Allergies & shedding
Small dogs that don't shed much
Small and low-shedding is one of the most-searched combinations there is, and for good reason: less hair, less space, often less cost. We've sorted these by how quiet they are, because in a small home the bark matters too. Just know which of two coat types you're choosing.
- Every breed here is small and scores 2 or lower out of 5 for shedding.
- We sorted by barking first, then by shedding, so the quieter dogs come first.
Small, low-shedding and on the quieter side
Basenji
Clean, athletic and famously reluctant to bark. A Basenji replaces barking with independence, climbing and inventive escape plans.
- Shedding
- Low
- Barking
- Very low
- Grooming
- Very low
- Size
- Low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,100
Italian Greyhound
Tender, elegant and deeply attached. House-training, cold weather and fragile legs are the less photogenic parts of life together.
- Shedding
- Very low
- Barking
- Low
- Grooming
- Very low
- Size
- Very low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,100–€2,000
Boston Terrier
A compact, funny companion with a tidy coat. The short muzzle still places real limits on heat and hard exercise.
- Shedding
- Low
- Barking
- Low
- Grooming
- Very low
- Size
- Low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,300–€2,300
Bichon Frise
A small white cloud with a cheerful streak. Sociable, bright and happiest with people around.
- Shedding
- Very low
- Barking
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,000
Havanese
Sociable, funny and adaptable, provided company is part of the deal. The long coat is a choice between daily work and regular clipping.
- Shedding
- Very low
- Barking
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,100
Shih Tzu
Made to be a companion, and very good at it. Happy on a lap, happy in a small flat.
- Shedding
- Very low
- Barking
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,100–€1,900
Cavapoo
Small, affectionate and easy to carry into everyday life. Most Cavapoos want far more human company than solitude.
- Shedding
- Low
- Barking
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,300–€2,300
Cockapoo
Sunny, busy and close to people. A Cockapoo is often more sporting and more coat-intensive than its teddy-bear appearance suggests.
- Shedding
- Low
- Barking
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very high
- Size
- Low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,300–€2,300
Sleek coat or fluffy coat — a real choice
The Basenji, Italian Greyhound and Boston Terrier have short, sleek coats: a quick wipe or brush is enough, though the thin-coated ones feel the cold. The Bichon, Havanese, Shih Tzu, Cavapoo and Cockapoo shed little because their hair keeps growing, so they need brushing several times a week and a groomer every six to eight weeks.
In our data these breeds cost roughly €1,100–2,300 a year, and for the fluffy ones a good share of that is grooming.
Please don't choose from this list if…
- You want a fluffy dog but can't budget for regular grooming.
- Your winters are harsh and you'd rather not dress a thin-coated dog for walks.
- Your children are very small and the Italian Greyhound's fine bones worry you.
Questions people ask us
What is the best small dog that doesn't shed?
In our data the Bichon Frise, Havanese and Shih Tzu combine very low shedding with a friendly nature; the Basenji and Italian Greyhound are the low-grooming, quieter alternatives.
Do small low-shedding dogs bark a lot?
Some do. That's why we sorted this list by barking — the Basenji and Italian Greyhound are among the quietest, while the Maltese and Lhasa Apso are more vocal.
Are Cavapoos and Cockapoos really low-shedding?
Often, but not always: their coats depend on their parents and vary within a litter. Most need brushing and professional trims either way.
Your week is the other half of the match
A list can only get you so far. The Find My Dog quiz sets your home, your hours and your limits against every breed, and shows you the reasoning behind each score so you can judge it for yourself. It takes two minutes and it's free.
For when your dog comes home
DoggMatch+ helps with the practical side of the first year: training week by week, food portions worked out from your dog's weight, a care calendar and a printable Dog Pack. It's entirely optional, and everything on this page stays free.
See what DoggMatch+ includes