Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed (That Much)

Keep the fur off your furniture (and you) by adopting one of these dogs that don't shed.

What dogs don’t shed?

Any creature that’s covered in fur or hair, including humans, is going to regularly shed to some extent. Some popular dog breeds shed copiously every single day. Others “blow their coats,” but only seasonally. And on the other side of the coin, you have dogs with minimal shedding. It’s these last two types that we’re referring to when we talk about dogs that don’t shed.

So which breed is best for you? That’ll depend upon a number of factors, including why you’re in the market for non-shedding dogs. If you’re looking for a dog that won’t aggravate your allergies, you might be better off with small dogs that don’t shed, including non-shedding toy breeds. While there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, smaller dogs have less hair to shed—and less dander (the stuff that causes allergies) carried on that hair.

But maybe you’re motivated to find a dog that won’t leave your furniture covered in fur or force you to vacuum up hair nonstop. In that case, plenty of medium-sized and big dogs that don’t shed will also fit the bill. Just don’t assume these dogs all have easy-to-maintain coats; certain non-shedding dogs are lower maintenance than others. Remember, shedding is only one aspect of a pup, so be sure to consider factors like how much TLC its fur needs daily, how expensive the breed is, and whether the dog is calm or excitable. At the end of the day, you can minimize any dog’s propensity to shed by feeding it a healthy, nutrient-rich diet and brushing and grooming regularly.

West Highland white terrier

You’ll recognize the West Highland white terrier (aka Westie) by its bright, white double coat. Unlike other lapdogs, these are floofy pups. The coat, which doesn’t shed, is actually a bit hard to the touch. Your pooch will need regular grooming—the American Kennel Club recommends making a trip to the doggy hairdresser every four to six weeks. A sturdy little breed, the Westie is intelligent, loyal, and happy; and its curiosity and independent streak make it highly entertaining. Originally, Westies were bred to hunt rodents underground, but they’re also known for being challenging to train.

Affenpinscher

Funny, curious, and curiously brave for their size, affenpinschers are affectionate and loyal little pups. Their longer outer coats tend to stay put, though you’ll have to brush them regularly to avoid matting. And while these wirehaired dogs aren’t among the small dogs that don’t shed at all, they shed their undercoats only minimally and, for the most part, seasonally. Plus, their toy size—they weigh less than 10 pounds—means they have less hair to shed on the whole. As an added bonus, these pooches have a reputation for being some of the least doggy-smelling breeds out there.

Let’s not forget this little fact: They’re totally adorable. The breed’s name comes from the German word for “monkey,” but the French have another term for the affenpinscher: “diablotin moustachu,” which translates to “mustachioed little devil.” Of course, Star Wars fans disagree with both assessments, claiming these little guys are the spitting image of Ewoks.

Afghan hound

With its long, silky, hair-like coat, the Afghan hound is breathtakingly beautiful. And despite its flowing locks, it sheds only minimally. But don’t assume that means it’s a no-fuss dog. Its glorious coat requires at least two baths per week and daily brushing. Afghan hounds tend to be more aloof than other dog breeds, so consider daily coat care quality time with your best buddy. The other thing to know before you bring an Afghan hound home is that they’ll need space to run around. Slender as these long-haired dogs may be, they’re powerful, agile hounds that need daily doses of vigorous exercise to live their best lives.

American hairless terrier

With the exception of its eyebrows and whiskers, the American hairless terrier is, as its name suggests, completely hairless. It’s also quite petite, standing no taller than 16 inches at the shoulder and weighing under 16 pounds. A native of Louisiana, the American hairless terrier is known for being smart, inquisitive, and playful, as well as adorably courageous for such a small critter. Compared with other dogs that don’t shed, this hairless dog breed is delightfully low maintenance, requiring only a daily walk and an occasional bath to keep its skin clean. You will, however, have to be vigilant about applying sunscreen to your best bud’s skin.

Barbet

Don’t let the dense, curly coat of this somewhat rare dog fool you. This quintessential water dog, which was bred to locate and retrieve waterfowl such as ducks is among the medium-sized dogs that don’t shed. Cheerful, athletic, intelligent, social, and loyal, the Barbet is known for being easy to live with—as long as its considerable exercise needs are met. Clean freaks, beware: This French dog breed has been affectionately referred to as a “mud dog” since it enjoys romping through any kind of water, including the mucky, muddy kind.

Bedlington terrier

If ever there were a pooch that could be said to resemble a sheep, it would be this floppy-eared dog. Energetic, loyal, and kid-friendly, the Bedlington terrier has a curly coat that pretty much doesn’t shed and requires little in the way of grooming—you’ll just need to brush (to prevent matting) and trim every couple of months. The Bedlington’s small size and affectionate nature make it a wonderful family dog.

Basenji

Funny thing about the basenji: It’s a member of the hound family, which is known for producing howlers like beagles, but it’s referred to as Africa’s “barkless dog” because, unlike its very vocal family members, it’s one of the quietest dog breeds. Another big difference? While hounds are often accused (wrongfully, according to the pups we know) of having a distinctly hound-like smell, the basenji is apparently exempt; they have little to no doggy smell. The basenji is considered almost catlike for a dog. But unlike cats, which are known for shedding, the basenji’s short, glistening coat sheds minimally and requires little care beyond occasional brushing.

Bichon frise

Small (under a foot tall), sturdy, friendly, and great with kids and other dogs, the bichon frise is known for having one of the best personalities in the dog world. Somewhat active but more than happy with long stretches of inactivity, the breed makes a great apartment dog. Best of all: It barely sheds. That’s a plus for pet lovers who hate fur-covered furniture, but you should know that it’s a trade-off. Bichons require regular brushing and grooming to keep their fur fluffy, clean, and mat-free. The time and cost of upkeep are worth it for one of the cutest dog breeds you can buy.

Brussels griffon

Despite being toy-sized, the Brussels griffon isn’t your typical pampered purse puppy. The Griff likes to assert its intelligence and outsized personality. It also tends to garner quite a bit of attention with its fringy, dark doggie-beard and soulful, almost humanlike eyes. Some Griffs have a smooth coat (similar to a pug’s), and some have a rough coat (like a schnauzer’s), but none shed more than minimally. That said, Griffs do require regular grooming, along with daily walks for exercise, and plenty of attention.

Chinese crested

The Chinese crested is a pint-sized pup that tips the scales at eight to 12 pounds. The Powderpuff Chinese crested, the fluffier of the two varieties, has a soft, silky coat that sets it apart from the hairless variety, which has hair only on its head, tail, and ankles. With a body of soft, smooth skin, neither shedding nor doggy odor is an issue. Cresteds are affectionate with family, highly adaptable, and eager to please. And while they need daily walks and play, they’re somewhat lazy dogs and expert nappers.

Coton de Tulear

Small and affectionate, with a long, soft, white coat that doesn’t shed, the Coton de Tulear (pronounced KO-Tone dih TOO-lay-ARE), is a true winner when it comes to fluffy dogs that don’t shed. It’s loyal, trainable, affectionate, sociable, and comically entertaining (this breed is known to walk on hind legs just for kicks). If you’re fond of dogs that vocalize beyond barking and howling, the Coton de Tulear may be perfect for you. Just be aware that this breed does need regular grooming to keep its fur full and mat-free.

Havanese

Native to Cuba, these dogs offer owners spunky charm and a coat that doesn’t shed, which means you’ll spend less time lint-rolling the furniture and more time romping with your playful pooch. The Havanese’s coat requires weekly brushing and regular baths to stay clean and healthy. You won’t mind the one-on-one time, though. These are affectionate, loving doggos who take well to adults and kids alike. They’re even friendly to strangers (though they like to think of new people are future best friends.)

Irish water spaniel

Like the Barbet, the Irish water spaniel is a medium-sized dog that was bred to retrieve hunted game from the water. And like the Barbet, it has a thick, curly coat that kind of looks like a mop but nevertheless sheds only minimally and requires only moderate grooming. Its gorgeous coat requires brushing every few weeks, so it’s not a huge time commitment either. Open to strangers, adaptable to change, and overwhelmingly fun-loving, the Irish water spaniel is known for being incredibly, adorably playful. That means it requires daily exercise and play sessions.

Kerry blue terrier

The Kerry blue terrier isn’t exactly a big dog, but it is one of the biggest terrier breeds, with the males (which are larger) weighing somewhere between 33 and 40 pounds. As its name suggests, the Kerry blue terrier’s coat comes in varying shades of blue, from light blue-gray to dark. (Don’t worry if it looks black or gray to your eye; “blue” is the technical color designation, and your dog won’t have peacock-colored fur.) But perhaps most important, its coat sheds minimally and is super soft and dense. If you like beard trimming, this mid-sized breed is for you; the long hair on its face requires grooming.

Lhasa apso

You might not realize it from looking at Lhasa apsos, with their small stature and elegantly coiffed, floor-length, center-parted hair, but these non-shedding dogs were bred a thousand years ago in Tibet to serve as sentinels at Himalayan palaces and monasteries. A quintessential lapdog, the Lhasa apso is known as a somewhat complex dog; fun and funny with its family but aloof with strangers, according to the American Kennel Club. Lhasa apsos like going for walks, but they are also perfectly happy to sit on your lap or lie beside you on the sofa. Although the Lhasa apso doesn’t shed much at all, its hair may take some work, mostly shampooing and brushing, along with trips to the groomers.

Maltese

Maltese are big in personality and small in size. Energetic and agile, the Maltese is highly trainable but not necessarily wonderful with small children. That said, if you are past the young-kids stage and looking for miniature dogs that don’t shed, a Maltese could be for you. They have no undercoat, so they have no need to change their coat, even on a seasonal basis. These wee ones rank high among the cutest white dog breeds.

Peruvian Inca Orchid

No, we’re not talking about a South American flower. Peruvian Inca Orchids are hairless dog breeds that grow to one of three sizes, so they’re great options for small, medium, or big dogs that don’t shed. Regardless of their size, they’re extremely loyal, if not flat-out protective of their humans. Keep the Peruvian Inca Orchid well-exercised and be sure to apply doggy sunscreen regularly, because its hairless skin is prone to sunburn.

Poodle

Like the Peruvian Inca Orchid, the poodle comes in just about any size. Unlike the Peruvian Inca Orchid, the poodle is not hairless. Far from it, in fact. The good news: The breed is known for its lack of shedding, one reason it’s considered a hypoallergenic dog (despite the fact that there really is no such thing). A potential drawback is the required regular grooming, which can be time-consuming and expensive. But just because it needs haircuts doesn’t mean your poodle has to sport a fussy hairdo. In fact, the American Kennel Club says many poodle parents prefer a “sporting clip,” a distinctly non-fancy look that shows off the pup’s muscled build and can give it the appearance of a teddy bear. At any size, the poodle is popular—it’s imminently trainable, wonderfully affectionate, loyal, adaptable, and one of the smartest dog breeds.

Poodle mixes

What do you get when you cross one dog that doesn’t shed with another dog that doesn’t shed? If you guessed “a dog that doesn’t shed,” you’re correct. That’s why Maltipoos (a poodle and Maltese mix) are dogs that don’t shed a lot. The same goes for schnoodles (a poodle and schnauzer mix). In fact, all poodle crossbreeds tend to be minimal shedders, and that even includes mixed-breed dogs who have one parent dog that sheds a lot. Take, for instance, the goldendoodle, a cross between a poodle and golden retriever that doesn’t shed much. Choosing the best poodle hybrid is a personal decision, but you can’t go wrong with any of these supremely cute four-legged friends.

Portuguese water dog

We’re willing to bet you’ve seen Portuguese water dogs, even if you’ve never heard the name. Exhibits A and B: Bo and Sunny Obama. The former First Dogs are Portuguese water dogs, a friendly and high-energy breed famous for its webbed feet. They’re medium-sized dogs that don’t shed, but they do need some regular grooming. You’ll have a hard time meeting one of these doggos and not falling in love. But don’t welcome one into your family unless you’re prepared to give it lots of exercise.

Schnauzer

Schnauzers come in so many sizes that you’re bound to find one that fits your family. All of them have thick, wiry coats that shed minimally, but they require weekly brushing and regular grooming. This is particularly true for their facial hair, a signature of the breed. Indeed, the name “schnauzer” comes from the German word for a whiskery snout, and you’ll always recognize schnauzers by their long, luxuriant mustaches and beards. It’s worth noting that schnauzers tend to drool a bit more than other dogs on this list, so if a desire for cleanliness is driving you toward dogs that don’t shed, this may not be the breed for you. That said, this charming, cheerful, intelligent, and highly trainable breed has plenty of fans.

Scottish terrier

Charming, clever, and independent, the short-legged Scottish terrier is known for being extremely affectionate with its family members. And considering it doesn’t shed, you have all the more reason to snuggle this pup. Prospective pet owners should keep in mind that Scotties require regular grooming. If you’re looking for a loyal friend who has your back, the protective Scottie is a good pick. The breed is known for its strong instinct to go after prey, but it can’t always tell the difference between vermin and tiny house pets—something to keep in mind if you have small pets like hamsters.

Soft-coated wheaten terrier

A great many non-shedding dogs are wirehaired pooches. Many are also terriers. The soft-coated wheaten is also a terrier, but this friendly, mid-sized lovebug has the distinction of having a—wait for it—soft coat. Active and hungry for play, this little pup is the outgoing, affectionate BFF you’ve been waiting for. If you’re in the market for dogs that don’t shed and you have young kids, this friendly breed is worth considering. Also worth considering are these everyday habits of great dog owners, which promise to make your dog-parenting experience even more positive.

Spanish water dog

The Spanish water dog is a low-key star on this list of dogs that don’t shed. As pet product retailer Chewy puts it, the Spanish water dog is one part world-class athlete, one part star student, and one part huggable toy. And if your number one priority is a non-shedding dog that doesn’t need regular grooming, look no further than this breed. All you need to do to take care of your Spanish water dog’s coat is shave it once a year. Before you make it yours, be aware that Spanish water dogs require a lot of stimulation, both physical and mental. It’s a great breed for on-the-go pet lovers and outdoor adventurers looking for a four-legged companion.

Yorkshire terrier

If you’re always cold, you might feel a real connection with the Yorkshire terrier; the ones we know always seem to be decked out in winter coats and sweaters. That’s just part of the Yorkie charm, as is their diminutive size. They’re so tiny—they range in size from itty-bitty (three pounds) to teeny-tiny (seven pounds)—that although they need to be brushed daily, it’s not a lot of hair to cover. Independent, smart, and affectionate, they have a surprising amount of energy for such wee bodies. Be sure to train your dog and give it plenty of opportunities to socialize as a puppy if you want it to be a friendly adult.