The dream of bringing home a loyal companion comes with a major concern of endless dog hair for many owners. And it makes sense for allergic sufferers, busy owners, and anyone who simply prefers a low-maintenance dog.
Honestly, some dogs BARELY shed.
Yeah, they don’t lose their fur on the ground but trap it inside their curly coat, and you have to brush to remove it. These dogs are low shedding but are not zero maintenance, as they have their own grooming requirements.
So these dogs may require frequent brushing or trimming. However, they also differ in their temperaments, exercise, training, and work history. We have shared the top 9 low-shedding dogs in this guide along with their proper grooming routine so you can understand which one fits your needs the BEST.
Apart from this, make sure to read about their exercise and training details if you are choosing a dog for your home with kids.
Top Dog Breeds With Very Little Shedding to Discover
1. Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent, playful, and deeply loyal companions with mischievous and charming personalities. They were bred as water retrievers, and their curly coat actually made them famous among allergic sufferers.
These small dogs have tightly curled single coats that trap hairs within them rather than dropping on the floor. And that’s the reason they are considered hypoallergenic, but they need frequent and sometimes daily brushing to remove loose hair.
These are alert and one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. They are easier to train and require moderate exercise daily for mental stimulation. Omlet says that they are master herders, hunters, and love to swim.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are feisty, affectionate, and full of big dog attitude in a small body. Yorkies are lively and bold companions that form strong bonds with their owners and stay alert about their surroundings. They were bred to hunt rodents in textile and coal mills first.
However, their coat is like fine human hair rather than typical animal fur and also lacks a dense undercoat. So they barely shed, and their loose hair also doesn’t fall out on its own. These low-to-non-shedding dogs need daily brushing.
That being said, these small dogs have low to moderate exercise needs and require two sessions of 15-minute walks for mental stimulation. These small dogs also bark a lot and are stubborn, though it can be managed with proper training.
3. Maltese
Malteses are often called walking clouds, marshmallows, cotton candy, and teddy bears because of their white coat and round look after a puppy cut. These dogs are gentle, playful, and deeply affectionate with a sweet nature.
These were so popular that even the Greeks built tombs for their Maltese, as per the AKC. However, these white dogs have a floor-length coat that traps hair instead of spreading them all over the floor. They barely shed and require daily gentle brushing.
That being said, these pups require 20 to 30 minutes of light daily activity along with some casual indoor play sessions. Maltese have an eager-to-please nature and respond best to gentle training like positive reinforcement methods.
4. Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese Water Dogs are also known as the ‘Dog of Water’ and ‘Portuguese Fishing Dog’, Purina shared. These are friendly companions that possess an outgoing, spirited, and loving nature. PWDs can actually swim and were trained to assist fishermen and travelers.
PWDs have curly (compact or tight) and wavy (glossy waves) coat types without any undercoat, so they don’t shed much. They usually trap hairs inside their waves or curls. You can opt for a ‘lion clip’ or retriever clip as they look good in every style.
That said, these dogs require brushing 2-3 times a week to prevent mats. They need around one hour of exercise such as high-energy walks, a game of fetch, and swimming. Portuguese Water Dogs are also easy to train and learn commands quickly.
5. Havanese
Havanese are charming, affectionate, and playful velcro dogs that are native to Cuba. They were specifically bred to be lapdogs and bring a joyful and highly social energy into any home. Havanese are low-maintenance when it comes to shedding.
Their coat can be straight or wavy and requires regular brushing almost 2-3 times a week with a slicker brush to prevent mats. You can also go for a puppy clip to reduce maintenance, but Havanese are high-maintenance dogs in terms of grooming.
That said, they have moderate exercise needs and enjoy cheerful neighbourhood walks along with playing in a secure backyard. These small dogs are smart and eager to please, so they respond best to positive reinforcement methods.
6. Basenji
Basenjis are independent, curious, and often referred to as cat-like, as they lick to groom so their coat stays clean most of the time. These are alert, energetic, and watchful dogs that are quiet indoors but agile as they step outdoors.
These are among the oldest hound breeds in the world and hypoallergenic dogs, as their short coat does not shed much. They require weekly brushing to remove loose hairs and also don’t have any doggy odour, which is a cherry on top.
That being said, these hunting dogs are highly active and require one hour of daily activity for mental stimulation. They are also clever, independent, and stubborn, so they might give you a tough time when training them.
7. Coton de Tulear
Coton de Tulears are happy, adaptable, and super sweet dogs that are often referred to as the ‘Royal Dog of Madagascar’. These dogs resemble cotton balls, as PetMD described, due to their cotton-like coat texture.
These friendly white fluffballs shed extremely little and don’t drop hair on the floor until brushed out. However, they do require frequent brushing to prevent mats behind ears, legs, and elbows and also to keep the coat clean.
These little dogs have moderate exercise needs and enjoy two sessions of 15-minute walks daily for mental stimulation. They are highly smart, attentive, and eager to please, so you can easily train them with positive reinforcement, gentle training, and praise.
8. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are known for their powder puff appearance and sunny disposition. These little dogs are cheerful and affectionate, as they get along wonderfully with families, children, and other pets. These dogs were bred solely for companionship, so they are perfect as family dogs.
These highly social dogs have a tightly curled white coat that just traps all loose hair inside, which makes them highly hypoallergenic (though no one is 100% allergy-free). However, they still require daily brushing along with professional clipping every 4-6 weeks.
That being said, these little white dogs require 30-45 minutes of daily activity to stay mentally stimulated and avoid boredom. Plus, they are eager to please but can also be strong-willed, so you have to be patient when training them.
9. Chinese Crested
Chinese Cresteds are famous for their hairless variation, but they also have a soft, fine double coat known as powderpuffs. But both of the breeds barely shed, and powderpuffs trap hair instead of dropping it on the floor.
Hairless Chinese Cresteds need regular skincare, including moisturizing and sun protection, while powder puffs require brushing 2-3 times a week. These calm dogs were downsized and have sweet, playful, and deeply devoted personalities.
That being said, they have low to moderate exercise needs and enjoy light walks along with casual play indoors. Both of these dogs are intelligent and highly sensitive. They respond best to praise-based training, though they can also be slightly stubborn.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned dogs shed less, but they are not low maintenance. They are all almost low-to-zero shedding breeds but may require high maintenance when it comes to brushing, trimming, and cleaning their coats.
All of these dogs differ in their exercise needs, temperaments, and training. Some of them have moderate exercise needs while others have low. Some dogs were bred to be lapdogs, while there are also those with a stubborn nature. So, make sure to read the details before choosing your low-shedding dog, especially if you have kids at home.
