24 Small Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed (Vet-Approved)

Small dog breeds are very popular because they take up less room, can comfortably sit on your lap without crushing you, and they don’t generally need as much exercise as bigger dogs. But the problem with them having access to your lap is that heavy shedders can leave behind clouds of hair that get up your nose and cause sneezing and other reactions, not to mention a layer of fur on your clothes. For many of us, this is an acceptable price to pay, but for those with allergies or an aversion to being covered in fur, finding a canine companion that doesn’t cover you and your home in hair may be high on your list of priorities.

Below, we look at 23 small dog breeds that don’t shed too much to help you find the one that is best for your family.

Is There Such a Thing as Dogs That Don’t Shed?

Every dog sheds to some extent. However, while some dogs like Labradors and German Shepherds are known for being heavy shedders, others shed minimally. These low shedders are considered more hypoallergenic than other breeds because they are less likely to cause reactions in dog allergy sufferers. Although there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, those that shed less tend to trigger less of a reaction than those that do.

With some care and maintenance, you can further reduce shedding to help further ease dog hair problems in the house, too.

The 24 Low-Shedding Small Dog Breeds

1. Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is a German breed that was originally reared to hunt and kill mice. Their friendly nature and cute little face meant they soon became popular as companion dogs. Growing to around 10 inches, these dogs are considered more hypoallergenic than most because they naturally shed very little.

And while they do like some attention, they aren’t generally clingy lap dogs which means there’s minimal risk of you ending up with pants covered in dog hair at the end of the day.

2. Basenji

The Basenji is a little bigger than most of the dogs on this list, but it is unique because it is classed as both a sighthound and a scenthound. It has incredible senses of smell and sight, which it originally used to hunt small animals. The Basenji is also unusual because it will usually bark just once before going quiet, even when alerting owners to potential danger often referred to as the “barkless dog”, using an array of different vocalizations, including yodeling, howling, and ‘talking’ rather than barking, while others tend to be very quiet.¹

Some people believe that the breed is only partially domesticated, having changed very little over the centuries, and plenty of socialization and training from a young age is essential.

3. Bedlington Terrier

Another slightly larger breed than a lot of the terriers on this list, the Bedlington Terrier hails from England where it was used to hunt vermin and to work alongside hunters. They have coats that are similar to the fleeces of sheep and the breed is loving and very playful.

They make good watchdogs, but will usually befriend most people, including strangers, although they do require early socialization to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted family pups. Their curly coats shed very little, and coupled with their unusual domed heads, you can see why people often call them ‘lamb dogs’.

4. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a similar size to the Affenpinscher but very different in other respects. While the Affenpinscher has wiry hair, the Bichon Frise has soft curls. They have big, black eyes which can give this breed the look of a child’s toy.

The Bichon is a happy, cheerful little pup that will dote on your attention, and while this makes it a great companion pet, it also means that they can suffer separation anxiety, so they may not be the best breed for families that are out at work all day.

5. Border Terrier

The Border Terrier originates from the border regions between England and Scotland. The terrier was used to flush foxes out from their holes and assist in hunts, but it is now kept primarily as a family pet or companion dog. They love human companionship, almost as much as they love a good adventure, and are great little dogs to travel with.

Despite the modern Border being a companion breed, it does retain some of its terrier instincts, and you can expect your little wire-haired pup to dig and chase. Their short, wiry coats are very low maintenance, apart from the mud and sand they are likely to pick up when out exploring!

6. Brussels Griffon

The Brussels Griffon is another terrier breed with wiry hair. Their faces have been likened to those of gargoyles in churches and old buildings, adding to the appeal of this charming little breed. Again, the terrier instinct is evident in the breed, and you will need to provide plenty of daily exercise to ensure that the Griffon doesn’t become too much of a handful or too mischievous.

They are also known to form very strong bonds with their owners, which makes them a great choice as companion animals.

7. Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier originates from the Isle of Skye off the coast of Scotland and is best known for being the breed of dog that played Toto in The Wizard of Oz. The breed was originally used by farmers to help get rid of vermin from farms and barns, and it is a lively little dog that enjoys playing and having fun.

Like a lot of small breeds, the Cairn Terrier can suffer separation anxiety so if you intend to be out of the house for long periods, you will need to consider getting a dog walker and having a friend or family member come over to provide walks.

8. Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested dog has a very distinctive appearance, with a virtually bald body and a mane of wispy hair on the head, around the feet, and a little tuft on the tail. It is believed they were bred and kept on boats to help control vermin that would otherwise steal grain and food. Today, they are very sociable little companion dogs that will befriend just about anybody, including strangers.

They are lively and playful, and that bald body means they shed a lot less than other dog breeds, but they can be prone to skin problems and sunburn, and will need to be kept warm in winter.

9. Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear looks similar to, and is likely related to, the Bichon Frise and the Maltese breeds. They are playful little dogs that are somewhat energetic, and they will get along with anybody including strangers as well as family. They are smart and easy to train, which makes them great dogs for first-time owners.

They shed minimally and do not produce a lot of dander, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers.

10. Havanese

The Havanese originates from Cuba and is a cute dog with a rounded face and floppy ears. It is a playful dog that has very little prey drive, but it is lively and enjoys playing with its humans.

It was bred as a companion dog and remains so to this day, and well bred Havanese dogs cost quite considerable sums of money. The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba.

11. Italian Greyhound

Although on the taller side of being a small dog, the Italian Greyhound is lithe and light. It was bred to hunt small game, and while it isn’t quite as fast as the Greyhound, it still has an incredible turn of pace. The breed is known for being quiet, but they do need plenty of exercise and attention from their humans.

The breed is considered to be good with other dogs as well as children, so it can make a very good family pet. And because it is low maintenance and sweet-natured it is also considered a good pet for first-time owners. The Italian Greyhound originated in the Mediterranean, but got its name when it was popularized in Italy.

12. Lakeland Terrier

The Lakeland Terrier was bred in the Lake District in England and was used primarily to chase off foxes that were worrying sheep. Like most of the dogs on this list, the small size of the Lakeland Terrier means that it can adapt to living in an apartment, but it does have moderate to high exercise needs that need to be met to ensure that the dog is well-behaved and well-adjusted.

It is a loyal and loving breed that will get along with its family as well as with strangers.

13. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is a long-haired small breed that grows to around 10 inches tall. It was bred to be a monastery watchdog in its homeland of Tibet, and it is a lively, energetic, dog that still takes its watching duties seriously.

Their luscious long locks can be hard work to manage, so many owners keep their Lhasa’s hair clipped to a more manageable medium or short length. The breed can be prone to barking, which is considered an essential trait for a watchdog.

14. Maltese

The Maltese breed is an intelligent and playful little breed that comes from the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, and was bred to be a small, companion dog. It is playful and because it was not bred to work or hunt, it doesn’t have excessive exercise requirements or a high prey drive, making it an ideal dog for people with restricted mobility or smaller homes.

These energetic little dogs still need a short walk every day, and they love to play, but they are generally considered to be a relatively low-maintenance dog that will give plenty of love and affection to their owners. Their silky white fur sheds very little, and, like the Lhasa Apso, becomes very easy to manage if clipped to a shorter length.

15. Toy and Miniature Poodles

The Poodle comes in three sizes (standard, miniature, and toy), with the Miniature typically measuring around 10-15 inches to the shoulder, and the diminutive Toy Poodle coming in at around 9 inches tall. All sizes of Poodle are low shedding, intelligent, and generally easy to train. The smaller Poodles love company – human or animal – and can be prone to separation anxiety. However, boredom-busting puzzles and crate training can help keep them calm when you are out.

However, the low shedding coat does require regular brushing and you will need to have your Poodle professionally groomed at least every three months or so.

16. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a working dog breed that was originally used to hunt rats and other vermin, but it is now popularly kept as a companion. It is a lively dog that forms a strong bond with its owners.

It does have moderate exercise requirements but is relatively low maintenance and is very intelligent so can be easily trained by a patient, caring owner. Their coat is low shedding, but does require a bit of attention and a professional groom every few months.

17. Norfolk Terrier

The Norfolk Terrier is very similar to the more rare Norwich Terrier, but is distinguished by having floppy ears, compared to the upright pinnae of the Norwich. Both breeds are lively, energetic, and playful, but their rat-chasing heritage means that they have a strong prey drive and love to chase anything that moves.

If your Norfolk catches sight of a small animal, or something it believes to be a small animal, and gives chase, you might find it difficult to get them back, so training them in recall is a must.

18. Yorkshire Terrier

With soft flowing hair in a combination of blue, black, and gold, the Yorkshire Terrier is a firm favorite among lap dog lovers. Their small size and loving personalities brought them out of the ratter roles they were originally bred for, and into the homes of Victorian ladies in the 1800s.

Their silky coats can grow quite long, but most owners keep them at a no-nonsense shorter clip, and their low shedding rate make these tiny dogs relatively low maintenance companions. They can be a bit feisty, so it’s a good idea to get them out and about and socialization as early as possible.

19. Scottish Terrier

The Scottie, as it is affectionately known, is a working dog breed, although it is most commonly kept as a pet breed nowadays. This terrier breed makes a very good watchdog and will bark an alert at the presence of strangers or any potential danger.

They are very skilled at agility, and they love to dig, but they also make fun and loving companions in the home.

20. Silky Terrier

Often mistaken for their English cousins, the Silky Terrier is larger, and somewhat more robust than the Yorkshire Terrier, but with a more silky, flowing coat that sheds minimally during the year. Additionally, the ears of the Silky Terrier are more upright than those of the Yorkie, and their teeth are larger too. The Silky does enjoy chasing small animals and requires a moderate amount of exercise, although those little legs mean that a couple of reasonable, moderate walks per day should be enough.

This playful little character makes a great family pet that will entertain and provide plenty of love.

21. Skye Terrier

The Skye Terrier originates from the Isle of Skye in Scotland and was bred to hunt and kill animals including badgers and foxes. It is a very rare breed, even in the UK, and is actually considered endangered. One Skye Terrier rose to fame in Scotland when, in 1852, Greyfriars Bobby, stood vigil at his master’s grave for 14 years; a tale worth reading.

If you are fortunate enough to own one, you will find a friendly, albeit somewhat shy, little dog breed. A good choice for first-time owners, the Skye Terrier can live in apartments but doesn’t enjoy being left alone for too long.

22. West Highland White Terrier

Nicknamed Westies, West Highland Terriers are confident dogs that love to have fun and especially enjoy spending time with their humans. They are friendly and lively, will get along with strangers as well as family members, and are intelligent so they can be trained easily by owners who turn training sessions into fun playtime sessions.

You will need to provide a reasonable amount of exercise, though, as these are spirited and lively little companions. Their low shedding coat is relatively low maintenance, but they are somewhat prone to skin conditions, so they may not be the most ideal for those looking for a more hypoallergenic breed

23. Xoloitzcuintli (toy variety)

The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced ‘show-low-eats-queent-lee), or Xolos as they are most commonly known, are an ancient breed dating back at least 5000 years to the Aztecs, and it doesn’t get much more non-shedding than a hairless dog!

Like the Poodle, Xolos come in a standard, miniature, and toy size – a Xolo to suit everyone! Bred as guard dogs and protectors, these intelligent dogs are extremely loving and loyal, friendly to people and generally get along well with other dogs.

Energetic and clever, the Xoloitzcuintli needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored and frustrated.

24. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu hails from Tibet. These pups were originally bred to be royal companions and have a long history as cherished lap dogs. They have a sweet temperament and distinct, flowing coat and are sturdy little dogs with a friendly and affectionate nature, quickly making them popular as family pets.

Despite their love for attention and cuddling, they aren’t overly needy. Their grooming needs are higher due to their long, luxurious coat, but their shedding is minimal, making them a relatively hypoallergenic choice for those with sensitivities.

How to Deal with Shedding

Even the breeds above shed, although they are minimally shedding dogs. There are a few things you can do to help further minimize the impact of dog coat shedding, including daily brushing, regular vacuuming, and feeding your dog a high quality diet.

Poor diet can lead to skin and coat problems that exacerbate the shedding problem.

Conclusion

All dogs shed, but some dogs shed so little that you don’t really notice apart from the occasional hair wafting by during shedding season. If you are an allergy sufferer but are desperate for a pet dog, the breeds listed above may be suitable. However, as no dog is completely hypoallergenic, severe allergy sufferers should speak to their doctor before considering getting a pet.

Even with one of these breeds, though, you will benefit by regularly brushing your dog, bathing them, and investing in a decent hoover that can deal with the rigors of picking up dog hairs.

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Featured Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock