Dogs That Don't Shed: 8 Low-Shedding Breeds Compared

The No-Shed Dream

Dog hair on your clothes, furniture, and somehow in your food — it's one of the most common complaints from dog owners. The good news: several breeds shed minimally or not at all. The catch: low-shedding coats usually require more grooming effort to stay mat-free. You're trading vacuuming for brushing sessions.

Here are the 8 lowest-shedding dog breeds, with honest notes on grooming, temperament, and size. Compare any two of these on BreedDuel →

How Dog Coats Work

Dogs either have:

• Double coats: A dense undercoat that sheds seasonally (Huskies, Labs, German Shepherds shed heavily)
• Single coats or hair-type coats: Grow continuously like human hair, shed minimally (Poodles, Maltese, Yorkies)

Breeds with single coats or tightly curled coats are the lowest shedders. The trade-off: these coats need regular trimming to prevent matting.

1. Poodle (All Sizes)

Weight: 4–70 lb (Toy to Standard) | Shedding: Near-zero

The gold standard for low shedding. Poodle coats grow continuously, and shed hairs get trapped in the curls rather than falling on your floor. The result is minimal household hair but a coat that mats without regular brushing and needs professional clipping every 6–8 weeks. Worth every penny for the intelligence and temperament you get.

2. Bichon Frise

Weight: 12–18 lb | Shedding: Very low

Like the Poodle, the Bichon has a powder-puff coat that traps shed hairs. They're cheerful, gentle apartment dogs. Grooming every 4–6 weeks is required. A good choice for allergy sufferers and apartment dwellers.

3. Maltese

Weight: Under 7 lb | Shedding: Very low

The Maltese has long, silky, human-hair-like fur that barely sheds. In a short "puppy cut" they're extremely low maintenance for shedding. In a long show coat, daily brushing is required. One of the oldest companion breeds, with a sweet and devoted personality.

4. Yorkshire Terrier

Weight: 7 lb or under | Shedding: Very low

Yorkies have fine, silky coats that behave more like hair than fur. They shed very little but do require regular grooming — either a long show coat (daily brushing) or a shorter utility cut (trim every 6–8 weeks). They're feisty, confident, and surprisingly bold for their size.

5. Shih Tzu

Weight: 9–16 lb | Shedding: Low

Bred as palace companions, Shih Tzus have double coats but shed minimally. Hair falls into the coat rather than onto floors. They're calm, affectionate, and excellent apartment dogs. Daily brushing keeps the long coat manageable; many owners opt for a short cut every 6–8 weeks.

6. Portuguese Water Dog

Weight: 35–60 lb | Shedding: Low

A medium-sized, athletic, and intelligent breed with a wavy or curly coat that sheds minimally. The Porty is a good choice for active families who want a low-shedding dog that can keep up with outdoor activities. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Grooming every 6–8 weeks.

7. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Weight: 30–45 lb | Shedding: Low

The Wheaten's silky, wavy coat sheds minimally but needs daily brushing to prevent matting. They're playful, energetic, and strong-willed — a terrier through and through. Not the easiest to train, but deeply lovable. Good for active families who can manage a slightly stubborn dog.

8. Lagotto Romagnolo

Weight: 24–35 lb | Shedding: Very low

The Lagotto is Italy's truffle-hunting dog — a curly-coated, highly intelligent breed that barely sheds. They're less well-known than Poodles but share similar coat characteristics. They're active, trainable, and bond strongly with their families. Grooming every 6–8 weeks keeps the curls from matting.

Low-Shedding vs No-Shedding: Realistic Expectations

Even the lowest-shedding breeds leave some hair. You'll still vacuum occasionally. But compared to a Husky, Golden Retriever, or German Shepherd, the difference is dramatic — going from daily vacuuming to weekly.

The Grooming Trade-off

Budget $600–$1,500 per year for professional grooming for any dog with a growing coat. This is the hidden cost of low-shedding breeds that many new owners don't anticipate. Learn to brush effectively at home to extend the time between grooming appointments.

Compare your favorite low-shedding breeds side-by-side on BreedDuel →