There are a handful of dogs that have so little fur that they qualify as non-shedding dogs. However, there are many more that shed very little and can be called "almost" non-shedding dogs. Consider them for your home if you or family members are allergic to dog hair or have very strong feelings towards cleanliness.
Breeds of non-shedding dogs or "almost" non-shedding dogs include:
- Airedale: With a hard, dense coat, this Terrier breed is about 23 inches at the shoulder.
- American Hairless Terrier: Around since only 1972, these smallish dogs are completely hairless and came from a litter of Rat Terriers.
- Basenji: Maybe best known as the barkless dog, the Basenji is a smallish (17" at the shoulder), intelligent breed from Africa.
- Bedlington Terrier: Looking like lambs and having distinctive egg-shaped heads, Bedlington's were favored in England for their tenacity as hunters.
- Bichon Frise: These small, sturdy little dogs are known for their animated looks and dark eyes set against pure white and very round faces.
- Border Terrier: This wired-hair breed is a typical Terrier with a playful, affectionate outlook and a willingness to try just about anything.
- Cairn Terrier: This is Toto, the dog that went to Oz with Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz".
- Chinese Crested: The hairless version of these fine-boned, small dogs have hair only on their head, tail, and feet.
- Coton de Tulear: Good apartment dogs, these small dogs are either white or black and white ("coton" is French for "cotton").
- Havanese: The fact that they once were called Havana Silk Dogs should give you an indication of the coat for this small companion and watchdog.
- Irish Terrier: With dense and wiry coats, the Irish Terrier bears a slight resemblance to the Airedale.
- Irish Water Spaniel: With its distinctive topknot of loose curls, this hunting dog traces its ancestry back to the seventh and eighth centuries.
- Kerry Blue Terrier: With a soft but dense and wavy coat, the Kerry Blue does not shed.
- Maltese: These gentle little dogs make for great companions for folks in small spaces. They have a rich and soft coat that drapes to the floor.
- Peruvian Inca Orchid: Once the house pets of the Inca nobility in Peru, this hairless breed dates back to 750 A.D, very rare indeed.
- Poodles: Regardless of size, from toy to standard, this breed is an ideal companion dog and a favored breed among hypoallergenic dogs.
- Portuguese Water Dog: They have thick and luxurious coats that are either curly or wavy.
- Puli:
Compact and covered with a dense curly coat that will become cord-like if left uncut, this Hungarian herding dog is one of the most distinctive breeds. - Shih-Tzu: This toy dog has a flowing double coat, and most of all, likes to be someone's companion.
- Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier: This Wheaton-colored Terrier has a silky soft coat, hence the name.
- Tibetan Terrier: Having originated in Tibet, this strong, compact breed has a double coat and is especially agile.
- West Highland White Terrier: This double-coated small dog is the typical Terrier, feisty but fun.
- Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless): Totally hairless, the toy size is a good companion and the standard is often used in its native land as a watch dog.
