No hair on the sofa, no tufts in the corners and less vacuuming: a dog that doesn't shed sounds ideal. Especially if someone in the household has an allergy. But which breeds really shed very little? And is there such a thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog? In this article you will find an overview of small, large and short-haired dog breeds that lose very little hair, plus what you need to know before you choose.
First things first: no dog is completely hypoallergenic
People are not allergic to dog hair itself, but to proteins in skin flakes (dander), saliva and urine. Every dog produces them. A dog that sheds little does spread fewer of those allergens around the house, which is why many people with a mild allergy have fewer symptoms.
Do you have an allergy? Visit the breed, or the specific dog you are considering, a few times before you decide.
Small dogs that don't shed
- Miniature and toy poodle. Clever, eager to learn and cheerful. The curly coat keeps growing and needs regular clipping.
- Bichon frise. A white cloud with a happy nature. Daily combing prevents tangles.
- Maltese. Small and affectionate, with long, silky hair and no undercoat.
- Shih tzu. Calm and sociable, ideal for apartment living.
- Yorkshire terrier. Small but feisty, with fine hair that resembles human hair.
- Havanese. Cheerful, playful and good with children.
- Miniature schnauzer. A tough little dog with a wiry coat that is hand-stripped or trimmed.
- Coton de Tulear. As soft as cotton, as the name suggests, and very devoted to its people.
- Lhasa apso. Independent and watchful, with a long coat.
Medium and large dogs that don't shed
- Standard poodle. Sporty, intelligent and more versatile than its image suggests.
- Portuguese water dog. Energetic and mad about water, with a curly or wavy coat.
- Lagotto romagnolo. The Italian truffle dog: cheerful, clever and with a woolly, curly coat.
- Spanish water dog. Hard-working and loyal, with a woolly coat that is clipped rather than brushed.
- Standard and giant schnauzer. Watchful and loyal, with a wiry coat that needs trimming.
- Kerry blue terrier. A medium-sized terrier with a soft, wavy blue-grey coat.
- Afghan hound. Elegant and independent, with long hair that needs a lot of care.
Short-haired dogs that shed little
A short coat does not automatically mean little hair: a labrador or a pug actually sheds a lot. These short-haired breeds, however, lose very little:
- Basenji. An African hunting dog that grooms itself like a cat and has almost no doggy smell.
- Whippet. A calm sighthound with a very short, fine coat.
- Xoloitzcuintli and Chinese crested. Largely hairless, but sensitive to sun and cold.
What about doodles?
Labradoodles, goldendoodles and cockapoos are often chosen because they supposedly don't shed. That is not guaranteed. A cross can inherit the poodle's coat, but also the coat of the labrador or golden retriever. Ask the breeder about the coats of the parents and of previous litters.
Low shedding means high maintenance
Breeds that don't shed have hair that keeps growing. As a result, you will spend more time on grooming:
- Brush or comb regularly, for many breeds several times a week, to prevent mats.
- Visit a groomer every six to eight weeks to clip or trim the coat.
- Keep the eyes, ears and paws clean, as hair easily grows there and traps dirt.
Factor those grooming costs in when choosing a breed.
From dog to work of art
Found your new best friend? A well-groomed coat looks wonderful in a portrait. At Get Your Print Together you turn a photo of your dog into a work of art in styles such as Renaissance, Van Gogh or a magazine cover. You first see a free preview and then choose a poster or download from our products. Still choosing? Also read about Dutch dog breeds and the most popular dogs in the Netherlands.
