Patrick MacFarland · Updated June 17, 2025All right, let’s talk: You’re thinking of getting a dog, but there’s one main deterrent. You absolutely hate dog hair. Every time you visit a friend with a dog that sheds a lot, you leave wheezing and coughing from the dander and pet hair. If you are yearning for a dog but don’t want to deal with the shedding, what do you do? The good news is that there are many dog breeds that don’t shed, believe it or not. Let’s take a look at 17 popular dog breeds that won’t shed.
1. Bichon Frisé
The Bichon Frisé hails from France and Belgium. It is a small toy dog and usually lives up to about 15 years. This dog is a playful, affectionate, and feisty dog that is also quite gentle and sensitive.
Coat Type
The Bichon Frisé has a white, soft and curly coat. It’s also hypoallergenic.
Grooming Needs
When it comes to grooming, the Bichon Frisé requires regular visits to the groomers, as well as consistent brushing.
2. Poodle
There are various types of Poodles including the Toy Poodle, the Miniature Poodle and the Standard. The Poodle is a type of water dog that hails from France and Germany. These dogs are usually intelligent, active, faithful and alert.
Coat Type
The poodle has a curly, dense coat that hardly sheds. It also comes in a variety of colors.
Grooming Needs
You should also go for professional grooming when it comes to the poodle. Make sure you brush your poodle at least once or twice a week.
3. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog hails from The Algarve region in Portugal. Usually these dogs were popular for fishermen because they helped them with nets and to retrieve boat objects. Today, they make fantastic companions because they are intelligent, docile, brave and obedient.
Coat Type
The Portuguese Water Dog has a curly and wavy coat that is also water-resistant.
Grooming Needs
These dogs require that grooming on a regular basis, and then you brush them frequently, as well.
4. Schnauzer
The Schnauzer is a dog that originated in Germany. They have distinctive features and are usually gray, but could be other colors. There are various types of Schnauzers including the Miniature, Giant and Standard Schnauzer.
Coat Type
The Schnauzer has a gray and wiry coat, and it’s also a double coat.
Grooming Needs
When it comes to grooming, you should always ensure that your Schnauzer is nicely cut. That means that grooming needs to be on a regular basis, as well as paw clipping.
5. Maltese
Maltese are a small dog that originates from the Mediterranean region, and they are generally tied with Italy and the island of Malta. These fantastic white-coated dogs are usually playful, affectionate, sweet-tempered, and also gentle.
Coat Type
The type of coat that the Maltese has is long and silky.
Grooming Needs
You should trim your Maltese on an occasional basis. However, brushing needs to happen on a regular basis.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie as they are colloquially called, is a toy dog that hails from England. These dogs were intended to be more hunting types of terriers. Today, they are intelligent, bold, and courageous little fellows. The Yorkie is one of the most popular breeds.
Coat Type
The Yorkshire Terrier has is silky and hair-like coat. It comes in a variety of colors.
Grooming Needs
Yorkies require weekly or twice weekly brushing. You should also ensure that you trim them on a regular basis.
7. Bolognese
The Bolognese is a type of dog that also hails from Italy. This dog is considered a toy dog and also a good companion. They are usually loyal, reserved, and docile white dogs.
Coat Type
The coat type that the Bolognese has is long and fluffy, white hair.
Grooming Needs
When it comes to grooming, occasional trims are needed, which is great because it’s low maintenance. You should also brush them on a regular basis.
8. Havanese
The Havanese is a dog that hails from Cuba and is the national dog of the country. With a life expectancy of 16 years, you can bet on having these pups around for a while. These dogs are affectionate, playful, gentle and all around amazing fluffy fellows to have around you.
Coat Type
The Havanese has a silky and long coat.
Grooming Needs
In terms of grooming, the Havanese requires that you brush them on a regular basis. The good thing is that grooming is only required on an occasional basis, usually every few weeks.
9. Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is considered to be a non-sporting dog breed. It originally came from Tibet and was used as a watchdog for interior places. Today, these dogs make great companions because they are playful, intelligent, friendly and quite obedient.
Coat Type
The Lhasa Apso has a long and dense coat that comes in a variety of colors.
Grooming Needs
Brush your Lhasa Apso consistently throughout the week.
10. Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier comes in different colors, not just blue — including black, silver and gray. They’re originally from Ireland and we’re bred to hunt vermin like rats, badgers, ferrets and foxes. Today they are loyal dogs that can also be affectionate, gentle, and spirited.
Coat Type
A Kerry Blue Terrier has a soft and wavy coat.
Grooming Needs
In terms of grooming, trim them on a regular basis, and make sure you brush them several times per week.
11. Basenji
The Basenji is a hunted dog that hails from Central africa. These interesting dogs actually have this yodel-like sound because it has a larynx that is oddly shaped for a dog. These dogs are intelligent, affectionate, energetic, and also playful.
Coat Type
The Basenji has a short and fine coat.
Grooming Needs
One of the best things about having a Basenji is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on grooming. They don’t require much, and only occasional brushing is needed.
12. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. It is a toy dog that hails from Tibet and was probably bred from two dogs — the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. These toy dogs are playful, clever, affectionate and also lively.
Coat Type
The Shih Tzu has a long and flowing coat.
Grooming Needs
For Shih Tzus, grooming and trimming is very important and you’ll have to do so on a regular basis.
13. Chinese Crested
They may not be the most attractive dogs on this planet, but the Chinese Crested Dog is one that can be quite useful if you don’t want a dog that sheds. These dogs are affectionate, playful, and happy dogs. The Chinese Crested Dog hails from China, however there are indications that they also come from Mexico and Africa.
Coat Type
The beautiful part about a Chinese crested dog is that it’s hairless. Sometimes there may be some fur, but usually they don’t have any hair.
Grooming Needs
Because most Chinese Crested dogs do not have hair, you don’t really need a lot of grooming. However, you need to take care of its skin so that it has a healthy looking body.
14. Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog that hails from Italy. These dogs come in a variety of colors including brown, white and even coffee-colored. They are dogs perfect for children as they can be affectionate, loyal, sociable and trainable.
Coat Type
A Lagotto Romagnolo dog has a curly and wooly coat.
Grooming Needs
Because of its wooly hair, the Lagotto Romagnolo requires trimming and brushing regularly.
15. Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli is a dog that has existed for over 3,000 years and hails from Mexico. It was considered an Aztec dog of the gods, but today they are some of the most intelligent dog friends for their owners. Living up to 15 years, these dogs are also calm, cheerful and protective dogs.
Coat Type
There are two types of Xoloitzcuintli, one that is completely hairless and the other that is slightly coated.
Grooming Needs
In terms of grooming, there are two options. If you opt for the hairless one, you don’t really need to do much besides take care of its skin. If you opt for the slightly coated one, you should make sure that it is brushed and trimmed occasionally.
16. Afghan Hound
Hailing from Afghanistan, the Afghan Hound is one that originated in the mountains of the country. This dog can live up to 14 years and comes in a variety of colors including black, red, and cream. These dogs are considered to be happy, independent, but also dignified dogs.
Coat Type
The Afghan Hound has a long and silky coat.
Grooming Needs
Because the Afghan Hound has long and silky hair, you should brush them every day or every few days. You should also have extensive grooming done on a regular basis.
17. West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier, or the Westie as it’s colloquially called, is a dog that hails from Scotland. This terrier dog is medium-sized and it also has longer legs than its other Scottish counterparts. Living up to 16 years, this dog is friendly, independent, and courageous.
Coat Type
The coat type of a West Highland White Terrier is double coated and not that soft or fluffy.
Grooming Needs
The recommendation for West Highland White Terriers is to brush them on a regular basis, and trim regularly as well.
Patrick MacFarland has been a teacher, a candidate for public office, and a local tour guide. But now he dedicates his time writing full-time, currently at CitizenShipper and VeraContent.
Content Writer at CitizenShipper. I’ve also been published on The Penny Hoarder, Mommy Poppins and mxdwn.
