20 Dog Breeds that Don't Shed (Much) Hair

Written and verified by the biologist Cesar Paul Gonzalez Gonzalez

Last update: 21 December, 2022

Dogs are one of the best pets you could have, as they’re such loyal, affectionate animals. However, despite this, some people have allergic reactions that are believed to be caused by the hair they shed. That’s why today’s article is devoted to 20 dog breeds that don’t shed much hair, especially for people who may be allergic, but also those who want to avoid extra cleaning in their homes!

Some dogs are known as hypoallergenic ones, and they’re an excellent choice for allergy sufferers, as they don’t shed as much hair as other dogs. Keep reading this article to learn about these 20 dog breeds that don’t shed much hair.

Why do dogs cause allergies?

Allergies can be defined as an excessive reaction of the immune system to certain particles in the environment called allergens. Consequently, when any of these foreign substances enter the person’s body, the antibodies react aggressively. As a result, inflammation, itching, watery eyes, colds and other reactions typical of allergies occur.

The allergens produced by dogs are usually called lipocalins, which are molecules found in a dog’s fluids and secretions. Contrary to popular belief, these particles are not found in pet hair. This means that it isn’t the fur that’s directly responsible for allergies, but, rather, the small fragments of dander that remain in the hairs.

In fact, this also means that there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog, as all dogs produce allergens to a greater or lesser extent. Even so, for allergic people to be able to live with a dog, the best option is to reduce the possibility of encountering loose pet hair around the house. 

What types of dogs are the best option for allergic people?

According to a publication in the scientific journal Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, between 10 and 20% of the population is allergic to dogs. However, people have a different reaction to each breed, so there may be some that don’t cause as many health problems.

The best option for allergic owners is to select dogs that don’t shed seasonally. In this way, they’re less exposed to allergens as they live with their beautiful, loyal companion. Listed below are 20 breeds that are a good choice in these cases.

1. Greyhound or Afghan Greyhound

The long, beautiful coat of the Afghan Greyhound may surprise us as being a good choice for allergy sufferers. However, take into consideration that if it were to shed its coat frequently, it would be impossible for it to have such a long coat. For this reason, it’s an excellent pet for owners with allergy problems.

2. Bedlington terrier

This beautiful breed is very famous for its curly coat that makes it look plush. Despite its fur, the Bedlington terrier is a good choice for allergy sufferers, as it doesn’t shed its coat frequently. In fact, this breed must be very careful with its coat to ensure it doesn’t grow too much. For this reason, it’ll need frequent visits to the beautician to have its coat trimmed so that it doesn’t form knots.

3. Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher breed is characterized by its resemblance to terriers, but it’s about 26 centimeters (10 inches) long. This dog has a beautiful coat that doesn’t shed frequently. Thanks to this, it can be one more option for people with allergy problems. In addition, the size of this canine is very small, so it is ideal for small spaces.

4. American Hairless Terrier

This is one of the best breeds that an owner with allergies can have, as it doesn’t have any hair on its body. As if that weren’t enough, the coloring of its skin makes it look striking to the eye. It’s a medium-sized dog that’s 40 centimeters (16 inches) in height.

5. Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhounds appear to be hairless, although, in reality, they exhibit a thin and rather short coat. Despite this, their coat doesn’t shed easily, and so this can protect from allergies. In addition, these dogs are characterized by being loyal and affectionate. However, if they aren’t taught to socialize, they can be quite shy and reserved.

6. Peruvian hairless dog

The Peruvian hairless dog is a peculiar breed that’s part of Peruvian National Heritage. These dogs are characterized by having almost no hair, which makes them one of the best hypoallergenic dogs. In addition, it’s considered an affectionate and protective pet with its owner. For this reason, the people of Peru hold it in high esteem.

7. Mexican hairless dog

This species is also famous for not having hair anywhere on its body, making it perfect for allergy sufferers. In fact, it’s native to Mexico and has become a national symbol of its culture. Despite having a beautiful demeanor, the biggest problem with this breed is its bare skin. This is because it needs a lot of care to avoid health problems.

8. Barbado da terceira

The Barbado is a breed with an abundant and bulky coat, which means that it doesn’t shed its hair easily. It’s known to be quite intelligent and docile, and, because of this, is considered to be an excellent family companion.

9. Bichon Frise

The bichon has one of the best personalities among dogs, as they’re calm, charismatic and easy to control. They also have a fluffy coat that doesn’t shed easily. For this reason, they are a good choice for people with allergies.

10. Bichon Bolognese

This dog breed is very popular due to its fluffy, dense coat. In addition, it doesn’t shed seasonally, which makes it a good pet for allergy sufferers. However, these dogs tend to have a very hard time when left alone. Therefore, you shouldn’t leave them alone for too long or they could cause behavioral problems.

11. Coton de Tulear

The name of this dog comes from the resemblance of its white coat to cotton. Despite its appearance, its long coat doesn’t fall out easily, so it’s considered to be a hypoallergenic breed. As if that weren’t enough, this dog doesn’t need much exercise. However, they tend to be dogs that can’t bear to be separated from their owners for long periods of time.

12. Schnauzer

Schnauzers are very famous for their characteristic coat that makes them look as if they have a “beard”. In addition, this breed is playful and active, and so it attracts a lot of attention from its owners. It’s considered to be a hypoallergenic dog because it sheds little hair. Even so, this dog needs to play a lot so that it doesn’t develop bad behavior.

13. Irish Water Spaniel

This breed is characterized by an abundant coat with knots. In fact, this same property is what makes it an excellent dog for allergy sufferers, as its tangled coat prevents it from falling out. Despite this, the canine has a lot of energy that it needs to get rid of. Because of this, it needs plenty of walks or runs to calm it down.

14. Griffon Bruxellois

You should choose the rough-coated Griffon Bruxellois, as the smooth-coated one has seasonal shedding. Even so, this dog will sporadically shed a certain amount of its coat. This shouldn’t be a problem if you have regular visits to the groomer. However, it might be a better option to opt for other dog breeds that shed less hair.

15. Chinese Crested

You should choose the hairless variety of this dog. In this way, a more hypoallergenic dog is obtained as it’s one of the breeds that don’t shed their coat. In addition, they’re small delicate build that enjoy being at home.

16. Kerry Blue terrier

The Kerry Blue terrier is a dog characterized by its muscular physique and abundant coat. It’s medium size, and can reach 48 centimeters (nearly 20 inches) in height. Consequently, it usually needs constant physical activity to expend all its energy. Its coat is quite resistant and sheds very little, so it represents very little danger of allergies.

17. Poodle

Poodles are often seen as one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds that shed the least amount of hair. In addition, their curly coat allows them to have a lot of eye-catching hairstyles that show off their appearance. Thanks to this, dogs of this type are very popular as pets.

18. Barbet

This dog breed is very similar to a poodle, but with a more lush and curly coat. This characteristic in its coat makes it easy to form knots, which prevents the hair from falling out. For this reason, it’s a good choice as a pet for allergy sufferers.

19. Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog has a beautiful, compact curly coat, although there’s another version with longer hair. In general, they’re considered to be one of the most suitable dog breeds for allergy sufferers due to the fact that they don’t shed their hair. However, this also means that they need more specific care to avoid excessive tangling.

20. Shih Tzu

This small dog has a very characteristic appearance, due to its long hair and its tuft that falls over its face. Consequently, you should have regular appointments with the dog groomer to keep its pretty appearance. Although it may seem strange, the Shih Tzu is highly recommended for people with allergies.

As you can see, there’s a great variety of dog breeds that can suit your needs. However, remember that each one of them is different, so you should choose well before taking them home with you. And, of course, all dogs require affection, playtime, exercise, and attention, so don’t forget the commitment you make when you decide to get a pet.