After a long day at work, returning home to furniture ridden with dog hair can feel annoying. For allergy sufferers, dogs that shed a lot are more than a matter of inconvenience of having to vacuum clean their bedding. Serious allergic reactions can get triggered in some people after repeated exposure to dog hair, and this can be extra dangerous for elderly pet owners.
Luckily, there’s a dog breed for every kind of dog owner; for busy pet parents and people with dog allergies, hypoallergenic dogs are the best bet. Dog breeds are not 100% hypoallergenic, but certain breeds have coats that shed less, resulting in less dander in your surroundings that causes allergies, according to the AKC.
Low-shedding dogs are wonderful pets for people who have little time to clean their homes repeatedly, but want a spotless living space nonetheless. This article reviews 9 amazing low-shedding dog breeds.
Best Low-Shedding Dog Breeds for a Spotless Home
1. Maltese
The Maltese is an ancient dog breed that has enjoyed the status of a pampered lap dog for centuries. One look at this small white doggo and you’re bound to be enchanted by its luxurious coat that can cascade down its body.
Despite the appearance, these cotton balls’ shedding is going to be the least of your worries; though Maltese dogs shed a little, regular grooming will be necessary to keep their long hair from tangling and matting.
As low-shedding dogs, Maltese’s gorgeous coat will keep growing, and you might need to take them to a professional groomer. Getting its hair trimmed makes this pooch look too adorable and also makes it more manageable.
Apart from the time spent on its grooming needs, the Maltese is an adaptable and sweet-tempered dog. Early socialization training with positive reinforcement methods helps it to be more sociable and tolerant of new situations. Indoor play is a great way to give these doggos physical and mental stimulation, as both are essential in keeping them healthy and happy.
2. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a glamorous toy breed of Tibetan origin that hasn’t just lounged next to monks and Imperial rulers, but also has acted as an alert watchdog kept to alert the owners of the arrival of strangers, according to PetMD.
Shih Tzu’s “lion-like mane” is one of its most enchanting features, and gives it a regal yet adorable look. This little lion’s silky coat is hypoallergenic and sheds very little, making it an ideal pet for people with allergies. You can stop worrying about it leaving lots of hair on your couch as it snuggles up next to you, and just think about how you’re going to style its long coat.
If you don’t want to trim its hair short, just tie it in a knot above its head and make your friends jealous with your fashionable pooch. It can be quicker to comb their hair when they have a puppy cut, but grooming their lush hair can still be a fun bonding activity.
When you’re not chilling with your pooch at home, you can take them outdoors for short walks, or hang out with them in dog parks. They have minimal exercise needs as a small dog breed, but they won’t mind spending some fun time indoors and outdoors with you.
3. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is another small, white dog breed with a hypoallergenic, low-shedding coat that is less likely to trigger allergies or make your furniture stay covered in loose hair. Bichon’s compact body can also come covered in a cream, apricot, or buff silky coat, according to Britannica.
Though Bichon Frise’s curly coat doesn’t shed much, their undercoat will catch the hair that does shed occasionally; brushing it two to three times a week and giving it occasional clipping and bathing keeps the coat healthy and clean.
Bichons aren’t just cheerful dogs that get along well with other pets and even children; their adaptability and compact size make them good traveling partners. You can even carry them in a bag appropriate for their size.
As long as you’re taking care of their nutrition and other needs, you can carry them along on air trips. These trainable pooches not only learn to do tricks happily, but they can also be crate trained with some patience and positive methods.
4. Havanese
While small dogs make wonderful pets for small living spaces, like dorm rooms and shared flats, you wouldn’t want your dorm or flatmates constantly complaining about finding dog hair everywhere. The Havanese is an adaptable furry friend for such living situations, as it sheds only minimally.
Apart from their size and a minimal-shedding coat, what makes Havanese dogs good candidates for shared living spaces is their ability to enjoy the company of people. It’s not just sociable; these pooches entice everyone around them with their comical tactics.
This breed is native to Cuba and belongs to the Bichon family; they’re descendants of a now-extinct breed, “Balanquito de la Habana” (meaning “little white dog of Havana”). As these pooches aren’t working dogs and are all about companionship, they were mainly kept by nobles who could afford taking care of a pet without any other use, according to WebMD.
While combing their silky hair daily is necessary, their exercise needs are moderate; some indoor games and brief walks outdoors are enough.
5. Chinese Crested
Now we get to the most unique breed in this list: the Chinese Crested. Coat grooming concerns for this breed are going to be minimal, just like its hair itself. Chinese Crested is a fascinating, hairless dog breed with some spurts of hair on its head, legs, and tail.
This graceful breed comes in two varieties: Hairless and Powderpuff Chinese Crested. Your sofas and beds will be just as hair-free as the Hairless Crested itself, while Powderpuff will shed very little.
Powderpuffs will need some combing to keep them free of mats, but Hairless will need more skin care than coat care. Make sure to keep them clean through bathing, and use a good doggo sunscreen when taking them outdoors in the sun, so they don’t suffer from sunburn.
The Chinese Crested is a wonderful dog for you if you see your friends often or live with your family. These sweet-tempered doggos can get along well with everyone and make playful companions for children. Make sure to supervise their time with the little humans, as small dogs are prone to accidental injuries.
6. Basenji
The first breed in this list with a short coat, the Basenji is a compact and intelligent dog from the hound group. Their smooth coat makes them a low-maintenance pet with some quick brushing, and leaves you stress-free by keeping your home free of dog hair. They’re odorless doggos; giving them daily baths isn’t necessary, as they stay clean most of the time, but some occasional bathing is good for their health.
The Basenji is an active and energetic hunting dog with its origins in Africa. They have a graceful build with a balanced body, a small but athletic build, and a curled tail. They’re said to have a feline-like temperament; training them requires patience and positive reinforcement methods.
It’s better to keep them on a leash when walking with them outdoors; their high prey drive might push them into chasing small animals, like squirrels.
Basenjis are great pets for pet parents who love small doggos but also want to stay active. These pooches will happily join their humans in hiking, jogging, daily walks, and also perform well in dog sports like agility and scenting activities.
7. Poodle
Poodles are the ultimate water dogs, originally bred as retrievers of game in water. They’re known for their gorgeous, water-repellent curly coats that require daily brushing; otherwise, you’ll have to battle with their tangles and mats.
Poodles are loved for many reasons, and their versatility is one of them. These water dogs aren’t just wonderful pets for people who enjoy swimming and other water-based activities with their doggos; they’re among the most intelligent dog breeds that learn cues and commands easily.
Poodles come in three sizes: Standard, Toy, and Miniature. All varieties have a hypoallergenic coat that’s quite a blessing for people with allergies who want to adopt a dog.
These pooches are very people-oriented; they are all about spending time with their human family members, whether young, old, or children. They’re better suited for pet parents who have time to spend with their dogs, as they are prone to separation anxiety, which can cause them to become cranky and destructive.
8. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is another amazing companion for swimmers; this dog has literally been the helper of fishermen. It has a very interesting build and proportions; it has a huge head you’ll immediately notice and a wide chest. Its strong body is covered in a very thick, hypoallergenic coat that needs a substantial amount of time spent on its upkeep.
Yes, you’ll need to set reminders to give your doggo extensive coat care, but you’ll have to spend less time trying to get rid of dog hair sticking to your furniture and carpet. Occasionally bathing your Portuguese Water Dog with a good dog shampoo will also keep its profuse coat clean and sparkly.
Porties have been hard-working companions of fishermen and were specifically trained to herd fish into nets and retrieve stuff from the ships as well as deliver messages between sailors, according to Orvis. These dogs are all about getting stuff done; if they don’t have a job to do, they might get bored. Think of different mental stimulation activities, as well as daily exercise to keep them in good spirits.
9. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is another larger breed on this list and has worked as a dedicated farm dog for centuries. This dog used to help farmers by getting rid of rats and other vermin from the farms, as well as by acting as an alert watchdog.
This breed has a unique, thick and silky coat that needs daily brushing with a pin brush or slicker brush, followed by proper combing to make it look its finest. Coat care can feel overwhelming, but consider it a price paid for your spotless home, as this breed is one of the minimally shedding ones with a hypoallergenic coat.
This beautiful dog’s unique physical appearance includes its wavy coat and bearded face. Its innocent face can win any heart, and its friendly nature makes it one of the best companions any dog lover can dream of. This doesn’t mean adopting this pup will be without its challenges; it’s prone to stubbornness and some less-than-favorable habits like barking.
Conclusion
These low-shedding breeds make wonderful companions if you get the ick from having to clean dog hair from your furniture every other day. However, make sure to talk to your vet about your pet’s hygiene needs and find safe and quality dog care products from a trusted brand.
