Dog breed lists
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds
If loose hair is the thing you'd rather avoid, these breeds shed the least. Low shedding doesn't mean low grooming: many of these coats need regular brushing or trimming to stay comfortable.
- 1
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2
Toy
Italian Greyhound
The tiny, elegant Velcro greyhound.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 7–14 lbs
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3
Designer
Sheepadoodle
The panda bear of dogs.
- Light shedder
- Quick study
- 50–80+ lbs
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4
Non-Sporting
Poodle
A water retriever in a showy haircut.
- Light shedder
- Quick study
- 40–70 lbs
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5
Toy
Miniature Pinscher
King of Toys, fearless by nature.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 8–10 lbs
-
6
Toy
Yorkshire Terrier
A fearless terrier in a silk coat.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 4–7 lbs
-
7
Working
Portuguese Water Dog
Portugal's net-hauling, curly-coated swimmer.
- Light shedder
- Quick study
- 35–60 lbs
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8
Designer
Labradoodle
The dog that started the Doodle craze.
- Light shedder
- Quick study
- 15–65 lbs
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9
Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
A bearded farm ratter with big-dog confidence.
- Light shedder
- Quick study
- 11–20 lbs
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10
Toy
Shih Tzu
Bred for palaces, still expects one.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 9–16 lbs
-
11
Non-Sporting
Boston Terrier
The American Gentleman in a tuxedo.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 12–25 lbs
- 12
- 13
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14
Toy
Maltese
Professionally adorable since antiquity.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 4–7 lbs
- 15
-
16
Non-Sporting
Bichon Frise
A cotton ball with a social calendar.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 12–18 lbs
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17
Hound
Whippet
Greyhound speed, apartment size.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 25–40 lbs
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18
Designer
Cockapoo
The original designer dog, since the 1960s.
- Light shedder
- Quick study
- 12–25 lbs
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19
Designer
American Bully
A bodybuilder with a heart of marshmallow.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 40–80+ lbs
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20
Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Built like a bouncer, convinced it's a lap dog.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 40–70 lbs
-
21
Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Brave about everything except being left out.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 24–38 lbs
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22
Hound
Greyhound
The world's fastest couch potato.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 60–70 lbs
-
23
Herding
Old English Sheepdog
The original shaggy dog.
- Light shedder
- Quick study
- 60–100 lbs
-
24
Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The happy camper of the terrier world.
- Light shedder
- Willing learner
- 30–40 lbs
How we picked
A breed makes this list if its coat load rates 3 out of 10 or lighter. We rank the lightest shedders first. No dog is completely free of hair or dander, and low shedding is not a promise for people with allergies.
Questions people ask
Are low-shedding dogs hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly allergen-free. Allergens come from dander, saliva and urine as well as hair, so a low-shedding coat means less hair around the house but is not a guarantee for people with allergies. If allergies matter, spend time with the breed before you commit.
Do low-shedding dogs need less grooming?
Often the opposite. Curly or long coats that don't shed loose hair can mat and need brushing every few days or regular professional grooming. Check the grooming routine in each guide.
Which dogs shed the most?
Double-coated breeds such as Huskies, German Shepherds and Labradors shed heavily, with big seasonal blow-outs twice a year. Brushing more often during those weeks helps.