Happy Wednesday everyone!!!  One of the big decisions in getting a dog is what breed of dog to get and in that decision comes what kind of dog to get based on how much they shed!  This has never really bothered me but I do know people that this does bother.  So I thought I would put together a list of dogs who shed and dogs who do not!  See if you recognize any of these breeds.

One of the common search queries in google is “breeds that don’t shed”.  I pulled some information from google, Modern Dog Magazine, and from the American Kennel Club.  If I’ve missed any that you know of that are not on the list, feel free to comment in the comment section and let me know!

Top 10 Breeds That Shed The Least:

#1 Afghan Hound:  The afghan Hounds coat is long and silky and does’t shed.  However, they require hours of brushing multiple days a week, as well as regular bathing to keep their coat looking it’s best.

#2 Chinese Crested:  This breed barely has any hair which makes them ideal low-shedders.  It’s important to properly care for their skin which is prone to irritations, sunburn, and other conditions.  Chinese Crested come in two coat types: hairless and powderpuff. Hairless Chinese Crested have hair on their heads, tail, and feet, while the powderpuff is covered with a coat of fine hair that sheds very minimally.

#3 Bichon Frise:  This hypoallergenic breed sheds minimally, but shed hair gets caught on their undercoat.  This requires owners to brush them a few times a week to prevent any matting.

#4 Maltese:  These low shedders have a long white coat which needs to be brushed daily to avoid tangles and mats. Regular bathing keeps their coat looking healthy and shiny.

#5 Peruvian Inca Orchid: This hound can be hairless or coated and is a minimal shedder.  It’s important to make sure this dog wears sunscreen if it’s being taken outside to avoid sunburn.

Top 10 Breeds That Shed The Least:

#6 Portuguese Water Dog: This working breed has a coat that requires extensive grooming, but sheds very little.  It’s coat can be curly or wavy and should be regularly groomed to keep them looking their best.

#7 Lagotta Romagnolo: The Lagotta has a double waterproof coat of hair and sheds minimally.  To avoid matting, their hair should be groomed regularly.  Although no breed is completely allergy-friendly, the Lagotto Romagnolo’s coat is considered to be hypoallergenic and rarely sheds. It does, however, require a good deal of grooming.

#8 Xoloitzuintli: This Mexican breed can be hairless or have a short coat.  They require minimal grooming and shed infrequently.  Owners of hairless breeds should apply sunscreen on their dogs daily to avoid getting sunburned while outdoors.

#9 American Hairless Terrier: American Hairless Terrier: This breed comes in two varieties:  hairless and coated.  The hairless kind requires keeping their skin protected with sunscreen or clothing when going outdoors.  The coated breeds hardly shed and should be brushed once a week.

#10 Standard Schnauzer: Schnauzers have a double coat that is wear-resistant and requires proper care to keep it healthy. They shed minimally as long as their coat is maintained and hand-stripped.  Clipping the hair can ruin its texture and cause more dirt to be collected as well as more shedding.

Top 10 Breeds That Shed A Lot

#1 Samoyed: The Sammy is known to shed all year round and required regular grooming to prevent matting and dirt from ruining their oat.  Samoyeds shed a lot of hair, particularly in the spring when they lose their undercoat.

#2 American Eskimo Dog: This breed has a puffy white coat that sheds a lot.  To avoid excessive shedding, it’s important to brush them multiple times a week.

#3 Pembroke Welshe Corgi:  This Corgi sheds on a regular basis and will shed even more so during late spring and early fall.  Brushing them daily will help remove a lot of shed hair and regular bathing during shedding season will help loosen up dead hair.

#4 Newfoundland:  The Newfie has a heavy coat that sheds heavily twice a year.  They normally require frequent brushing, and during their shedding season will need daily grooming sessions.

#5 Golden Retriever: Goldens have a heavy double coat which causes them to shed on a continuous basis.  They go through a heavy shedding period twice a year.  To control their shedding, it’s key to rush them at least twice a week.

Top 10 Breeds That Shed A Lot

#6 Alaskan Malamute:  The thick coat of a Malamute is adapted for the harsh Arctic climate, which requires constant upkeep.  They go through a heavy shedding period twice a year.  They should be brushed daily to avoid matting and bathed every six to eight weeks (Show Malamutes are bathed weekly).

#7 Bernese Mountain Dog: This working breed has a long outer coat and a wooly undercoat and sheds a lot.  They shed even more so twice a year during their shedding season.  To keep this dog’s coat looking healthy, it’s important to brush them weekly to avoid any tangling.

#8 Saint Bernard: This working dog can have a short or long coat which requires regular brushing to avoid tangles. During their shedding season, dog owners need to up their grooming and brush the daily.

#9 Leonberger: Known for their lion-like mane, Leonbergers are sheds that need daily brushings.  They shed heavily twice a year and ideally, they should be thoroughly groomed once a week to avoid matting and keep their coat looking as healthy as possible.  One question Leonberger owners always get is “DO THEY SHED?” Yes. They do. So much so that Leonberger brushing has spawned cottage industries (dog-hair sweaters and Afghan blankets) and photo competitions about who can produce the biggest hairball.

#10 Great Pyrenees: Although Great Pyrenees require little grooming, they are still known to be heavy shedders.  They have a long out coat and soft undercoat, which sheds heavily twice a year.  Brushing them once a week helps keep shedding at bay and keeps their coats healthy and shiny.