Dogs are not just man’s best friend. They’re wonderful pets for the whole family. They are intelligent, have unique personalities, are fun to be with most of the time (when they are not tearing up your carpets!) They also improve happiness and health wherever they go. Small dog breeds in particular make great companion dogs.
But there are those of us who just can’t tolerate the hair that gets on the carpet or collects into fur balls and gets into hard to reach places. Some of us are allergic to dog hair and feel frustrated at not being able to cuddle cute and frisky puppies that come to us for some affection. In a home with kids, you may also want to keep allergens to a minimum.
The good news for dog-loving neat freaks (or those who want to avoid the painful housekeeping involved with heavily-shedding dogs) is that there are several low-shedding breeds that don’t make much of a mess with dog hair. There is no dog that will not shed – shedding hair to them is as natural as humans shedding dead skin. It is the result of hormonal changes and the amount of shedding is affected by the length of day. A dog can also drop a coat after anesthesia, surgery or after whelping puppies.
But there are some light-shedders that produce very little hair. Here is a list of small dog breeds that don’t shed for those that dislike dog hair in their home. In addition, the following dogs are also great with kids.
Small dog breeds that don’t shed
1. Yorkshire terrier
This tiny affectionate energetic and devoted little dog often called a “Yorkie” has an adventurous spirit, is confident, lively, affectionate and very lovable. Yorkie is a loving and sociable dog that craves a lot of cuddling and affection, but will often be off exploring with its high energy temperament. The Yorkshire terrier needs constant human companionship, or it can get into mischief. But it has a high intelligence and high trainability, making it a perfect family dog that almost doesn’t shed at all.
2. Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a friendly, curious, spunky and bearded dog that loves attention and is wonderful with kids. They are somewhat active, need moderate exercise, are very alert, enjoy playtimes and love long walks. They do tend to bark quite a lot, but they practically don’t shed. According to the AKC, they are the most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds.
3. Havanese
The Havanese, so called because it is Cuba’s national dog, makes excellent pets for kids with allergies. They are very intelligent, affectionate, playful and gentle with kids. The charming long-haired, double-coated Havanese are also easily trainable and quick learners. They enjoy a good romp but they don’t really have any special exercise needs. According to the AKC, they are the 25th most popular dog breed.
4. Miniature Poodle
This little toy dog has long been a favorite family dog. It belongs to the poodle breed, but is “miniature” in size only. The miniature poodle gets along well with kids as well as cats and other animals. They are very intelligent, easy to train, and very loyal to owners. Poodles are active and very enthusiastic walkers. They are hypoallergenic, but regular grooming is still a necessity.
5. Bichon Frise
The energetic and cuddly Bichon Frise is curious, playful and a merry little dog that is plenty of fun to train. It has an alert, inquisitive look in its eyes, and is generally a healthy dog that needs daily walks and play sessions. Since the coat is not fur but hair, it will need regular brushing in order to prevent matting.
6. Shih Tzu
The legendary Shih Tzu may or may not have descended from Chinese canine nobility, but it certainly is a loyal and protective dog that has a sweet, playful temperament. This toy dog has a long-haired double coat and a proud bearing. Though they are alert, lively and sturdy dogs, they don’t need a lot of exercise.
7. Maltese
The Maltese is another low-shedding small dog like the Miniature Poodle that is good around kids as well as other dogs and cats. They can be playful and gentle, quite fearless for their size as well as eager to please their owners. This makes them very easy to train. However, Maltese need lots of attention and they are also considered high maintenance when it comes to grooming.
All of these dogs, in no particular order make excellent family dogs. Some need more care than others, but all are great with kids. If you are looking for small dog breeds that don’t shed, these are the top breeds to look at.
