Dog hair can cause a real mess. People love dogs but don’t love the shedding bit. Our dog sheds very little and yet we always end up seeing those tiny little spindles everywhere around the house. There is no such thing as a dog that doesn’t shed. All dogs will shed and replace some fur, just like humans do. Just like some humans, some dogs are prone to bald spots as well (including Dachshunds). There are some breeds that shed far less than your average dog. Here are a few:
Airedale Terrier:
The Airedale terrier is a large terrier with a rough coat that sheds very little. These are loyal and trainable dogs. However, like some terrier breeds, Airedale Terriers are very naturally curious and it is very hard to get them away from something that catches their interest…like a bird or a squirrel. I believe grooming an Airedale requires a bit of knowledge though so keep that in mind.
Italian Greyhound:
The Italian Greyhound is a miniature Greyhound. You get the sleek racing body style on a smaller scale basically. These dogs are gentle and submissive in nature apparently. I never had one but I can attest from seeing a few interact with my dog that they are also prone to mischief. It’s really funny to watch these well behaved dogs (if they are trained properly of course), get one up on our dog when playing. The coat of the Italian Greyhound is short and sleek and they don’t shed much at all. Let’s just pretend it’s or aerodynamic purposes!
Miniature Poodle:
The Miniature Poodle isn’t a breed but a size of poodle. These miniature dogs are highly intelligent, playful and easy to train. Poodles are known to generally get along well with kids but they can be nervous around boisterous children. Growing up with smaller poodles (not miniature though), I can attest that they easily become a member of the family and want to take part in all of your activities. I remember that our dog Lolita would get offended if we left her at home instead of taking her to the beach! Our previous family dog, Prunelle, also a poodle, was very pissed off that we would dare eat at the table while she had to remain…not on or near the dining table. To be honest, I didn’t even know poodles shed any hair at all. We grew up without any dog hair hanging around the house. Bottom line: I can only recommend poodles to those who hate picking up dog hair every day.
Cockapoo:
The Cockapoo is a double edged sword when it comes to grooming. This breed doesn’t shed a lot but it has a curly coat that does require above average grooming. I think these dogs look very cute but I am obviously biased. They are a cross between the American Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. So they get their names and looks from this mix: Cocker + Poodle = Cockapoo. These dogs are very friendly, loyal, and playful. They are good with children and other dogs and are typically very easy to train. As a parting note, I would like to lobby for a change of name for this breed. IMO, we should vote for Shpoodle. It’s cuter and does not involve so many giggle worthy words for kids than cockapoo.
