Fur-get About It! 14 Dogs That RARELY Shed (Your Couch Will Love You!)
Grooming and coat care are essential parts of dog ownership, no matter what kind of dog you have. Dogs that don’t shed very much—or low-shedding breeds—won’t drop fur all over your home, or force you to spend hours vacuuming like high-shedding dog breeds. However, you’ll still need to spend time brushing, hand-stripping, washing, and nourishing your low-shedding dog’s skin and coat.
Dog breeds that are non-shedding don’t truly exist, since all hair goes through phases of shedding and regrowth. However, there are dog breeds that don’t shed very much; especially if you get these dogs groomed regularly, you might never notice loose fur around your home or on your clothes.
Before we take a look at fourteen dogs that are “non-shedding” let me give you a quick disclaimer: low-shedding dogs may drop less fur and dander than high-shedding breeds, but they are not hypoallergenic. Some people with allergies to dogs find that they tolerate low-shedding breeds better, but dog allergies can be triggered by any breed, and are not exclusively triggered by fur/dander.
Without further ado, let’s meet fourteen low-shedding dog breeds in approximate order of highest to lowest shedding.
14. Giant Schnauzer
Basic Info:
- Height: 23.5–27.5 inches
- Weight: 55–85 pounds
- Lifespan: 12–15 years
- Breed Type: Working group
- Fur Length: Short/medium, 1–4 inches
- Coat Type: Wiry, double-coated
Giant Schnauzers shed very little compared to most large working dogs, and are the biggest of the big dogs that don’t shed very much. Because Giant Schnauzers have short, low-shedding fur, you won’t need to do much brushing, but you will need to bring your dog to the groomer for regular hand stripping, or learn to do this technique yourself.
13. Miniature Schnauzer
Basic Info:
- Height: 12–14 inches
- Weight: 11–20 pounds
- Lifespan: 12–15 years
- Breed Type: Terrier group
- Fur Length: Medium, 2–4 inches
- Coat Type: Wiry, double-coated
Miniature Schnauzers shed slightly less than their giant cousins, but they still need regular trips to the groomer. Schnauzers have a wiry coat that catches and holds loose/dead fur; hand stripping helps to loosen and remove that fur, making room for new growth.
12. Shih Tzu
Basic Info:
- Height: 9–10.5 inches
- Weight: 9–16 pounds
- Lifespan: 10–18 years
- Breed Type: Toy group
- Fur Length: Up to 11+ inches (grows continuously)
- Coat Type: Dense and flowing, double-coated
Shih Tzus are not hypoallergenic, but they are a commonly recommended dog breed for people with pet allergies since they drop very little fur, and most of their dander gets stuck in their coat. Shih Tzus are prone to matting, so keeping up with daily brushing and regular grooming is vital if you own one of these little dogs.
11. Yorkshire Terrier
Basic Info:
- Height: 7–8 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Lifespan: 11–15 years
- Breed Type: Toy group
- Fur Length: Up to 9+ inches (grows continuously)
- Coat Type: Silky and wavy, single-coated
Yorkshire Terriers have luxuriously silky coats that shed very lightly but can grow very long. Yorkies need to be brushed regularly to prevent mats and tangling, especially if you want your Yorkie to rock their long coated natural locks. Growing a full floor-length silky coat takes Yorkies about 1.5–2 years, and requires a big commitment from their humans.
10. Portuguese Water Dog
Basic Info:
- Height: 17–23 inches
- Weight: 35–60 pounds
- Lifespan: 11–13 years
- Breed Type: Working group
- Fur Length: Short/medium, 1–3 inches
- Coat Type: Wavy, single-coated
Portuguese Water Dogs are a very low-shedding breed, but their thick fur can get to be a hassle to brush and keep clean. Regular grooming sessions can make caring for your PWDs coat easier, and help them stay cool in warmer months.
9. Irish Water Spaniel
Basic Info:
- Height: 21–24 inches
- Weight: 45–68 pounds
- Lifespan: 10–13 years
- Breed Type: Sporting group
- Fur Length: Medium, 2–5 inches (on body)
- Coat Type: Dense and curly, double-coated
Irish Water Spaniels are a rare breed of low-shedding dog with tight, curly double coats! While their fur can get quite long on the body, these dogs don’t grow very much fur on their faces or tails—some people even say they have rat tails! Maintenance is high for the Irish Water Spaniel’s coat, so don’t get this breed if you don’t enjoy de-matting and brushing.
8. Coton de Tulear
Basic Info:
- Height: 10–11 inches
- Weight: 8–15 inches
- Lifespan: 15–19 years
- Breed Type: Non-sporting
- Fur Length: 4–6 inches
- Coat Type: Fluffy, double-coated
Coton de Tulear dogs once ran wild in the jungles of Madagascar where they survived hunting and scavenging for their food. Today, the Coton de Tulear is a beloved lap-dog, and a unique and little-known breed among small dogs that don’t shed much. Go out with a Coton de Tulear, and you’ll be getting questions left and right.
7. Bichon Frise
Basic Info:
- Height: 9.5–11.5 inches
- Weight: 12–18 pounds
- Lifespan: 14–15 years
- Breed Type: Non-sporting group
- Fur Length: Medium/long, 1–4 inches
- Coat Type: Fluffy and curly, double-coated
Related to the Coton de Tulear, the Bichon Frise is one of the most popular small dog breeds that don’t shed worldwide. With lots of maintenance and grooming, Bichon Frises can look like fluffy clouds of weightless fur. When the Bichon is allowed to go a little more natural, its coat becomes curly. Are Bichon Frises Hypoallergenic? Understanding their Allergy-Friendly Reputation
6. Bedlington Terrier
Basic Info:
- Height: 15–17.5 inches
- Weight: 17–23 pounds
- Lifespan: 11–16 years
- Breed Type: Terrier group
- Fur Length: Short/medium, 1–3 inches
- Coat Type: Fuzzy and sandy, double-coated
Bedlington Terriers require a lot of coat maintenance, and this is not considered a good beginner breed. As I’ve said a few times already, having a low shedding breed doesn’t mean you won’t be dealing with their fur. Bedlington Terriers have very unique fur that requires consistent brushing and trimming, and while these dogs look fluffy, their fur almost feels sandy or rough.
5. Poodles
Basic Info:
- Height: Up to 10 inches (toy), 10–15 inches (miniature), 15+ inches (standard)
- Weight: 4–6 pounds (toy), 10–15 pounds (miniature), 40–70 pounds (standard)
- Lifespan: 10–18 years
- Breed Type: Toy group (toy), Non-sporting group (miniature and standard)
- Fur Length: Medium/long, 2–8 inches (grows indefinitely)
- Coat Type: Fluffy and curly, single-coated
When someone mentions low-shedding dogs, the Poodle always comes to mind! Available in three sizes—toy, miniature, and standard—and infinite colors, Poodle fur remains extremely low-shedding even when allowed to grow out. Like most low-shedding breeds, Poodles require plenty of coat maintenance, and you’ll need to brush and groom your pup to prevent matting. Are Poodles Hypoallergenic?
4. Chinese Crested Dog
Basic Info:
- Height: 11–13 inches
- Weight: 8–12 pounds
- Lifespan: 13–18 years
- Breed Type: Toy group
- Fur Length: Hairless with tufts of fur OR coated, 1–4 inches
- Coat Type: Hairless OR curly, double-coated
Chinese Crested Dogs come in two varieties: hairless and coated (or powderpuff.) Hairless Chinese Crested Dogs are mostly hairless with fur only on their paws, tail, head, and neck. Because these dogs are mostly hairless they simply don’t have any fur to shed, and the fur they do have is very low-shedding. Coated Chinese Crested Dogs are born with a full coat of fur that they never lose, but this too is very low-shedding.
3. American Hairless Terrier
Basic Info:
- Height: 12–16 inches
- Weight: 12–28 pounds
- Lifespan: 14–16 years
- Breed Type: Terrier group
- Fur Length: Hairless OR short, under 1 inch
- Coat Type: Hairless OR smooth, single-coated
Like all hairless dogs, American Hairless Terriers come in two varieties: fully hairless and coated. Coated American Hairless Terriers have very short fur that barely sheds, but the hairless variety is naturally lower shedding. While you won’t need to do coat maintenance for this breed, American Hairless Terriers (and other hairless dog breeds) need more intensive skin care like regular bathing, moisturizing, and sun protection.
2. Peruvian Inca Orchid
Basic Info:
- Height: 10–16 inches (small), 16–20 inches (medium), 20–26 inches (large)
- Weight: 8.5–17.5 pounds (small), 17.5–26.5 pounds (medium), 26.5–55 pounds (large)
- Lifespan: 12–14 years
- Breed Type: Miscellaneous, hound
- Fur Length: Hairless OR short, under 1 inch
- Coat Type: Hairless OR smooth, single-coat
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a rare breed of hairless dog that comes in three sizes. Some Peruvian Inca Orchids have coats of short fur, but they shed very little. Hairless Peruvian Inca Orchids have virtually no fur and therefore do not shed, but they do need additional protection from the elements like sun, wind, and snow.
1. Xoloitzcuintli
Basic Info:
- Height: 10–14 inches (toy), 14–18 inches (miniature), 18–23 inches (standard)
- Weight: 10–15 pounds (toy), 15–30 pounds (miniature), 30–55 pounds (standard)
- Lifespan: 13–18 years
- Breed Type: Non-sporting group
- Fur Length: Hairless OR short, under 1 inch
- Coat Type: Hairless OR smooth, single-coat
The Xoloitzcuintli or the Mexican Hairless Dogs come in hairless and coated varieties, and both are very low shedding. Coated Xolos have smooth short coats, but the real star of the low-shedding show is the hairless Xolo. Rocking the all-bald look, most hairless Xolos only have a few sparse hairs on their heads and feet.
Read This Next
