Every dog owner is stressed about this thing.
Shedding.
You know… finding dog hair on your couch, your clothes, your food, and even in places you had no idea existed.
It is like one minute you are petting your puppy, and the next minute, you are covered in enough fur to build a whole new dog.
But not all dogs shed like that. There are some dog breeds that don’t shed much and are easy to maintain. They are kind of a surreal dog for people who love dogs but don’t love the cleanup that comes with shedding dogs.
Today, we will talk about seven such dog breeds that barely shed. The dogs with low shedding coats, minimal grooming, and a whole lot of personality packed into fur-free (well, mostly fur-free) packages.
Dog Breeds That Barely Shed and Are Easy to Maintain
1. Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier has one of the most unique looks in the dog world. Seriously. They look like a cross between a lamb and a Poodle with a soft and curly coat that is absolutely stunning.
“Graceful Terriers in sheep’s disguise”, as noted by the American Kennel Club.
But the thing is, these dogs barely shed.
Bedlington Terriers have a low-shedding coat that does NOT drop dead hair all over your floor. Their curly coat grows continuously like human hair, and it means loose hair stays trapped in curls instead of falling everywhere.
That’s why this hypoallergenic dog quality makes them great for allergy sufferers and people who don’t want to deal with constant vacuuming.
They do need regular grooming to keep their coats healthy and prevent matting.
Professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks is ideal. Along with occasional brushing at home to prevent tangles. But compared to most dogs, they are actually pretty low-maintenance dog breeds.
Bedlington Terriers are active and playful, and they need regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Daily walks, indoor play, and some dog sports like agility training keep them happy. They are smart, loyal, and have a big personality that makes them excellent house pets, or “sweet-natured pets”, as per PDSA.
2. Basenji
Basenji, the barkless dog. A dog that feels too good to be true.
They barely shed, they groom themselves like cats, and they don’t have that typical doggy odor most dogs have. Seriously, they are ridiculously clean animals.
A member of the Hound dog group, Basenjis have a smooth coat that sheds minimally.
Unlike shedding dogs that leave hair everywhere, Basenjis drop very little loose hair. Their coat is easy to maintain, just occasional brushing with a soft brush or a damp cloth to remove any dead hair, and they are good to go.
Because they are so clean and produce minimal dander, they are a good match for allergy sufferers.
Though it is worth noting that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic since all dogs produce dander to some degree.
Basenjis are independent, intelligent, and sometimes a little stubborn dogs. They need regular exercise to stay happy: daily walks and playtime are important.
They are also curious and enjoy mental stimulation, like puzzle toys and training sessions.
Basenjis can be vocal in their own way (hello, Baroo!), and they are not the perfect lap dogs. They are more independent and active.
But if you want a low-shedding dog breed and a low-maintenance pet with a sleek appearance, Basenjis are hard to beat.
3. Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli (say that five times fast) is one of the most unique and oldest dog breeds (5,000 years old). And because most of them are hairless, they don’t shed at all. Yeah.
The breed, short for “Xolo,” comes in both coated and hairless varieties. The hairless breed is obviously the ultimate low-shedding dog breed option. No hair means no shedding. Simple math.
The grooming needs of the hairless dog breeds are different from those of other breeds.
Instead of brushing, you will need to keep their skin clean and moisturized. Regular baths, occasional wipes with a damp cloth, and some sunscreen if they are outside for long periods.
Their skin can be sensitive, so gentle care is important to prevent skin irritations.
Their coated variety has a short coat that sheds minimally and requires only occasional brushing to keep the coat clean and healthy.
Xoloitzcuintli are calm and loyal dogs, incredibly bonded to their families.
They are not overly energetic, so moderate exercise like daily walks is enough. They are great for people who want a unique and low-maintenance dog that does NOT leave hair all over the house.
4. Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese Water Dogs have been getting a lot of attention (thanks, Obama family!).
They are smart, active, and have a hypoallergenic coat that barely sheds. Portuguese Water Dogs have a curly or wavy coat that does not shed much.
Like other low-shedding breeds, their hair grows continuously, which means loose hair gets trapped in the curls instead of falling out.
This makes these water dogs great for people who don’t want dog hair covering everything.
They do need regular grooming to keep their coat healthy and prevent tangles. Professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks is a MUST, along with regular brushing at home (a slicker brush works great), and it will keep their coat types healthy and tangle-free.
Portuguese Water Dogs are active and energetic, so they are perfect for active families who enjoy outdoor adventures.
They love water (it’s literally in their names), so swimming, fetch, and other physical activities are right up their alley.
Mental stimulation is important, too. Training sessions, dog sports, and interactive games keep their minds sharp.
5. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is another hairless breed that is perfect for people who want one of the small dog breeds that do not shed.
As noted by PetMD, they come in two varieties: hairless and “powderpuff” (which has a full coat).
Both are low shedding, but the hairless variety is obviously the winner in the no-shed department.
The hairless Chinese Crested has smooth skin with tufts of silky hair on its head, feet, and tail. Because they don’t have much hair, they don’t shed much.
Their grooming routine has you keeping their skin clean and healthy with regular baths and moisturizing. Sunscreen is also important if they are spending time outdoors.
The powderpuff variety has a long and silky coat that has minimal shedding. They need regular grooming tips, daily brushing, and bathing to prevent matting and tangles.
But, other than most breeds, they are still a pretty low-maintenance dog breed.
Chinese Crested dogs are loving and are known as perfect lap dogs. They don’t need that much exercise, just daily walks and some indoor play.
They are also perfect for apartment living as they are small, quiet, and don’t need a lot of space.
6. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise looks like a fluffy cloud, and you’d think all that fluff means tons of shedding.
But NOPE! They are actually one of the best low-shedding dog breeds. They have a curly coat, a hypoallergenic one, that traps their loose hair instead of letting it fall everywhere.
That’s why they are great for allergy sufferers and people who do not want to deal with constant dog hair cleanup.
They do need regular brushing and grooming tips to keep their double coat healthy and clean. Professional grooming every 6-8 weeks + daily brushing at home.
It is a bit more effort than some low-maintenance dog breeds, but many owners find it totally worth it.
Bichon Frise are loving, friendly, and love being around people. They are great house pets and get along with other pets, kids, and pretty much everyone.
That cheerful personality (better than larger dogs) and low-shedding coat make them an ideal dog for people who want a fluffy companion without the shedding nightmare.
7. Maltese
The Maltese is a classic small dog breed famous for its long, silky hair and stunning appearance.
And despite all that beautiful, long hair, they barely shed.
Maltese dogs have a single-layer coat (no double coat here) that grows like human hair. Because of this, they don’t shed much. Loose hair stays in the coat instead of falling out.
They do need regular grooming and occasional baths to keep their silky coats healthy and tangle-free.
Daily brushing is important to prevent matting, and many owners opt for professional grooming every other week to keep their coats clean and manageable. Some people keep their Maltese’s hair short for easier maintenance, which works great for busy owners.
This small white dog is affectionate, gentle, and make perfect lap dog. They are loving companions who bond deeply with their families. They don’t need exercise; daily walks and some indoor play are all they want.
If you want a low-shedding dog with an elegant look and a sweet personality, the Maltese is hard to beat.
Conclusion
Not all dogs cover your life in hair.
These dog breeds that barely shed and are easy to maintain prove that you can have a loyal and loving dog without dealing with endless vacuuming and lint rollers.
Be it the sleek Basenji or fluffy Bichon Frise, Mini Poodles or Standard Poodles, Shih Tzu or Yorkshire Terrier, different breeds offer something different.
Small dogs, larger dogs, active breeds, or perfect lap dogs, there is a low-shedding dog for everyone.
Some of these need regular grooming, some of these twice weekly brushing only, but compared to shedding dogs that leave hair everywhere, it is a small trade-off.
Right grooming tools, a good routine, high-quality food, and maybe some professional grooming here and there… and these dogs make life so much easier.
And a whole lot less hairy.
