11 best dog breeds that don’t shed

Dogs offer companionship, a host of tail wags and licking, improve our mood, reduce stress, and benefit our social interactions. Most importantly, they provide us with unconditional love.

But often, families struggle to maintain particular dog breeds that shed.

This can be due to various reasons. You may not prefer regularly brushing and cleaning your household items. Or, you may want that crisp white shirt to remain neat and unfurry before leaving for your meeting. Maybe you’re allergic to the dander that is shed along with your dog’s fur.

In any case, you can choose from several dogs that don’t shed or hypoallergenic dog breeds (of various sizes). They have shorter coats and don’t shed as much, but they will love you just like any other dog.

Here are 11 that might help you make up your mind!

1.  Maltese Terrier

These little cuties hail from Malta. A part of the toy dog group, they are an ancient breed that hasn’t changed much over the years. They’re friendly dogs and are especially useful for those with allergies.

Maltese Terriers are wonderful with children. They are ideal companions to families because of their social and playful nature.

Their coats are soft and need little maintenance except for the occasional brushing. They do not shed much.

 

2. Portuguese Water Dog

These dogs are medium-sized, fun-loving, and filled with energy! Apart from being hypoallergenic, their coats also are waterproof.

This breed has an endearing fondness for water. They have webbed feet that initially helped them swim and convey messages. The dogs are best suited as companions for families residing near water bodies.

They need exercise — otherwise, they become frustrated or get grumpy. If you can’t take your “portie” swimming, then walking or running are good alternatives.

Their coats need regular grooming to ensure their softness.

3. Tibetan Terrier

These dogs were initially meant to help and guide herdsmen in Tibet.  They are medium-sized, have long hair, and bring good luck!

Like all other breeds, Tibetan Terriers rely entirely on human companionship. This makes them the perfect breed for therapy training. They are best known for their calm temperament.

Their long, shaggy coat requires them to be bathed at least once or twice a month.

They usually shed hair only onto the comb when they are getting brushed. Watch out for matted clumps of fur!

4. Basenji

The Basenji breed belongs to the hound dog type. It has a short, tight coat due to which it sheds minimally. They display similarities to their feline counterparts regarding self-cleaning and independence.

They are not known to give off any specific odor and require very minimal grooming. Brushing with a soft-bristled comb from time to time should do the trick.

5. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises are highly independent and trustworthy and are known to be quite easy to train. They have a velvety soft curly coat that is hypoallergenic and does not shed. An occasional bath and grooming are all that they need.

They love to play and exercise endlessly with their owners. They get along well with kids, cats, and other dogs. Other than therapy, these dogs are also preferred by the circus and for performance.

 

6. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are a part of a breed that hails from royalty. You’d believe it when you brushed out their coats and saw their regal look! They shed minimally and must be bathed around twice or thrice a month.

Their playful demeanor makes them great for families of any size.

 

7. Standard or Giant Schnauzer

The temperament of this breed does not change with size. Schnauzers are quite sharp, hardworking, and dedicated to whatever task is given to them. This makes them very easy to train.

They are fiercely protective of their owners. Regular social interaction is essential to ensure that they aren’t aggressive with strangers.

Their coat is tight, coiled, and resistant to changes in the weather. It needs to be cut regularly, and regular maintenance ensures minimal to no shedding.

8. Poodle

Poodles are well known across most social media websites for their utterly fancy haircuts. They can be taught to perform various tricks. They love to swim or go on long walks.

Their fur is very soft, rarely sheds, and is hypoallergenic.

 

9. Afghan Hound

These dogs are famous for their flowing locks and striking good looks. They have immense energy that they can use to keep up with you on an exhausting jog.

Their long, silky hair sheds as much as human hair and only requires brushing once a day. This dog breed isn’t one that needs too much maintenance. This makes it perfect for those looking for a dog to keep them company on long walks or frisbee playdates!

 

10. Xoloitzcuintli

Hailing from Mexico, this hairless breed of dog has a keen sense of intelligence. All three sizes share similar temperaments, so if you want a particular size of this breed, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Xoloitzcuintli have smooth skin, and their foreheads tend to wrinkle when deep in thought! Other than lathering up with some sunscreen for the outdoors, this breed doesn’t require much maintenance.

11. Pumi

This breed of dog is known for its devilishly cute looks and charm. Earlier on, Pumis would herd flocks in Hungary.

These dogs have immense agility and are highly obedient. They can be trained to perform a variety of tasks.

Their coat only needs to be brushed once a month, followed by a brief dampening down to ensure their natural curls stay in place. They shed only during the combing process.

Mary Jones is the co-founder and editor-in-chief at TopMyGrades, focusing on career counseling for university students in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. Mary also carried out tutoring sessions to help University students with sociology assignments to guide them in with science assessments. She has extensive content editing experience and has worked with MSNBC, NewsCred, and Scripted. She also has authored blogs on Lifehack.org, Wn.com, Medium.com, Minds.com, and many more digital publications.

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