Dogs that do not shed

A dog is the dream of many people. But dogs lose hair - every day. Depending on the breed, it takes a lot of time, effort and equipment to get this under control. If you don't feel like vacuuming your sofa and sweeping the floor every day, you should choose a dog that doesn't shed or at least sheds less than others. Find out more about dogs that don't shed below.

There is no such thing as a dog that loses no hair at all. Some dog breeds lose hair all year round, others mainly during the coat change in spring and autumn, others hardly at all. In particular, dogs with hair instead of fur and dog breeds without undercoat have little hair loss. During the coat change, dead hairs fall out over a period of several weeks and make room for new ones. The winter coat of dogs has more fine woolly hairs and a denser undercoat. This means that the dogs are better protected from the cold.

But dog breeds without a coat change also lose hair. Some dogs (for example, the poodle) do not shed all over the car or sofa, because their loose hairs get caught in the curly fur. They stay there until they are combed out, cut or shorn off. Whether a dog sheds more or less also does not depend on whether it is a short-haired or long-haired dog. Some long-haired breeds (such as the Yorkshire Terrier) even shed less than their short-haired counterparts. Below we present the dog breeds that do not shed.

Bolonka Zwetna: Despite its abundant and curly coat, it is one of the less hairy dog breeds. A Bolonka Zwetna mainly sheds during the coat change, when its undercoat and topcoat fall out. The rest of the year the dog hardly drops any hair.

Maltese: These dogs have long hair without an undercoat, so hair loss is rather low in these dog breeds despite the long mane. Maltese are ideal dogs for beginners - however, due to the fact that they do not shed, they require intensive grooming.

Australian Terrier & Yorkshire Terrier: These terrier breeds are counted among the non-haired dogs, as they lose little hair in everyday life. However, their coat needs to be combed and trimmed regularly. Trimming involves plucking out mature or dead hairs along with the hair roots. When clipping (shortening), these would remain in the skin and prevent the new hair from growing back. Itching and inflammation could be the result.

Havanese: The small Havanese does not shed at all. However, this means that it must be combed regularly so that its coat does not become matted and colonised by parasites or germs.

Bichon Frisé: Because of its special coat structure, it is one of the less hairy dogs. However, coat care is very time-consuming. Daily brushing is advisable to avoid skin problems. In addition, the coat must be trimmed regularly.

Lagotto Romagnolo: Because of its woolly coat structure, it hardly sheds at all, but needs to be brushed well at least once a week and taken for clipping about three times a year.

Bulldog: The medium-sized, non-hairy dogs with their short, soft coat only need to be thoroughly brushed once a week. The facial folds of the bulldog require more attention. They are cleaned once a day with a damp cloth.

Poodles: These lively dogs hardly lose any hair, but they need to go to the groomer regularly. There, their curly coat is cut or shorn. Longhaired poodles in particular should be brushed several times a week to prevent the hair from matting.

Some people choose to have a hairy dog by choice. Why? Every dog breed has its own typical characteristics. So it may well be that a hairy dog's personality simply suits the owner better! For example, some people want a dog with a strong protective instinct or a gentle four-legged friend with a need for closeness. One person prefers an active breed that pants for tricks, while another needs a good-natured, easy-to-train companion. Susceptibility to certain diseases or dog ailments also varies from dog to dog. Those who make their choice solely dependent on the degree of grooming can quickly become disappointed or overwhelmed with the upbringing of their four-legged friend.

Basically, the less hair your four-legged friend loses, the more care his coat needs. Non-haired breeds are by no means easier to groom than haired breeds. Both long, silky dog hair and curly fur should be brushed through several times a week, if possible even daily. Particular attention must be paid to the armpits and the inside of the thighs, as this is where the coat rubs against each other. If you neglect the grooming, you will soon have to deal with matting and an unkempt appearance. It is best to always perform this ritual in the same place so that the dog can adjust to the daily procedure.

Naked dogs have no or hardly any fur. Some species, such as the Chinese Crested Dog, have hair only on the head, legs and tail and are otherwise "naked". The American Hairless Terrier, on the other hand, is born with a coat of hair which it loses again in the course of the first eight weeks and then remains hairless. The Peruvian and the African Naked Dog also have no fur. As a result, these dog breeds do not shed, smell less and no vermin can live in their fur.

In contrast to the dog breeds with hair, however, naked dogs have the disadvantage that they freeze quickly in colder temperatures. They are also unprotected against rain and wind. Therefore, they should wear special dog clothes for walking. In summer there is a risk of sunburn, which means that their skin needs special sun protection. Unfortunately, naked dogs also have an increased risk of skin cancer.

In addition, many of them have incomplete dentition or no teeth at all. The reason is the gene that is also responsible for hairlessness. This can lead to dental problems in these breeds.

Some dog breeds are advertised as "suitable for allergy sufferers" or "hypoallergenic" because they lose no fur or hardly any hair and are thus supposed to trigger fewer allergies. The demand for these dogs is correspondingly high. However, it is a fact that allergy sufferers do not react to the hair itself, but to the proteins in dander, urine and saliva. If the dog licks its fur, the allergens stick to it and spread throughout the flat. There are also dog breeds that shed little but drool a lot, which is also a problem for allergy sufferers. Therefore, there is no dog breed that is suitable for allergy sufferers without restriction. Especially since every person reacts differently to the allergens. How pronounced the symptoms are can vary from animal to animal.

Dog hair everywhere! Anyone who gets a furry nose in the house is quickly confronted with this fact. But there are also dog breeds that don't shed much. If this is important to you, find out about the different breeds before you get your new companion. Note, however, that non-haired dogs require consistent grooming.