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28 Low-Shedding Dog Breeds That Won’t Leave Fur Everywhere

These furry friends won't cover your couch and clothes in fuzz.

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Achoo! If you have animal allergies, you may have resigned yourself to wheezing and sneezing just to be around your favorite furry friends. Even without pet allergies, many pet owners get tired of the seemingly endless fur that sticks all over your clothes, couch, carpet, and more. If you want a dog but don’t want to deal with all the shedding and sneezing, a hypoallergenic dog breed could be right for you.

These dogs are low-shedding and allergy-friendly, which means less struggle to remove pet hair and more time snuggling. While it’s important to know that no dog is totally hypoallergenic—these dogs will still have dander—these pups are less likely to trigger allergies and are a perfect companion for any home.

1

American Hairless Terrier

a beautiful the american hairless terrier dog strolls through a summer meadow. close up.
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Despite the name, the American hairless terrier actually comes in both hairless and coated varieties. The AKC calls this breed “a fine choice for allergy sufferers who want a dog with true terrier grit and courage.” They are small but mighty; they make good watchdogs because they are protective of their people.

2

Bolognese

grace bolognese dog
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The Bolognese is a member of the Bichon family—just look at the resemblance between the two white, fluffy dog breeds. Bolognese are calm but playful companions. Because they are prone to separation anxiety, they don’t do well with a lot of alone time.

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3

Kerry Blue Terrier

kerry blue terrier dog in the rack side view with pigtails on the beard
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These dogs are known for their famous “blue” shade, which can range from deep slate to a light blue-grey. They are one of the largest terrier breeds, well-muscled and often weighing around 40 pounds. They make good watch dogs and family companions.

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4

Poodle

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Poodles come in a variety of sizes: standard, toy, and miniature. Regardless of what kind of poodle you have, they are hypoallergenic and low-shedding. These dogs are known for being super smart—not to mention their fashionable reputation. Poodles are also easy to train!

5

Löwchen

little lion dog looks aside.
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The Löwchen is a small dog with a big personality. They are popular in Europe, and their name means “little lion” in German. They are usually groomed to have close-cut fur on their legs and tail but longer “manes” and tail plumes that give them a lion-like appearance. They are sturdy and low-shedding dogs.

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6

Peruvian Inca Orchid

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Most Peruvian Inca Orchids (or PIOs, as their names are affectionately abbreviated) are hairless, but some dogs of this breed can have a coat. They are sighthounds known for their speed and agility, and they are considered a kind of cousin to greyhounds and whippets.

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7

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

russian ginger dog of the russian colored bichon (bolonka tsvetna) breed
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Often just called Bolonka, the name “Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka” translates to "Russian Colored Lapdog." They are part of the Bichon family and they make great apartment dogs, especially for families that also have children or other dogs.

8

Bichon Frisé

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Bichons aren't just cute, they were bred specifically to be hypoallergenic. Their super soft, curly white hair makes them look like cuddly little cotton balls, especially with a round haircut. They are loving lap dogs with funny personalities.

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9

Shih Tzu

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Shih Tzus date all the way back to the Tang dynasty in China! They are descended from Tibetan dogs and became a favorite of Chinese royalty. Although they are known as "lion dogs," they don't shed something fierce. However, their hair can grow quite long and will need regular grooming, even though you're less likely to find it all over your clothes.

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10

Miniature Schnauzer

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The most popular Schnauzer breed, these astute watchdogs are a perfect pocket option for Schnauzer fans. They have that same serious expression as their larger counterparts, but in a more compact package. These fearless companions shed minimally and love lots of playtime, so get ready for plenty of games of fetch.

11

Yorkshire Terrier

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Sweet-faced Yorkies fit in purses and laps, but their small size packs a ton of attitude. Their fine hair has a texture that's similar to human hair, so it's less likely to make you sneeze. But groom-averse dog fans, beware: Yorkies do require regular brushing and maintenance to keep their hair tangle-free and silky soft.

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12

Maltese

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Averaging a teeny-tiny seven pounds, the ancient Greek breed basically defines the concept of "lap dog." Even marathon cuddle sessions won't leave you sneezing, since their all-white coats aren't likely to trigger allergies. You can choose between cutting their soft fur into a sporty trim or letting it grow long, depending on how much maintenance you can handle.

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13

Portuguese Water Dog

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You may recognize these medium-sized furballs after "First Dogs" Sunny and Bo Obama helped put the curly-haired Portuguese water dogs in the spotlight. Their playful and laid-back personalities make great additions to any household, even if yours is less than presidential. They even adapt well to apartment living for those in small spaces, but will still need regular walks to keep them fit.

14

Scottish Terrier

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You may recognize the personality-filled Scottie dog from Disney classic dog movie, Lady and the Tramp, but the independent and sometimes stubborn Scotties make great pets IRL, too. They were originally bred as fierce hunters, and their wiry, weather-resistant coats kept them protected in a range of climates. Today, their dignified beard will probably spend most of its time gracing your couch.

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15

Chinese Crested

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The Chinese Crested is an easily recognizable breed that has a feathery tail and feet. For those who have a hard time with pet hair, these hairless dogs make great housemates and won’t cause the sniffles since the only place they have hair is on their feet, tail and head.

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16

Xoloitzcuintli

magnificent xoloitzcuintle mexican hairless dog standing on stone, dogs that don't shed
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Known for being the dog of the ancient Aztecs, the Xoloitzcuintli is a loyal and alert watchdog. These dogs come in two varieties — hairless and coated. If you go for the elegant hairless variety, pick up a good dog sunscreen to protect their delicate skin from damage.

17

Giant Schnauzer

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We're in love with the giant Schnauzers' iconic shaggy eyebrows, but all that fur doesn't mean they'll make you sneeze. They do require a moderate amount of grooming, so get a quality dog brush. The largest of the three Schnauzer types, they can grow to 75 pounds and have an intelligent, task-focused temperament that lends itself well to training.

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18

West Highland Terrier

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Just like other terriers, Westies possess a curious and lively attitude, with the added bonus of minimal shedding. These hardy dogs have a cheerful demeanor that will keep you giggling with their playful antics. Their portable size and friendly disposition make them some of the most popular terriers.

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19

Havanese

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Happy and curious, Havanese dogs sport long, silky coats in a variety of colors. They can look positively royal if you let their low-shedding coats grow long and carry them around like the kings and queens they think they are. Many owners prefer to give them a shorter clip for easier maintenance.

20

Afghan Hound

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These sweet hounds don't shed much, but their long coats do require some attentive grooming. Because they were originally bred for the mountains in Afghanistan, they have long, shiny hair that can tangle without routine maintenance. Make grooming time part of your bonding ritual, and you'll discover what "man's best friend" really means.

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