This might come as a big surprise, but dogs shed. Birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim and dogs gotta shed. All dogs shed (even the mostly hairless ones). But some breeds of dog shed a lot less than others. These tend to be dogs with a harsh-feeling or curly coat.
Please consider adopting a dog or puppy rather than buyng one. Even if the dog is a mixed breed, if he or she has a coat type like the pure breeds described below, then chances are good that the mixed-breed dog will be a very low shedder.
Poodle Types
Any breed or half-breed that leans heavily on Poodle ancestry will not shed very much. However, the dead hair just stays on the dog. If not clipped every one to two months, their coats will become horrifying. They get so matted and tangled that the dog can get sick from dirty coats. These breeds are, thankfully, very trainable and eager to please.
Breeds include all three types of Poodles, the Bichon Frise, the Bedlington Terrier,the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portugese Water Dog. Designer or “hybrid” dog types include Chi-poo, Cockapoo, Malti-Poo, Pekeapoo, Labradoodle and the Schnoodle.
Schnauzer Types
In this case, Schnauzer type dogs have coats that have the same characteristics of the Standard and Miniature Schnauzer harsh topcoat and a dense undercoat and very little shedding. You don’t have to clip Schnauzer types, but their coats need to be stripped twice a year (preferably in spring and fall). You need a professional dog groomer to do this or you will have one angry doggy.
Breeds include (of course) the Schnauzers of all sizes, the Brussels Griffon, the Airedale Terrier and the Affenpinscher.
Hairless Types
There’s hardly any hair at all on these dogs, but they often grow fine hair on their heads and tails that does minor shedding. Still, there’s not that much to shed. Breeds include the Chinese Crested Hairless, the Mexican Hairless (officially known as the Xoloitzcuintle) and the American Hairless Terrier. A controversial designer dog breed that seems to be gaining in popularity is crossing Chihuahuas with Chinese Cresteds (which can often result in deformed mouths).
Dreadlock Types
The coats on these dogs don’t shed onto your clothes or furniture, because they stay on the dog. They grow coats of very long dreadlocks (which look identical to human dreadlocks). Breeds include the Hungarian Puli and the Komondor. These dreadlocks were originally grown to help protect the dog from harsh weather, especially if they had to stay out and guard livestock all day and night.
Terrier Types
There are a lot of little terriers who shed very little, and not just because there’s less body area to grow hair. Their coats usually grow extremely long and should be clipped annually (unless their being showed). They sometimes have a double layered coat. People with allergies to dog dander tend to do well with these types of dogs, but every person with allergies reacts differently to the dander of each particular dog.
Breeds include the Cairn Terrier, the Lowchen, the West Highland White Terrier, the Tibetan Terrier, the Lhasa Apso, the Shih-Tzu, the Yorkshire Terrier, the Silky Terrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
