Fastidious or busy owners often look for a dog breed that produces minimal pet dander. Fortunately, many dog breeds shed minimally. Owning a low-shedding dog comes with lots of benefits, such as fewer cleaning sessions and easier coat management.
Low-shedding dogs are also an ideal choice for busy pet parents who do not have time for all the cleaning. Many of them are hypoallergenic, well-suited for allergy sufferers. Remember, numerous factors affect shedding in dogs.
For instance, single-coated breeds shed less than double-coated dogs. Similarly, certain skin conditions or nutritional deficiencies can increase shedding. How frequently you brush or groom your dog also affects shedding.
Here are the top 9 dog breeds with little shedding.
Dog Breeds With Little Shedding: Ideal for Clean Homes
1. Bichon Frise
Having a soft, curly white coat, Bichon Frises look like a moving furball. These active and playful dogs are loved for their cheerful disposition and adorable looks. Luckily, the coat is hypoallergenic and sheds minimally.
It makes Bichons well-suited for allergy sufferers as well as fastidious owners who love dogs but want to keep their homes clean. This low-shedding dog breed needs regular brushing, at least two to three times a week, to keep looking beautiful.
The coat needs to be clipped or bathed at least once a month. Also, consider taking your Bichon for professional grooming every few months. Bichons are bright and exuberant canines who love their owners and have an eager-to-please nature.
2. Poodle
Poodles are highly intelligent dogs with bundles of energy. Having a friendly and loyal nature, Poodles make great companions for families. Their brain power, combined with their hypoallergenic coats make them one of the most loved canines.
All three Poodle varieties shed minimally and are a great choice for allergy sufferers. PetPlan mentions that their naturally curly coat is quite thick and feels like lamb’s wool. It needs a lot of grooming and should be brushed every day to prevent tangles and mats.
Professional grooming every four to eight weeks is also recommended. You can also clip your Poodle’s hair into a shorter ‘puppy cut’ for easier maintenance. Poodles are gentle with children and other pets.
Tip: Introduce your Poodle puppy to combs, grooming clippers, and shears early to make a lifetime of grooming more enjoyable.
3. Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzer is a bright, friendly, and trainable dog that often brings a ton of personality to the party. Their wiry double coat makes them look like an old man, but they certainly don’t act like one. Mini Schnauzers are playful and energetic, and love to run.
Cherry on top, they do not leave much dead hair behind. This low-shedding dog breed is considered hypoallergenic, so makes a good choice for individuals prone to allergies. The hair requires regular grooming to stay free from mats and tangles.
Their distinctive eyebrows and beard may need a little more attention than the rest of the coat. The American Kennel Club describes them as friendly, smart, and obedient dogs. Minis are sturdy little doggos and enjoy vigorous play.
4. Chinese Crested
Chinese Crested Dogs come in two coat varieties: hairless and powderpuff. Both of them are low-shedding dogs. The hairless version has hair mainly growing on their head, feet, and ankles, whereas the powderpuff version has a long and silky coat that covers their entire body.
Powderpuff variety is relatively less common. Although hairless Chinese Crested do not have fur, they still require grooming as they are prone to skin irritation and sunburn. Applying sunscreen before taking your dog out is beneficial for them.
Despite their unusual appearance, Chinese Crested dogs have sweet and affectionate personalities, due to which they make excellent family pets. These tiny athletes are highly trainable and excel in various activities, including obedience, tracking, rally, agility, and scent work.
5. Havanese
Havanese dogs are loved for their sweet faces and upbeat personalities. Their silky, long coat may be straight or wavy and is prone to minimal shedding. The Havanese is an ideal dog for fastidious pet parents looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
Well-suited for allergy sufferers, Havanese dogs need extensive grooming to keep their coat free from mats and tangles. This low-shedding dog breed requires daily brushing to keep the coat in top-notch condition. It also requires trimming every six to eight weeks.
You can pull your Havanese’s hair up into a cute ponytail or clip them short for relatively easier maintenance. According to PetMD, this small dog breed is smart, spirited, and highly trainable. They bond quickly with their humans and do not like being left alone.
6. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a sweet, loyal, and loving companion that makes a perfect lap dog. Their soft and curly coats do not shed much and are hypoallergenic. It makes them ideal for fastidious owners and people prone to allergies.
Their double coats comprise two layers: a soft and dense undercoat and a long and silky top coat. This low-shedding breed needs lots of regular grooming to remove dead hair and prevent tangles. Daily brushing helps prevent mats and tangles.
Also, bathe your Shih Tzu every few weeks to keep its coat clean and tidy. Shih Tzus are people-oriented dogs, having a playful nature. They need moderate exercise, including short walks and indoor play sessions every day, to stay fit.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are long-lived and hypoallergenic dogs who produce very little pet hair. Their long, silky, and luxurious coats make them look incredibly cute. Having the spirit of a true terrier, Yorkies are feisty little creatures who make excellent lap dogs.
This low-shedding dog breed needs frequent baths and regular grooming to stay in top-notch condition. The coat can also be trimmed to make it relatively easier to maintain. To be very precise, their coats look like human hair and need similar care.
Yorkies were originally bred as rat hunters and are quite energetic. They have a brave and bossy temperament. However, Yorkies are friendly and affectionate with everyone, including kids, other pets, and even strangers.
8. Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a smart and affectionate toy dog breed that can adapt well to small spaces due to its petite size. These canine comedians of aristocratic bearing are famous for their floor-length, flat-hanging coats, parting in the middle, and draping each side of their bodies.
Their flowing locks are surprisingly low-shedding and hypoallergenic. The double coat needs regular grooming to stay free from mats and tangles. You can also clip their hair short, but Lhasas with short coats should also be groomed regularly.
Expect to bathe your dog’s coat at least every two weeks. Freshly bathed Lhasa should be thoroughly dried and brushed, as damp hair, even when clean, can mat. Lhasa Apso make ideal pet for people who like clean homes or live in apartments.
9. Maltese
Maltese dogs are affectionate little pooches with long, silky, white hair. These loving dogs are full of personality and look like a small cloud walking on the ground. Like other breeds on our list, Maltese also require frequent grooming and regular brushing to prevent tangles.
Malteses also need regular baths to keep their coats healthy and clean. This low-shedding breed is also hypoallergenic. These small white dogs love to be the center of attention and do not like being separated from their owners.
Maltese can develop separation anxiety when neglected for too long. They are very playful but need only minimal exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Malteses are the happiest when curled up in their owners’ laps.
They make excellent pets for apartment dwellers. However, they are difficult to housebreak and are finicky eaters.
Conclusion
Several adorable dog breeds shed minimally and are ideal for clean homes. Low-shedding dogs do not produce much dander and are therefore well-suited for fastidious owners. Many of them tend to be hypoallergenic, which means they produce fewer allergens.
Most of them have beautiful and flowing long coats that require regular grooming and frequent brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Such dogs also need professional grooming. Their coats can be clipped short to make grooming relatively easy.
Like other dog breeds, they are also incredibly loyal and affectionate to their owners. Remember, low-shedding dogs can greatly vary in size and temperament.
