Most first-time owners would like to have a small dog that doesn't shed, has no hunting instinct, hardly needs exercise and is very friendly and doesn't bark. This is considered “perfect”.
But the reality looks different. Although a lot can be achieved through appropriate training, certain things such as hair loss cannot be changed.
Basically, it's completely normal for dogs' hair to fall out. This is part of the natural hair growth cycle. The following selection can make your search easier.
Below you will learn about 35 small dog breeds that shed little or not at all.
#1 Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a small, sweet dog that doesn't shed. It has a teddy bear-like appearance and is also hypoallergenic.
He is originally from Yorkshire in England. He is also called “Yorkie”. It is the tenth most popular dog breed. He is also easy to train.
They are very trusting towards their family. They are good for first-time owners. However, they are only partially tolerant of clumsy children. [2]
Fun fact: Sometimes you may have a little duck sitting next to you. At least that's what it sounds like when this four-legged friend sneezes. Interestingly, he sneezes backwards. This works by drawing in a lot of air at once.
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#2 English Toy Terrier
The English Toy Terrier is a very intelligent and alert dog. By the way, he is also quite small and doesn't shed. It is therefore ideal for apartments. [3]
It originally comes from England, as the name suggests. When fully grown it weighs around 3 kg. It is available in black and light brown.
Unfortunately, this terrier breed is threatened with extinction. These little four-legged friends are rarely found anymore. However, their life expectancy is up to 16 years.
Fun fact: Dog or cat? Based on the weight, you might think that this cheeky little badger is a light cat. It only weighs around ⅔ of the weight of a cat and is therefore really light.
#3 West Highland White Terrier
Most of the time he is just known as “Westie”. Its life expectancy is up to 17 years. When fully grown, it only weighs around 7 kg.
They are very trusting towards the family. They are also very friendly towards children and get along well with them. Other dogs are also no problem.
By the way, these little dogs also learn very quickly and don't shed. Their character can also be very different. [4]
Fun fact: Theoretically, this four-legged friend could grin incredibly broadly at you. In some dogs of this breed, the teeth are excessively large from birth. This phenomenon is so common that it is known internationally as the “Westie Jaw.”
#4 Bichon Frize
The Bichon Frise. A small, non-shedding dog from Spain, Belgium and France. By the way, his name is pronounced in French. [5]
In the past it was often kept on sailing ships. Some of the little ones were also used as sheepdogs. They are very sensitive and lively.
Today they are primarily kept as lap and family dogs. They are also ideal for first-time homeowners and apartments. They also act kindly towards children.
Fun fact: Here you literally have a little fur ball at home. The small dogs are so soft that their fur is often referred to as “cotton.”
#5 Toy Poodle
The toy poodle is very trainable and has a weak hunting instinct. He is also a small four-legged friend who doesn't shed. [6]
He comes from Germany. However, its name comes from France. The following applies to these four-legged friends: the smaller the poodle, the harder it tends to be to train.
They are very trusting towards the family. They also behave trustingly towards children. They are also considered hypoallergenic and particularly clean.
Fun fact: The perfect four-legged friend for a hairdresser in training! Because the hair of these four-legged friends never stops growing. However, they are also often misused for rather bizarre haircuts.
#6 Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terrier comes from Great Britain. They have droopy ears, unlike the Norwich species. They are also very small and do not shed. [7]
When they are alone or bored, they often dig. They cope well with heat and cold. They are also very trusting towards the family.
They get along excellently with other dogs. They get along just as well with children and strangers. Their life expectancy is up to 17 years.
Fun fact: Digging is much more pleasant for these four-legged friends than being bored. You should therefore keep an eye on the little white-nosed nose near your flower bed.
#7 Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is very curious and adventurous. His country of origin is Germany. He is also known as “Affie” and “Monkey Terrier”. [8]
It is interesting that they were named this way because their hair and hair structure has many similarities with monkeys. However, they don't shed and are rather small.
They were once used to keep rats away. Today, however, they are ideal for apartment life. The animals are also well suited for first-time owners.
Fun fact: Have you ever tried to take away an Affenpinscher's toy? No chance. They are extremely territorial with their toys. Where other people's friendship ends with food, here it ends with toys.
#8 Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier was previously used primarily as a hunting dog breed for rats on the farm. They are also good family dogs and are also recommended for first-time owners.
They are also great for apartment life. The fact that they are very small and don't shed is just one reason for this. They are also very friendly and loyal.
Another practical thing is that they get along well with heat and cold. They are also trusting towards the family. The animals also get along very well with children. [9]
Fun fact: This four-legged friend has two faces. That of the angel and the devil. They have an incredibly broad character.
#9 Havanese
The Havanese originally comes from Cuba. It is the only dog breed that originated there. They were originally bred as lap dogs.
They are very small and don't shed. They are also ideal for apartment living. They also have difficulty staying alone. [10]
You are very trusting towards your family. They also get along well with children. This four-legged friend is happy when his owner is happy.
Fun fact: If you ever groom your four-legged friend, you might be surprised. These guys have little freckles all over their fur.
#10 Bolonka Franzuska
The Bolonka Franzuska is one of the so-called dwarf dogs. As you might guess, they are small and hardly shed at all.
Its name comes from Russian and means “French lapdog.” However, the breed is very rare, even in Russia. [11]
In the past, the four-legged friends were particularly popular with princes and queens. Today they make great family dogs. They also get along well with children.
Fun fact: It's no wonder that there aren't that many examples of this four-legged friend. While other dogs give birth to up to 15 puppies at once, the little ones only have an average of two puppies per jump.
#11 Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tuléar is very playful, intelligent and easy to train. Another advantage of this dog breed is that it is very small and does not shed. [12]
They love to swim, run and play. They are also very people-oriented. Jumping is also one of her favorite activities.
It is a relatively expensive breed. They are rarely available for less than €2000. Despite this, they are the 81st most popular breed. By the way, they are also called “Cotie”.
Fun fact: Here you really have a little ball of fluff at home. Even the name translates to “Cotton from Madagascar”. Due to a genetic mutation, their fur is particularly soft compared to other dogs. So they live up to their name.
#12 Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is one of the dogs without fur. This also means that these dogs do not shed. He is also a pretty small dog.
This breed of dog is also available with a full coat. As the name suggests, it comes from China. Its life expectancy is up to 18 years. [13]
It is ideal for apartment living. He is also the ideal dog for the family. The four-legged friends are very trusting towards their family and ideal for children.
Fun fact: Anyone who has seen “Kiss the Frog” may notice a few parallels to “Dragonfly” in this four-legged friend. In addition to the missing hair, the little one also occasionally has one less tooth.
#13 Australian Terriers
The Australian Terrier is also known as the “Aussie”. This is a small dog that does not shed. The animals are well suited for first-time owners. [14]
These four-legged friends need early socialization in order to get along well with people and other dogs. They are also quite alert.
You also get along well with cats and other pets. Even if the other four-legged friends are bigger. They love to bark and dig.
Fun fact: Despite their size, we have a little Julius Caesar among four-legged friends. The little guy likes to play dictator, both with his master and with other dogs.
#14 Maltese
The Maltese is called the “Maltese Dog” in English. He is one of the small dogs that does not shed. He is also playful, open and gentle.
They only have between 1-3 puppies and live up to 15 years. When fully grown, the little four-legged friends only weigh around 2 kg. [15]
They are ideal for first-time owners. However, they are very difficult to stay alone. By the way, they don't get along well with the cold. Therefore, they have chills more often.
Fun fact: This breed of dog actually once had a small, fluffy millionaire. After the death of a New Yorker in 2007, a Maltese inherited a whopping 12 million. He became the richest dog in the world.
#15 Chihuahuas
The Chihuahua comes from Mexico. He is a small dog that doesn't shed and is very charming. He also has pointed ears. Its weight is 2-3 kg.
There is even a special four-legged friend named “Milly”. She is the world record holder as the world's smallest dog at just 9.5 centimeters tall. [16]
There is a principle with these dogs. And that means: the smaller the Chihuahua, the more expensive it is. By the way, they are the 33rd most popular dog breed.
Fun fact: This little four-legged friend may seem inconspicuous, but he also comes along well…