Are you searching for a cute, small dog that doesn’t leave a trail of hair around your home?
It’s a common dilemma for many pet lovers: the yearning for a furry companion and the desire to keep a clean, hair-free living space.
Who doesn’t appreciate the joys of pet ownership without the constant need for a lint roller?
In this article, we will explore the wonderful world of small dog breeds known for non or minimal shedding.
Small Dogs That Don’t Shed
- Havanese
- Brussels Griffon
- Bichon Frise
- Maltese
- Miniature Poodle
- Shih Tzu
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Bolognese
- Scottish Terrier
- Affenpinscher
Havanese
General Overview: The Havanese is a playful and affectionate breed, renowned for its luxurious and silky coat. Originating from Cuba, this small breed is a member of the Bichon family and is cherished for its friendly and sociable nature.
Size and Weight
- Height: 8.5 to 11.5 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: 7 to 13 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Long, flowing, and silky
- Common Colors: Black, silver, white, cream, fawn, mahogany, blue, gold
- Coat Characteristics: Soft, lightweight, and abundant
Shedding and Grooming
- Grooming Needs: Daily brushing to prevent tangles; many owners prefer a shorter “puppy cut” for easier maintenance.
- Shedding Level: Minimal, ideal for maintaining a cleaner home environment.
Brushing and Care: Regular brushing with appropriate tools is essential. Care should also include ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental hygiene.
Brussels Griffon
General Overview: The Brussels Griffon, also known as Griffon Bruxellois, is a breed with a distinctive face and expressive eyes. Originating from Brussels, Belgium, this small dog was initially bred for hunting rats but has become a favored companion due to its charismatic nature.
Size and Weight
- Height: 7 to 10 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: 6 to 12 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Types: Rough (wiry, dense coat) and Smooth (shorter, glossy coat)
- Common Colors: Red, black & tan, black, belge
- Coat Characteristics: The rough variety requires more grooming; the smooth variety has easier maintenance.
Shedding and Grooming
- Rough Coat: Minimal shedding, requires weekly brushing and professional grooming every three months.
- Smooth Coat: Needs regular brushing, about once a week, to maintain good condition and minimize shedding.
Brushing and Care: Routine brushing is vital for both coat types, not only for managing shedding but also for distributing natural oils for a healthy and shiny coat. Regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care are also important for overall well-being.
Bichon Frise
General Overview: The Bichon Frise is a cheerful, small dog breed known for its fluffy and curly white coat. This breed is of Mediterranean origin, later developed in Spain, and became especially popular in France. Bichon Frises are appreciated for their affectionate nature and playful demeanor, making them excellent companions for families and individuals alike.
Size and Weight
- Height: Typically 9 to 12 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: Generally ranges from 12 to 18 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Soft, curly, and dense
- Color: Pure white, though some may have shadings of cream or apricot around the ears or on the body
- Coat Characteristics: The coat is hypoallergenic, making the Bichon Frise a popular choice for allergy sufferers.
Shedding and Grooming: The Bichon Frise is renowned for its low shedding and hypoallergenic coat.
- Grooming Needs: Regular, thorough grooming is necessary to keep their coat free of mats and tangles. This includes daily brushing and professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Shedding Level: Bichon Frises have hypoallergenic coats with minimal shedding, but their dense, curly coat can trap loose hairs, necessitating consistent grooming.
Brushing and Care: Regular brushing with a soft brush or comb is essential to prevent matting and maintain the coat’s fluffy appearance. The grooming routine should also include regular baths, as well as care for their ears, nails, and teeth.
Maltese
General Overview: The Maltese is a small breed of dog known for its long, flowing white coat and gentle, playful disposition. Originating from the Mediterranean island of Malta, the Maltese has a rich history and has long been admired for its elegant appearance.
Size and Weight
- Height: Typically 7 to 9 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: Generally under 7 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Long, silky, and straight
- Color: Pure white
- Coat Characteristics: Does not have an undercoat, which contributes to less shedding
Shedding and Grooming
- Grooming Needs: Despite minimal shedding, the coat requires every other day grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
- Shedding Level: Very low, but regular grooming is essential to maintain coat health.
Brushing and Care: Daily brushing with a soft brush or comb is vital to keep their coat free from mats. Regular grooming also includes ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care to ensure overall health and well-being.
Miniature Poodle
General Overview: The Miniature Poodle is a smart, elegant, and versatile breed, known for its curly, hypoallergenic coat. Originally bred for hunting and retrieving, this breed is highly intelligent and excels in various canine sports and activities. They are a smaller version of the Standard Poodle, maintaining the breed’s distinctive features in a more compact size.
Size and Weight
- Height: Typically 10 to 15 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: Generally ranges from 10 to 15 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Curly, dense, and hypoallergenic
- Common Colors: Wide range including black, white, apricot, and grey
- Coat Characteristics: The coat is naturally curly and requires regular grooming to prevent matting.
Shedding and Grooming
- Grooming Needs: Their curly coat requires regular grooming, including brushing several times a week and professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Shedding Level: Very low, but consistent grooming is essential to maintain the coat’s condition and prevent matting.
Brushing and Care: Regular brushing with a slicker brush and comb is essential to keep their coat in good condition. This breed also requires regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care.
Shih Tzu
General Overview: The Shih Tzu is a small, sturdy dog breed with a friendly and outgoing personality. Originating from Tibet, this breed was a favored companion in Chinese imperial courts. They are known for their beautiful, flowing coat and distinctive facial features, including a short snout and large, dark eyes.
Size and Weight
- Height: Typically 9 to 10.5 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: Generally ranges from 9 to 16 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Long, dense, and luxurious
- Common Colors: Variety of colors including black, white, gold, and combinations thereof
- Coat Characteristics: The coat is one of the breed’s most distinctive features, being long and flowing.
Shedding and Grooming
- Grooming Needs: Their coat requires consistent care to avoid tangles and mats. Regular grooming sessions including brushing every day or every other day are crucial. Many owners opt for a shorter, more manageable “puppy cut.”
- Shedding Level: Shih Tzus shed very little, but their long hair can collect dirt and debris, requiring frequent cleaning and grooming to maintain a neat appearance.
Brushing and Care: In addition to regular brushing with a pin brush or a fine-toothed comb, Shih Tzus benefit from regular baths to keep their coat clean and shiny. Paying attention to the area around their eyes is also important due to their longer facial hair.
Yorkshire Terrier
General Overview: The Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately known as the Yorkie, is a small and spirited dog breed. Originating from England, they were initially bred for catching rats in mills. Yorkies are well-known for their compact size, bold personality, and beautiful, silky coat, which resembles human hair in texture.
Size and Weight
- Height: Typically 7 to 8 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: Generally ranges from 4 to 7 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Fine, silky, and straight
- Common Colors: Steel blue and tan
- Coat Characteristics: The coat is similar to human hair in its texture, requiring regular grooming to maintain its sleek appearance.
Shedding and Grooming
- Grooming Needs: Daily brushing is recommended to prevent tangles and mats in their fine hair. Many owners choose to keep their Yorkies in a shorter trim for easier maintenance.
- Shedding Level: Yorkies hardly shed, which not only reduces the presence of dog hair in the home but also means less time spent on grooming.
Brushing and Care: Regular brushing with a soft-bristled brush or a comb is essential to keep their coat smooth and free of knots. In addition to coat care, maintaining their dental health is crucial due to their small mouths and susceptibility to dental issues.
Bolognese
General Overview: The Bolognese belongs to the Bichon family of dogs and is known for its distinctive, fluffy white coat. Originating from Italy, particularly the city of Bologna, this breed is prized for its charming personality and elegant appearance. Bolognese dogs are affectionate, loyal, and make excellent companions.
Size and Weight
- Height: Typically 10 to 12 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: Generally ranges from 5.5 to 9 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Long, fluffy, and cotton-like
- Color: Pure white
- Coat Characteristics: The coat does not have an undercoat, which contributes to less tangling and matting.
Shedding and Grooming
- Grooming Needs: Regular brushing, about 3-4 times a week, is necessary to keep their coat fluffy and prevent mats. Despite the volume of their coat, it’s relatively easy to maintain with consistent care.
- Shedding Level: The Bolognese sheds minimally, making it an excellent option for those looking for a hypoallergenic breed. Their lack of an undercoat reduces the amount of loose hair.
Brushing and Care: Brushing with a soft brush or a comb is important to maintain the texture and fluffiness of the coat. Regular grooming also includes bathing, ear cleaning, and nail trimming to keep them in top condition.
Scottish Terrier
General Overview: The Scottish Terrier, often referred to as the Scottie, is a small but sturdy breed with a distinctive profile. Originating from Scotland, this breed is known for its independent nature and unique appearance, featuring a wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat. The Scottie’s bold and dignified demeanor has made it a popular and recognizable breed worldwide.
Size and Weight
- Height: Typically 10 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: Generally ranges from 18 to 22 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Double coat with a hard, wiry outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat
- Common Colors: Black, wheaten, or brindle
- Coat Characteristics: The coat is weather-resistant and requires regular grooming to maintain its distinctive appearance.
Shedding and Grooming
- Grooming Needs: Regular brushing and professional grooming are needed to keep their coat neat and healthy. The wiry coat needs to be hand-stripped or clipped several times a year.
- Shedding Level: Low shedding, but the dense undercoat may require more frequent grooming during shedding seasons.
Brushing and Care: Brushing a few times a week with a slicker brush and a metal comb is important to maintain the coat’s condition. Regular grooming sessions help to remove dead hair and reduce the small amount of shedding. Care also includes regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental hygiene.
Affenpinscher
General Overview: The Affenpinscher, also known as the “Monkey Dog,” is a small, toy breed known for its mischievous personality and distinctive, monkey-like facial features. Originating in Germany, this breed was originally bred to catch rodents. Today, Affenpinschers are valued companions, known for their bold and confident demeanor in a small package.
Size and Weight
- Height: Typically 9 to 11.5 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: Generally ranges from 7 to 10 pounds
Coat and Color
- Coat Type: Dense, wiry, and shaggy
- Common Colors: Typically black, but can also include gray, silver, red, and black and tan
- Coat Characteristics: The coat is rough and gives the breed a distinct, somewhat unkempt appearance.
Shedding and Grooming
- Grooming Needs: Regular brushing is required to maintain their distinctive coat and prevent matting. Professional grooming is recommended every few months to maintain the coat’s texture and shape.
- Shedding Level: Very low shedding levels. Great for potential owners who have mild dog allergies or prefer less pet hair around their home.
Brushing and Care: Weekly brushing with a firm bristle brush or a wire comb is recommended. The breed also requires regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care to maintain overall health.