18 Dogs That Don’t Shed – Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds To Reduce The Sneezes (And The Vacuuming)!

Suffering from allergies can be a really frustrating reason why many people can’t adopt a pup. Hair seems to get on the furniture and all over clothes, leaving you with an itchy nose and watery eyes.

But what if we were to tell you that there are some dogs that don’t shed? Or at least, shed less than let’s say… a German Shepherd. Choosing one of these low-shedding dog breeds could be a great way for allergy sufferers to have a dog in their life without all the itchy complications (it will also save you time on vacuuming)!

Why Do Some People Suffer From Dog Allergies?

What many pup lovers don’t know is that it’s not actually dog hair that causes the allergic reaction. It’s a protein that can be found in skin cells, urine, and saliva. 

But hang on, don’t go adopting a super-shedder Shepherd just yet. 

Dander (dead skin cells) can be found on dead hair all over your clothes and furniture. It’s also common for urine and saliva particles to be on hair too, which is why dog hair is actually a problem for allergy sufferers even though it’s not the real cause. 

Getting a hypoallergenic dog can help to reduce the amount of hair in your home and therefore reduce the likelihood of you suffering from allergies.

Is There Really Such A Thing As A Hypoallergenic Dog Breed?

No. Unfortunately not. There’s no such thing as a dog that doesn’t shed. There are, however, low shedding dogs which are the next best thing.

All dogs shed to some extent (yes, even the hairless ones) and the specific protein can be present on all hair. If you have a severe pup allergy even these minimum shedding dog breeds might not help – sorry. But if it’s only minor, these dogs and a few extra tips may help to keep the sniffles under control.

Tips For Managing Dogs And Allergies

Apart from getting one of these hypoallergenic dogs, there are a few other things you can do to help reduce the symptoms of allergies.

Vacuum Regularly

Keeping on top of your vacuuming and not letting hair build up can really help reduce the amount of dander around your house. Pay particular attention to carpets and rugs as it’s easy for dander to get trapped there.

Bathe Your Dog Regularly

Giving your dog baths often can help to get rid of any loose hair that may otherwise end up on your floor. Make sure you use a sensitive shampoo that won’t irritate their skin and one you can use regularly.

Make A Dog-Free Zone

It’s a good idea to restrict the areas in your home that your dog is allowed to go to. This helps to restrict the possibility of dander getting there. Whenever you get a flare-up you can go to this ‘safe’ zone to recover. It’s a good idea to keep your bedroom a dog-free zone for sleeping too!

Use An Air Filter And Humidifier

HEPA filters can help to get rid of any extra dander floating around your home. These particles are impossible to see but allergy sufferers will definitely feel them!

Use Clothes

Another great way to stop hair from getting all around the house is to put your pup in a jumpsuit or pajamas. It might sound a little weird, but it’s true! Pajamas trap the hair meaning it’s easier for you to manage. We love these dog Christmas pajamas for some festive fun.

18 Dogs That Don’t Shed

Here are some of our favorite non-shedders.

The American Hairless Terrier

Of course, these unusual-looking dogs have to be on the list. Like most Terriers, these doggos are intelligent, curious, and lively. They can be excitable and love to play and exercise with their owners. They’re very alert dogs and can adapt well to apartment living. American Hairless Terriers are also very snuggly and loving. 

Obviously, their hairlessness makes them ideal hypoallergenic dogs because they simply have less hair to lose! Their grooming requirements are also quite low but you might want to get them a good quality suncream to protect their delicate skin in summer!

Chinese Crested Dogs

Ok, so we promise not all the dogs on this list are hairless. There are plenty of coated pups too!

These are small, agile, and elegant dogs that are quite happy to pass their time snoozing on the couch. They’re very loving and affectionate towards members of their family and are happiest following you around rather than running in the yard (or doing any exercise at all).

These pups can be found in two variants – the Hairless (which actually have long, wispy hair on their head or crest, feet, and tail) and the Powderpuff which has a full coat). Interestingly, both variants can be found in a single litter. The Hairless Chinese Crested is a great family dog for those with allergies. Both variants are minimal shedders and require very little grooming.

Afghan Hound

We go from no hair to an abundance of it! The Afghan Hound is an iconic-looking, beautiful dog, known for its long and luxurious hair – so it might surprise you to know that these dogs don’t really shed at all! Part of the reason Afghan Hounds are considered low-shedders is that they require regular baths and grooming which helps to get rid of any dead hair and keep their coats looking sleek. It’s recommended that you bathe your Afghan Hound twice a week – so they may be low shedders but they’re pretty high maintenance. 

Although they look elegant and better suited to the streets of Paris, these dogs are actually hardworking and love to run. They need a lot of exercise and are incredibly fast! They make great pets for active families who don’t mind giving them some TLC regularly.

Bedlington Terrier

These little lamb dogs are actually pretty tenacious and very inquisitive. They’re alert and adore being the center of attention. They can have quite a lot of energy and love to play in the park. It’s a good idea to make sure these pups are well stimulated from an early age with puzzle toys and interactive games.

Their soft, curly fur is hypoallergenic and they barely shed. They also have minimal dander which can help reduce those sneezes! The unique Bedlington Terrier coat needs weekly brushing and the odd trim but is fairly low-maintenance.

Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniels are a great hypoallergenic breed. They’re attractive, strong, and known as the clowns of the Spaniel family. These curly-coated Irish dogs can be pretty goofy and love to play all day long. They’re energetic and really need to be part of an active family that can attempt to tire them out. These dogs were originally bred to help their owners fish and retrieve waterfowl. They’re exceptional swimmers – they even have webbed feet!

These dogs have a short, brown, and water-repellant double-coat that helps them to easily glide through the water. Their curly hair is very thick but rarely sheds. They will need to be brushed every couple of weeks to keep their hypoallergenic coat looking good. An Irish Water Spaniel would make a great addition to an active family that spends a lot of time around water!

Lagotto Romagnolo

A Lagotto Romagnolo (or the lake dog from Romagna) is a loving, affectionate, and athletic dog that will adore its owners. Famous for being able to sniff out truffles, these dogs are hardworking and very loving. They’re also very cute! This dog breed was originally bred to hunt in the wet marshlands around Romagna, meaning they’re big water-lovers and need a lot of exercise.

They have thick, wooly coats that make them look a lot like Poodles. They’re loved amongst allergy-suffering dog owners because they’re considered to be low-shedding dogs.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise has to be one of the cutest dogs around (especially Bichon Frise puppies). These small hypoallergenic dogs barely shed and have a fairly easy-to-maintain coat. They will, however, need some bathing and brushing to keep their fluffy coat pristine white.

These dogs are quite calm and very happy little pups. They’re relatively easy to train and are good pets for first-time dog owners (mainly because they’re just so happy to please their humans). They respond particularly well to rewards such as treats and cute toys! They also make good apartment dogs and are friendly towards other pets and children when properly trained and socialized.

Kerry Blue Terrier

Like many Terriers, the Kerry Blue Terrier is a great low-shedding dog. They have a beautiful, curly coat that comes in a striking blue/gray color. Their soft coat is very dense and whilst it may be pretty hypoallergenic, it will need to be brushed and trimmed regularly. 

These are really versatile dogs and can do well in apartments and also in large outdoor spaces. They’re good-natured, hard-working pups that also make great guard dogs. They’re very intelligent and love to have a task to complete so training classes and interactive toys are a good idea.

Maltese

Although they don’t look like it, these are one of the best hypoallergenic dog breeds you can find. These toy pups are very glamorous and have a wonderful silky coat that can be long or cut short. They have thick fur which does require a bit of maintenance to keep it looking good. Nowadays Maltese are always white but they used to come in many different colors!

Maltese are very intelligent small dogs that excel in obedience and agility training. As with the Bichon Frise, they’re very happy little pups that make good pets for novice owners and those who live in apartments. 

Poodle

Poodles (standard, miniature, and toy) are considered the original hypoallergenic breed. There are many famous mixed-breed Poodles, such as the Mini Goldendoodle or the Labradoodle. Their dense, curly coat doesn’t shed much making them ideal pets for allergy sufferers. They will need some brushing to keep those curls in perfect condition and this should be done gently to stop any discomfort and pulling. Many breeds have been mixed with Poodles to create new, hypoallergenic breeds too.

Poodles are highly intelligent dogs and are easy to train. They’re boisterous, playful, and loving pups that make great family pets. They’ll enjoy playtime and a good amount of exercise but don’t mind entertaining themselves for a little while either. Because they come in different sizes they’re also great small hypoallergenic dogs.

Poodles come in a number of different colors including black, apricot, brown, and gray!

Portuguese Water Dog

These are adventurous dogs that are closely related to Poodles – so they don’t shed much either. They have dense, wavy coats that come in many different colors. It’s also waterproof! They’re definitely big dogs that don’t shed but their coats do need some attention.

These adorable dogs are fun-loving and want nothing more than to be around people. They’re eager to please and have a lot of energy – which any owner needs to be ready for! They’re also incredibly loyal. Portuguese Water Dogs need regular exercise and will especially love long walks on the beach or anywhere where they can do a spot of swimming!

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are adorable and playful pups that need regular exercise and time chasing after a ball. Compared to other Terriers they’re fairly easygoing (both on this list of dogs that don’t shed and not). They’re a good choice for first-time dog owners and can adapt well to living in an apartment or smaller home – as long as you don’t mind taking them out a little more to stretch their legs.

Wheaten Terriers are one of the best dog breeds for allergy sufferers because their silky, single coat barely sheds. It does need a fair amount of grooming to keep it looking so slick, though. Because they don’t have a double coat these dogs shed less but brushing them 2 or 3 times a week will help keep stray hairs under control.

Schnauzer

Schnauzers were first bred in Germany to be guard dogs and ratters. Their bubbly personalities, intelligence, and desire to please make them excellent working dogs (as well as loveable companions). Whether you get a Giant, Standard, or Miniature Schnauzer you can be sure of two things – they’ll have a walrus mustache and will be a fantastic pet.

This low-shedding breed produces less dander and its wiry black or gray coat needs little maintenance. Brushing your dog twice a week, especially on the face and legs, will help to reduce how much hair they shed. It’s worth taking your pooch to a professional groomer to get the iconic Schnauzer look – it rarely turns out the same at home!

There’s also the Schnoodle which is a great mix of two hypoallergenic dog breeds – the Poodle and the Schnauzer.

Spanish Water Dog

These fluffy dogs have a cork-screw coat which makes them an ideal hypoallergenic dog. They come in many different colors and their coats need little attention. In fact, it’s not recommended to brush these dogs as their curly coat makes it difficult and could be painful. It’s best to have them professionally groomed to minimize any tatts from forming. 

These loving and loyal dogs need to be part of an active family for them to feel really happy. They’ll be especially at home with hunters and water-lovers that provide them with plenty of chances to splash and swim. They can also make great watchdogs and will love to keep every member of the family safe.

Xoloitzcuintli

Ok, so not so easy to pronounce but these alert and adoring dogs are another hairless breed. According to the American Kennel Club, you pronounce the name as ‘show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee’ but they’re also often referred to as Xolos. These dogs come in many different colors and can also be coated. As with the Chinese Crested Dog, both hairless and coated can be found in the same litter.

Xolos can be toy, miniature, and standard, and both the hairless and coated variety are low shedders. They also come in many different colors. They’re elegant dogs and the coated variety can be groomed every so often (but generally require minimal grooming). It’s important to protect your pup in extreme weather and make sure they’re protected from the sun and have warm coats in winter.

Puli

You can’t really mistake these iconic dogs for any other breed. They’re completely unique looking (and the total opposite of the Xoloitzcuintli)! Their long, corded hair is surprisingly hypoallergenic and won’t get all over your home – they hardly shed at all. Depending on your preference, you can either gently brush out the cords or keep the coat as it naturally occurs.

Pulik (the plural of Puli) are strong, hard-working dogs that were first bred to herd sheep. Their dense, wooly, and waterproof coat helped them to keep warm whilst working in winters. These dogs are very loyal and create strong bonds with their owners. They’re fun and love to be outdoors exploring.

Coton de Tulear

This pup is considered to be the royal dog of Madagascar. They have long, luxurious, white coats that don’t shed but which do require a bit of attention. They need to be brushed regularly to maintain their soft coat and bathed to keep them looking shiny white. It’s best to do this with a special pin-brush and a sensitive shampoo. 

Coton de Tulears are happy and charming little dogs that love to be around humans and to make new friends. They enjoy playing and will constantly be looking for something exciting to do. They make great companions for many different owners and are popular pups!

Yorkshire Terrier

These cute, little dogs are the ninth most popular dog breed in America. They’re playful, get on very well with children and other pets, and have really endearing personalities. These loveable pups adapt well to their living situation and love to learn new tricks. They can be a little too big for their paws and like to vocalize their opinion, so regular training is a must with Yorkshire Terriers.

Because their coats grow at the same speed all year round these dogs don’t blow their coats as the weather changes. They typically shed very little. This makes them a great choice for those wanting to avoid dog hair all over their clothes and on their couch!

Any of these wonderful dogs would make a great addition to a family that’s after a hypoallergenic pup. Some of them do still require some grooming and it’s always a good idea to have the vacuum cleaner handy for inevitable stray hairs. Although no dog is totally allergy-friendly, these 18 are the best breeds for you to choose from.

Which of these dogs that don’t shed are your favorites?