12 Small Dogs That Do Not Shed — our top picks
Toy Poodle
Toy Poodle: very small-sized, very low shedding and very high grooming needs — small and low-shedding at once. Smallest variety of Poodle with intelligence and athleticism in a tiny package. Hypoallergenic and highly trainable. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Toy Poodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Maltese
Maltese: very small-sized, very low shedding and very high grooming needs — small and low-shedding at once. Ancient toy breed with flowing white coat and gentle demeanor. Playful and affectionate companion dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Maltese needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodle: small-sized, very low shedding and very high grooming needs — small and low-shedding at once. Medium-sized Poodle with all the intelligence and athleticism in a more manageable size. Excellent family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Miniature Poodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise: small-sized, very low shedding and very high grooming needs. Cheerful white powder-puff with hypoallergenic coat. Playful and adaptable companion with minimal shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Bichon Frise needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Maltipoo
Maltipoo: small-sized, very low shedding and high grooming needs. Maltese and Poodle cross creating small, affectionate companion with reduced shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Maltipoo needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier: very small-sized, low shedding and very high grooming needs. Small terrier with silky coat and big personality. Brave, determined, and sometimes bossy despite their tiny size. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Yorkshire Terrier needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Pomapoo
Pomapoo: very small-sized, low shedding and high grooming needs. Pomeranian and Poodle cross creating tiny companion with big personality and reduced shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Pomapoo needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese Water Dog: medium-sized, very low shedding and very high grooming needs. Curly-coated Portuguese fishermans dog. Intelligent, athletic, and excellent swimmer. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Portuguese Water Dog needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: medium-sized, very low shedding and very high grooming needs. Irish terrier with silky wheaten coat. Happy, friendly, and less aggressive than most terriers. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Schnoodle
Schnoodle: medium-sized, very low shedding and high grooming needs. Schnauzer and Poodle cross combining intelligence with low-shedding coat. Comes in multiple sizes. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Schnoodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzer: small-sized, low shedding and high grooming needs. Small, spirited terrier with distinctive beard and eyebrows. Alert, friendly, and adaptable companion known for intelligence and low-shedding coat. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Miniature Schnauzer needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu: small-sized, low shedding and very high grooming needs. Flowing-coated toy breed bred to be a companion. Friendly and outgoing with all people. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Shih Tzu needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or see which breed you look like from a single photo.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for owners who want a small, low-shedding dog
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a popular choice, but large-sized and very high shedding put it at odds with owners who want a small, low-shedding dog. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Bernese Mountain Dog needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog is a popular choice, but large-sized and very high shedding put it at odds with owners who want a small, low-shedding dog. On top of that, the coat is real work — the German Shepherd Dog needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a popular choice, but large-sized and very high shedding put it at odds with owners who want a small, low-shedding dog. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Golden Retriever needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Which dog do you look like?
Take one photo and an AI model tells you which of our 321 breeds you most resemble, and which features gave it away. Free, no account, and your photo is never stored. It is a game rather than advice — but every match links straight into that breed's real guide.
See which dog you look likeFrequently asked questions
- What small dog breed does not shed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Toy Poodle ranks as the top choice for owners who want a small, low-shedding dog, followed by the Maltese and Miniature Poodle.
- How was this list of dogs for owners who want a small, low-shedding dog chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for owners who want a small, low-shedding dog — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. The same trait ratings are printed on each breed's own guide page, so you can check why a breed placed where it did.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for owners who want a small, low-shedding dog?
- The Bernese Mountain Dog, The German Shepherd Dog, The Golden Retriever all rank near the bottom for owners who want a small, low-shedding dog despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.