You are looking for a dog for yourself, but you don’t want it to shed because you have an allergy or you don’t always want to vacuum in the flat.
Besides the poodle, the Shih-Tzu, Maltese, Saluki, terrier or water dog are just a few dog breeds that do not shed.
These dogs are popular, after all the choice of possible dogs is limited.
Why and when does dogs shed?
All dogs go through a coat change 2 times a year, from winter to summer coat and vice versa. During this time all dogs shed more.
2 times a year your dog goes through a coat change
Those with a dense undercoat are more affected by shedding than dogs with little or no undercoat. The undercoat, also called woolly coat, is the hair that lies directly on the skin.
The top coat, or guard coat, is the coat that lies on top of the skin. The coat of a dog depends on its breed, which in turn is determined by the conditions in its country of origin.
A Husky that comes from the cold northern regions has a dense undercoat. In contrast, dogs whose home is southern Europe have a thin or no undercoat.
These dog breeds do not shed
The Poodle, Water Dogs, Bichons , the Naked Dogs and many Terriers do not shed or shed very little.
Dog breeds that do not shed include:
- Maltese
- Bichon Frisé
- Shih-Tzu
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Boston Terrier
- Schnauzer
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Airedale Terrier
- Saluki
- Great Dane
- Poodle
The Yorkshire Terrier is also one of the dogs that do not shed, as it has no undercoat. Nevertheless, he needs time for intensive grooming.
This terrier also feels at home in the city and likes variety and contact with other dogs.
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a special dog. Surely you have never heard of it?
Let’s have a quick look at the Lagotto.
- Weight approx. 13-15 kg
- Age up to 15 years
- Colour solid with uneven patches
- Size up to 50 cm
The Italian is a medium sized dog with a compact, curly coat all over the body. Its undercoat is waterproof and the dog needs to be sheared twice a year.
This is because he is always shedding his coat and therefore does not shed.
Due to his excellent sense of smell, his nose, he is well suited for hunting. This dog is one of the oldest water dogs known.
It is famous far beyond the borders of Italy for its “truffle nose”. The Lagotto can grow up to 50 centimetres tall and be your friend for a good 15 years.
The Water Dog is a guardian and partner as well as a protective family dog. It is said to have a friendly nature and an intelligent disposition.
What is the relationship between shedding and the breed and the shedding season?
Dogs lose hair all year round, but the shedding season is of course the most labour intensive time for all owners whose dogs have a dense undercoat and lose it.
Hair everywhere, in the home, on clothes, in the car and no end in sight!
Some dog owners are simply bothered by the hair flying around, others get sick of it.
Of course, you can always try to keep everything clean and vacuum constantly. However, this might not be enough for sensitive people.
There are many people who are allergic to dog hair. Strictly speaking, it is not the hair itself that triggers the allergic reaction, but the saliva and faeces that the dog owner comes into contact with through the hair.
In a number of dog breeds, however, the dead hairs are caught by the top coat, so that they are unable to make their own way.
A particularly good example of this is the poodle. The classic dog for allergy sufferers.
Dog hair allergy is a serious sensitivity that now affects more than 10 percent of the total population.
In the case of the poodle, as well as almost every other breed that also does not shed, however, it is not enough to brush the animals regularly; they must be clipped twice a year because otherwise the coat will become matted.
What care do dogs that do not shed need?
Whether a large or small dog, even a non-hairy dog needs regular grooming.
It is not quite as time-consuming as, for example, with dogs that shed a lot of hair.
In order for your four-legged friend to maintain his beautiful shiny coat, grooming is necessary in addition to a species-appropriate diet.
For dogs with short or curly coats, weekly brushing is necessary. This helps to avoid knots and tangles in the coat.
Even for dogs with more coat, the structure of the hair determines how much grooming is needed.
The trade offers many grooming products for dog care. Make sure to use a natural product that does not contain any additives.
What exactly is meant by a dog hair allergy?
A dog hair allergy is a specific sensitivity to certain proteins secreted by dogs. They are found in urine, saliva but also in skin glands.
Allergic reactions are triggered as soon as these proteins, which are flying around, are inhaled. In this respect, allergies to dogs can also be triggered by their saliva.
In this case, when buying a dog, it is not only important to make sure that the four-legged friend does not shed, but also that it does not drool.
The allergy manifests itself in different ways, there can be sniffles, but also skin irritations, eye inflammations and asthma attacks.
Therapy options
You can get tested for an animal hair allergy in advance.
If it is already too late for the test and you have already given your heart to a four-legged friend, there are some treatment options that can only alleviate the symptoms.
For example, there are antihistamines, decongestant sprays for the nose or hyposensitisation as a kind of immunisation.
The body is “persuaded”, so to speak, to be tolerant of the dog’s hair.
Your family doctor can tell you how the procedure works and what costs you might have to pay.
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Conclusion Dog breeds shed
Whether it’s an existing allergy or annoying dog hair, a dog that doesn’t shed can be a lifesaver. There are many dog breeds that are suitable for allergy sufferers.
If you have a dog hair allergy, there are several things you can do to stop the symptoms. Ideally, you should seek advice from your doctor.
In addition to small dog breeds, larger dog breeds are also represented among the non-hairy breeds.
Whether it’s a poodle or a terrier, a Great Dane or an Italian dog, a non-shedding dog needs the same care as any other dog.
This includes regular brushing to keep the dog’s coat in good condition.
