While all dogs shed their fur, some don’t shed as much as others. Hair follicles determine texture, length, and rate of growth and shedding. Most low-shedding dogs have the hair type that grows long, and this often means they have special grooming needs, such as requiring regular haircuts. If you’re looking for a low-shedding dog, here are 10 excellent breeds to choose from.
Tip
A low-shedding dog can still trigger allergies. Many people are allergic to a dog’s dander or saliva, which all dogs spread throughout their environment.
Afghan Hound
The Afghan is a large sighthound known for its glamorous tresses. That long, silky hair requires ample attention to keep it healthy. Daily brushing is a must to remove tangles and prevent mats. The coat should also be washed with shampoo and conditioner as needed. Some owners keep their dogs’ coats trimmed short to minimize maintenance.
Breed Overview
- Group: Hound
- Height: 25 to 27 inches
- Weight: 50 to 60 pounds
- Coat and Color: Thick, silky coat; colors include black, blue, silver, and more
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 18 years
Bedlington Terrier
The lamb-like appearance of the Bedlington terrier matches its gentle nature. This dog sports a unique coat that has both soft and coarse hair. Although the breed barely sheds, the coat grows fast and must be trimmed often. Brushing or combing twice weekly is recommended to prevent tangles and mats.
Breed Overview
- Group: Terrier
- Height: 15 to 17 1/2 inches
- Weight: 17 to 23 pounds
- Coat and Color: Curly coat; colors include blue, liver, sandy, and more
- Life Expectancy: 11 to 16 years
Bichon Frise
The bichon frise is a playful dog with a cheerful personality. It needs haircuts about every four to six weeks as well as regular baths to keep its white coat fresh. The coat should be brushed several times a week, if not daily, to prevent loose, dead hair from forming mats.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: 9 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches
- Weight: 12 to 18 pounds
- Coat and Color: Soft, dense coat; colors include white, white and apricot, and white and cream
- Life Expectancy: 14 to 15 years
Boston Terrier
The Boston terrier is typically an energetic and friendly dog. Its short and sleek coat tends to shed very little, though more noticeable seasonal sheds occur roughly twice a year. Weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt can help to remove loose fur and keep the coat healthy.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: 15 to 17 inches
- Weight: 12 to 25 pounds
- Coat and Color: Smooth coat; colors include black and white, seal and white, and more
- Life Expectancy: 11 to 13 years
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa apso is generally playful and loving with its family, though some Lhasas are aloof with strangers. Its coat may be kept long or trimmed short. Long hair must be brushed several times a week and bathed regularly. Short hair should be trimmed regularly and brushed once or twice a week.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: 10 to 11 inches (male); slightly smaller (female)
- Weight: 12 to 18 pounds
- Coat and Color: Long, flat coat; colors include black, cream, red, and more
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Maltese
The Maltese is graceful and playful yet hardy and fearless. Its coat should be brushed daily to prevent tangles, and it should have regular baths with conditioner. Some owners choose to keep the hair trimmed short for easier upkeep. Short coats should still be brushed once or twice a week.
Breed Overview
- Group: Toy
- Height: 7 to 9 inches
- Weight: Up to 7 pounds
- Coat and Color: Long, silky, single-layer, white coat
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Poodle
All poodle varieties—standard, miniature, and toy—have curly hair that needs regular grooming. If the coat is long, daily brushing is necessary to prevent mats. Poodles with short haircuts should be brushed about once a week. And they should be clipped and bathed about every four to six weeks.
Breed Overview
- Group: Non-Sporting (standard and miniature) or Toy (toy)
- Height: Standard: Over 15 inches; miniature: 10 to 15 inches; toy: up to 10 inches
- Weight: Standard: 60 to 70 pounds (male); 40 to 50 pounds (female); miniature: 10 to 15 pounds; toy: 4 to 6 pounds
- Coat and Color: Curly, dense, single-layer coat; comes in many colors, including white, black, gray, brown, and apricot
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is the quintessential lap dog, and its coat needs daily brushing and some styling. (It takes practice to get that topknot right.) Shorter haircuts require brushing about twice a week. Plan on trips to the groomer every four to eight weeks, depending on the desired coat length.
Breed Overview
- Group: Toy
- Height: 9 to 10 1/2 inches
- Weight: 9 to 16 pounds
- Coat and Color: Long double coat; colors include black, blue, gold, liver, silver, and more
- Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
Wire Fox Terrier
The wire fox terrier is a bold, sociable, and active dog with a low-shedding coat. Some people choose to hand-strip their dogs’ coats periodically to remove dead fur, while others prefer to trim the coat with clippers. Either way, the coat should be brushed about once or twice a week.
Breed Overview
- Group: Terrier
- Height: 15 1/2 inches
- Weight: 18 pounds (male); 15 to 17 pounds (female)
- Coat and Color: Dense, wiry coat; colors include white and black, white and tan, and more
- Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire terrier is a fearless little dog. Its low-shedding, silky coat is similar to human hair and needs to be brushed daily to prevent tangles. Yorkies with short-trimmed coats should be brushed about once a week. Plan to visit the groomer every six to eight weeks, depending on the desired coat length.
Breed Overview
- Group: Toy
- Height: 7 to 8 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Coat and Color: Silky coat; colors include black and tan, blue and tan, and more
- Life Expectancy: 11 to 15 years
Breeds to Avoid
Many dog breeds, including the Siberian husky, German shepherd, and Saint Bernard, have thick coats that will inevitably shed all over your home. Even the popular Labrador and golden retrievers have dense coats that tend to shed a lot. Brushing several times a week to remove loose fur can help keep their shedding to a minimum.
