35 Non Shedding Dog Breeds – Ranked in Order

There are a lot of different reasons people give when asked why they don’t adopt a dog. By far, the biggest reason that people say they don’t want a canine companion is due to the shed of hair around the home and on their clothes. If you fall into this category, check out these non-shedding dog breeds.

Some forget to recognize that dog breeds differ quite often and in much more aspects than just size and appearance.

There are dog breeds that don’t smell nearly as bad as others, like Collies, Maltese, and Beagles. Many dog breeds are much calmer and less hyperactive, like Shih Tzu, Bulldogs, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. And yes, there are also dogs that (almost) don’t shed and are hypoallergenic.

There are no dogs that are 100% shed-free.

Also, keep in mind that even hypoallergenic breeds can trigger a person’s allergies. There’s a common misconception that if a dog has a really short coat or has its coat frequently cut, this will stop allergies from triggering. This is not true.

Actually, the dog’s hair has nothing to do with your allergies. They are caused by the dog’s dander and sometimes by its saliva or urine. Even coatless and hypoallergenic dogs have dander. However, some are much more hypoallergenic than others, and regular grooming can further reduce dander to an irrelevant minimum.

In other words, an owner should not expect to get a non-shedding, hypoallergenic dog and have all the work done in advance. Proper brushing and bathing are still strongly advised if you don’t want your dog to shed.

Getting non-shedding dog breeds does mean that you’ll need to do these things much less, and you’ll experience almost no shedding whatsoever. Now let’s delve into our list of 35 non-shedding dog breeds. We’ve ranked them in order – or as close to order as possible since individual dogs or sub-breeds can obviously vary.

35 Non-Shedding Dog Breeds
ranked in order

1. Toy Poodle

At the top of our list is everyone’s favorite loving, playful rascal. Not just at the top of this list, Toy Poodles are also lauded as one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there. Very prone to training, very “talkative,” and very loyal, these non-shedding dog breeds are prime “best friend” material. And yes – you can forget about the shedding.

2. Affenpinscher

This German terrier breed (“pinscher” means terrier in German) is another bundle of cuteness. Originally bred as rat hunters, these dogs retain their hunting instincts which makes them great guard dogs. However, they are also highly intelligent, playful and loving, and make amazing apartment pets.

3. Miniature Schnauzer

Schnauzers are rightfully famous for their big hearts and seemingly unending energy. And they are much more, too – a Schnauzer loves to be the center of attention, but these non-shedding dog breeds are also exceptionally intelligent, so they fill that center easily. A Schnauzer lives to please but also needs a ton of mental and physical stimulation – don’t let them get bored.

4. Saluki

Saluki dogs are both one of the oldest dog breeds known to man – approximately 6000 years old – and are also the fastest dogs globally, surpassing other sighthounds like Greyhounds. Saluki dogs are very calm and gentle. They are brilliant and quite elegant as well – they require a lot of soft surfaces and comfort, but to repay you for that, they won’t shed on said surfaces.

5. Irish Terrier

Another iconic breed, Irish Terriers, makes for the best guard dogs. More than that, Irish Terriers are also excellent athletes and make for both a great competition dog as well as a great sports buddy. As fearless as they are when they guard your home, they’ll have nothing but love in their big hearts towards you.

6. Maltese

The definition of “cuteness” a Maltese will love and crave your company and presence more than any other animal or person in the world. He’ll reward your company with an endless supply of love and affection, but he’s more than just a cuddle-buddy, too – these non-shedding dog breeds are famously intelligent and love games and tricks.

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7. Kerry Blue Terrier

Yet another Terrier, the Kerry Blue, is a working dog that was bred primarily for herding and guarding. As such, they are not just great guard dogs for your home but also a knowledgeable and friendly companion. All that, coupled with their distinctive, beautiful look, makes them a great pet for many people.

8. Shih Tzu

A literally created dog to be your best friend, the Shih Tzu, will always be by your side and will always try to make you smile. Gorgeous and cute, as they are intelligent and funny, these non-shedding dog breeds make for amazing pets. It’s no surprise why they are among the most popular dog breeds in the world.

9. Standard Poodle

Another classical breed, the Standard Poodle, is known for its quick feet and a quick mind. An intelligent athlete, the Poodle makes for an amazing play partner – they love to run, to play, and to learn tricks, and they’ll do all that without shedding almost any hair in your home.

10. Scottish Terrier

At the almost opposite spectrum of Poodles, Scottish Terriers are not the best athletes. They are also not just intelligent but wickedly intelligent to the point that they really dislike training. A Scottish Terrier does what it wants, but fortunately, one of the key things it wants is to be by your side and make you happy.

11. Australian Silky Terrier

Named precisely after their gorgeous, silky coat, the Australian Silky Terrier’s coat is also almost non-shedding. Very loving and cuddly dogs, but also quite active – Silky Terriers don’t like being bored and can get destructive when left alone. When they are with you, however, they’ll be your best friends.

12. Irish Water Spaniel

A retrieving dog, the Irish Water Spaniel loves water almost as much as it loves people. Very funny and smart. These dogs live to please you and are great training buddies. And while they’ll keep you busy you should keep them busy too – they require quite a lot of exercise.

13. Cairn Terrier

Yes, Toto from The Wizard of Oz made our list as well – maybe non-shedding is magical? However, aside from non-shedding, Cairn Terriers have a ton more to offer – very intelligent and loyal. A Cairn will follow you everywhere and do its best to help you however it can.

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14. West Highland White Terrier

Another white bundle of love, the West Highland White Terrier – or the Westie – can be a bit of mischief, so don’t let these non-shedding dog breeds get bored. They are very playful and intelligent and will repay your attention and time with many fun times and love.

15. Brussels Griffon

An exceptionally loyal companion, the Brussels Griffon can even be loyal to a fault and distrust strangers. They also don’t get along with kids too well since they can be moody. However, toward you, a Griffon shows nothing but love and attention, as long as you repay him in kind.

16. Wheaten Terrier

Another fun-loving breed, the Wheaten Terrier, loves to run and to play both outside and indoors. A Wheaten will shower you with attention, but these non-shedding dog breeds also love to cuddle and nap in your feet.

17. Chinese Crested

Definitely not your typical dog; the Chinese Crested, however, is also a very non-shedding dog. In addition to that and their unique appearance, the Crested love their owners and family and distrust strangers and children. And – being almost naked – they are not good dogs for cold climates.

18. Lakeland Terrier

A scent hound, the Lakeland Terrier, makes for a great watchdog. They also have a huge capacity of energy and are ready to burst into play at any second. That, coupled with their impressive intelligence, makes for a great pal, and their undying love for their family turns them into amazing pets.

19. Basenji

One of the more independence-loving non-shedding dog breeds on this list, this short-haired pooch comes from the Congo. They do great on their own and can even be stubborn in training, but they do love attention and require a lot of playtime with their owner every day.

20. Yorkshire Terrier

Another attention-grabber, Yorkies are one of the most famous dog breeds in the world for a reason. They may be small, but their personality is enormous – only towards their owner. Yorkshire Terriers can be very focused on their love and often mistrust strangers, other dogs, kids, and even other family members.

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21. Coton De Tulear

Widely known as the “Velcro dog,” the Coton De Tulear is the almost perfect lap dog. Similar to the Maltese, but much calmer and cuddlier, Coton De Tulear still needs daily walks and playtime, of course, but during the rest of the day, you will be happiest in your lap.

22. Giant Schnauzer

A Miniature Schnauzer in every aspect other than size, the Giant Schnauzer is a former working dog. These non-shedding dog breeds need a lot of mental stimulation – training, playtime, tricks, etc. As their smaller brethren, these giants to are very loving and loyal companions with a heart that’s as giant as they are.

23. Border Terrier

A former fox hunting dog, the Border Terrier, has an amazing hunting instinct. If there are squirrels in your nearby park, they’ll soon learn to hate your furry friend. A Border Terrier is much more than just a hunter, however – very social, loving, and intelligent dog, they make great family pets, as long as they get exercise and playtime they need.

24. Portuguese Water Dog

A retriever dog, the only thing the Portuguese Water Dog loves more than water is its owner. Literally bred to please, these Water Dogs are very intelligent and loving and love to play with you until exhaustion.

25. Havanese

If you want a dog that will love you almost unnaturally, then you should consider a Havanese. Small in size but enormous in heart, the Havanese will soak up your attention while you are there and compose the saddest songs and howl them to no end while you are away.

26. Airdale Terrier

A working dog like most Terriers, the Airdale was more specially bred for agility and swimming. They are also the largest Terrier breed, which doesn’t affect their agility one bit. Other than that, they are precisely what you’d expect from a terrier – full of energy, highly intelligent, and extremely loyal and loving.

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27. Bedlington Terrier

Don’t be fooled by its lamb-like coat – the Bedlington Terrier is as much of a hunting dog as a lot of its Terrier brethren. Like all Terriers, these non-shedding dog breeds also make for an amazing guard dog and will also shower you with love and with its seemingly endless playful energy.

28. Labradoodle

Labradoodles may surprise many people for being on this list – many Labradoodles are not hypoallergenic and shed a lot. That’s because while Poodles are non-shedding, Labradors shed quite a lot. So whether or not a Labradoodle will shed is highly dependent on its ancestry.

However, if you get a 3^rd generation Labradoodle and know that its parents and grandparents are non-shedding, this Labradoodle will be a very non-shedding dog. And more than that, Labradoodles are great in a ton of ways – loving, playful, and very loyal, they make for amazing pets.

29. Schnauzer

Just like their bigger and smaller counterparts, the Standard Schnauzer is characterized by its huge heart’s unlimited energy supply. They are also very gentle and affectionate dogs that are guaranteed to make your life brighter. That is unless you’ve neglected them and they’ve destroyed your furniture out of boredom.

30. Bichon Frise

The Bichon is a little bundle of cheerful joy that just so happens to be quite non-shedding. Very affectionate and gentle, this ball of white goodness is sure to make you smile.

31. Komondor

You can be forgiven if you don’t bet on the Komondor as a participant in a “non-shedding dogs list.” Yet, here he is. The Komondor love deeply and gently known as “the dreads” for his signature mop-like look. However, while their coat doesn’t shed much, these non-shedding dog breeds still require a lot of grooming and brushing since it quite literally acts as a mop around the house.

32. Lhasa Apso

A truly royal dog, the Lhasa Apso were used as palace guard dogs in Tibet. And just as their heritage implies, they are proud and confident dogs. That doesn’t stop them from also being loyal and loving towards their owner. However, it does mean that they are suspicious of strangers.

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33. Bolognese

The Bolognese is easily mistaken with a Bichon or a Maltese, but it is a separate breed. Intelligent dogs that love games and puzzles, the Bolognese’s main priority is still to be close to you – as long as they have your presence, attention, and gentle petting, they’ll be happy, and they’ll do their best to make you happy as well.

34. Tibetan Terrier

Another entry from Tibet and another Terrier too – the Tibetan is not an actual terrier, despite its name. Called Tsang Apso (or Shaggy Dog) in their homeland’s language, the Tibetans were bred for working and herding, just like western terriers. As such, they are intelligent, loyal, and loving towards their owner and family. However, they are wary of strangers.

35. Bouvier Des Flandres

Finally, we have the Bouvier. I don’t think they shed too much, just because they are in 35^th place. These non-shedding dog breeds are powerful and fearless, as they were bred for herding and working. But, today, they are considered to be great athletes.

They require a lot of exercises, as well as strong leadership and assertiveness from their owner. Once that’s in place, however, the Bouvier is a very gentle, loyal, and loving friend.

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