Top Small Dog Breed
If you are looking for a small canine companion that won’t coat your sofa,From small dogs that don’t shed at all, to dogs who shed minimally, dog breeds that don’t require buying stock in lint rollers.
Border Terrier
The Border Terrier was bred for hunting foxes and rodents, but this intelligent and hardy breed also makes her a lively companion or family pet.The Border is good-tempered, affectionate, obedient, and easily trained.She’s highly intelligent and quickly learns the cues that signal you’re going outside for a walk or to the office, when it’s dinnertime, and what you like and don’t like her to chew.Her wiry coat is hypoallergenic, sheds little, and requires an easy weekly brushing.The Border Terriers isn’t yappy, but she’ll bark to alert you of anything unusual, and she can become a nuisance barker if she gets bored.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is both loyal and friendly, and he happens to be hypoallergenic, too.The Shih Tzu’s coat does not shed, with the hair only falling out when brushed or broken.The favored pet of the Tang Dynasty, this “little lion dog” comes in a variety of colors and patterns.This Toy dog is sturdy and lively, with a carriage often described as arrogant, due to his proudly held head and curling tail. The Shih Tzu was bred to be a house pet, and his gentle, trusting nature makes him an exceptional companion.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is truly a non-shedding small dog who has hair like yours instead of fur. This playful and affectionate dog is an ideal pet for people with allergies, but she is not maintenance-free.
The Bichon Frise’s hair grows continuously, requiring frequent grooming, brushing, and the occasional bath in order to keep up with her powder-puff looks. No dog is truly hypoallergenic as all dogs shed some allergens. If you have dog allergies, we suggest you spend time with a breed before you adopt.
Basenji
If you love hounds but don’t enjoy their distinctive corn chip odor and shedding habits, the Basenji,who originates from Central Africa, might be the perfect small dog breed for you. The Basenji sheds very minimally, and his short, fine coat requires little care beyond the occasional brushing. The Basenji lacks a distinctive odor and is also famously quiet, which makes him an ideal dog for apartments – as long as he gets daily exercise and playtime. He is a hunting dog after all.
Bolognese
Like the Bichon Frise, the distinctive fluffy coat of the Bolognese is composed of hair rather than fur. The Bolognese does not shed, although dead hair must be brushed out regularly, and the coat requires daily grooming to keep this lovable lap dogs looking her best.
The Bolognese, like his cousin the Bichon Frise, is a tiny white dog with curly hair. Unlike the Bichon, the Bolognese’s hair flows in long, wavy locks, giving him the look of a fairy tale dog.
Sometimes a bit shy, he’s something of a one-person dog, never happier than when he’s in your lap.
Chinese Crested
One way to avoid shedding is to select a dog breed without hair or fur. The Chinese Crested comes in two coat types: hairless and powderpuff. The Hairless Chinese Crested have hair on his head, tail, and feet, while the powderpuff is covered with a coat of fine hair that sheds very minimally.
A hairless dog breed requires extra care and attention when it comes to his skin. Without hair, he needs protection from the sun and cold and is more prone to skin irritations.
The most popular of the hairless breeds, the Chinese Crested is still very rare. He is alert, charming, agile and lovable.
Though affectionate and playful with children, children should be taught not to be rough with him as he is friendly, but he does not have the protective hair that other breeds have and can get injured easily.
Overall, he is an entertaining and amusing companion.
Havanese
This native Cuban dog offers his owner both his spunky charm and a coat that doesn’t shed, which means less time spent lint rolling the furniture and more time romping with the playful Havanese.
A member of the Bichon family of dogs, along with the Bichon Frise, the Maltese, and the Bolognese, his coat requires weekly brushing and regular baths to keep him clean and healthy.
The Havanese does well in all types of housing, from apartments to homes with large yards. But he’ll probably bark when he sees someone passing by the house or when he hears a strange noise.
The good news is that he doesn’t bark just for the sake of hearing his own voice.
Lhasa Apso
This small dog breed from Tibet makes an excellent companion.
Calm yet playful, the Lhasa Apso enjoys brisk walks and resting in her owner’s lap.
Lhasa Apso doesn’t shed, but her coat does require maintenance.
Many owners keep their Lhasa Apso clipped in a “puppy cut” to avoid daily grooming and
brushing of her long hair.
Be aware that the breed is known for being impatient with the normal clumsiness associated
with children; he’ll nip.
He tends to bond with adults more than with youngsters, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast
rule.
Older children, or young children who are exceptionally gentle with dogs, can live happily
with the Lhasa.
If you are seeking a 100 percent “kid dog,” the Lhasa is probably not a good choice.
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a smart, trainable, and cheerful little dog that strongly resembles
his Standard Schnauzer cousin.
This Terrier sheds very little, and his adaptability makes him at home in the city or the country,
as long as his people are close by.
To keep your Miniature Schnauzer looking his best, incorporate weekly brushing and regular
grooming into his schedule.
He likes to be in the center of the action.
He’s fairly good with children and he’s energetic, with a lot of terrier spunkiness.
The problem is, he has no clue how small he is, and he’s likely to talk trash to a much
larger dog without any concept of the consequences.
That swagger of his can get him in trouble, so it’s up to you to keep him in line.
Poodle
Last but certainly not least is the Poodle.
Most people think of the poodle when they hear about small dogs that don’t shed, and
with good reason.
The Poodle is non-shedding and hypoallergenic.
Miniature and Toy Poodles offer these qualities in a petite, intelligent package that differ
only in size from Standard Poodles.
The Poodle is highly intelligent, making him easy to train.
He is an active, proud dog.
His hair does require regular grooming to avoid mats and tangles.
The Poodle has been used as a contributing parent for quite a few hypoallergenic hybrid
breeds often called Doodle dogs, such as the Cavapoo, the Maltipoo, the Schnoodle and the
Cockapoo.
the poodle when they hear about small dogs that don’t shed, and
with good reason.
The Poodle is non-shedding and hypoallergenic.
Miniature and Toy Poodles offer these qualities in a petite, intelligent package that differ
only in size from Standard Poodles.The Poodle is highly intelligent, making him easy to train.He is an active, proud dog.His hair does require regular grooming to avoid mats and tangles.