Best dogs
Dog breeds that shed the least
The breeds rated lowest for shedding, with how much grooming each coat needs instead.
Every dog sheds some hair, and no breed is truly hypoallergenic. The breeds below shed the least, but low shedding often means more grooming: curly and wavy coats tend to need regular professional care. Each profile gives the full picture.
The list
| # | Breed | Size | Typical weight | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italian Greyhound | Small | 7 to 14 lb | 14 to 15 years |
| 2 | Xoloitzcuintli | Medium | 25 to 40 lb | 13 to 18 years |
| 3 | American Hairless Terrier | Small | 12 to 16 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 4 | Australian Terrier | Small | 14 to 16 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 5 | Silky Terrier | Small | 8 to 10 lb | 13 to 15 years |
| 6 | Irish Terrier | Medium | 25 to 27 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 7 | Affenpinscher | Small | 7 to 10 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 8 | Pumi | Medium | 22 to 29 lb | 12 to 13 years |
| 9 | Spanish Water Dog | Medium | 31 to 49 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 10 | Bergamasco Sheepdog | Large | 57 to 70 lb | 13 to 15 years |
| 11 | Miniature Schnauzer | Small | 11 to 20 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 12 | Portuguese Water Dog | Medium | 35 to 60 lb | 11 to 13 years |
| 13 | Scottish Terrier | Small | 18 to 22 lb | 11 to 13 years |
| 14 | Airedale Terrier | Medium | 50 to 70 lb | 11 to 14 years |
| 15 | Chinese Crested | Small | 8 to 12 lb | 13 to 17 years |
| 16 | Biewer Terrier | Small | 4 to 8 lb | 12 to 16 years |
| 17 | Lagotto Romagnolo | Medium | 24 to 35 lb | 15 to 17 years |
| 18 | Coton de Tulear | Small | 8 to 13 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 19 | Wire Fox Terrier | Small | 15 to 18 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 20 | Welsh Terrier | Small | 20 to 20 lb | 12 to 15 years |
About the breeds
1. Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is the smallest sighthound, a slender, fast and delicate companion with a short coat that feels the cold and craves warmth and company. Read the Italian Greyhound profile.
2. Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli is an ancient Mexican breed that comes hairless or coated in three sizes, valued as a calm, loyal watchdog and companion. Read the Xoloitzcuintli profile.
3. American Hairless Terrier
A small, lively American terrier that comes in hairless and coated forms, descended from a single hairless puppy and needing skin protection. Read the American Hairless Terrier profile.
4. Australian Terrier
A small, sturdy terrier from Australia with a rough blue-and-tan or sandy coat, a friendly, active nature, and a distinctive topknot. Read the Australian Terrier profile.
5. Silky Terrier
The Silky Terrier is a small Australian toy terrier with a long, blue and tan silky coat, combining a lapdog's looks with a lively, busy terrier temperament. Read the Silky Terrier profile.
6. Irish Terrier
A leggy, red-coated terrier from Ireland with a wiry coat and a bold, loyal nature, historically a farm dog, guard, and messenger. Read the Irish Terrier profile.
7. Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is a small, wiry-coated German toy breed with a monkey-like face, bred to hunt rats and now kept as a bold, funny, watchful companion. Read the Affenpinscher profile.
8. Pumi
A lively, terrier-like Hungarian herding dog with a curly coat and upright, tipped ears, quick and vocal with a love of activity. Read the Pumi profile.
9. Spanish Water Dog
A medium-sized Spanish herding and water dog with a woolly, curly coat that sheds little, known for versatility, stamina and a close bond with its family. Read the Spanish Water Dog profile.
10. Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco Sheepdog is an Italian Alpine herding dog whose coat forms thick, felted flocks, known for a calm, patient and devoted nature. Read the Bergamasco Sheepdog profile.
11. Miniature Schnauzer
A sturdy, bearded German terrier-type dog with a wiry coat, a quick mind, and a loud voice, popular as a small family companion and watchdog. Read the Miniature Schnauzer profile.
12. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is an athletic, curly or wavy coated swimmer from Portugal, known for stamina, intelligence and a low-shedding coat. Read the Portuguese Water Dog profile.
13. Scottish Terrier
A compact, dignified Scottish terrier with a wiry black, wheaten, or brindle coat, a bold manner, and a serious, independent streak. Read the Scottish Terrier profile.
14. Airedale Terrier
The largest of the terriers, a tall, wiry-coated English working dog with a strong sense of humor and plenty of stamina. Read the Airedale Terrier profile.
15. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a slender toy dog, either hairless with a crest and plume or coated as a Powderpuff, known for its affectionate, clingy nature. Read the Chinese Crested profile.
16. Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier is a small tricolor toy with a long silky coat, developed in Germany in the 1980s and valued as a lively, affectionate lap companion. Read the Biewer Terrier profile.
17. Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a curly-coated Italian water dog turned truffle hunter, with a keen nose, a teddy-bear look and a trainable, busy nature. Read the Lagotto Romagnolo profile.
18. Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a small, cheerful white companion from Madagascar with a soft, cotton-like coat and a lively, affectionate temperament. Read the Coton de Tulear profile.
19. Wire Fox Terrier
A square, high-spirited English hunting terrier with a wiry coat and a bold bearing, long a star of the show ring and a lively, noisy companion. Read the Wire Fox Terrier profile.
20. Welsh Terrier
A squarely built black-and-tan terrier from Wales with a wiry coat, a spirited temper, and a build like a smaller Airedale. Read the Welsh Terrier profile.
How this list was made
Breeds rated 1 or 2 for shedding, ordered by shedding rating, then by lower grooming needs. The ratings come from the breed profiles on this site, which rate each breed as a whole. Individual dogs differ, so use the list to decide which profiles to read, then meet the breed before you choose.