Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed

Looking for a dog breed that doesn't shed? You're not alone—just ask Google: “breeds that don’t shed” is a common search query.

How much time you'll have to spend grooming your dog and cleaning up dog hair is a very real consideration when considering a breed match. We asked Giselle Castro of the American Kennel Club (AKC) for her rundown of the top 10 dog breeds that shed the least—and 10 dog breeds that shed a lot. But as you’ll see, low shedding doesn’t necessarily mean low maintenance! 

The Top 10 Dog Breeds That Shed the Least:

#1 Afghan Hound: The Afghan Hound’s coat is long and silky and doesn’t shed. However, they require hours of brushing multiple days a week, as well as regular bathing to keep their coat looking its best. 

#2 Chinese Crested: This breed barely has any hair which makes them ideal low-shedders. It’s important to properly care for their skin which is prone to irritations, sunburn, and other conditions.

#3 Bichon Frise: This hypoallergenic breed sheds minimally, but shed hair gets caught on their undercoat. This requires owners to brush them a few times a week to prevent any matting. 

#4 Maltese: These low shedders have a long white coat which needs to be brushed daily to avoid tangles and mats. Regular bathing keeps their coat looking healthy and shiny. 

#5 Peruvian Inca Orchid: This hound can be hairless or coated and is a minimal shedder. It’s important to make sure this dog wears sunscreen if it’s being taken outside to avoid sunburn.  

#6 Portuguese Water Dog: This working breed has a coat that requires extensive grooming, but sheds very little. Its coat can be curly or wavy and should be regularly groomed to keep them looking their best. 

#7 Lagotto Romagnolo: The Lagotto has a double waterproof coat of hair and sheds minimally. To avoid matting, their hair should be groomed regularly.

#8 Xoloitzcuintli: This Mexican breed can be hairless or have a short coat. They require minimal grooming and shed infrequently. Owners of hairless breeds should apply sunscreen on their dogs daily to avoid getting sunburned while outdoors.  

#9 American Hairless Terrier: This breed comes in two varieties: hairless and coated. The hairless kind requires keeping their skin protected with sunscreen or clothing when going outdoors. The coated breeds hardly shed and should be brushed once a week. 

#10 Standard Schnauzer: Schnauzers have a double coat that is water-resistant and requires proper care to keep it healthy. They shed minimally as long as their coat is maintained and hand-stripped. Clippering the hair can ruin its texture and cause more dirt to be collected as well as more shedding.

Top 10 Dog Breeds That Shed A Lot

#1 Samoyed: The Sammy is known to shed all year round and requires regular grooming to prevent matting and dirt from ruining their coat.

#2 American Eskimo Dog: This breed has a fluffy white coat that sheds a lot. To avoid excessive shedding, it’s important to brush them multiple times a week. 

#3 Pembroke Welsh Corgi: This Corgi sheds on a regular basis and will shed even more so during late spring and early fall. Brushing them daily will help remove a lot of shed hair and regular bathing during shedding season will help loosen up dead hair. 

#4 Newfoundland: The Newfie has a heavy coat that sheds heavily twice a year. They normally require frequent brushing, and during their shedding season will need daily grooming sessions.

#5 Golden Retriever: Goldens have a heavy double coat which causes them to shed on a continuous basis. They go through a heavy shedding period twice a year. To control their shedding, it’s key to brush them at least twice a week. 

#6 Alaskan Malamute: The thick coat of a Malamute is adapted for the harsh Arctic climate, which requires constant upkeep. They go through a heavy shedding period twice a year. They should be brushed daily to avoid matting and bathed every six to eight weeks (Show Malamutes are bathed weekly).

#7 Bernese Mountain Dog: This working breed has a long outer coat and a wooly undercoat and sheds a lot. They shed even more so twice a year during their shedding season. To keep this dog’s coat looking healthy, it’s important to brush them weekly to avoid any tangling.   

#8 Saint Bernard: This working dog can have a short or long coat which requires regular brushing to avoid tangles. During their shedding season, dog owners need to up their grooming and brush them daily.

#9 Leonberger: Known for their lion-like mane, Leonbergers are shedders that need daily brushings. They shed heavily twice a year and ideally, they should be thoroughly groomed once a week to avoid matting and keep their coat looking as healthy as possible.

#10 Great Pyrenees: Although Great Pyrenees require little grooming, they are still known to be heavy shedders. They have a long outer coat and a soft undercoat, which sheds heavily twice a year. Brushing them once a week helps keep shedding at bay and keeps their coats healthy and shiny.