10 Puppy Breeds That Don’t Shed

February 14, 2019

You’ve decided you’re ready for a puppy. You have the patience, time, and energy to bring a new furry friend into your life and love them forever, but there’s something that’s holding you back. Whether it’s dealing with allergies or tufts of hair on your furniture, a puppy seems like too much work to handle. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of puppy breeds that shed very little hair. These hypoallergenic breeds can help you reduce some of your worries.

1. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer, like its Standard and Giant cousins, is an intelligent, loyal, and energetic breed. And like its cousins, it has a double coat that’s wiry, dense, and sheds very little. Their beard and leg hair does grow fast so this breed requires a good daily brushing and trimming to avoid tangles and mats. Overall, Miniature Schnauzer puppies make great indoor dogs and are easy-to-train.

2. Shih-Tzu

The Shih-Tzu is a popular breed that originated from China. Active, alert, and spunky, they are known as lion dogs because of their long, lustrous hair. Although their hair gives off the impression of unwanted shedding, Shih-Tzu puppies actually  do not shed a lot, making them perfect for those with allergies. They do, however, require daily grooming with a good bristle brush.

3. Maltese

The Maltese is another popular breed that rarely sheds any hair. Despite their tiny size, they are fearless, gentle and playful. Their soft, white hypoallergenic coats give them a youthful appearance, which has helped it become a favorite among puppy lovers. They do require daily grooming and trimming, especially if their hair is kept long.

4. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is an insanely popular puppy breed that’s loyal, intelligent, and brave, despite their small size. Their soft coat grows fast and can be styled in a variety of ways, but you will never find any Yorkie hairs on your furniture and clothes. Yorkie puppies need a good grooming routine to avoid hair mats and knots. They are also good with living in apartments and indoor life as long as they are kept active.

5. Poodle

The Poodle is a famous puppy breed that comes in three different sizes: miniature, standard, and toy. Despite its adorably soft, curly hair, it sheds very minimally but does require consistent grooming to keep everything in check. Like people, they can leave some strands of hair on your furniture or clothes. You can remedy this by brushing and trimming their coat daily. Poodles are one of the most intelligent puppy breeds. Their happy, gentle and comical nature gives them their deserved fame and popularity.

6. Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is a hybrid breed resulting from a combination of the Labrador Retriever and the Miniature or Standard Poodle breeds. Because of this mix, many Labradoodle puppies inherit traits from both of their parent breeds, including intelligence, friendliness, and gentleness. Their soft coat does not shed a lot, but like many other dogs, it requires daily maintenance. Their coat may also be shaggy like many retrievers or curly like all poodles.

7. Irish Water Spaniel

Agile, playful and brave, The Irish Water Spaniel is a large sporting breed with a low-shedding coat that makes them suitable for those with allergies. This breed also requires consistent grooming to avoid hair matting as well as daily exercise to keep their energy going.

8. Chinese Crested Dog

The ever-playful Chinese Crested Dog looks like the Chihuahua in size and appearance, but there’s one difference that sets them apart: hair. The Chinese Crested Dog is a mostly hairless puppy breed, the only hair being on their head, tail, and feet. Grooming is a lot easier with these fur-babies as bathing is required to keep their skin clean. In extreme weather, it’s important to use precautions, such as sunblock to avoid skin damage.

9. Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier is intelligent and people-oriented. They have a soft, dense, and hypoallergenic coat that sheds very little but requires regular grooming to avoid hair matting, particularly the hairs on their face. Strong-willed and energetic, Kerry Blue Terrier puppies also need constant engagement and socialization.

10. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise has a white colored, curly coat that makes it appear like a mix of a Poodle and Maltese. Its coat is hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for allergy sufferers, but its constant growth requires regular maintenance. Friendly and playful, the Bichon Frise is the perfect breed for a first-time puppy parent!

Have you made your choice yet? We sure hope so. But before you move forward, remember that all dogs shed at least a little hair in the same way humans regularly shed strands of hair. No dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic. In fact, most allergic symptoms in humans do not stem from dog hair but from dander (dead skin cells on dog’s skin).

For this reason, it is important to keep a regular grooming and bathing routine for your puppy to lessen the problems with shedding and allergies. We hope you find the right puppy to suit your needs and preferences.

Check out our blog, 5 Ways to Bond with Your New Puppy for tips on how to grow closer to your fur-baby!

✓ This article has been reviewed by Petland Miami’s expert team to ensure accuracy and reliable pet care guidance.