Fetch FinderThe best small dogs that barely shed are Havanese, Maltese, Bichon Frises, Shih Tzus, Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers. Their hair grows continuously instead of falling out, so you'll find far less of it on your couch and clothes.
Small breeds rated 1/5 for shedding
Small · up to 7 lbBetter with adults or older kidsYorkshire TerrierA tiny dog with a big terrier attitude. Yorkies are affectionate, low-shedding and made for small spaces.
Small · 9–16 lb👪 Good family dogShih TzuA calm, cheerful lap dog bred purely for companionship. Shih Tzus are easygoing and great for first-time owners.
Small · 11–20 lb👪 Good family dogMiniature SchnauzerSmart, spunky and low-shedding. Mini Schnauzers are sturdy little dogs that make alert, friendly family pets.
Small · 7–13 lb👪 Great family dogHavaneseOutgoing, gentle and eager to please. The Havanese is one of the best small breeds for families and first-time owners.
Small · under 7 lbBetter with adults or older kidsMalteseA gentle, playful toy breed with a silky white coat that barely sheds. Maltese love being close to their people.
Small · 12–18 lb👪 Great family dogBichon FriseA cheerful, fluffy companion that gets along with everyone. Bichons are low-shedding and easy for beginners.
Small · 10–15 lb👪 Good family dogMiniature PoodleAll the brains of the Standard Poodle in a small, apartment-friendly size. Very trainable and low-shedding.
Small · 8–15 lb👪 Great family dogCoton de TulearA cotton-soft, white companion dog from Madagascar. Happy, gentle and wonderful with families.
Small · 12–18 lbBetter with adults or older kidsLhasa ApsoA long-coated watchdog from Tibetan monasteries. Confident, independent and wary of strangers.
Small · 22–24 lbBetter with adults or older kidsBasenjiThe "barkless dog" from Africa, which yodels instead. Clean, catlike and clever, but independent.
Small · 17–26 lb👪 Good family dogCirneco dell'EtnaA slim, ginger sighthound from Sicily's Mount Etna. Friendly, affectionate and fast.
Small · 17–23 lb👪 Good family dogBedlington TerrierA lamb-like terrier with a curly, low-shedding coat. Gentle at home, quick and tough outdoors.
Small · 14–24 lb👪 Good family dogCesky TerrierA soft-coated Czech terrier that's calmer and more reserved than most terriers. Loyal and gentle.
Small · 12–16 lb👪 Good family dogAmerican Hairless TerrierA hairless (or very short-coated) terrier that's playful, smart and easy to train. Popular with people who have allergies.
Small · 3.5–7 lbBetter with adults or older kidsToy Fox TerrierA tiny, spirited terrier with big-dog confidence. Smart, easy to train and very loyal.
Small · 8–10 lbBetter with adults or older kidsSilky TerrierA toy terrier with a long, silky coat and a feisty personality. Bigger attitude than a Yorkie.
Small · 8–12 lbBetter with adults or older kidsChinese CrestedA toy breed that comes hairless or fully coated (the Powderpuff). Playful, loving and very attached.
Small · 10–15 lb👪 Good family dogLöwchenThe "little lion dog," often clipped with a lion-style mane. Lively, affectionate and low-shedding.
Small · 4–8 lbBetter with adults or older kidsBiewer TerrierA tri-colored toy terrier related to the Yorkie. Playful, friendly and low-shedding.
Small · 4.5–11 lb👪 Good family dogRussian Tsvetnaya BolonkaA fluffy, colorful lap dog from Russia, newly AKC-recognized in 2026. Gentle, happy and easy to live with.
Small · 22–29 lbBetter with adults or older kidsPumiA curly-coated Hungarian herding dog with whimsical ears. Lively, clever and vocal.The trade-off: grooming
Hair that doesn't shed keeps growing and can mat. Most of these breeds need:
- Brushing several times a week, or daily for a long coat.
- A professional trim every 4–8 weeks. Budget about $50–90 per visit.
- A short "puppy cut" if you'd rather brush less. Many owners keep Shih Tzus, Maltese and Havanese clipped short.
A few, like the Basenji and hairless breeds, are low-shedding and low-grooming. They have a very short coat or none at all, but hairless dogs need sunscreen and a sweater instead.
Good to know about allergies
No dog is completely allergy-free. Allergies come mostly from proteins in skin flakes and saliva, not hair. Low-shedding dogs spread less of that around, so they're often easier for people with mild allergies. Spend time with the breed before you commit. Read more in our low-shedding breeds guide.
Take the breed quiz and pick "Someone in my home has dog allergies" to see only low-shedding matches.