"Low-shed" doesn't mean "No-shed", and then there is still Dander

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Not all of us can spend hours of brushing our dogs everyday, obviously, but you should know there is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog. There are dogs that shed less, or are low shearing dogs, and there is a wide variety of low-shed dog breeds to choose from. Here are some naturally “low-shed” breed options:

Bichon Frise: This sweet, affectionate dog barely sheds at all. In fact, many doctors recommend this breed for their patients with allergies. However, you will have to take him in for a monthly professional grooming and brush his coat every few days to prevent matting.

Chinese Crested: This dog breed has very little hair save a crest on her head and tufts at her feet, so there is very little to shed. This variety is a shy dog that is happy with a bit of indoor playtime. For this reason, the Chinese Crested doubles as a great apartment dog. There is also a “powder puff” version of this breed that has fur but minimal shedding.

Poodle: While poodles have long been stereotyped as a frou-frou breed, they were in fact originally hunting breeds. Their dense, lofty coat protects them from the cold when they entered the water after a bird. In fact, that fancy haircut you see at shows was originally intended to protect their joints from the cold when hunting. A poodle’s traditional cut is optional, however, so styling can truly be low maintenance.

Other low-shed breeds are the Affenpinscher, Bedlington Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, Shih Tzu, West Highland White Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier.

If you are worried about allergies, remember that it is usually an animal’s dander—and not the fur—that causes sniffles. Even dogs that shed very little may not be allergy-friendly.

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