By Richard Gray
‘What dogs don’t shed?’ is actually a straightforward question to answer. The answer is…they all do to some extent! But, some breeds shed a lot less than others. Here I have compiled a list of 37 low shedding breeds.
Whether your main concern is keeping dog hair at bay in your home (and not having to continually vacuum the place) or you are worried about allergens that come from dog hair, you’ll want to read on in this post.
To begin with, I’d like to tell you a little about my own experience. When I was a young boy, my family had a much-loved Labrador. Unfortunately, I developed skin allergies and breathing problems around this time.
At a later time, our family visited my Aunt for an extended visit. My Aunt owned a Miniature Schnauzer. I found that my allergies disappeared around this small, little shedding and minimal licking dog.
As you read on, you will see the Miniature Schnauzer is considered ‘hypoallergenic’. This word means ‘causes fewer allergic reactions’. [1]
What causes the allergic reaction is not actually the shedding. It is the dead skin cells covered in proteins from the dog’s saliva and urine.
The dead skin cells, known as dander, are often attached to the hair of the dog and exposed to the sufferer when shedding happens.[2]
When researching this post, I found much of the information online did not clarify key points about the lowest shedding breeds. To fix this I ordered the information for you according to the levels of:
- shedding and dander
- drool and saliva secretion
- grooming information
Also, this post is organized by small, medium, and large breeds.
As a general rule small breeds are the lowest shedding dogs and the most hypoallergenic.
Here are the 37 low shedding breeds.
#1. Bichon Frise
#2. Scottish Terrier
#3. Chinese Crested
#4. Affenpinscher
#5. Coton de Tulear
#6. Brussels Griffon
#7. Yorkshire Terrier
#8. Shih Tzu
#9. Havanese
#10. Cairn Terrier
#11. Basenji
#12. Bolognese
#13. Lhasa Apso
#14. Maltese
#15. Miniature Schnauzer
#16. West Highland Terrier
#17. Xoloitzcuintli
#18. Bedlington Terrier
#19. Border Terrier
#20. Australian Silky Terrier
#21. Biewer Terrier
#22. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
#23. Poodles
#24. Portuguese Water Dog
#25. Barbet
#26. Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
#27. Lakeland Terrier
#28. Lagotto Romagnolo
#29. Kerry Blue Terrier
#30. Irish Terrier
#31. Tibetan Terrier
#32. Schnauzer
#33. Afghan Hound
#34. Airedale Terrier
#35. Bouvier Des Flandres
#36. Irish Water Spaniel
#37. Labradoodle
Keep reading to find out more.
Low Shedding Small Breeds
#1. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise has a low allergen coat and produces little dander. The coat will always grow but it won’t shed as long as it is groomed regularly. They have two coats which consist of plush curly hair on their outer coat and soft hair on the undercoat. They shed a minimal amount because the shed hair is often entwined in their lower coat. Their amount of drool is low.
You will need to groom this breed regularly to avoid potentially painful matting in their fur. It is necessary to bathe and clip them every 4-6 weeks.
A bonus with the Bichon is they don’t give off a doggy smell.
#2. Scottish Terrier
Like the Bichon, this breed’s dander level is minimal if maintained with regular bathing and grooming. ‘Scotties’ won’t shed if brushed often. They don’t tend to drool.
They have a long wiry outer coat around the face and over the body. Their undercoat is soft and full. They are as close to hypoallergenic as can be, so they are good news for the allergy sufferer.
#3. Chinese Crested
They are known as the hairless dog. There are actually two varieties. The hairless kind has hair only on their head, tail and feet. The powder-puff variation has a short double coat over the entire body and sheds seasonally.
Great news is both varieties shed minimally and are considered a good match for allergy sufferers.
Yes, the hairless variety has a lot of exposed skin, and dander is in fact dead skin cells. But dander is mostly spread around the house when it sticks to the shedding hair of a dog.
They have a low drool level.There is no doggy odor with this breed.
#4. Affenpinscher
Their longer outer coats tend to stay put, though you’ll have to brush them regularly to avoid matting. These wire-coated dogs aren’t among the small dogs that don’t shed at all. However, they shed their undercoats only minimally and, for the most part, seasonally. The dander stays in the lower coat. The slaver level is minimal.
Plus, their toy size—they weigh less than 10 pounds—means they have less hair to shed on the whole. As an added bonus, these pooches have a reputation for being some of the least doggy-smelling breeds out there.
#5. Coton de Tulear
Its fluffy white coat may appear dense but it is an extremely low shedder and therefore its dander level is also very low. Also, in its favor for allergy sufferers, the Coton does not really drool, so saliva related triggers are not a problem either.
With the long coat, you’ll need to brush him every day otherwise there will soon be matting in his coat. Bathing him once a month will keep him smelling fresh.
#6. Brussels Griffon
There are two options of coat for this breed: wiry and smooth.
Both types shed very little but the wiry coat sheds very little to almost nothing.
So the dander level is very low.
Like the Coton, they’re not in the habit of drooling, so the saliva level is low.
They do like to lick you, especially in greeting to show affection.
#7. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies have one single layer of wiry hair. They are small dogs considered non-shedding and produce little dander. They are also considered low droolers so the proteins that cause an allergic reaction in dog saliva are not an issue.[3]
They need daily grooming and they need regular trimming of their long hair. It is important to keep the hair in their pads short to prevent them having difficulty walking.
#8. Shih Tzu
This breed hardly shed at all. Their coat grows continually and they need trimming every 6 weeks. Daily brushing is needed.
Dander level is low and what little gets caught in the coat can be brushed out. Also, the Shih Tzu has a low drool tendency Many owners say they have had no allergic reaction at all.
#9. Havanese
The Havanese has a long and silky coat which is sometimes a bit wavy. The coat requires frequent grooming.
They are low shedding with a correspondingly low dander level. They don’t drool very much.
#10. Cairn Terrier
They basically do not shed. The rough coat catches the shedding hair and dander with it, so it won’t go on the carpet, furniture or your clothes.
Stripping their coat is a good idea. You can strip the coat either by pulling out the loose hair by hand or by using a stripping knife (a tool like a steel comb) to pull out the excess hair.
That said, they do have a low shed level and also a low drool level. They are tidy apartment dogs, but their bark level is high. This breed can be difficult with children.
#11. Basenji
The Basenji has a short, sleek, single coat. They like to groom themselves like cats do, and rarely need a bath. They shed only slightly in spring and fall.
They have a low dander level and a low drooling level. On the downside, they are difficult to train and not suited to young children.
#12. Bolognese
A member of the Bichon family, he has a long, fluffy pristine white coat. He is considered a non-shedding dog, with a minimal to low ranking.[4]
His drool and dander level is low. His single coat is like hair, and a tiny amount will fall out.
Daily brushing is recommended to keep on top of any matting that might happen. Regular bathing is also a good idea.
They are good apartment dogs, with moderate exercise needs. They don’t like to be left alone.
#13. Lhasa Apso
Although the Lhasa Apso doesn’t shed much at all, its hair may take some work, mostly shampooing and brushing, along with trips to the groomers.
They are low shedders and low droolers.
They are good with family and children and moderately easy to train. They do bark a lot!
#14. Maltese
If you are past the young-kids stage and looking for a miniature dog that doesn’t shed, a Maltese could be for you.
They have no undercoat, so they have no need to change their coat, even on a seasonal basis.
They have a low dander level and drool level but they can sneeze a lot when they are excited.[5]
#15. Miniature Schnauzer
The Schnauzer is considered the number one as a hypoallergenic breed.
They are considered non-shedding and have very low drool levels. The schnauzer is renowned for producing less dander than other breeds. Its lack of drool also makes it a good choice for the allergy sufferer.
The need to remove unwanted dog hair from around the home can be minimized with this breed.
#16. West Highland Terrier
The coat, which doesn’t shed, is actually a bit hard to the touch. Your pooch will need regular grooming—the American Kennel Club recommends making a trip to the doggy hairdresser every four to six weeks.
They have low dander levels and any dead skin dander and loose hair is caught in their outer coat. Brushing them every few days will remove this.
They have a low level of slobbering and drool.
#17. Xoloitzcuintli
Known as the Mexican hairless dog, their coat requires minimal grooming. Another variant has a soft dense coat. They do need to be bathed and shampooed with a moisturizing shampoo.
They are non-shedding to low shedding with a low dander level and drool level.
#18. Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington has a small amount of dander and the drool level is low.
Their coat has the consistency and look of sheep’s wool. Sheep don’t shed! But all dogs do! The Bedlington is a minimal, minimal shedding dog.
Their coat does grow quickly and needs to be trimmed either monthly or bi-monthly. They need weekly brushing.
Arguably, they are a small breed, the male standing just 16-18 inches and the female a few inches shorter.
#19. Border Terrier
They have a double wiry coat that hardly sheds with proper grooming.
They don’t drool much and their dandruff (dander) level is very low.
They are a bit stubborn, but are actually easily trained and they are good family dogs.
#20. Australian Silky Terrier
Their coat is straight and glossy and resembles human hair. They don’t drool and shed very little hair and leave minimal dander around the place.
They’re a bit larger than the Yorkshire terrier, standing at ten inches tall.
They’re affectionate, and have high energy levels. When out for exercise, they need to be on a leash as they have a strong prey drive.
#21. Biewer Terrier
Good news for allergy sufferers, the Biewer’s dander levels and drool levels are very low.
They have hair, not fur, so they will need a trim, especially to maintain the hair between their pads!
Their coat is long, feels smooth, and is shiny. They shed so little you will hardly notice any hair on your carpets or clothes.[6]
#22. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
They stand at only around ten inches and they hardly shed or drool. Dander levels are low.
The coat is a mix of soft and harder fur. They need to be brushed daily to stop knotting in their coat.
This terrier is typical of the breed – there are independent and intelligent. But they also have a calm nature. Their independent spirit can make them difficult to train. They have a strong chasing instinct, so keeping them on the lead on a recommended half hour walk is a good idea.
They are good family dogs but better with older children.
Low Shedding Medium Breeds
#23. Poodles
Poodles are included here in the medium breeds. This breed comes in different sizes: standard (medium), small toy, and miniature.
All variations are low shedding, have low dander and low drooling levels.
They have a one layered coat of thick curly fur that will grow constantly. This is recommended to be brushed daily to avoid knotting. A good option is to keep the coat in a short trim. Grooming is needed every six weeks either by the owner or a groomer.[7]
#24. Portuguese Water Dog
Like the poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog has a single coat of curly hair (the curls help to trap the dander) that sheds little to nothing. They also drool very little.
Their barking level is very low. They have waterproof coats. They enjoy the outdoors and need a good deal of daily exercise.
#25. Barbet
Another water dog, the Barbet has low shedding levels with minimal dander. They tend not to drool.
This breed has a wavy thick, fast-growing coat that does require grooming at least three times a year. It should be brushed twice a week to remove any loose hair.
They are great with family and kids. They do have high energy levels.
#26. Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
They have a soft, single-layered coat that hardly sheds and emits low dander levels. The drool level is low so very little saliva allergy levels.
The coat needs regular grooming to prevent mats. They need plenty of daily exercise. They are a good family dog.
#27. Lakeland Terrier
They have a thick, wiry double coat that does need lots of maintenance. Brushing at least twice a week is a good idea. But, this coat’s shed level and dander levels are low. They also aren’t droolers or slobberers.
They’re not an ideal dog for apartments. They like a garden or yard to amuse themselves and would be good jogging companions for at least 30 minutes a day.
#28. Lagotto Romagnolo
This ‘water-dog’ has a coat of dense, tight curls that hardly sheds and therefore has low dander levels. They don’t lick or drool much.
Brush once a week or more if they spend a lot of time outdoors to avoid matting, Their coat does need regular trimming.
They are energetic and intelligent dogs and enjoy mental stimulation activities. They are sociable, need company and are very good with kids.
#29. Kerry Blue Terrier
This terrier hardly sheds its coat and loses only a little hair. Correspondingly, the dander levels are low. Their drool level is also low.
The blue coat is wavy and dense but soft. To keep the shedding at a minimum you will have to give some time to brushing him daily and bathing monthly. Then you’ll be rewarded with an almost shed free pouch!
They do like to bark a lot.
#30. Irish Terrier
Very little drool or licking, they hardly shed when they are groomed properly and the dander level is low.
They have two coats, a fine soft hair on the undercoat and a wiry dense short top coat. A weekly brush at least is best. To keep him neat, hand stripping (pulling out by hand, clumps of the soft hair from the undercoat) every six months is needed.
They are loyal dogs, but not easily trainable. They have high energy. They’ll love you and the family, but may fight other dogs.
#31. Tibetan Terrier
They have a long double coat that sheds lightly in the spring and fall. The dander level and drool level are low.
The top coat is rough and wavy. The undercoat is softer and wooly. Keep the coat longer or the top coat won’t catch the shedding undercoat! The breed does need daily brushing and bathing because the long coat does attract dirt and debris.
They are great watchdogs!
#32. Schnauzer
Like its miniature brother, the schnauzer is great for people with allergies. They are almost shed free with their short, wiry coat. What dander they have is caught in this wiry coat and they don’t drool or slobber!
These same near-hypoallergenic qualities extend to the Giant Schnauzer!
Low Shedding Large Breeds
#33. Afghan Hound
There will be some hair loss but this breed will hardly shed at all. They have a coat of long hair and the fallen hair and dead skin of the dander will remain trapped in the coat. They are also low-level droolers.
Their long coat does need some care. You’ll need to brush and comb daily and make sure you don’t miss the tummy and legs or there will be serious knotting! Regular bathing is also needed.
#34. Airedale Terrier
They’re classified as non-shedding, with low dander levels and saliva levels.
Their coat will need some grooming attention. Hand stripping the coat is recommended every three months to remove old hair from their coat. You’ll also need to clip them every few months.
The largest breed in the terrier group, they have moderate to high energy so you’ll have to be on your toes and give them a good walk.
#35. Bouvier Des Flandres
Their shedding levels and dander levels are low.
They have two coats, a shaggy top coat and a thick undercoat. This traps the dead skin remnants of the dander.
Twice weekly brushing is needed, especially in spring and fall to remove trapped hair in their coats. Their drooling level is also minimal, but they do have a ‘beard’ of hair, so a weekly wash and comb can remove any dried saliva here.
#36. Irish Water Spaniel
They don’t drool much, produce much dander and shed little, making them a good match for the allergy sufferer.
The double coat keeps the dander trapped inside the coat. Weekly brushing is needed and trimming of their coat every couple of months is necessary.
This dog loves the water and his outer coat will keep the water at bay. He needs a lot of exercise activities to burn off his physical and mental energy. He’s a good family dog and is friendly with children.
#37. Labradoodle
Here, with the right mix of poodle and labrador you’ll have a dog that sheds little and produces minimal dander and drool.
For this, you’ll want the variety with the poodle wooly coat.
This popular breed is a great match for families. They are affectionate and playful, but easily trained. They bark rarely.
What’s Next?
Finding a low-shedding breed when you or your household may be affected by allergies from shedding, should be a priority. The extra time and effort cleaning caused by excessive moulting may also be an issue in your choice.
Other considerations in choosing a dog may be finding a breed that suits your home life. Check out our guide 23 Best House Dogs for Your Lifestyle and Home
FAQ
What is the #1 hypoallergenic dog?
The labradoodle and bichon frise are two breeds thought to be the tops. They are both often recommended for people who suffer with allergies due to their easy to maintain coats. The wooly poodle coat of the labradoodle may not pick up as many outside allergens as other breeds.
