Finding a dog that sheds little or no hair is important to many owners; It’s no wonder that dog breeds that don’t shed always enjoy great popularity. This is especially true among people who have allergies or who cannot tolerate hairballs in the home.

Looking for the best dog breeds that don’t shed? Here we leave you a list of the small, medium, and large dogs that shed less.

33+ Dog breeds that don’t shed

First of all, it is worth mentioning that all dogs shed. Except for a few breeds of hairless dogs, all others have some degree of shedding. This article focuses on the group of dogs that, due to their characteristics, lose very little or practically none of their coat.

A dog’s hair follicles determine the texture, length, and rate of growth/shedding of its hair. Most low-shedding dogs tend to be shaggy, with a type of hair that grows long.

15 small dog breeds that don’t shed

The most popular non-shedding small dog breeds are:

Affenpinscher
Basenji

Bichon frize
Bolognese bichon
Brussels griffon

Chinese crested
Coton de Tulear
Havanese bichon

Maltese bichon
Lhasa apso
Miniature schnauzer

Miniature poodle
Scottish terrier
Shih Tzu

Yorkshire terrier

Let’s see how much hair they shed, what care they need, and what characterizes each of them…

1. Affenpinscher

Similar in appearance and personality to that of a monkey, the Affenpinscher is a shaggy, toy-sized dog that sheds sparingly, seasonally. In addition, it has almost no odor.

The medium-length, harsh, stiff coat does not require much maintenance. All it takes to keep your hair nice and organized is two weekly brushings (brush + metal comb) and two annual trims.

The Affenpinscher is intelligent, confident, brash, and has a great sense of humor.

Origin: Germany

Breed Type: Pure
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Height: 23-30cm

Weight: 3-4kg
Colors: black, black and tan, beige, red, gray
Hypoallergenic: Yes

2. Basenji

The basenji could be the perfect pet for those looking for a low-shedding dog that doesn’t smell strong and is also small. This breed is distinguished by occasionally shedding very little hair.

Its short, fine coat requires little maintenance; gentle brushing once a week is enough. It also does not have the typical “dog smell”, hence it is hardly necessary to bathe it.

The basenji is well known for its independent and calm temperament. Being a quiet, small dog that hardly sheds, it is considered an ideal breed for apartment living.

Origin: Congo
Breed Type: Pure
Life expectancy: 12-15 years

Height: 41-43cm
Weight: 10-12kg
Colors: black and white, black, white and tan, variegated and white, red and white

Hypoallergenic: No

3. Bichon Frize

The Bichon Frize is one of the small dogs that shed less. Not only does it have almost zero shedding, but it is also hypoallergenic. It is usually a highly appreciated breed among allergy sufferers.

This perfectly white, shaggy pup has hair, not fur; that means that although it does not shed, it does require frequent brushing to avoid tangles.

Likewise, he needs regular baths and trims every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain his nice appearance. Consider that this bichon’s hair grows continuously.

Bichon Frizes are playful, friendly, curious, and sensitive. Their history and origin describe them as a type of charming lap dog, as well as robust and resistant.

Origin: France, Spain
Breed Type: Pure
Life expectancy: 12-15 years

Height: 23-30cm
Weight: 3-5kg
Colors: white, white and apricot, white and cream, white and pale yellow

Hypoallergenic: Yes

4. Bichon Bolognese

A close relative of the Bichon Frize, the Bolognese is another small dog whose fluffy white coat doesn’t shed any fur. It is also considered an ideal breed for owners who are sensitive to allergies.

Of course, it is advisable to brush it regularly, about 2-3 times a week. This is especially important in case you keep it with long hair. Many owners are known to prefer a shorter coat to make bathing and brushing easier.

The Bolognese is devoted, playful, affectionate, and very easy to get along with.

Origin: Italy
Breed Type: Pure

Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Height: 27-30cm
Weight: 2.5-4kg

Colors: pure white
Hypoallergenic: Yes

5. Brussels Griffon

There are two types of Brussels Griffon: the smooth-coated and the rough-coated. Smooth-coated specimens shed a certain amount of hair during the molting season (1 or 2 weeks). At that time it is important to brush regularly. For their part, the rough-coated specimens never shed hair.

In general, this is considered a breed of dog with a low level of shedding.

The Brussels Griffon has an alert, loyal, sensitive, cocky, and inquisitive personality. It is usually better suited to families that are not as active. It is worth clarifying that, unlike other small dogs, this one does not require much pampering from its owner.

Origin: Belgium

Breed Type: Pure
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Height: 18-20cm

Weight: 2.5-5.5kg
Colors: beige, black, black and tan, red
Hypoallergenic: Yes

6. Chinese Crested

What better than a hairless breed to have a dog that does not shed hair? One of the most popular in this group is the Chinese Crested, which while it has fur on its head, tail, and legs, is hairless on the rest of its body. It is a hypoallergenic dog that does not lose hair.

Now, just because it doesn’t have a cape doesn’t mean it’s maintenance-free. The exposed skin of the Chinese Crested is very prone to burns, allergies, acne, and irritation, hence an owner must provide specialized care (hydration, sun protection, lotions, etc.).

It is worth mentioning that there are two varieties within the breed: the Chinese Hairless Crested and the Chinese Haired Crested. The latter features a layer of fine hair, which likewise sheds very little. If you have one of these specimens, daily brushing is recommended.

Did you know…? The coat of the Chinese Crested with hair is different from that of other dogs. Their undercoat is shorter than their outer coat, which is the opposite of what we see in the vast majority of dogs. This makes them easier to brush, but very prone to tangles.

The Chinese Crested is distinguished by being cheerful, playful, alert, affectionate, and friendly.

Origin: China
Breed type: Pure

Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Height: 25-33cm
Weight: 3.2-5.4kg

Colors: apricot, black, blue, chocolate, cream, white, palomino
Hypoallergenic: Yes

7. Coton de Tulear

Small, cheerful, and cute, the Coton de Tulear is a light, seasonal shedder. Their fluffy, long, fluffy coat is considered hypoallergenic. It is the perfect breed for those who want a small dog that does not shed or those who suffer from allergies.

Basic maintenance requires frequent and careful brushing. Consider that if deep brushing is not done, reaching gently down to the skin, the hair in that area can develop mats and end up requiring shaving.

The Coton de Tulear is a dog with an affectionate, playful, intelligent, and carefree nature. He is usually very trainable and lively.

Origin: Madagascar
Breed type: Pure
Life expectancy: 14-16 years

Height: 25-30cm
Weight: 5.5-7kg
Colors: white

Hypoallergenic: Yes

8. Havanese

Hailed as one of the most popular dogs in the world, the Havanese is a rare shed lover. Their silky soft coat, which exhibits a wide variety of colors and markings, requires little maintenance, but daily brushing is recommended to prevent matting and tangles. It should also be bathed with some regularity.

Many owners prefer their Havanese to have short hair so that they can further reduce maintenance time.

This is the quintessential lapdog. He stands out for his affectionate, sensitive, intelligent, funny, sociable, and outgoing temperament.

Origin: Cuba
Breed type: Pure

Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Height: 20-28cm
Weight: 3-6kg

Colors: black, blue, brown, gray, silver, white
Hypoallergenic: Yes

9. Maltese

Another small dog that could not be missing from this list of dog breeds that don’t shed is the Maltese bichon. His long luscious white coat sheds very little, infrequently. But that doesn’t mean it’s low maintenance.

The owner of Maltese will need to brush him daily, gently and thoroughly, making sure to prevent mats and tangles in the layers close to the skin. Also, he should bathe regularly and apply conditioner to keep his coat looking flawless.

Maltese are very gentle, playful, and docile toy dogs. They love to spend time together with their human family.

Origin: Italy, Malta

Breed type: Pure
Life expectancy: 15-18 years
Height: 21-25cm

Weight: 3-4kg
Colors: white
Hypoallergenic: Yes

10. Lhasa apso

Furry, small, and barely shed? The Lhasa Apso is one of the stars in that group. His distinctive long, split-down middle coat exhibits a low level of shedding year-round. However, be warned that it requires a lot of maintenance and is not hypoallergenic.

Experts recommend regular brushing, 2-3 times a week at a minimum. Many owners tend to keep their Lhasa Apso in a puppy cut to avoid the daily brushing of such a long coat.

In addition, it is important to include regular baths in the grooming routine.

These dogs are confident, intelligent, energetic, obedient, and friendly in nature. They are eternal comedians with family, but very aloof with strangers.

Origin: Tibet
Breed type: Pure

Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Height: 25-28cm
Weight: 5.9-6.8kg

Colors: white, black, brown, red, yellow
Hypoallergenic: No

11. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer’s double coat also has the advantage of almost no shedding. Of course, it must be brushed, combed, and trimmed frequently to stay beautiful and healthy. Additionally, it requires a bath once a month, depending on the environment in which the dog lives.

Another benefit of owning a miniature schnauzer is that it is considered hypoallergenic.

These terrier-type dogs are intelligent, sociable, obedient, alert, and fearless. Many recommend it as a family pet, as it gets along well with children and other animals. A mini schnauzer is small enough to adapt well to apartment life.

Origin: Germany

Breed type: Pure
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Height: 35.6cm

Weight: 5-6.8kg
Colors: black, black and silver, salt and pepper
Hypoallergenic: Yes

It may interest you: How many types of Schnauzer are there? Characteristics and Differences

12. Miniature Poodle

Few dogs are as admired as the poodle. Whether toy, mini or standard, the poodle is very popular. Like its siblings, the Miniature Poodle is hypoallergenic and rarely sheds. It is usually a good choice as a pet for allergy sufferers.

Consider that this breed’s dense, delicate coat requires a lot of upkeep, even professional upkeep, especially if the dog show pattern is desired.

As a poodle-owner, you’ll need to learn how to brush your poodle daily to prevent mats from forming near the roots.

Origin: France, Germany
Breed type: Pure

Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Height: 28-38cm
Weight: 7-8kg

Colors: apricot, fawn, black, blue, brown, cream, gray, red, silver, beige-silver, white
Hypoallergenic: Yes

Did you know…? Like other dogs, the poodle does not have fur, but rather hair. The difference is that the fur grows to a certain point and then falls out, but the hair neither falls out nor stops growing.

Poodle hair has features similar to human hair. For example, it is known that it can respond to hormonal changes in the body. Female poodles often experience thinning and/or hair loss after giving birth to their pups.

13. Scottish Terrier

The little Scottish terrier is recognized by his dangling eyebrows and whiskers. This dog has a double-coated coat, with a harsh, wiry outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat.

If you’re a fan of the breed, you’ll be pleased to know that their coat sheds a minimal amount of hair on a seasonal basis. Many say that at that time it is best to remove dead hair by hand. The rest of the time, brushing and styling 2-3 times a week is enough to keep it healthy and tangle-free.

Being a dog originally bred to hunt foxes and badgers, the Scottish terrier exhibits a great personality. He is robust, bold, agile, independent, and confident. The hunting instinct inherited from terriers does not make it a suitable pet for families with other dogs or small animals.

Origin: United Kingdom
Breed type: Pure
Life expectancy: 11-13 years

Height: 25-28cm
Weight: 8.5-10.5kg
Colors: black, black-variegated, variegated, red-variegated, silver-variegated, beige

Hypoallergenic: Yes

14. Shih Tzu

Another favorite among small, furry dogs is the Shih Tzu. This breed loses very little hair; in fact, shedding is a rare occurrence. Given the hypoallergenic quality of its coat, it can also be an excellent pet for people with allergies.

A Shih Tzu with a long coat requires daily brushing. For this, using a good quality wire brush with flexible teeth is recommended. It is important to get down to the skin to avoid knots and mats. In addition, occasional bathing every three to four weeks should be included.

This puppy has a loving, playful, outgoing, cheerful, and friendly character.

Origin: Chinese
Breed Type: Pure
Life expectancy: 10-16 years
Height: 20-28cm
Weight: 4-7kg
Colors: black, variegated, blue, gold, liver, red, silver
Hypoallergenic: Yes

15. Yorkshire Terrier

To end this compilation of small breeds, we will talk about the beloved Yorkie, a very nice dog that does not shed, which is hypoallergenic, and whose level of maintenance usually puts most owners to the test.

The Yorkshire Terrier’s coat is very similar to human hair. That means it requires careful treatment, including daily brushing and bathing once a week. The hair on the top of the head should be regularly trimmed or tied back in a bun to prevent eye irritation.

Yorkies temperament is affectionate, cheerful, energetic, independent, loyal, boastful, and intelligent. That doesn’t stop them from displaying the traits of a true terrier; they are also often tenacious, brave, and stubborn.

Origin: United Kingdom
Breed type: Pure
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Height: 20-23cm
Weight: 2-3kg
Colors: black and gold, black and tan, blue and gold, blue and tan
Hypoallergenic: Yes

Other breeds of small dogs that do not shed hair:

Bedlington-terrier
Wire-haired fox terrier
Dandie dinmont terrier
Australian terrier
Silky-terrier
West highland white terrier
Border terrier
Welsh terrier
Cairn terrier

As you can see, the group of terriers includes numerous breeds of small dogs that hardly shed any hair and are considered hypoallergenic.

It may interest you: How many types of Terrier Dogs are there?

10 medium dog breeds that don’t shed hair

Medium-sized dogs that lose less hair are:

Irish terrier
Smooth-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Lakeland-terrier
Lowchen
Kerry blue terrier
Small Basset Griffon Vendeen
Portuguese water dog
Puli
Standard schnauzer
Whippet

Let’s see what is the level of shedding of these medium dog breeds that don’t shed and the necessary care in each case…

16. Irish Terrier

If you are interested in having a medium-sized terrier that is hypoallergenic and sheds virtually no hair, then you should consider the Irish Terrier. As if that were not enough, the short coat of this breed requires a low level of maintenance. All it takes is brushing and the occasional bath to keep it nice and healthy.

Something you may not know is that the Irish Terrier’s dense, wiry coat creates a kind of close-fitting “jacket”, with cold and water-resistant properties.

These specimens are usually tender, daring, intelligent, sometimes dominant, and protective.

Origin: Ireland
Breed type: Pure
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Height: 43cm
Weight: 11-12kg
Colors: red, cream-reddish, wheat
Hypoallergenic: Yes

17. Lakeland Terrier

The Lakeland terrier is an ideal medium dog for those allergic to dander. Hairs, dandruff, and particles do not fall out easily but are trapped in its hard and rough coating. Experts recommend weekly brushing to help remove dead hairs and prevent matting.

The Lakeland is said to be the typical dog with a big personality. He is an independent, confident and intelligent terrier.

Origin: United Kingdom
Breed type: Pure
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Height: 36.8cm
Weight: 6.8-7.7kg
Colors: black, black and tan, blue, blue and tan, gray and tan, liver, red, red-gray, wheat
Hypoallergenic: Yes