10 Best Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed Much

While all dogs shed their fur, some don’t shed as much as others. Hair follicles determine texture, length, and rate of growth and shedding. Most low-shedding dogs have the hair type that grows long, and this often means they have special grooming needs, such as requiring regular haircuts.

If you’re looking for a low-shedding dog, here are 10 excellent breeds to choose from.

1. Afghan Hound

The Afghan is a large sighthound known for its glamorous tresses. That long, silky hair requires ample attention to keep it healthy. Daily brushing is a must to remove tangles and prevent mats. The coat should also be washed with shampoo and conditioner as needed. Some owners keep their dogs’ coats trimmed short to minimize maintenance.

2. Bedlington Terrier

The lamb-like appearance of the Bedlington terrier matches its gentle nature. This dog sports a unique coat that has both soft and coarse hair. Although the breed barely sheds, the coat grows fast and must be trimmed often. Brushing or combing twice weekly is recommended to prevent tangles and mats.

3. Bichon Frise

The bichon frise is a playful dog with a cheerful personality. It needs haircuts about every four to six weeks as well as regular baths to keep its white coat fresh. The coat should be brushed several times a week, if not daily, to prevent loose, dead hair from forming mats.

4. Boston Terrier

The Boston terrier is typically an energetic and friendly dog. Its short and sleek coat tends to shed very little, though more noticeable seasonal sheds occur roughly twice a year. Weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt can help to remove loose fur and keep the coat healthy.

5. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa apso is generally playful and loving with its family, though some Lhasas are aloof with strangers. Its coat may be kept long or trimmed short. Long hair must be brushed several times a week and bathed regularly. Short hair should be trimmed regularly and brushed once or twice a week.

6. Maltese

The Maltese is graceful and playful yet hardy and fearless. Its coat should be brushed daily to prevent tangles, and it should have regular baths with conditioner. Some owners choose to keep the hair trimmed short for easier upkeep. Short coats should still be brushed once or twice a week.

7. Poodle

All poodle varieties—standard, miniature, and toy—have curly hair that needs regular grooming. If the coat is long, daily brushing is necessary to prevent mats. Poodles with short haircuts should be brushed about once a week. And they should be clipped and bathed about every four to six weeks.

8. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is the quintessential lap dog, and its coat needs daily brushing and some styling. (It takes practice to get that topknot right.) Shorter haircuts require brushing about twice a week. Plan on trips to the groomer every four to eight weeks, depending on the desired coat length.

9. Wire Fox Terrier

The wire fox terrier is a bold, sociable, and active dog with a low-shedding coat. Some people choose to hand-strip their dogs’ coats periodically to remove dead fur, while others prefer to trim the coat with clippers. Either way, the coat should be brushed about once or twice a week.

10. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire terrier is a fearless little dog. Its low-shedding, silky coat is similar to human hair and needs to be brushed daily to prevent tangles. Yorkies with short-trimmed coats should be brushed about once a week. Plan to visit the groomer every six to eight weeks, depending on the desired coat length.