Long Haired Dogs That Shed Lightly

One of the hardest parts about having a dog is cleaning up after it, especially if your dog frequently sheds. Dog hair clings to carpets, clothing and furniture and is difficult to remove. If you are looking for a dog that isn't going to shed much, you don't have to be limited by hairless or short-coated varieties. There are many breeds of dog with long hair that shed even less than some of their short-haired counterparts.

  1. Labradoodle

    • The Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a standard poodle. Labs, which have relatively short coats, can shed quite profusely. By crossing the breed with a poodle, the coat becomes coarser and curlier and much less prone to shedding. Labradoobles also make great pets for those with dog allergies, since poodles have hypoallergenic coats. Many people who are allergic to Labradors are not allergic to Labradoodles.

    Cairn Terrier

    • Cairn terriers are hardy and small, with fox-like faces and wiry gray, brown or black coats. The breed was popularized by Toto, Dorothy's trusty companion in "The Wizard of Oz." The breed has a shaggy looking double coat---the top is coarse and weather-proof, while the undercoat is softer. Cairn terriers shed very little to not at all, but do need to be brushed frequently to keep their hair from getting matted and tangled.

    Yorkshire Terrier

    • The Yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie, for short, is a toy-sized brown and black dog. They are a popular nonshedding dog for small dog lovers. Yorkshire terriers have a long, straight glossy coat. Yorkies need to be groomed and brushed regularly to keep their coat shiny and to prevent knotting.

    Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

    • The soft-coated Wheaten is one of the larger breeds of terrier. They are agile, playful, and aloof in temperament. The Wheaten terrier does not shed at all in the spring and fall, and will shed very little in summer and winter as long as it is well-groomed. To groom a Wheaten terrier, it is preferable that you use a wide-toothed comb, rather than a brush, to prevent the dog's coat from getting frizzy.