Looking for a companion but don’t want to deal with excessive grooming? Maybe you have allergies and want a dog but not all the excess hair that goes everywhere? Truthfully, all dogs shed. But some certainly shed more than others. We’ve put together helpful list of the dog breeds that shed the least for those of you that are curious. Keep in mind that these are not hypoallergenic breeds, just breeds with minimal shedding.
#1 – Bichon Frise
A favorite for many, the Bichon has a long coat that requires constant grooming. Routine grooming keeps their soft, curly coats looking nice, and you won’t be seeing traces of it all over your home.
#2 – Brussels Griffon
There are two varieties of the Brussels Griffon: the smooth and the rough coat. The smooth coated dogs do have a double-layer coat that sheds constantly, “blowing” their coats twice a year. The rough coated dogs, however, are not regular shedders as this type of coat simply loses it’s hair only during regular grooming, instead of all over your furniture.
#3 – Chinese Crested Dog
There are also two varieties of the Chinese Crested Dog; those with a coat and those mostly without. While the coated dogs do have quite a bit of hair, they are not heavy shedders just like their hairless counterparts. Regular grooming is required for the coated dogs, and special care must be taken to protect the skin of the hairless ones. But overall, both are great options for someone looking for a low-shedding breed.
#4 – Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are one of the most low-maintenance breeds there are, with minimal shedding and little to no grooming required at all. They have very short coats and sometimes need sweaters to be kept warm during the colder months!
#5 – Komondor
This unique breed might look like a heavy shedder, but in fact they are one of the dog breeds that shed the least. Puppies are born with soft coats that start to curl, eventually turning into thick tassels and cords at around two years of age. Komondors sport this special coat to protect them from wolf bites, as they were originally bred and used as livestock guardians in Hungary.
#6 – Löwchen
The Löwchen, or Little Lion in German, has a long, flowing coat. This might look intimidating to someone looking for a minimal shedder, but Löwchens are actually considered to be one of the hypoallergenic breeds. They are often seen with a lion cut, meaning the hair is kept shorter on the haunches and legs, leaving only the long hair around the ankles, head and neck, and tail.
#7 – Poodle
Poodles have a single-layer coat (unlike most double-coated breeds) that sheds very little. In fact, Poodles have been used to help create a number of hypoallergenic breeds because of their low allergenic qualities. Whether you’re looking for a small dog or a large companion, all varieties of Poodle are minimal shedders.
#8 – Portuguese Water Dog
This breed was former President Obama’s choice as he was looking for a dog that was somewhat hypoallergenic. Although their long coats will grow indefinitely if not groomed, they shed very little and are relatively easy keepers. They often sport the lion cut you’ll see in Löwchens.
#9 – Xoloitzcuintli
The what-now?! The Xoloitzcuintli, pronounced “show-low-eets-kweent-lee,” is also commonly known as the Mexican Hairless Dog. Despite it’s name, there is a coated variety of this breed. However, both are very minimal shedders that require little to no grooming at all. The hairless dogs have very soft skin that only needs to be oiled once every so often, and the coated dogs really don’t need anything more than an occasional bath. Both are a great option for someone looking for a low maintenance breed.
#10 – Yorkshire Terrier
Another favorite among many, the Yorkshire Terrier is a very minimal shedder despite it’s constantly growing coat. Although these long coats do require regular grooming, the dogs shed very little and can be comfortable with both a long, show coat or a short puppy cut. This popular dog is highly praised for its love of being the ultimate little lap dog.
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