Short-haired Small Dogs Breeds For Those That Hate to Groom

Short-haired small dogs are a perfect choice for someone who’d rather spend the day romping in the park, rather than waiting in a doggie salon.

By Janice Jones   | Last Updated 04-23-2021

If you are investigating types of small short-haired dogs,
you are probably a person who:

• Loves companionship of a dog more than grooming
• Loves to play but hates to brush
• Would rather spend money on chew toys than expensive doggie salon
  treatments
• Love a clean face – Hate the appearance of matted hair and a
  ruffled look

You are in luck because there are many, many small breed
dogs that just might make the perfect companion sans the grooming.  We have listed the most common short-haired small dogs world-wide, but there are more.

Grooming Short-Haired Small Dogs

Grooming these dogs is a breeze.  There are few tasks that take much time and those grooming jobs are fairly consistent across all of these breeds with just a couple exceptions.  What will you need to do?

Brush once a week with a bristle brush, curry brush or hound mit to remove loose hair, dust and dirt.

Bathe as needed. Some breeds have doggie smell and bathing will remove or reduce the odor

Clip nails with a nail clipper or use a Dremel type tool to grind them down.

Brush teeth

Check ears and clean if needed.

Wipe eyes if tearing is an issue.

Some breeds such as the French Bulldog will help keeping their facial skin folds clean.  A soft cloth or cotton ball moistened with water usually takes care of the folds, but some may need to use a small amount of facial cleaner.  Once clean, dry the folds with a separate cloth or towel.

Hairless breeds will need protection from the sun, so the addition of a sunscreen is recommended. 

What These Short-haired Small Dogs Have in Common:

1. Small size
2. Short or Smooth coat
3. Most shed heavily in the spring and fall
4. Require some grooming (nails, teeth, ears, eyes, and baths)
5. All will need to be brushed (sorry to
   disappoint) but it is easy and a great time to bond.

How These Small Dogs Differ

1. Energy level
2. Personalities
3. Adaptability
4. Ease of Living with Other Pets
5. Ease of Living with Children
6. Health concerns
7. Intelligence
8. Ease of Training
9. Quantity of Barking

Best Short-haired Small Dogs

American Hairless

• Breed Group:  Miscellaneous
• Height: 7 to 18 inches
• Weight: 5 to 25 pounds
• Life Span: 14 to 16 years
• Technically not a Short-haired Small dog because it doesn’t have hair.
• Country:  United States

Basenji

• Breed Group: Hound
• Height: 16 to 17 inches
• Weight: 22 to 24 pounds
• Life Span: 10 to 12 years
• Country:  Democratic Republic of the Congo

Beagle

• Breed Group: Hound
• Height: two size varieties — up to 13 inches at the shoulder & 13 inches to 15 inches at the shoulder
• Weight: 20 to 35 pounds
• Life Span: 13 to 16 years
• Country:  England

Boston Terrier

• Breed Group:Non-sporting
• Height: varies
• Weight: 10 to 25 pounds
• Life Span: 11 to 13 years
• Country:  United States

Chihuahua (Smooth)

• Breed Group: Toy
• Height: 5 inches or less
• Weight: 6 pounds or less
• Life Span: 12 to 20 years
• Country:  Mexico

Chinese Crested (Hairless)

• Breed Group: Toy
• Height: 11 to 13 inches
• Weight: 10 to 13 pounds
• Life Span: 10 to 14 years
• Country:  China, Africa

Cirneco Dell’Etna

• Breed Group:  Hounds
• Height: 18-19.5 inches (Male),  16.5 – 18 inches (Female)
• Weight: 22-26 pounds (Male),  17-22 pounds (Female)
• Lifespan: 12-14 Years
• Country:  Sicily, Italy

Dachshund (Miniature Smooth)

• Breed Group: Hound
• Height: Miniature, 5 to 6 inches at the shoulder
• Weight: 11 pounds and under (Miniature)
• Life Span: 12 to 15 years
• Country:  Germany

French Bulldog

• Breed Group: Non-Sporting 
• Height: 11 to 12 inches
• Weight: Less than 28 pounds
• Life Span: 9 to 11 years
• Country:  France

Italian Greyhound

• Breed Group: Toy
• Height: 13 to 15 inches
• Weight: 7 to 15 pounds
• Life Span: 12 to 15 years
• Country: Italy, Greece or Turkey,

Jack Russell Terrier
Parson Russell Terrier (AKC)

• Breed Group:Terrier
• Height: 13 to 14 inches
• Weight: 13 to 17 pounds
• Life Span: 12 to 14 years
• Country:  England

Japanese Terrier

• Breed Group:Terrier Japanese Kennel Club, FCI, UKC 
• Height: 8-13 inches 
• Weight: 5-9 pounds
• Life Span: 11-15 years
• Country:  Japan

Manchester Terrier

• Breed Group: Terrier
• Height: 15 to 16 inches
• Weight: Up to 12 (Toy);
• Life Span: 14 to 16 years
• Country:  England

Miniature Bull Terrier

• Breed Group: Terrier
• Height: 10-14 inches 
• Weight: 18-28 pounds
• Life Span: 11-13 Years
• Country:  England

Miniature Pinscher

• Breed Group: Toy
• Height: 10 to 12.5 inches
• Weight: 8 to 11 pounds
• Life Span: 15 years
• Country:  Germany

Pražský krysařík or Prague Ratter

• Breed Group: FCI Provisional
• Height: 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in) 
• Weight: 1.5–3.5 kg (3.3–7.7 lb)
• Life Span: 12-14  years
• Country:  Czech Republic

Pug

• Breed Group: Toy
• Height: Not specified in breed standard
• Weight: 14 to 18 pounds
• Life Span: 12 to 14 years
• Country:  China

Rat Terrier

• Breed Group: Terrier
• Height: 10 to 13 inches (Miniature)
• Weight: 8 to 25 pounds
• Life Span: 12 to 18 years
• Country:  

Russian Toy

• Breed Group:  Foundation Stock
• Height: 8 to 10 inches
• Weight: 3 to 6 pounds
• Life Span:10 to 12 years
• Country:  Russia

Shiba Inu

• Breed Group: Non-Sporting 
• Height: 13.5 to 16.5 inches
• Weight: 17 to 23 pounds
• Life Span: 12 to 16 years
• Country:  Japan

Toy Fox Terrier

• Breed Group: Toy
• Height: 8 to 11 inches
• Weight: 4 to 9 pounds
• Life Span: 12 to 15 years
• Country:  The United States

Xoloitzcuintli

• Breed Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: Toy, 10 to 14 inches at the shoulder; Miniature, more than 14 to 18 inches;
• Weight: Toy, 9 to 18 pounds; Miniature, 13 to 22 pounds;
• Life Span: 12 to 14 years
• Country:  Mexico