because of their child-friendly nature. Maltese dogs also like to roam around the house and yards, as per Omlet.
This low shedding breeds benefit from minimal grooming needs when kept in a shorter cut. The hair of Maltese needs to be trimmed every couple of months and needs regular brushing with a soft brush.
Maltese dogs have a playful and intelligent temperament, and are one of the sweetest dogs. They are excellent for people who are seeking a dog that forms deep bonds and responds well to house training.
8. Chinese Crested
Chinese Crested are very affectionate, lively, and alert, and love to be with their owners, making them suitable for small apartments. They enjoy being indoors rather than outdoors, as noted by Royal Canin. If you see a walking Chinese Crested, you fall in love with them.
With minimal grooming, this breed helps owners to manage shedding almost effortlessly. They need regular brushing to maintain their fluffy coat. Their undercoat is shorter than the longer overlay, which is opposite to most haired breeds. This makes them easier to brush, but the coat can mat quickly.
They are best for allergy-sensitive households or those wanting a sleek coat alternative with personality. They have a sensitive nature and must be trained with gentle patience. A loud voice and negative behavior can affect your relationship with your dogs
9. Havanese
Havanese dogs are loved for their affectionate nature and sharp intelligence. With their beautiful, silky coats and adaptable temperament, they make excellent companions—especially for apartment living.
Havanese are exceptionally intelligent, which makes them relatively easy to train. These playful dogs will learn best when training games and positive reinforcement methods are used.
Like all breeds, Havanese should be socialized from a young age to behave around children, other pets, and new people.
Their hypoallergenic coat reduces the amount of dog hair through regular professional grooming that keeps them manageable. Brush your dog’s teeth every day to prevent dental disease. Between brushing sessions, give your dog dental chews, water additives, or supplements to help promote dental health.
Benefits of low-shedding apartment dogs
They are easier to manage shedding in small spaces.
They improved indoor air quality.
They are better for allergy-sensitive households.
Cleaner furniture and reduced vacuuming.
Ideal balance of companionship and cleanliness.
FAQs
Are low-shedding dog breeds completely non-shedding?
No, low-shedding dog breeds are not absolutely shed-free. However, these dog breeds lose far less dog hair than typical shedding dog breeds, which makes them easier to maintain in apartment living.
Which low-shedding dog breeds are best for a small apartment?
Several small dog breeds adapt well to small apartments, including the Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, and Chinese Crested. These are considered great apartment dogs due to their size.
Are low-shedding dogs suitable for busy owners?
Yes, many of these breeds suit busy owners, especially those with a calm demeanor and moderate energy levels.
Conclusion
Choosing the best low-shedding dog breeds for apartment living means you can enjoy all the love and companionship of a furry friend—without constantly battling fur on your floors and furniture.
These breeds prove that you don’t have to sacrifice cleanliness for cuddles. With minimal shedding, manageable grooming needs, and adaptable personalities, they fit beautifully into smaller living spaces.
Just remember, grooming isn’t only about looks; it’s about keeping your dog happy and healthy with little effort and the right care. Your low-shedding dog breed will be the perfect fit for your home.
In the end, a clean apartment and a happy pup go hand in hand. Pick the breed that matches your lifestyle, stay consistent with grooming, and you’ll have a tidy home filled with tail wags, warmth, and unconditional love.
