How to Find a Pup That Doesn’t Shed Everywhere

Listen, nobody wants a pup who sheds a lot. Of course, you love your dog no matter how much dark fur they leave on your beige couch or your white jeans. But some humans either crave a more tidy (less furry) home or can’t stand the shedding because of allergies. Even the hairless Chinese Crested will shed a little over its life, but there are other breeds like it that leave less hair behind. Here’s what you should look for:

Short fur means less shedding

A little bit of a no brainer but…one of the most indicative characteristics of a shed-free pup is length of fur. Shar Peis, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Vizslas, and Chihuahuas shed a small amount because their fur is very short; same goes for Mastiffs, Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Greyhounds.

Curly-haired breeds shed less

Portuguese Water Dogs (you know them best as Sunny and Bo) are touted as being both hypoallergenic and shedding very little, as are Poodles. Silky, long-haired dogs the Lhasa Apso and Yorkshire Terrier do not shed as much either, possibly due to the fact that their “fur” is more human-like and doesn’t become airborne.

Hairless breeds mean almost no shedding

Not surprisingly, the crème de la crème of shed-free dogs are the hairless breeds: The Chinese Crested, Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintli), Peruvian Hairless, Ecuadorian Hairless, and American Hairless Terrier will shed next to nothing, and (bonus!) they require a cute, warm wardrobe for the winter.

If you have a dog that does shed a lot…

Make sure your breed is known for shedding a lot to rule out the possibility of a health problem that’s causing excessive hair loss—it may be worth a trip to the vet to see if something is up. Shedding may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency—lots of pet owners notice a decrease after they’ve changed their pet’s diet. If your dog was meant to shed, you have to be rigorous with a grooming routine: brush and bathe regularly and visit the groomer for major maintenance.

As far as keeping the fur off your furniture, keep your vacuum running smoothly with clean filters—this also applies to your air conditioning vents—sometimes overlooked when you’re drowning in fur. Some owners swear by running a dryer sheet over their pet, others use Velcro, tape, and lint rollers faithfully before resorting to heavy duty made-for-fur brooms and vacuums. Check out our other tips for naturally preventing shedding!

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The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.