What Breed of Dog Does Not Shed?

Hairless Breeds

• One surefire way to nearly eliminate the problem of shedding is to select one of the hairless dog breeds. Hairless breeds are a good choice for allergy sufferers. Instead of full coats of fur, hairless dogs have only sparse amounts of hair on their heads, feet and tails. This makes hairless dogs perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance pet. Owners of hairless dogs however, must pay special attention to the care of their dog's skin. Since there is no fur to protect the skin, hairless dog breeds are vulnerable to sunburn and various other skin problems. Two popular hairless breeds are the Chinese Crested and the Peruvian Inca Orchid. The Chinese Crested is a small, playful toy breed. The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a medium-sized breed that comes in a variety of solid and spotted colors.

Poodles

• Poodles are customarily considered to be an elegant, luxury breed. Not only do poodles make great pets for those seeking a more sophisticated companion, they are also great for allergy sufferers. Unlike the hairless breeds, a poodle's hypoallergenic coat requires regular professional grooming. Poodle coats are naturally curly, dense and harshly textured. Their solid-colored coats come in a variety of hues, including white, black, brown, cream, gray, apricot and café-au-lait. Poodles are available in three different sizes---toy, miniature and standard---to suit the needs of almost any living environment.

Water Dogs

• Those seeking a more athletic, outdoor breed with little shedding may want to consider a water dog. Water dogs are medium-sized breed that are very energetic. Water dogs are so named for their excellent swimming ability. The coat of a water dog is not only hypoallergenic, it is also waterproof. Unlike poodles, water dog coats do not require professional grooming. However, their coats do need regular basic maintenance. Two common water dog breeds are the Portuguese Water Dog and the Irish Water Spaniel. Portuguese Water Dogs have coats that are either curly or wavy. Their coats can come in blue, black, brown or a combination of the three. The Irish Water Spaniel has a liver-colored double coat that is very dense and tightly curled.

Terriers

• Terriers come in a variety of different sizes, coat lengths, coat textures and colors. Although terrier coats are hypoallergenic, they require regular brushing and trimming to prevent the formation of mats and tangles. Bedlington Terriers are large terriers that resemble lambs. Despite their size, these dogs possess a gentle, loving nature that matches their appearance. Bedlington Terriers have curled, wooly coats that come in liver, bluish or sandy hues. Kerry Blue Terriers are energetic dogs that require regular exercise. They are known for having soft, wavy coats that come in darker shades of blue and gray. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are also known for having silky, wavy coats, except in a more pale wheaten color.

Schnauzers

• Schnauzers are another group of hypoallergenic dogs whose coats require heavier maintenance. Owners will need to "strip" their Schnauzer's coat a minimum of two times a year. Stripping the coat involves plucking out all of the dead and loose hairs that are in the coat. This will help to keep the dog's coat in good condition. Schnauzers are available in three sizes. Standard Schnauzers have thick, wiry coats that come in black or salt and pepper hues. Giant Schnauzers are much larger than standard Schnauzers. Their coats are weather resistant and also come in black and salt and pepper. They are best known for their signature long whiskers and mustache as well as their arched eyebrows. Miniature Schnauzers have harsh, thick double coats that come in black, salt and pepper and silver.