Choosing a breed
Small dogs that don’t shed: what’s true and what isn’t
By Casa Trufa ·
For information only: it does not replace a visit to your veterinarian.
No dog sheds nothing at all, but some breeds shed very little. Among small dogs, the Maltese and the Poodle crosses — Maltipoo and Cockapoo — leave some of the least hair around the house. The trade-off never changes: hair that doesn’t fall out has to be brushed and clipped. And none of them is one hundred percent hypoallergenic.
Are there dogs that really don’t shed?
No. Every dog renews its hair. The difference is in how:
- Double-coated breeds have a dense undercoat that they shed seasonally: that is the hair you find on the sofa, on your clothes and in the corners.
- Breeds with continuously growing hair, and no undercoat, renew it little by little. The old hair gets trapped in the new instead of falling to the floor.
The second group is what people call “dogs that don’t shed”. It is a fair description of what your home looks like, and a misleading one if it makes you think they are no work.
What happens to the hair that doesn’t fall out?
It mats. A dog with continuously growing hair that isn’t brushed forms knots tight against the skin that pull, hold moisture and end in irritation. That is why the rule is always the same:
| What you gain | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Almost no hair around the house or on your clothes | Brushing several times a week, or daily if the coat is long or curly |
| Less dander spread through the air | A groomer every six to eight weeks, for life |
| Less “dog” smell | Regular baths with complete drying |
If you can’t see yourself brushing a dog three times a week, a short-haired dog that sheds a little will be easier for you.
How much do the seven breeds we raise shed?
| Breed | Coat type | Shedding | Coat care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maltese | Long, straight, no undercoat | Very low | High: daily brushing if kept long |
| Maltipoo | Curly to straight (it is a cross) | Very low, variable | Medium to high: brushing and a groomer |
| Cockapoo | Curly to wavy (it is a cross) | Low, variable | Medium to high: brushing and a groomer |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Silky, with feathering | Moderate | Medium: frequent brushing |
| Border Collie | Double coat | High, seasonal | Medium to high: thorough brushing |
| Australian Cattle Dog | Short double coat | Moderate, seasonal | Low to medium |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Long double coat | High, all year | Medium to high: a lot of brushing and a lot of vacuuming |
For the Maltipoo and the Cockapoo, the word “variable” matters: because they are crosses, two littermates can have different coats. We explain it in do Maltipoos shed? and in the adult Cockapoo.
Are dogs that don’t shed hypoallergenic?
Not completely — none of them. Dog allergies are triggered by proteins found in dander, saliva and urine, not by the hair itself. Every dog produces them.
What does happen is that a dog that sheds little spreads less dander, and for some people with a mild allergy that is enough. For others it isn’t. No breed, cross or generation (F1, F1b) guarantees it, and an ad that says “one hundred percent hypoallergenic” is promising something that doesn’t exist.
If someone at home has allergies or asthma, talk to their doctor and spend a few hours with an adult of the breed, in a closed room, before you decide. It is better to find out in one afternoon than with the puppy already home.
What about dogs that “don’t smell”?
They don’t exist as a category either. Smell depends mostly on the skin, the ears, the mouth and moisture. Dogs with continuously growing hair, properly dried and brushed, tend to smell less; a Maltese that stays damp smells like any other dog. Drop ears with a lot of hair, like the Cockapoo’s, need a weekly check.
Which low-shedding dog should you choose?
- The Maltese if you want the smallest, and a recognized breed with a pedigree.
- The Maltipoo if you want a small, sociable, playful dog and don’t mind that it is a cross.
- The Cockapoo if you want a bit more size and quite a lot more energy.
The comparisons Maltese vs Maltipoo and Maltipoo vs Cockapoo put them side by side. And keep the climate in mind: in the hot lowlands (tierra caliente) all three do better with a short coat; in the cool highlands (tierra fría), with complete drying after every bath.
Frequently asked questions
Which small dogs don’t shed?
None stops shedding completely, but the Maltese and the Poodle crosses, such as the Maltipoo and the Cockapoo, shed very little. In exchange they need frequent brushing and a groomer every six to eight weeks.
Which dogs don’t shed and don’t smell?
No breed is odor-free. Dogs with continuously growing hair, such as the Maltese or the Maltipoo, shed little and tend to smell less if they are bathed regularly and dried completely.
Which dog is better for someone with allergies?
No breed is guaranteed. Dogs that shed little spread less dander, and some people with a mild allergy tolerate them better. The only way to know is to spend a few hours with an adult of that breed.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed?
Yes, moderately. The Cavalier has a silky coat with feathering that needs frequent brushing. It is not a very low-shedding dog like the Maltese.
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