Lowest-Shedding Dog Breeds
Tired of fur on everything? These breeds score lowest on our shedding scale. Just don't confuse low-shedding with low-maintenance.
How we built it
Computed automatically from PetGrit's 1–5 shedding rating on each dog profile (1 = sheds very little, 5 = heavy shedder), sorted lowest first. Ratings are graded against breed-standard and veterinary sources; ties are listed alphabetically.
Few things shape day-to-day life with a dog like how much it sheds — fur on the sofa, the car, your clothes. This ranking is computed live from PetGrit's 1–5 shedding rating on every dog profile, lowest first. The breeds at the top barely leave hair behind, which is why several double as allergy-friendly picks. But there's a catch worth knowing before you fall for a fluffy, no-shed coat.
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Scores are PetGrit's own 1–5 trait ratings, graded against breed-standard and veterinary sources. Browse the full breed dataset →
Sources & method
- PetGrit breed dataset — 1–5 shedding ratings — Graded against breed-standard and veterinary sources, single-sourced from each profile.
- PetGrit guide — managing dog shedding — Practical context on coats, shedding, and grooming.
The short version
- The lowest-shedding breeds score 1 out of 5 — including the Basenji, Bichon Frise, Poodle, and Maltese.
- Most low-shedding coats are single-coated, curly, or wiry, which is why so many of these breeds are also recommended for allergy sufferers.
- Low-shedding almost always means high-grooming: these coats need regular brushing and professional clipping to stay healthy.
Frequently asked questions
Which dog breeds shed the least?
By our shedding ratings, the breeds that shed least (scoring 1 out of 5) include the Basenji, Bichon Frise, Havanese, Maltese, Poodle, the Schnauzers, Portuguese Water Dog, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier. The Basenji is notable for being an extremely clean, low-shedding, almost cat-like breed, while the curly- and wiry-coated breeds trap loose hair instead of dropping it.
Is a low-shedding dog the same as a hypoallergenic dog?
They overlap but aren't identical. Low-shedding breeds put less hair and dander into your environment, which is why many are recommended for allergy sufferers — but the main dog allergen lives in dander, saliva, and urine, not just hair, so no dog is truly hypoallergenic. A low-shedding dog is a good starting point if you have allergies, but always spend time with the specific dog first.
Do low-shedding dogs need more grooming?
Yes, almost always. The coats that don't shed onto your floor keep growing and hold onto loose hair, so they tangle and mat without regular care. Most low-shedding breeds need brushing several times a week plus a professional clip or hand-strip every 4–8 weeks. You're effectively trading vacuuming for grooming appointments — budget time and money for it.
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