Avoiding the Fluff with These Small Dog Breeds

Not everyone wants to own a big dog. Big dogs, like shepherds and labs, often shed, which can be an inconvenience if you’re allergic to dog hair and don’t have time to clean up after your furry pal. If you’re in the market for a smaller, low-maintenance pooch that fits your lifestyle, check out this list of the best small dog breeds that don’t shed!

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise, also known as a Fluffy Puppy, doesn’t shed as much as other small dog breeds. Bichons are typically a beautiful white color with their hair constantly groomed and trimmed to look like they have just come from a salon. These dogs are playful and social creatures that love to be around people but don’t require much exercise or activity.

Poodle

The poodle is a type of dog that belongs to two groups: non-sporting and retriever. The poodle is known for their intelligence, active personality, and their skill in performing tricks. Because of these characteristics, Poodles can be considered as one of best small dog breeds that don’t shed. They also need to exercise regularly so they can live happily in apartments or houses with small yards.

Boston Terrier

Energetic and bouncy, Boston Terriers are good with children and other pets. Like most terriers, they enjoy playing games like fetch, so they may be able to entertain themselves if left alone. Boston Terriers don’t shed much and are small enough to live comfortably in an apartment or condo. The American Kennel Club recommends early training and socialization for all dogs. Boston Terriers need plenty of exercise each day; they enjoy a good walk or romp in a dog park.

French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is a small dog breed with a muscular body and a heavy head. It has short, fine-boned legs and round feet. It comes in various colors including fawn, white, brindle, black/tan or brown. These dogs are very friendly and have an excellent temperament with children and other pets. They do not shed much but they tend to drool quite a bit which can be annoying at times.

Italian Greyhound

When you have allergies, finding a hypoallergenic dog breed can be a life-changing decision. If you love having pets but are sensitive to pet dander, you may want to get an Italian Greyhound, or IG. The breed is known for having minimal shedding and dander, which makes it one of the best breeds for people with pet allergies.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed that rarely sheds. This breed likes being around people and gets along well with kids. The CKC has a good temperament and makes a great family pet. For those living in apartments, these dogs do not bark frequently so they are great for most locations.

Havanese

If you can do without a dog that sheds, then a Havanese is a great choice. These dogs have beautiful golden coats and a playful personality that makes them ideal for families. Their size and playful nature also make them excellent dogs for first-time owners and families with older children.

Papillon

These dogs are best known for their large, butterfly-like ears. They’re sweet, playful and love attention from their owners. Papillons tend to be a bit skittish around strangers, but that may be due to past experiences with bad owners. With proper training, though, they learn fast and get along well with kids.

Brussels Griffon

The Brussels Griffon is a small, wiry-haired dog that doesn’t shed and makes a great companion for families with allergies. Bred as ratters and watchdogs, they are very intelligent, friendly dogs that can be trained easily to do tricks. And though their fur looks rough and scraggly when untrimmed, it actually naturally lies flat against their body.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a small dog that originated in Mexico. He is a toy breed and comes in two varieties: long-coat, which has a long coat like a Yorkshire Terrier, and short-coat, which has short hair. The short coat may have slight feathering on his legs. Long-haired Chihuahuas are not easy to find because they are so sensitive to heat that most of them are clipped.

Conclusion

When choosing a pet, it’s important to consider size. Dogs are great additions to families, but they need room to roam and a lot of attention. If you live in an apartment or have limited space, these small dog breeds that don’t shed might be more your speed. All of these are great options for living small; from hypoallergenic to non-shedding coats, these dogs will make your experience smaller and sweeter!