Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed A Lot

This guide‌ helps identify dog breeds that won’t leave your apartment covered in hair, focusing on the specific⁣ grooming​ needs and personality traits of each⁣ breed to ‌help you make the best choice for a furry friend that fits your lifestyle.

A dog is man’s best friend and the pet preferred by most people, especially children. However, many dog lovers give up the idea of having one in their apartment because many dog breeds shed easily and leave a lot of hair everywhere. However, if you really like dogs and you really want to keep one in your house, the good news is that there are several breeds of dogs that do not leave too much hair. Keep reading and find out which are those!

Why do dogs leave hair?

Shedding is a natural process through which dogs replace dead hair with new one. Some dog breeds shed seasonally, once or twice a year, while others shed throughout the year. Generally, hair falls out in the spring to leave the dog with a lighter coat, suitable for the warm period, and in autumn, to make room for a thicker coat, suitable for cold weather.

Theoretically, all dogs shed, but there are some breeds of dogs that do not lose their hair or keep it in their fur, forming lumps that you can take when you brush them. Below are some dog breeds that do not shed a lot, even though they need to be groomed and brushed regularly.

Dog breeds that leave very little hair or no hair at all

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The best-known dog breeds that do not leave hair are poodle, terrier, and bichon, but there are others that you will find below.

1. Poodle (Mini, Standard, or Toy)

Also known as Caniche, poodle dogs are among the most popular pets. Smart and very active, poodles are easy to train and are very devoted to their owners. They are especially appreciated for the fact that they do not leave hair, but their coat requires a lot of care. They should be brushed at least once a week.

2. Schnauzer (Miniature or Standard)

Schnauzers are very intelligent, have very high energy, and are ideal as guard dogs. They are very loyal, and this important feature has led to their popularity as pets. Schnauzers are a low-shedding breed of dogs and are also hypoallergenic.

3. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu is a small, strong, intelligent, cheerful, and gentle dog. He is active and alert, stubborn and independent, but also very sociable with everyone. He is affectionate and devoted to his owner, sociable with children, but cautious with strangers. His coat needs to be brushed daily, otherwise, it gets tangled up. In this breed, the eyes are very sensitive and must be kept clean at all times.

4. Chinese Crested

The Chinese crested dog can be with hair or without hair. The hairless one does not shed at all, of course, and the ones with hair will lose around the house very little to no hair. These dogs have moderate activity levels and are perfect for being raised in the apartment. Those without hair are very sensitive to low temperatures, need clothes, and at high temperatures need sunscreen.

5. Bichon Maltese

These dogs are very intelligent, lively, and affectionate. They love to sit in the arms of their owners, to be caressed and spoiled. Although they are hypoallergenic dogs and do not lose hair at all if groomed properly, their silky coat requires a lot of attention and care. He treats children well, but he should not be allowed to feel he is the alfa, because he can become aggressive, and possessive and will bark obsessively.

6. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a breed of dogs with ancient origins. They are small in size, have a fluffy appearance, and are very affectionate and devoted to their owner. It is social, easy to train, quickly adapts to the owner’s lifestyle and living conditions, and gets along well with children. Although it does not shed, the coat should be brushed daily, trimmed, and washed regularly. It is necessary to cut the excess hair between the cushions of the feet and ears.

7. Bichon Havanese

Very cheerful and playful, these dogs can easily make friends and get along very well with children. They are sociable, have a moderate level of activity, and like to please their owners. They do not lose much hair and are suitable for growing in the apartment. When they shed, the outer coat catches the hair and you can easily brush it.

8. Brussels Griffon

This is another beloved dog breed that does not lose hair. These small dogs are calm, eager to learn, cheerful, and playful, which makes them perfect companions for children. Their coat is a little rough and should be trimmed manually at regular intervals. The mustache, beard, and the rest of the hair on the face should be left to grow on its own but should be cleaned of food debris and brushed so that it does not get tangled. They are good for the apartment because they have a moderate level of activity. However, they need longer occasional walks and socialization.

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Although they have small waists, these dogs are very brave and determined. They are cheerful, vigilant, and tireless barking to announce that there is a stranger at the door or if there is any danger. They can get along well with children and quickly adapt to their master’s lifestyle. They do not shed, but their fur should be brushed daily. If they are trimmed, in winter they should be protected with a thick coat because they suffer from the cold. They are excellent for the apartment and need a lot of love and affection.

10. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

These dogs are cheerful and energetic, intelligent and agile. They are very friendly and protect their owners. They are known as farm dogs and very good rat hunters. Their coat is silky, slightly curled, and needs to be groomed several times a week to keep it clean, shiny, and smooth, but the advantage is that their hair does not fall out.

11. Kerry Blue Terrier

These dogs are very athletic and fun-loving. They need a lot of activity and need to be trained and taken out for walks every day. Very cheerful, and their behavior arouses smiles many times. They are stubborn, which is why they need a firm owner. If he is not socialized early, he can become aggressive toward other dogs. He is usually silent and does not bark for no reason. He does not lose hair but must be combed and brushed at least once a week to avoid tangling. The head, ears, neck, and abdomen can be cut with clippers but the coat is done with scissors.

12. American Hairless terrier

American hairless terriers are agile, active, and have very developed muscles. They are sociable and friendly, but they can also be very territorial. They are good guard dogs because they bark to alert the family of visitors and unusual sounds. The skin should be protected from heat and cold, namely with sunscreen in summer and dressed in a sweater in winter. They don’t shed but they can create skin dander.

13. Tibetan Terrier

These dogs are gentle, lively, and sociable. They can be great for the family because they are very loyal and affectionate. Even if it is a breed that does not shed, you must brush and comb them at least every two days so that their long, thick coat does not get tangled.

14. Cairn Terrier

This breed of dog that does not leave hair is small or medium in size. They are famous for not requiring much care, as they are double coated but you won’t see full hands of fur coming out. They are affectionate and very suitable for a family. They treat children very well; they are very independent and require gentle but firm training.

15. Scottish Terrier

They are probably the oldest breed in Scotland and the foundation of all terrier breeds today. They are hunting dogs, fearless, loyal, and sometimes clowns. They need to be trained well because they tend to take over the command. Their fur requires minimal care, they need to be brushed and trimmed regularly if you want to keep their coat clean and beautiful.

16. West Highland White Terrier

Resulting of a cross between the cairn and the Scottish terrier, these dogs are easily recognizable due to their white coat. They get along well with older people and children, but they are very noisy. Barking at every noise, they are curious and friendly. Their shedding is insignificantly, but their fur requires washing and brushing weekly, and trimming is recommended every 3 months.

17. Border Terrier

Border Terrier dogs are generally very happy lovers. They are brave, adaptable, and get along well with people, especially children. They have an independent nature, are active, and like to make decisions on their own, so they need training from a young age. They like to hunt rabbits and squirrels but can live well with other pets if they are carefully introduced into the family. Their coat is short and thick, and they do not slush, but they should be brushed regularly, at least a few times a week, and it’s indicated to take him for professional grooming two times a year.

18. Australian Terrier

They are very sociable and enjoy contact with people. It is not aggressive, but if provoked by another dog it will defend its territory with great courage. He doesn’t bark very often unless he thinks it’s necessary. They have a cold-resistant coat, but they must be brushed and combed at least a few times a week to keep it shiny. The ears should also be checked to make sure that the hair does not block their hearing channels.

19. Affenpinscher

Also known as dogs with monkey-like fur, they are funny, but they can also be mean. They are smart, but they have a proud attitude and can be very stubborn. They are very active, and their hard, rough coat gets tangled up in places and naturally has a rather untidy appearance. Weekly brushing is enough for these dogs.

20. Chinese Shar-Pei

These dogs are easily recognizable by their deep-wrinkled skin and blue tongue. They are independent dogs and have a strong will, so you always have to show them who is the boss in the house. They don’t need a lot of physical activity, but they train very hard because they don’t like to be told what to do.

They are very clean and do not require much care. They shed little or not at all, but they should be brushed very well once a week and do not need washing very often because it could irritate the skin between wrinkles when it is not well dried.

21. Portuguese Water dog

These are very balanced and obedient dogs. They are good watchmen because they are very loyal, attentive, and bold. They train easily because they learn very quickly and even if they are sometimes very stubborn. They are very active and need at least an hour of activity a day. Their fur requires regular care. They have two types of coats; one is formed from compact curls, and the other one is wavy. Their coat is non-allergenic, non-shedding, and waterproof.

22. Labradoodle

Labradoodle is a cross between two of the most beloved dog breeds, a Labrador Retriever and a standard or miniature Poodle. The Labradoodle is not an approved breed of dog, but it could become one in the future as the popularity of this puppy is growing. Labradoodle dogs are friendly, active, and very good as pets. They are hypoallergenic, as they do not leave much hair, but there can be a lot of variations between them because they are a new breed. Grooming a labradoodle depends on the type and length of the fur. It is also important to choose a dog that is a second-generation mix (his mother and father are both Labradoodles) and ask if his parents lose much hair or not. Even so, keep in mind that there may be exceptions to the rule, especially since it is a new breed of dog.

23. Basenji

Basenji is a hunting dog native to Central Africa. It is medium-sized, slim, agile, and quite strong. Smart, lively, and alert, Basenji is quite independent and easily stubborn. They do not lose a lot of hair, just seasonal ones. Having such a short coat is very easy to groom it. Basenji train hard enough and are not ideal dogs if you have children.

Although the mentioned breeds do not shed or have a low-shedding level, it can happen that in the case of poor health, the dog’s fur will suffer, following its fall. Dogs with nutritional problems, parasitic infections, allergies, or chronic diseases are more likely to suffer than normal.

How do we reduce the shedding?

Although it is almost impossible to avoid hair loss, you can easily do certain things that will help your dog stop losing a lot of hair.

Brush your dog every day or at least a few times a week. Be sure to brush it all along his body to remove dead hair that could lead to lumping.

Bathe your dog 2 times a month. Baths help to better circulate air on the scalp and allow you to remove dead hair.

If your dog is not afraid of the vacuum cleaner, you might try to vacuum it a little. Some dogs really like this.

If you have a dog with a longer coat, consider regularly trimming to keep the coat smooth.

You can own any of these dog breeds and enjoy their company without having to worry about allergies or hair on the carpet and sofa.

Veterinarians recommend that those who live in the apartment find a pet friend of small size and short fur, while those who have a house, and where the space in the yard allows them, choose a medium or a large dog, so he can enjoy freedom.

When choosing a dog for you and your family, it is important to think not only about the amount of hair they leave, but also about other aspects such as breed characteristics, how active they are, how friendly they are to children, and others. It is recommended to take extreme precautions especially if you have a child in the house. In this case, you need to set clear rules for the child and dog so that there are no unwanted accidents.