If you’re thinking about getting a dog, one of the major factors to consider is how much hair your new canine friend will shed. When it comes to finding the perfect pet, many people often turn to dog breeds that don’t shed much hair. This is because they don’t want to deal with all the loose hair that comes with owning a dog. While all dogs shed to some degree, some breeds shed very little hair and are better suited for people with allergies. Here is a list of top dog breeds that don’t shed a lot- so you can find the perfect pet for your home without worrying about all the loose hair!
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Bull Terrier
There are two types of bull terriers: the most common is the standard model, while the other is a miniature version. This breed is a cross between an English bulldog and an American pitbull. These dogs were originally guarding dogs, and they still retain that strong and brave nature today. Their coats don’t shed much, so it’s perfect if you have allergies or asthma.
Barbet
The Barbet hails from France, where it was initially known as the Water Dog of Montcorbier. They are excellent swimmers due to their webbed feet and water-resistant coats. Their coats are non-shedding, though they still go through a seasonal shed every spring or fall. This breed is extremely friendly towards other pets, children, and even strangers, making it great for small families. You’ll find that the Barbet gets along with everyone and everything, making it a great family companion.
Poodle
Poodles originally hail from Germany, although they can be found in many parts of Europe today and several other countries around the world. Originating as working dogs that helped hunters by retrieving fallen game during hunts, poodles have made wonderful family companions today thanks to their friendly nature towards children and other animals. Poodles don’t shed at all, so they are an excellent choice for people with allergies or asthma.
Kerry Blue Terrier
You’ll love how easy it is to maintain your Kerry Blue Terrier! This breed hails from Ireland, where people primarily used it for hunting vermin on farms. Today, Kerry Blue Terriers can be found in many different homes across the world due to their extremely friendly nature towards humans of all ages and sizes- including other pets! This breed self-cleans meaning that there is no shedding or need for grooming aside from regular brushing, which will help remove any dead hair.
Bernese Mountain Dog
This is a large breed of dog, originally a working dog in Switzerland. It still has those strong herding instincts; however, now they make lovely guard dogs and loyal pets. BMDs are generally calm and gentle with humans- not to mention their dense coats do not shed much hair! These dogs love to be around people and will only become aggressive if absolutely necessary. They make great pets for families and do well with children.
Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman pinscher was originally developed in Germany by a tax collector named Louis Doberman. He needed a guard dog to protect him from the people who were trying to rob his house, so he started breeding rottweilers and German shepherds with other breeds to make the perfect canine protector. This breed does shed, but not much! They are very active dogs, do well with children, and are relatively easy to train.
Affenpinscher
This breed comes from Germany and is named for the German word “affen,” which means monkey. No, this does not mean that this dog has evolved to have a prehensile tail or looks like a chimpanzee- but instead, it originates from the common belief in 16th century Germany that these small dogs were clever enough to chase away monkeys! Affenpinschers are very affectionate towards their human companions and shed minimally.
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is perfect for people with asthma or allergies, thanks to its extremely low shedding fur, and they typically only shed once a year in the springtime! This small breed hails from Tibet, where it was initially a watchdog. Buddhist monks also favored them for their ability to suppress rodents and snakes, which threatened the crops at monasteries. These dogs are loyal and love to cuddle- plus, they’re intelligent and easy to train.
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound has a fascinating history as it was originally bred to hunt gazelle in Afghanistan. It still has those instincts, so the Afghans will likely chase them if you have small animals such as rodents or lizards! Still, the breed is excellent for people with allergies because its coat does not shed much- and it doesn’t need any professional grooming unless you want to spend time maintaining its long fur. They are also very great watchdogs.
English Bulldog
The English bulldog was initially called the “Bullenbeisser,” which means “bull biter” in German. This is because it primarily used biting as its method of defense instead of barking. Today, this breed is a family pet for guarding or companionship purposes. These dogs have short coats that don’t shed very much at all, making them great for people with allergies. English bulldogs are also really good cuddlers!
American Hairless Terrier
This is a very rare breed of dog developed in the 1960s by a man named Donald Lewis. He wanted to create a completely hairless terrier mix that would be hypoallergenic and perfect for people with allergies. These dogs don’t shed much at all, but they are still high maintenance- mainly because you must keep them thoroughly groomed to prevent skin conditions from popping up.
Conclusion
There are many ways to find the perfect dog for your family but looking at shedding levels of a breed is one great way to make sure you don’t have to worry about all the hair ending up on your furniture! If you or anyone in your household has allergies, some breeds are better for life with you. Always consider your lifestyle and personal preferences when choosing a dog- because, in the end, you know what will make you (and them) happiest!
