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Top 14 Low-Shedding Dog Breeds: An Overview (with Pictures)

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

Top 14 Low-Shedding Dog Breeds: An Overview (with Pictures)

You can find a playful pal, a snuggle buddy, and a loyal friend in dogs, which is the reason you may prefer a dog over any other pet. But dogs shed, which can be a put-off for dog fanciers with allergies or those who loathe the mess.

The truth is, there isn’t a 100% hypoallergenic dog because all dogs must lose some hair. It isn’t the dog’s hair that causes allergies anyway. Rather, it’s a protein found in the dog’s dander, which can be spread through shed hair, but also through saliva and urine. All dogs produce some dander, but there sure are dog’s that doesn’t make much hairy mess, which can also help reduce allergens.

If you are looking for a light-shedding pup that won’t make such a mess or may not irritate your allergies as much, you have options. Keep reading as we look at the best low-shedding dog breeds.

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The 14 Low-Shedding Dog Breeds

1. Poodle

Poodle
Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, instinctual, active, trainable, watchful
Colors: White, blue, red, black, black & white, silver, grey, brown, sable, apricot
Weight: 45 – 70 pounds
Height: 10 inches or more

As far as canines go, Poodles are some of the most intelligent and most esteemed breeds as in today’s shows, with only six others in the world being more popular than them.

Poodles come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. These dogs have dense coats and rarely shed, although you should prepare to brush the puffy curls daily unless you clip the fur short.


2. Affenpinscher

an affenpinscher dog at the park
Image Credit: Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
Temperament: Playful, fun, adventurous, happy, sturdy, intelligent, watchful
Colors: Black, gray, red, black & tan, silver
Weight: 6.5 – 13 pounds
Height: 9.5 – 12 inches

Affenpinschers are AKC’s “monkey dogs” for a reason. Take one look at them, and you’ll understand why. This tiny but feisty dog is full of spunk, energy, and charm and still complements all these by shedding so little!

These dogs are wiry-haired and don’t require too much grooming, just bi-weekly brushing, and twice-yearly coat trimming.


3. Australian Silky Terrier

Australian Silky Terrier
Image Credit: Radomir Rezny, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Curious, alert, happy, quick, friendly, adventurous, naughty
Colors: Black & tan, grey & tan, silver & tan, blue & tan, silver black & tan
Weight: 8 – 10 pounds
Height: 9.1 – 10.2 inches

This dog breed has distinctive long, flowing silky coats, and you wouldn’t believe that it’s your ultimate allergy-friendly pup by looking at it. The Silky Terrier is a Yorkshire Terrier’s close relative and is easy to groom and maintain, just like their cousin.

However, their long hair predisposes them to tangles and mats, so it would be best not to take advantage of the infrequent shedding as an excuse to ignore an occasional but good brushing session.


4. Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto Romagnolo standing on grass
Image Credit: Ricantimages, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 15 – 17 years
Temperament: Energetic, trainable, active, alert, loving, loyal, social
Colors: Orange, off-white, brown, brown roan, white & chocolate, orange & white
Weight: 24 – 35 pounds
Height: 14 – 19 inches

Lagotto Romagnolo dogs are Italy’s irreplaceable “truffle dogs,” donning a dense and curly coat that can leave you wondering how they see ahead. Everything about these dogs is fancy: their name, their teddy bear features, and their dispositions.

These medium-sized dogs are generally easy-going, and you can always put them to work with their high energy and endurance! This dog’s curls behave more like human hair than animal fur, meaning that the pup is fully hypoallergenic and low maintenance.


5. Portuguese Water Dog

portuguese water dog in the forest
Image Credit: Brook Robinson, Shutterstock
Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
Temperament: Eager to please, intelligent, active, affectionate, loyal, trainable
Colors: White, brown, black, white & chocolate, black & white
Weight: 35 – 60 pounds
Height: 17 – 23 inches

Portuguese Water Dogs are athletic and energetic and the best example of a dog that lives up to its name. These medium-sized dogs love water and are ardent swimmers that can fight waves for a long time without tiring.

This breed has a tightly curled coat that’s waterproof and hypoallergenic. Portuguese Water Dogs are loyal and eager to please; no wonder they were President Obama’s family dogs!


6. Brittany

Brittany dog in snow
Image Credit: doloresa burd, Pixabay
Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
Temperament: Happy, energetic, sensitive, friendly, affectionate
Colors: Orange & white, liver & white
Weight: 30 – 40 pounds
Height: 17 – 20 inches

The Brittany is a dog breed from France that was previously known as the Brittany Spaniel before the AKC dropped the “Spaniel” title. This breed is energetic and versatile, primarily because they were bred as gundogs and bird hunters.

Brittanys have a dense coat that protects them while on trails and keeps shedding at a minimum. You won’t keep up with a Brittany if you aren’t the active and energetic type of parent.


7. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise
Image Credit: Radovan Zierik, Pixabay
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Good-natured, affectionate, hardy, gentle, playful, intelligent, social
Color: White
Weight: 10 – 18 pounds
Height: 9.5 – 11.5 inches

Bichon Frise means “fluffy white dog” in French, and you would agree that the French didn’t leave much to the imagination when naming this breed. Thanks to their mild temperaments and cuddly features, these little cotton balls are every family’s best choice.

These dogs will indeed watch over your household with their alertness and curiosity and still give you an easy time maintaining them because they rarely shed. How can they, when breeders intended them to be hypoallergenic?


8. Irish Terrier

Irish Terrier
Image Credit: Audrius Vizbaras, Pixabay
Lifespan: 12 – 16 years
Temperament: Friendly, energetic, active, social, balanced, independent, willful, alert
Colors: Red, wheaten, red wheaten
Weight: 25 – 27 pounds
Height: 18 – 20 inches

The Irish Terrier is among the oldest Terrier breeds, and people once described them as “the farmer’s friend, gentleman’s favorite, and the poor man’s sentinel.” These dogs are super-affectionate and low-shedding, making them excellent pets for anyone.

If you can offer the Irish Terrier constant attention, space to move, and patience, expect a fun and easy-to-maintain dog by your side. This pup only requires a little grooming of its tight, wiry hair to keep it in shipshape.


9. Bedlington Terrier

Bedlington Terrier
Image Credit: No-longer-here, Pixabay
Lifespan: 11 – 16 years
Temperament: Spirited, even-tempered, intelligent, affectionate, playful, friendly
Colors: Liver, blue, liver & tan, sandy, blue & tan, sandy & tan
Weight: 17 – 23 pounds
Height: 15 – 17 inches

Here’s the perfect choice for a dog fancier that wants a low-shedding pup that looks like a lamb too. The Bedlington Terrier originated from England as a hunter’s sidekick and a vermin killer.

These pups still possess excellent hunting skills, although you can mostly find them in dog shows these days. Bedlington Terriers are energetic and appear graceful in their sheep’s clothing with the notable poof at the top of the head.

You can ensure a low maintenance cut by grooming this dog in a tip-top shape like in dog shows or trying a short clip.


10. Havanese

Havanese
Image Credit: Ralf Bitzer, Pixabay
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Happy, Curious, trainable, friendly, intelligent, energetic
Colors: White, black, ebony, grey, black & tan, and 11 other colors and markings
Weight: 8 – 13 pounds
Height: 8.5 – 12 inches

Do you want a white-coated dog just like the Bichon Frise? The Havanese could be the perfect fit. Plus, it comes in various colors and markings with a soft silky coat that rarely sheds.

Havanese dogs are the only breeds native to Cuba, so you’ll be enjoying an incomparable breed that also exempts you from allergies and too much vacuuming.


11. Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzer
Image Credit: ClarissaBell, Pixabay
Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
Temperament: Energetic, active protective, intelligent, stubborn, trainable, lively, vocal, strong-willed, loyal
Colors: Black, white, salt & pepper, black & silver
Weight: 11 – 45 pounds
Height: 13 – 19 inches

Both the Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers are hypoallergenic, only that you face dogs of varying sizes. These pups have bushy eyebrows, long beards, soft double coats, and rough, continuously growing hair that requires regular trimming. The good thing is that their hair is low-shedding and won’t put you to a sneezing fit.


12. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu
Image Credit: carlosleucipo, Pixabay
Lifespan: 10 – 16 years
Temperament: Good-natured, sturdy, loving, cuddly, alert
Colors: White, Black, dark brown, liver, blue, red & white, brindle, black & white, light brown, grey & white, gold
Weight: 9 – 16 pounds
Height: 9 – 10 inches

Shih Tzus may look like mini lions, but there’s nothing fierce about this pup. This dog breed is a lover and has won over royals with its light-shedding fur.

This “lion dog” has naturally long hair that requires a good bit of maintenance. But, you can choose to trim the coat short for a more teddy-bear-like look.


13. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier standing on the pavement
Image Credit: Josep Monter Martinez, Pixabay
Lifespan: 12 – 16 years
Temperament: Intelligent, self-assured, outgoing, cuddly, mischievous, feisty
Colors: Black, blue & tan, gray
Weight: 4 – 7 pounds
Height: 8 – 9 inches

This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkshire Terriers have glowy floor-length coats just like their cousins, the Maltese. However, they are hypoallergenic because they have hair that looks more human-like than dog fur, although they require daily brushing and regular baths.

Yorkshire Terriers require high maintenance, but they make up for it through their vast personalities. Plus, you can tie their hair in a petite bow if you want!


14.  Maltese

maltese dog walking on seashore
Image Credit: suju-foto, Pixabay
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Fearless, energetic, people-oriented, friendly, sweet, playful
Color: White
Weight: Up to 7 pounds
Height: 8 – 10 inches

You may know the Maltese as the “lap dog” with long white hair, but it’s among the lowest-shedding dog breeds you can ever find.

Although these dogs may shed so little, don’t mistake that for low maintenance as they require daily brushing and regular grooming to maintain their trademark all-white silky long hair.

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Final Thoughts

Your love for dogs shouldn’t end with too much vacuuming or sneezing fits when you can own any of these dogs to alleviate your allergies, or at least save you the effort and money on lint rollers. Now that you have a handful of low-shedding dog options, which one would you prefer?

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Featured Image: Eudyptula, Shutterstock

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