The Best Dog Breeds That Don't Shed Much

The Afghan is a large sighthound known for its glamorous tresses. That long, silky hair requires ample attention to keep it healthy. Daily brushing is a must. The coat should also be washed with shampoo and conditioner as needed. Some owners keep their dogs' coats trimmed short to minimize maintenance.

The lamb-like appearance of the Bedlington terrier matches its gentle nature. This dog sports a unique coat that has both soft and harsh hair. Although the breed barely sheds, the coat grows fast and must be trimmed often. Brushing or combing twice weekly is recommended to prevent tangles and mats.

The bichon frise is a playful dog with a cheerful personality. It needs haircuts about every four to six weeks, as well as regular baths to keep its white coat fresh. The coat should be brushed several times a week, if not daily, to prevent dead hair from forming mats.

The Boston terrier is typically an energetic and friendly dog. Its short and sleek coat tends to shed very little—more noticeable seasonal sheds occur roughly twice a year. Weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt can help to remove loose fur and keep the coat healthy.

The Lhasa apso is generally playful and loving with its family, though some are aloof with strangers. Its coat may be kept long or trimmed short. Long hair must be brushed several times a week and bathed regularly. Short hair should be trimmed regularly and brushed once or twice a week. 

The Maltese is graceful and playful, yet hardy and fearless. Its coat should be brushed daily to prevent tangles, and it should have regular baths with conditioner. Some owners choose to keep the hair trimmed short for easier upkeep. Short coats should still be brushed once or twice a week.

All poodle varieties—standard, miniature, and toy—have curly hair that needs regular grooming. If the coat is long, daily brushing is necessary to prevent mats. Poodles with short haircuts should be brushed about once a week. And they should be clipped and bathed about every four to six weeks.

The Shih Tzu is the quintessential lap dog, and its coat needs daily brushing and some styling. (It takes practice to get that topknot right.) Shorter haircuts require brushing about twice a week. Plan on trips to the groomer every four to eight weeks, depending on the desired coat length.

The wire fox terrier is a bold, sociable, and active dog with a low-shedding coat. Some people choose to hand-strip their dogs' coats periodically to remove dead fur, while others prefer to trim the coat with clippers. Either way, the coat should be brushed about once or twice a week.

The Yorkshire terrier is a fearless little dog. Its low-shedding, silky coat is similar to human hair and needs to be brushed daily to prevent tangles. Yorkies with short coats should be brushed about once a week. Plan to visit the groomer every six to eight weeks, depending on the desired coat length.