A home with a dog should feel warm, not covered in fur.
Many pet parents adore their companions but struggle with excessive shedding, which results in loose hairs that cover their furniture and requires continous vacuming. The dog breeds that produce minimal shedding enable you to maintain a tidy space while you enjoy your puppy.
While no such thing as a completely non-shedding dog truly exists, some low-shedding dog breeds release far less dead hair and produce less dander than heavy-shedding breeds. For allergy sufferers and neat freaks alike, that makes daily life much easier.
Fun Fact
Some low-shedding dogs have hair that grows continuously like humans. The dog needs regular haircuts because it does not experience seasonal shedding. Many hypoallergenic dogs were originally bred as companion animals.
Dog Breeds That Barely Shed: Perfect for Cleanliness
1. American Hairless Terrier
The cleanest dog breeds list begins with the energetic American Hairless Terrier, which people commonly name first. The hairless breed developed during the 1970s exhibits a small to medium size while showcasing its complete personality.
Dogs without traditional coat types produce very little hair. The need for skin care takes the place of brushing. Dogs must have their bodies protected against severe sun exposure and extreme cold temperatures.
Their exercise requirements reach 30 minutes per day, while they perform best in active household environments. The dog breed demands minimal maintenance for its coat, yet needs regular skin care treatment to maintain healthy skin without developing skin issues.
The breed produces less dander, which makes it one of the best hypoallergenic dog breeds since people with allergy concerns find this breed suitable for their needs.
2. Bichon Frise
The happy Bichon Frise resembles a cloud that moves around as an animated creature. The breed requires minimal maintenance despite its fluffy appearance.
The dog needs grooming because its curly coat keeps dead hair trapped inside its tight spiral patterns. The system effectively reduces shedding, but pet owners must groom their dogs frequently to avoid matting problems and to stop tangles from forming.
The Bichon Frise possesses a silky, spiral coat with a powder-puff look. As shared by Purina, this toy breed is an energetic dog that enjoys playing while showing affection to people who provide it with their full attention.
Regular brushing combined with professional grooming every few weeks allows you to maintain shedding control and keep your dog’s coat in good condition.
The dog breed makes an ideal addition to apartment living because it brings happiness into homes through its friendly nature, which does not create a dog-related shedding problem.
3. Maltese
The beautiful Maltese demonstrates that dogs with long fur can maintain their coat without excessive shedding. This toy breed weighs less than seven pounds and possesses continuously growing hair that creates flowing locks.
The dog breed maintains its indoor cleanliness because its hair falls out at a lower rate than other breeds.
A small dog breed that combines an elegant appearance with a robust build and shows both a white silky coat and a courageous temperament.
The Maltese dog breed has light shedding, which benefits owners, but it needs daily brushing to maintain tangle-free hypoallergenic fur. According to the American Kennel Club, Maltese dogs learn best through training methods that use positive reinforcement rewards.
Maltese dogs provide pet owners who enjoy cuddling with small, affectionate companions with an active dog breed that requires less grooming.
4. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested breed offers two distinct types, which include hairless and powderpuff. The hairless type has soft, exposed skin with hair on the head, feet, and tail. The powderpuff breed has wavy hair, which maintains a light and silky texture.
They exhibit low shedding behavior since their shedding rate falls below that of most other dog breeds.
Their human companions receive strong affection from them, which results in deep emotional bonds between the two parties. The hairless breed requires skin care according to PetMD, while the powderpuff breed needs regular grooming to prevent its fur from becoming tangled.
The Chinese Crested keeps shedding to a minimum thanks to its unique coat varieties, making loose fur around the home far less of a concern.
With their distinctive appearance and low-dander qualities, they’re a wonderful choice for anyone seeking a truly eye-catching companion who’s easier on allergies.
5. Xoloitzcuintli
Xoloitzcuintli, which people refer to as Xolo, is an ancient breed that people consider to be the cleanest of all hairless dog breeds.
The hairless type of this dog breed has no shedding problems, although the breed includes coated dogs. The method reduces loose hairs, which helps allergy sufferers to control their symptoms more effectively.
Ancient, rare dog known for loyalty and strong bonds with caregivers. Orvis describes the Xolo as an intelligent dog breed that shows stubbornness yet displays deep affection. Pet owners dedicate their time to skin treatment and bath maintenance instead of dealing with shed hair that ends up on their furniture.
This breed is perfect for families who need a medium-sized dog that does not shed much.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
The tiny Yorkshire Terrier embodies boldness because its personality exceeds its small size.
The toy breed maintains its low-shedding status through continuous hair growth, which makes it eligible for many dog breed lists. Yorkies shed much less fur compared to dogs that experience seasonal shedding patterns.
Compact yet brave companion needs extensive training and tender treatment. PDSA states that daily grooming is necessary to achieve and maintain their long coat’s silky texture. The breed needs families with older children who can handle their fragile bones with proper care.
The combination of regular brushing and professional grooming services enables you to maintain your hair’s shiny appearance, whether it is short or long, while experiencing minimal shedding.
7. Basenji
The Basenji has developed into a purebred dog, which people refer to as the cat of the dog world. The Basenji develops a medium-sized body, which contains a smooth, short coat that produces less shedding than double coat breeds.
Basenjis maintain their own cleanliness through regular self-grooming, which results in reduced shedding and better control of their loose fur.
The Basenji shows two main personality traits, which Hill’s Pet Nutrition describes as intelligent and independent. This dog displays low shedding through its coat, which produces minimal dander, thus making it suitable for households that need to maintain cleanliness.
The breed exhibits natural cleanliness, together with stamina and alertness, which makes it ideal for families who love outdoor activities.
8. Miniature Schnauzer
The active Miniature Schnauzer combines its high intelligence with a special wiry coat. The double coat of the pet sheds very little, yet it needs routine grooming to keep its tidy appearance. Owners of the pet usually choose either hand stripping or regular haircuts to maintain the coat’s original texture while handling shedding.
Petplan reports that the breed shows love to its family members while being suitable to stay with kids who receive adult supervision. The daily cleaning of the beard through damp cloths removes food traces while the regular brushing process maintains both a healthy and manageable coat appearance.
The Miniature Schnauzer exhibits strong character traits that make it different from other low-shedding dog breeds, while its upkeep requirements are less demanding.
9. Bedlington Terrier
The graceful Bedlington Terrier, with its lamb-like appearance and athletic build, surprises people because it has unexpected physical attributes.
The soft curly coat of this dog breed shows a resemblance to wool material, and it generates minimal shedding throughout the residence. The dog requires scheduled haircuts, which serve two purposes. They stop matting, and they help maintain the breed’s specific body shape.
The combination of regular brushing with professional grooming services enables their shape maintenance while reducing shedding.
This dog breed provides families with a refined appearance that requires no shedding maintenance because it combines attractive looks with tidy behavior.
10. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog has an athletic build and body structure, which generates tight curly hair.
The curly coat of this dog breed functions as a shedding barrier because the loose fur binds itself to the coat’s texture. This makes it one of the popular low-shedding breeds for active households.
A dog that has a medium size and muscular build, an intelligent nature, and extreme loyalty to its family members.
This breed needs both physical exercise and cognitive challenges to reach its optimal development. The dog requires regular grooming and bathing to maintain healthy skin, while its low-shedding coat needs special treatment to prevent tangling.
Dog parents who have high energy levels can enjoy this breed because it stays clean while they go on their outdoor adventures.
Conclusion
Choosing a dog that barely sheds can make all the difference if you value a tidy, low-maintenance home. These breeds allow you to enjoy the companionship, loyalty, and joy that dogs bring—without constantly reaching for the lint roller or vacuum.
While no dog is completely shed-free, selecting a low-shedding breed means less fur on your furniture, fewer allergy concerns, and a cleaner living space overall. It’s the perfect balance of warmth, love, and everyday cleanliness.
