6 Adorable Small Dogs That Don’t Shed: Best Dogs For Allergies

Maryam Siddiqui
4 min readMar 2, 2022

Have you been dreaming about getting a pet dog, but your allergies are holding you back? A low-maintenance hypoallergenic dog may just be what you’re looking for.

Life with a dog is full of unconditional love, companionship, and entertainment — which is why over 471 million pet dogs are part of families worldwide. But it’s challenging to vacuum dog hair constantly or have your allergies act up because of it. While there is no such thing as a dog that doesn’t shed, quite a few breeds shed unnoticeable amounts of hair.

Here is a list of six small dog breeds perfect for cuddling up on the couch.

Toy Poodle

Poodles are one of the most popular breeds worldwide. They’re active and very friendly. Their intelligence also makes it easier to train them. Toy Poodles have a single coat of curly fur, which is hypoallergenic. They need brushing about once a week and occasionally shed a few strands. Toy Poodles are too cute not to snuggle in your arms all day long.

Bichon Frise

Another extremely adorable puppy we just can’t get over. Bichon Frise is French for “curly lap dog,” so they quite literally love snuggling their owners. Their soft thick curly fur doesn’t shed and only needs to be trimmed, so their eyes aren’t covered. They are very alert, curious, confident, and love to perform tricks for everyone.

Havanese

The Havanese has typical puppy-dog eyes and a caring personality. Their hair grows lusciously long but still won’t shed all over your house, which makes them good dogs for allergies. They are very outgoing and playful, so be ready for ample socialization and activities. Havanese are the perfect companion for large families with kids who love to play around.

Maltese

We bet you’ve probably seen this breed pictured adorably in celebrities’ purses. They aren’t overly energetic but love to play around gently and spend as much time possible on their owner’s laps. The coats of Maltese are hypoallergenic and should be brushed every day if you’re growing them out. While they don’t shed as much, you’ll have to give them occasional baths to keep their long, silky hair clean.

Lhasa Apso

Here’s a dog for our busy low-maintenance readers who still want the adorable snuggles. The Lhasa Apso is a very calm, affectionate, and protective breed. These minimal shedding dogs are often kept in a “puppy cut” to avoid high maintenance and frequent grooming. How can you not love those adorable little ponytails? All they need are loads of human snuggles.

Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog will be the best fit if you have an active family since they’re highly energetic. Their waterproof fur helps them to be naturally athletic on the beach. This breed also mingles well with cats and other dogs if raised together, but they’re very independent and intelligent on their own. The Portuguese Water Dog has hypoallergenic fur and sheds a minimal amount, although it requires regular grooming.

Have You Decided Your Favorite Yet?

These were only a few of our favorite small, hypoallergenic dogs that don’t shed. If you’re someone who prefers having a giant dog, there are tons of larger breeds that are hypoallergenic and great companions.

Owning a dog is a responsibility, so it’s essential to understand the commitment required to keep them happy. Thousands of animals end up in shelters because people don’t spend enough time researching what kind of pet they would be pleased to adopt.

We hope this article helped you brainstorm your options to choose a new member of your family. Let us know your favorite small dog in the comments below!

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