Dogs That Have Short & Smooth Coats

A dog with long, lush looking fur seems to invite a good cuddle. Unfortunately, the longer your dog's coat, the more grooming, brushing and bathing it will need. A short-coated dog can provide a soft snuggle too, just with less work. If you live in a moderate climate where extreme cold is of no concern or would rather not devote hours to grooming, consider owning a dog with a short, smooth coat.

  1. Dalmatian

    • Made famous by the Disney film "101 Dalmatians," these spotted dogs are an energetic and loyal breed in need of attention from their owners, but not for grooming. Their short, smooth fur requires little upkeep, just weekly brushing and a bath every one to two months. A need for companionship comprises the major demand on an owner's time from this intelligent animal, plus regular, patient training.

    Boxer

    • Boxers may look tough, but they love to show affection. They play well with children and other animals if introduced as puppies. Their short, shiny and smooth coat comes in a number of possible shades, including fawn, red and brindle. Their faces are often darker than the rest of their bodies. Because it grows so close to its skin, the boxer's fur provides no protection against the cold. During its 10 to 14 years, your boxer will require lots of play time but little grooming. In fact, it will only need an occasional brushing, bathing it only when it gets dirty.

    Pointer

    • A pointer is the perfect breed if you want a dog that gets along well with children, other dogs and even additional small pets. Unlike the boxer and dalmatian, this breed can spend a bit of time alone without pining, but still requires up to two hours of exercise every day. Its fur can take on numerous shade combinations: some will present spots, maybe patches, while others will show only one color, including orange, brown and lemon. Brush your pointer every one to two weeks and bathe it every two months.