Cute dogs that don’t shed: 15 breeds that are just right
Cute dogs that don’t shed do exist. If you are somebody who doesn’t want to clean up dog hair strewn all around the house, then a low shedding dog breed is what you need.
Small dog breeds cost less to feed and are generally easier to care for and groom. They also tend to live longer and can be comfortable in smaller spaces.
Shedding is necessary
However, it is important to remember that shedding is necessary for dogs to maintain the health of their skin and fur. Shedding helps dogs to get rid of old and damaged hair.
All dogs shed
All dogs shed to a certain extent and there isn’t a single breed that is totally non-shedding. However, there are low shedding dogs that shed only a minimal amount of hair; the shedding is so less that you may not even notice.
No dog is totally hypoallergenic
Again, no dog is totally hypoallergenic but if you have allergies or simply don’t want to clean up large amounts of dog hair, you should consider one of the breeds in this list.
If you are looking to select from cute dogs that don’t shed, our list below will help you.
1. Miniature Schnauzer
First in the list of cute dogs that don’t shed is the intelligent, cheerful, and energetic Miniature Schnauzer. This breed has a hypoallergenic coat that sheds little.
This Terrier is friendly and eager to please and enjoys close interaction with his family.
The average lifespan of this healthy breed is 14 years.
They are easy to train and are good family pets that do well with children.
They can sometimes be stubborn, so a bit of firmness and patience may be required.
The breed’s beard and whiskers give it a wise look. They have medium energy level and are also known for barking.
They make for good watchdogs.
Its medium and wiry coat requires grooming at least two times a week. It needs about one hour of exercise daily.
2. Poodle
Good family dogs, Poodles are easy to train, intelligent and lively.
As with most cute that don’t shed, this breed has a unique coat: they don’t have a double coat but a single layer that hardly sheds.
You can choose from Toy and Miniature Poodles to Standard Poodles.
Originally bred as water dogs, their coat is water resistant.
They adapt well and can be happy in an apartment or a home with a yard.
As a high energy breed, Poodles require about 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity which can include play, walks or other exercises.
Poodles are intelligent and respond well to training. With a bit of patience and consistency, you can house train your Poodle relatively fast.
3. Bolognese
The Bolognese also known as Bichon Bolognese has a white, soft, and fluffy coat. They are an extremely low shedding breed. However, the coat needs to be brushed often to remove dead hair.
These adorable dogs love people and enjoy playing. Since these dogs enjoy the company of humans so much, they tend to develop separation anxiety if left alone.
Hence, they may not be the right breed for people who work outside the house all day.
This breed is tends to do well with kids and other pets.
The Bolognese have an average life span of 12 – 14 years.
As an intelligent breed it is easy to train the Bolognese.
The Bolognese is a calm and easy going dog with low exercise needs.
They bark only occasionally when meeting new people or other pets. Its typically a happy bark accompanied by leaping and a wagging tail.
Their high intelligence coupled with their eagerness to please, make it easy to train them. Just make sure to start the training early.
4. Brussels Griffon
Fifth on our list of cute dogs that don’t shed is the Brussels Griffon, another hypoallergenic dog breed.
They develop very low amounts of dander or dry flakes on their body.
There are two types of coats found in this breed: rough and smooth.
The smooth coated type sheds seasonally during spring and fall.
The dog with the rough or wiry coat does not shed seasonally. In fact, it sheds less compared to the one with the smooth coat.
They require regular grooming and daily brushing
As an energetic breed the Brussels Griffon requires about 30 minutes of exercise daily.
The Brussels Griffon gets along well with other pets.
Due to the stubborn nature, it is sometimes difficult to house train these dogs.
They tend to bark and can be noisy.
5. Coton De Tulear
Intelligent and affectionate, the Coton de Tulear gets along well with everyone including children and other pets.
Though low-shedding, puppies may shed before the adult coat appears.
They are playful and enjoy being with their human family.
Their long coat is hair and not fur, which gives them the low-shedding status.
They are easy to train and establish strong bonds with their human companions.
Brushing the coat 3 to 4 times in a week can prevent matting.
They bark occasionally compared to other breeds, especially to let you know when a stranger is at the door.
TheBrussels Griffon requires about 30 to 40 minutes of exercise daily.
The Coton is intelligent and likes to please people, which makes them easy to train. They respond well to praise and food rewards.
6. Maltese
The long coats of the Maltese are low shedding, and they can be suitable companions for most people with allergies.
Regular brushing and an occasional bath can help to keep their coat in good condition.
They are ideal for indoor life and small spaces.
These dogs are gentle, intelligent, and affectionate.
Lively and playful they make excellent family dogs.
They are difficult to house train and can be fussy eaters.
They have moderate energy levels and tend to bark for attention or when bored. Some Maltese tend to bark more than others.
7. Xoloitzcuintli
Intelligent, loving, and playful, the Xoloitzcuintli is also known as the Mexican Hairless.
This rare breed of dog can be coated or hairless.
The hairless type however has a bit of hair on its head.
The one with the coat also sheds very little.
They can function as good watchdogs or loving companions.
They can tolerate warm climates and require moderate exercise.
Sunscreen is required when out in the sun.
The Xolos come in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard.
8. Lhasa Apso
Another interesting breed on our list of cute dogs that don’t shed is the Lhasa Apso. This breed has a long silky coat that is low shedding.
It’s a small and hardy breed with a joyful and mischievous temperament.
They can be suspicious of strangers, so early socialization helps.
They do well with adults or families with older kids.
These dogs require frequent bathing and grooming; at least once a week will be ideal to prevent the coat from matting or developing tangles.
Many people choose a puppy cut to avoid the frequent grooming and brushing required for the long hair.
9. Scottish Terrier
If you are looking for a bold and confident dog with an outgoing personality, the Scottish Terrier, or Scottie, is the breed for you.
The Scottie’s has a wiry and weather-resistant coat, which doesn’t shed much. However, the dog requires regular brushing and grooming to keep the coat in top shape.
Scotties are intelligent and independent.
As they have a strong prey drive, they should not be left alone with smaller animals.
The Scottish Terrier is suitable for owners who have some experience with dogs.
This breed enjoys gentle walks and require a good balance of mental and physical activity. At least one hour of walking daily is essential.
10. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a light shedder despite their long coat. This breed is a great family pet.
Well known for their happy and perky temperaments, the Shih Tzu is lively and friendly.
The Shih Tzu gets along with everyone including children and other pets.
Affectionate, the Shih Tzu enjoys following their human companions around the house.
Daily brushing and combing are essential to prevent their long and silky coat from tangling.
11. West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier or the Westie as its popularly known has rough white hair and is a light shedder.
Intelligent, and loyal, these dogs have medium energy levels.
As typical terriers, they are smart, independent, and stubborn, which can make training a challenge.
They may not do well with other dogs and smaller pets.
They tend to be nuisance barkers and can resort to serious digging.
12. Yorkshire Terrier
A hypoallergenic dog breed, the Yorkshire Terrier is a low shedding dog.
They are energetic, affectionate, adorable with a spirited personality.
Yorkies have a hair coat and not a fur coat.
They do well in apartments, but house training can be challenging due to their stubborn streak.
At six to seven inches height and weighing between two to seven pounds, they are one of the smallest dogs.
The coat is long, fine, and straight.
The hair will require trimming once every 4 to 6 weeks.
Yorkies also require daily brushing to keep the coat silky soft and free from tangles and mats.
13. Bichon Frise
A non-shedding dog breed, the Bichon Frise is playful and affectionate.
The breed requires frequent grooming and brushing to keep the coat in excellent condition.
Playful and cheerful the Bichon Frise makes for a great family dog.
The Bichon Frise is suitable for apartment living and are not known for barking.
This breed tends to do well with kids as well as other pets.
Daily exercise of 30 minutes to 1 hour is required.
14. Havanese
The Havanese rarely shed and are among the rare dog breeds that are least likely to trigger allergies.
Gentle, trainable, and playful, the Havanese is an excellent family dog.
The Havanese gets along well with children and other pets, especially if raised together.
Brushing once a week and regular baths are essential to keep the coat in good condition.
This breed has moderate exercise needs.
A brisk daily walk or a bit of play outdoors will do them good.
They require only about 30 minutes of exercise; do not over exercise a Havanese of any age.
15. Chinese Crested
Going for a hairless dog breed is another way to avoid problems associated with shedding.
The Chinese Crested is a good option if you decide to go for a hairless toy dog and they come in two coat types: hairless and powderpuff (full hair).
However, hairless Chinese Crested do have hair on their feet, tail and heads. The powderpuff on the other hand has a coat of fine hair that sheds slightly.
You will have to protect the skin of hairless dogs from the sun and the cold as they are prone to skin irritation.
The Chinese Crested is a lively and affectionate dog.
They have moderate energy levels and require less than 20 minutes of exercise per day.
Both varieties require regular grooming to look their best.
The hairless variety requires frequent baths to maintain healthy skin.
Conclusion
As you have seen there are several breeds of cute dogs that don’t shed. However, it doesn’t mean that they don’t require any maintenance. Even with the hypoallergenic dogs, you need to spend a bit of time with the breed of your choice to ensure that your potential pet is not triggering your allergies.
