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10 Dog Breeds That Hardly Shed At All

By: Scott H
Scott Haiduc is the Director of Publishing for iHeartDogs, iHeartCats and The Hero Company. When not working, Scott spends his time on the farm, taking care of his animals and crops.Read more
| April 29, 2015

All dogs shed. That’s something every potential dog owner needs to understand before they start getting fooled by people telling them that they won’t find a single hair anywhere in the house except on their dog. That said, there are certain breeds that shed very little, especially when regularly groomed. It’s understandable that not everyone wants to deal with the amount of hair they’d have to vacuum with a German Shepherd or Great Pyrenees. So if you’re looking for a dog with minimal shedding, check out this list below.

#1 – Bichon Frise

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The Bichon Frise is a small dog and is known for being a very cheerful breed. They make excellent family companions and they enjoy accompanying their owners on outings. They do require regular grooming but doing so leads to very little shedding.

#2 – Chinese Crested

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Both varieties of the Chinese Crested, the hairless and powderpuff (without fur and with fur), are very minimal shedders. The hairless dogs do typically have some hair on them, although the amount varies. Both need regular grooming but shed very little. They are active and intelligent dogs that excel in a number of dog sports. 

#3 – Maltese

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The Maltese has a long history of being a companion and lapdog, something it still excels at today. They are very social and playful dogs that enjoy spending time with their owners and do not do well when left alone for extended periods. The breed has no undercoat and although it needs regular grooming, they very rarely shed.

#4 – Löwchen

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Photo credit: By Ainos (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

The Löwchen, or Little Lion Dog as it’s sometimes called due to its haircut, is a small German breed that is active and playful. They do well in a variety of dog sports despite their rarity. Their long, flowing coats do need regular grooming but they are considered a non-shedding breed.

#5 – Poodle

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All varieties of the Poodle – Toy, Miniature and Standard – are considered hypoallergenic dog breeds because of their lack of shedding. The were originally bred for retrieving game in water and are very intelligent dogs that are easy to train in almost any venue. Their coats need regular grooming, but they are minimal shedders. 

#6 – Portuguese Water Dog

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Photo credit: “Portuguese water dog Chatfield State Park” by Tom Auclair. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a water retrieving dog with a single layered, non-shedding coat. They are considered hypoallergenic because of this trait. They need regular grooming but shed very little regardless of the style. PWDs are very active, intelligent dogs that make excellent companions and dog sport competitors.

#7 – Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

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The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized Irish terrier used as an all-purpose farm dog; herding, guarding livestock and eradicating vermin. They have a Poodle-like coat that continues to grow, so regular grooming is a must. That said, they shed very little. They are playful, social dogs that make great companions. 

#8 – Schnauzer

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The Miniature, Standard and Giant Schnauzer are all considered to be non-shedding dogs. Their coats do need regular grooming, but is easy to maintain. They are a terrier-type dog with a bold personality and are very active and intelligent. They make great companions and do well in various dog sports. 

#9 – Xoloitzcuintli

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Photo credit: “Hairless and coated half”. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Xoloitzcuintli, or Mexican Hairless Dog, is a hairless breed of dog that does not shed. Both the hairless and coated varieties of the breed are considered to be non-shedding. They are a very ancient breed with a primitive temperament, making them less suitable for a novice owner.

#10 – Bouvier des Flandres

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Photo credit: “Bouvier” by Basco at nl.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Bouvier is a very large herding dog from Belgium, with a history in police and military work as well. While they do still shed, regular grooming and brushing will keep the shedding to a minimum, resulting in the breed still being considered non-shedding. They are gentle and protective dogs by nature and not recommended for the first-time owner.

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