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 of them you may not necessarily know about.
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is a large terrier breed with a rough coat. These dogs shed very little and make great pets. Just because they shed less, doesn’t mean that they are easy to groom. You need to learn how to groom them, it’s not an easy process. There are many terrier dog breeds popular back in Europe but not very well-known in North America. The Airedale terrier is one of those breeds. Get to know them!
Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is a miniature Greyhound. Ask any Italian greyhound owner, they’ll tell you that you get the sleek racing body style of a greyhound on a smaller scale. These dogs are gentle and very agreeable. This is the polar opposite of the little canine dictator that we have at home. We have a few Italian greyhounds in the neighborhood. Seeing a few interact with my dog, I can absolutely vouch for the fact that these dogs are prone to mischief! It’s really funny to watch these well behaved dogs (our dog neighbors are trained properly of course), get one up on our dog when playing. OK, back to the shedding: the coat of the Italian Greyhound is short and sleek. Not much shedding can happen with those dogs!
Miniature Poodle
Regular poodles don’t shed much either. However, the miniature poodle makes it on our list because they are the most common size we see in cities. These miniature versions of poodles have the same keen intelligence as their bigger peers. Think about it, the miniature poodle isn’t a breed on its own, it’s just the same dog on a much smaller scale. 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 promise 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.
Cockapoos sheds less but requires more grooming
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 Spaniel + 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.
Let’s talk about pet hair removal for a second
I’m not here to talk up the merits of OXO pet removal products or DIY tips and tricks to get a handle on it. We kind of gave up at home and bought a robotic vacuum cleaner. Trust me, that thing is a beautiful shiny beacon of hope. It’s keeping our home clean by vacuuming all of those short little hairs shed by our dog at home. I’m not used to having this much hair since I grew up with poodles at home…and I appreciate choosing a dog that sheds less right now! Your other sure bet if you can’t rely on the robot? Keep your dog well groomed and clean!
Need a hypoallergenic dog?
We’ve got your covered! It’s not something we talk about in this article. Instead, we have a dedicated guide presenting dog breeds that shed less or are hairless…and more hypoallergenic than the average dog.
