Dogs That Don't Shed: Low-Shedding Breeds

No dog with a coat sheds zero hair. In our data only the three hairless breeds score 0 out of 5: the Xoloitzcuintli, the Chinese Crested and the American Hairless Terrier. Even they lose skin cells, and the Xolo and the Chinese Crested both also come in coated varieties, sometimes born in the same litter. Everything else on this page sheds a little, and the low score means little hair on the floor, not none.

Look for breeds that score low on both. The Whippet, Basenji and Italian Greyhound shed 1 out of 5 and need 1 out of 5 grooming in our data: a short, fine coat, a rubber mitt once a week and an occasional bath. The American Hairless Terrier also rates 1 for grooming but needs skin care and sun protection instead of brushing. Sighthounds like the Whippet have a strong chase instinct, so plan on a secure fence.

The Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Havanese, Maltese and Bichon Frise all score 1 out of 5 for shedding and weigh 20 lbs (9 kg) or less in our data. They suit apartments well, but every one of them rates 4 or 5 for grooming, so expect daily brushing or a short clip every 4 to 8 weeks. The Italian Greyhound is the small low-shedder with almost no coat care.

Among large breeds the Giant Schnauzer scores 1 out of 5 for shedding, and the Boxer, Doberman, Greyhound, Weimaraner, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Cane Corso score 2. The short-coated ones are easy to keep clean but are strong, active dogs: the Boxer and Doberman rate 5 out of 5 for energy. The Standard Poodle, 40 to 70 lbs (18 to 32 kg), is the low-shedding choice for families who want a big dog that also suits allergies better.

Half of them do. Hair that does not fall out keeps growing or stays in the coat, so the long and curly low-shedders need brushing down to the skin several times a week and a professional groom every 4 to 8 weeks, or the coat mats. The short-coated low-shedders, such as the Whippet, Boxer and Greyhound, need almost nothing. In our data the split is close to even: 35 breeds at 1 out of 5 for grooming, 34 at 4 or 5.

Not automatically. Less loose hair can mean less dander around the house, but the allergen itself comes from skin, saliva and urine. A 2012 Utrecht University study found no lower allergen levels in the homes of so-called hypoallergenic breeds. Of the 94 breeds on this page, 44 are not considered hypoallergenic, so if allergies are your reason, start from the hypoallergenic list and meet the dog first.