Whether you find yourself prone to allergies or just want a pet without the mess, there are plenty of non-shedding dog breeds, big and small, that may be perfect for you.
While “non-shedding” isn’t a completely true term as all dogs will shed fur to some degree, those classified as non-shedding often do so very minimally, making them ideal for allergy sufferers or those who don’t have much time on their hands to spend hours constantly cleaning up after their furry friends.
Whether you’re looking for a smaller dog for your apartment space or love a big playful dog who will enjoy getting outside and being active with you, there are non-shedding breeds of all shapes and sizes to suit all lifestyles.
Large Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed
If you love having a big furry friend as a companion in life but don’t love the hair that can come with it, there a number of large dog breeds out there that have minimal shedding coats.
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Afghan Hound
While it might look like a shedding dog, the Afghan Hound’s long flowing coat is actually a great option for those in need of a hypoallergenic dog. The Afghan Hound is a highly sociable dog and as such doesn’t enjoy being left alone and in isolation for extended periods of time. They are also energetic and highly affectionate, making them great with people, including children, provided they are given adequate training. While it’s coat does shed minimally, that long hair does require consistent care and grooming to make sure it stays silky and knot free.
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Poodle
Probably the most classic and well-known breed to come to mind when thinking of non-shedding dogs. Their more curly coats make them great for those looking for hypoallergenic breeds or those who don’t love cleaning up dog hair daily. It does however require maintenance to keep it knot free. The breed also provides options for lovers of all different dog sizes, with Poodles ranging in Standard, Miniature and Toy size. As an intelligent breed they are easy to train and love to be kept active.
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Bouvier Des Flandres
A breed originally used to herd and protect sheep, where most larger dog breeds have a tendency to shed and drool, the Bouvier Des Flandres are a large, almost bear-like breed with a famously minimal shedding coat. It does however require a weekly groom to help keep it clean and knot free and a professional trim a few times a year is also recommend to help keep their coat in top shape. A highly intelligent breed, the Bouvier is easy to train and makes a great family pet. -
Komondor
This large Hungarian breed is distinctly recognisable by it’s white, cord-like coat. Their unique coat takes up to two years to fully form and is typically very low shedding. While the coat itself is quite low maintenance, bath time can take a little longer as the cords themselves can take a little while to properly dry. An affectionate breed, they are known to be great with families and children but tend to be wary of strangers. They also like to get a bit destructive when they’re bored, so be sure to have plenty of toys and time on hand to keep them entertained. -
Saluki
This ancient breed was originally found in desert regions and sports a beautiful, low maintenance silky fur that sheds minimally. With an athletic and graceful form, the Saluki is known to be one of the fastest sighthounds in the world, especially when running long distances. With a strong independent nature, they can be a little trickier to train and it’s recommended to keep them on leash when out and about. -
Irish Water Spaniel
As the name would suggest, the Irish Water Spaniel is a breed that loves to swim and as such has a coat that is designed to be water repellent. While the bred doesn’t shed very much and makes them great for those looking for a hypoallergenic breed, the natural oils in their coat which help make it water resistance have a tendency to attract dirt and debris. This mean it does need to be brushed multiple times a week to keep it clean and knot free. An affectionate and playful breed, they are great for families who love to get outside and play. -
Puli (Mop Dog)
Affectionally given it’s nickname due to the look of its distinctive coat, the Puli are a larger breed that are certainly recognisable on the street. Their coat consists of a bunch of long, twisted strands of fur that tend to look like thick ropes or cords. These cords are typically long enough to touch the ground and also often cover their eyes and nose. While the coat itself doesn’t really shed much, it doesn’t require consistent maintenance. The cords can often tangle and need to be regularly maintained and separated to make sure they don’t become matted. You will also need to keep an eye on their coat for when it needs to be trimmed, which is typically when the cords are starting to touch the ground, to make sure they don’t start tripping over their own fur.
Small Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed
Want a dog that is not only minimal in shedding but also in size? There are plenty of breeds out there to choose from that will fit perfectly with your needs.
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Bichon Frise
A breed with a highly recognisable look, the Bichon Frise are also widely known for having a great coat for allergy sufferers and those who aren’t big fans of finding hair on them constantly. While their coats may be low shedding, those thick curls do require daily brushing to help keep their coat and skin healthy and clean and remove loose hair that often gets caught within their coat. An intelligent breed, the Bichon is also highly affectionate and social, meaning they love to be a part of your family and would rather not be left alone for long periods of time.
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Chinese Crested
If you want to truly have a non-shedding dog, you’ll need to look at hairless breeds. One of those is the Chinese Crested. This breed comes with two different coat types, powderpuff and hairless. As the name suggests, the hairless variety are completely hairless other than small sections on their tail, feet and head. Those with hairless coat however do require extra attention for their skin. Without any protection from the heat or sun, they can become prone to skin irritations. Those with the powderpuff coat actually have a very fine layer of hair covering their body that still sheds very minimally.
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Yorkshire Terrier
Affectionally known as the Yorkie, this toy-size breed are highly affectionate dogs and great lap pets for those looking for a breed that won’t flare up their allergies or make a furry mess. Being small in size means their coat is quick and easy to brush daily to help keep it silky and smooth. With a working-class background, the Yorkie does love a chance to get out and run around.
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Basenji
If you’ve always wanted a hound breed but aren’t a fan of the shedding and odour that tends to come with them, the Basenji is the perfect pick for you. With a fine, short coat that hardly sheds and also requires minimal maintenance, aside from the occasional brush, the Basenji makes for a great low maintenance pet. They are also typically quiet by nature, meaning they are also a great breed for apartment dwellers.
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Italian Greyhound
There are many positive qualities about the Italian Greyhound breed for those looking for a low maintenance companion. With a super short coat that rarely sheds, this makes them great for those who suffer with allergies. Italian Greyhounds are also a notoriously tidy breed that prefer to keep themselves neat and clean. This combined with their smaller size can make them great for those living in apartments.
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Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless)
Another hairless breed which naturally makes them great for allergy sufferers or those looking to avoid the mess of dog hair, the ancient and rare Xolo do have both hairless and coated varieties. The hairless variety of the breed have just a small patch of hair on their heads, which means a little extra care will be required to protect their skin from the elements and keep it free from irritations. The coated variations of the breed have only a short, fine coat which still sheds very minimally. The Xolo is an affectionate breed who love getting outside for walks and plenty of play time but are also known for being more calm when inside the home.
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Coton De Tular
This adorable breed may have a coat that looks unfit for those with allergies but is surprisingly low shedding and hypoallergenic and with weekly grooming will stay clean and tidy. The Cotton De Tulle are a lighthearted breed that have a affectionate nature and are great with families and children. They are also an active breed that love to run around but also can be calm enough to suit apartment living.