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These 28 breeds are commonly described as low-shedding, but none is guaranteed not to shed—and none is guaranteed to be allergy-safe. Their coats may leave less loose hair around the house than many other dogs, yet coat care, activity needs, size, and your response to the individual dog matter just as much. Treat this as a shortlist, not a ranking or a promise: a low-shedding dog can still require frequent brushing, trimming, or other grooming.
If allergies are the reason you are looking, start with the caveat: no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic. Dog allergens can come from dander and saliva as well as hair, and a breed label cannot predict how you will react to a particular dog.
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Are low-shedding dogs hypoallergenic?
No. “Low-shedding” describes how much loose hair a dog tends to release; it does not mean the dog produces no allergens or will not trigger symptoms. The American Kennel Club notes that no breed is completely hypoallergenic. Its veterinarian Jerry Klein describes breeds often called hypoallergenic as generally having single-layer coats and shedding less—but that is not the same as being allergy-free.
A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy compared dog allergen levels in homes with dogs classified as hypoallergenic and other homes. None of the study’s four classification schemes showed a difference in household dog-allergen levels between the groups. That finding does not mean all individual dogs produce identical allergen levels; it does mean a breed category alone is not a reliable guarantee of lower exposure. Read the study’s abstract and conclusion.
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Hair and allergen exposure are related but not interchangeable. If allergies are significant, consider your own response to the individual dog and talk with a medical professional before bringing one home. You can also reduce exposure in the home: the AKC suggests keeping the dog out of the bedroom, using a HEPA air filter sized for the room, and vacuuming regularly. These are exposure-management measures, not a cure or a promise that symptoms will stop.
Which 28 dog breeds are considered low-shedding?
The breeds below come from an editorial shortlist, not a scientific ranking. Individual dogs can differ, and “low-shedding” does not mean “no grooming.” Use each coat description as a starting point, then weigh the care and activity needs alongside the amount of loose hair you hope to manage. The breed-level descriptions are drawn from Daily Paws’ 28-breed overview, with additional care guidance from the AKC where noted.
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- Afghan Hound. The Afghan Hound has a long, single-layer coat. Bathing and grooming are part of managing it; a long coat is not a low-effort alternative simply because a breed is described as shedding less.
- Affenpinscher. Its wiry, medium-length coat needs regular brushing to prevent tangles. The AKC specifically recommends a slicker brush and comb for this coat, a useful reminder to choose grooming tools for the dog’s coat rather than assuming one brush suits every breed.
- Barbet. This active, water-loving sporting dog has a tightly curled coat, described as non-shedding in the source list. Its activity profile matters as much as the coat: a low-shed description does not make an active dog a fit for every household.
- American Hairless Terrier. This is a hairless option for people considering a smaller, active, trainable dog. Hairlessness may mean less coat hair around the home, but it does not make the dog allergen-free.
- Basenji. The Basenji sheds very little and has straightforward grooming needs. It is not necessarily a low-activity choice: AKC guidance notes a high prey drive and daily activity needs, which should be considered before choosing one.
- Bedlington Terrier. Its curly coat is associated with low shedding, but it requires consistent grooming. Factor that regular care into the decision rather than focusing only on loose hair.
- Bichon Frise. The Bichon’s hair grows continuously rather than being shed freely. Attentive grooming is needed to maintain the coat, so less loose hair can come with more hands-on coat care.
- Brussels Griffon. The low-shedding description applies to the rough-coated variety. Do not assume it applies automatically to every coat variety; confirm which coat type you are considering.
- Cairn Terrier. A wiry outer coat over a double coat can reduce visible shedding. Cairn Terriers are terriers, so their activity and digging instincts are also part of the match—not just the coat.
- Chinese Crested. Chinese Cresteds come in hairless and powderpuff varieties. The powderpuff has a coat, so distinguish between the two when weighing hair and grooming considerations. Hairless does not mean allergy-proof.
- Coton de Tulear. This breed’s long coat brings extra grooming needs; AKC guidance recommends daily grooming. That routine is important to consider if you want less loose hair but do not have time for frequent coat care.
- Havanese. A Havanese can have a flowing coat or a shorter clip. Regular brushing helps prevent tangles and mats, including when the coat is kept long; a shorter trim may make upkeep easier but does not remove the need for grooming.
- Irish Water Spaniel. The Irish Water Spaniel has a curly coat and an active sporting-dog profile. The source describes it as rarely leaving fur on furniture, but its activity needs still belong in the household-fit calculation.
- Kerry Blue Terrier. This active, versatile terrier has a wavy coat. Descriptions of the breed as “somewhat non-allergenic” should not be read as a medical assurance: the breed cannot guarantee a reaction-free home.
- Lagotto Romagnolo. The Lagotto has hair-like curls and is known as an athletic truffle-hunting dog. Consider both the distinctive coat and the need to match an athletic dog’s lifestyle to your own.
- Lhasa Apso. The long coat can be kept long, with frequent brushing, or clipped shorter. Either choice involves maintenance; a shorter clip changes the care approach but does not turn the breed into a no-grooming option.
- Maltese. The Maltese has a silky, low-shedding coat that still needs dedicated upkeep. If you are choosing mainly to reduce loose hair, be prepared to make regular coat care part of the plan.
- Peruvian Inca Orchid. This hairless breed comes in three sizes. The source’s lower-dander description is not an allergy guarantee, and a lack of a full coat should not be treated as proof of low allergen exposure.
- Poodle. Toy, Miniature, and Standard Poodles offer different size options, and the breed is commonly included on low-shedding lists. The AKC cautions that Poodles can still carry allergens; do not treat the breed or its coat as protection from allergy symptoms.
- Portuguese Water Dog. This athletic breed has a dense, wavy coat and is described as low-shedding. AKC guidance also emphasizes considering exercise and grooming needs, so a household should be ready for both the dog’s activity and its coat care.
- Schnauzer. Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers are distinct size choices within the group. Decide which size fits your space and routines instead of treating “Schnauzer” as a single, one-size-fits-all option.
- Scottish Terrier. The Scottish Terrier’s wiry coat is low-shedding, but it needs brushing and grooming and may need occasional hand-stripping, according to the AKC. Include that maintenance in your expectations.
- Shih Tzu. A Shih Tzu’s long coat needs sustained care unless it is clipped short. The choice between a longer coat and a shorter clip is a grooming decision, not a way to eliminate grooming altogether.
- Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. This breed’s wavy coat is described as low-shedding and needs consistent grooming. A low-shed coat may reduce loose hair around the home, but it does not remove the ongoing care commitment.
- Spanish Water Dog. The Spanish Water Dog has a curly coat and is described as an active outdoor companion. Consider whether that profile suits your daily life as well as whether its coat suits your preferences.
- West Highland White Terrier. The West Highland White Terrier has a thick coat. The source recommends daily brushing and periodic grooming or hand-stripping, so plan for a regular routine rather than expecting the coat to care for itself.
- Xoloitzcuintli. Also called the Xolo, this hairless breed comes in Toy, Miniature, and Standard sizes. Lack of a full coat does not establish that a dog will be suitable for someone with allergies; evaluate the individual dog and your response.
- Yorkshire Terrier. The Yorkshire Terrier’s long, silky coat can be trimmed shorter and is described as low-shedding. Coat length affects the grooming routine, so consider the upkeep you are willing to maintain.
How should you choose between low-shedding breeds?
Start by separating the goal—less loose hair—from the other needs of the dog and household. A breed that suits your cleaning preferences may still be a poor fit if its grooming routine, activity level, or size does not work for you.
- Loose hair: “Low-shedding” is a tendency, not a guarantee that a particular dog will leave no hair. The 28-breed list is not a clinical ranking of breeds by measured shedding.
- Coat care: Long coats may call for frequent or daily brushing; curly and wiry coats can require continued grooming; some breeds may need trims or hand-stripping. Low-shedding should not be confused with low-maintenance.
- Activity: The list spans companion dogs, terriers, and active sporting dogs. The Barbet, Irish Water Spaniel, Lagotto Romagnolo, Portuguese Water Dog, and Spanish Water Dog are described as active or athletic; the Basenji has daily activity needs and a high prey drive in AKC guidance.
- Size and living fit: The Poodle, Schnauzer, and Xoloitzcuintli each have multiple size varieties. Compare the actual variety you are considering with your living space and routines.
- Your reaction: If allergies are a concern, a breed label cannot tell you how you will respond to an individual dog. Consider your own exposure and seek medical guidance when symptoms are significant.
Before committing, ask what coat variety the dog has, what brushing and professional grooming it needs, and what daily activity it requires. If you are considering a hairless breed because of allergies, remember that the absence of a full coat is not an allergy guarantee. For coat tools, follow advice specific to the dog: the AKC’s slicker-brush and comb guidance, for example, is for the Affenpinscher, not a universal prescription for all 28 breeds.
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What can help manage dog allergens at home?
If you bring a dog home while managing allergies, environmental steps may help reduce exposure, though they cannot guarantee symptom prevention. The AKC suggests keeping the dog out of the bedroom, using a HEPA filter sized for that room, and vacuuming regularly. These steps address exposure in the home; they do not change the dog’s breed, make it hypoallergenic, or substitute for medical guidance.
It is also useful to set expectations before adoption: a low-shedding coat can still require substantial care, and less visible hair does not necessarily mean less allergen exposure. Choose for the whole household fit rather than relying on one coat label.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do low-shedding dogs still need professional grooming?
Many do. Long, curly, and wiry coats in this shortlist may need frequent brushing, regular grooming or trims, and in some cases hand-stripping. Ask about the particular dog’s coat routine before deciding whether its care demands fit your schedule.
Are hairless dogs better for people with dog allergies?
Not necessarily. Hairlessness is not the same as being free of allergens, and breed labels cannot guarantee how a person will react. If allergies are a concern, consider your response to the individual dog and ask a medical professional for guidance.
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Can a dog’s coat be kept short to reduce grooming?
Some breeds on this list, including the Havanese, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier, can be clipped shorter. A shorter style may make upkeep easier, but it does not mean the dog needs no regular coat care.
What does “low-shedding” mean compared with “non-shedding”?
In practical breed descriptions, both labels are used to suggest less loose hair, but they should not be read as a promise that a dog sheds none. Individual dogs vary, and a coat description does not establish that the dog will be suitable for someone with allergies.
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