Pets

15 Best Family Dogs That Don't Shed

By Familywave Team Published on Jun 06, 2024

A picture collage showing (Top-Left, Clockwise) Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Minature Schnauzer, Labradoodle, Havanese, and Bichon Frise.
Source : thefamilynation

Best family dogs that don't shed are Poodle, Labradoodle, and Yorkshire Terriers, among others. Hypoallergenic dogs are both kid-friendly and tidy.

People are not exaggerating when they call dogs the best friend of a human being, their unmatched loyalty, and companionship are always a plus point. Puppies have been emotional companions for people for centuries now and professional canines often help differently abled people navigate their daily life.

We have also heard famous stories of loyalty from the four-legged furry babies like Hachiko, the Japanese dog that waited for its master to return home at a railway station for 14 years, and an unnamed puppy that nudged its master off the railroad track trading its own life for his master's. 

Most important kids love to have a pet mutt to play with them. Having a companion to keep them away from the hazardous screen light seems like a fair trade for parents as well but most dogs are high maintenance and make a mess of the home from their non-stop shedding.

However, we have helped you out with our list containing low-maintenance pup that will not make a mess of your home and are kids friendly. The best part is, they are not likely to trigger any allergic reactions as well.

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1. Poodle

Poodles are one of the most popular pet dog breeds in the world. Poodles are active and intelligent.

Two white standard poodle sitting in the stairways together.
Source : instagram

They come in four sizes, Standard Poodle, Medium Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle, and have distinct characteristics for each group. However, they belong to the same breed and the difference in sizes is due to their past usage. 

American Kennel Club gives it a rating of 5 out of 5 in both affectionate with family and good with young children categories. Poodles have secured a three out of five rating on good with other canines. 

However, the most important factor about Poodles is they do not shed. In fact, they are one of the least shedding dog breeds available on the market. They need to get brushed quite frequently due to their wavy and curly long fur, but we would not mind playing with our little Poodle twice a week right?

They tend to be in constant play mode and never get tired, so keeping up with them might be a challenge. Kids will love to have a non-stop competition running around the park with them. 

Poodle dog breed is also highly active and very open to strangers. Here are some qualities exhibited by these pups:

  • Life Span: 10 to 18 years
  • Height: 18–24 Inches (standard), 14–18 Inches (medium), 11–14 Inches (miniature), and 9.4–11.0 Inches (toy). 
  • Weight: 20–32 Kg (standard), 15–19 Kg (medium), 12–14 Kg (miniature), and 6.5–7.5 Kg (toy). 
  • Price: $500 to $1500 (standard) in USA. 

2. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu is a very playful and affectionate dog breed. Shih Tzus are very good around young children and do not shed.

A beautifully groomed and brushed brown Shih Tzu puppy.
Source : instagram

The breed despite having a very long coat does not little your home with the shedding but they do need to be brushed 3 or 4 times a week. They are playful but not hyperactive to drain your energy. 

Shih Tzu makes perfect companions for kids as they are very good around young ones and other members of the family. If you already have a four-legged furry companion, then Shih Tzu will make them best friends in no time as they are very good with other hounds. 

Moreover, the double coat layer also traps allergies causing danders as a result they are kids friendly. 

Here are some technical specs: 

  • Life Span: 10–18 Years
  • Height: 7.9–11.0 Inches
  • Weight: 4–7.5 Kg
  • Price: $500 to $2000 in USA. 

3. Bolognese

Bolognese dogs are very welcoming and warm to humans. Bolognese do not shed and only require grooming or brushing once or twice a week.

A white Bolognese puppy plays in snow wearing a sweater.
Source : instagram

Bolognese makes an exceptional family pet because of their friendly nature and welcoming personality. They also do not shed a lot and taking care of their fur is quite easy meaning you will not have to invest hours taking care of your furry little guy or girl.

They are also not super playful and will likely spend most of their time on the couch but they are up for the task if you are eager to play with them. It makes a great companion for your kids as Bolognese will not drain their energy.

They do not do well during separation and require a family member around all of the time.

Bolognese dog breed has a long and wavy coat which makes it a majestic pet to look at. A feature snippet is listed below. 

  • Life Span: 8–18 Years
  • Height: 11–12 Inches
  • Weight: 2.5–4 Kg
  • Price: $1000 -$2000 in the United States of America

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4. Maltese

Kid friendly dogs that dont shed are the Maltese. The gentle breed is playful, and charming and weighs less than seven pounds.

Four white Maltese puppy get ready for a bath and grooming.
Source : instagram

Maltese dogs fall in the category of toy dogs and are particularly bred for companionship, ornamental purpose, and display at public shows. However, they have all the qualities like less shedding, baby friendly, and welcoming,  necessary for being a perfect family pet.

Although they are not the most intelligent among other breeds, they do have charming personalities. They are not too lazy or hyperactive and require far less attention than other family hounds.

The lovey-dovey breed adapts to the environment effectively and quickly making them suitable for families that tend to shift a lot. 

Maltese dog breed is quite reserved but can open up with strangers after a while. Quick facts are listed below:

  • Life Span: 12–15 Years
  • Height: 8–10 Inches
  • Weight: 3-4 Kg
  • Price: $500 to $15,000 in the United States of America. 

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5. Labradoodle

Labradoodles are a crossbreed between Labrador Retriever and Poodle. The crossbreed does not shed like a Poodle and has the intelligence of a Labrador.

A pair of brown Labradoodles celebrate valentines' day together.
Source : instagram

The term for the hound was first coined in 1955 after Donald Campbell used the term to describe his dog which was a crossbreed between Labrador Retriever and Poodle. However, the breed did not pick up pace and earned fame until the 1980s.

Labradoodle dogs are specifically bred for the quality of being hypoallergenic guide dogs. These pups have low-shedding quality and are highly intelligent.

They make excellent family-friendly pets as they are calm, well-behaved, and friendly. They are also great around children and have fantastic intelligence which helps them to learn new tricks. 

Despite their exploding popularity in recent times, none of the major Kennel associations or clubs have recognized them as a breed yet.

Labradoodle dog breed has the following qualities:

  • Life Span: 10-12 Years.
  • Height: 22-24 Inches.
  • Weight:  22 to 30 Kg.
  • Price: $900 and $2800 USA. 

6. Brenedoodle

Brenedoodle is a designer breed made with Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog. Brenedoodle inherits good parts from both parents. 

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Brenedoodle is a cross-breed which has perfect family pet qualities like being cuddly, affectionate, and playful. Furthermore, they also tend to shed less like their parent Poodle and are far away from causing any canine allergic reactions in the family. 

They are also perfect companions for kids, they love playing with the young ones and do no harm due to their gentle nature. Furthermore, professional training in its early days makes them easily adaptable with family members.

They also have higher-than-average intelligence making it easier to teach them new tricks and train. They also tend to be less vocal and will not make a serious noise until some things are going really off in the surrounding, making them ideal to have indoors.

  • Life Span: 12-18 Years.
  • Height: 10-29 Inches.
  • Weight:  4.5 to 40 Kg.
  • Price: $2000 to $5000 USA. 

7. Cavapoo

Cavapoo is one of the low maintenance hypoallergenic dogs. Cavapoo is a cross-breed between Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

A well groomed therapy Cavapoo attend a meeting with American Senate at Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Source : instagram

The designer breed offers playfulness, eagerness to learn and please, patience, and affection from Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and its hypoallergenic qualities and less shedding from Poodles. 

The little pups get all excited when you show up at home after work and they would love to spend more time with families. Cavapoo is the best choice if you wish to spend a lot of time together, perhaps, if you work from home or have retired already. 

However, they tend to get bored easily alone as they are not quite independent. Cavapoo are also well-behaved around kids and their comparatively small size makes them attractive among children. 

  • Life Span: 12-15 Years.
  • Height: 11-14 Inches.
  • Weight:  4.5 to 9 Kg.
  • Price: $1000 to $2000 USA. 

8. Standard Schnauzer

Standard Schnauzer dogs are affectionate and children-friendly pet breeds. The pups do not shed a lot and do not require regular grooming.

Standard Schnauzers named Goldwynn beautifully groomed and ready for a dog show at Big Fresno Fairgrounds.
Source : instagram

Standard Schnauzers are German breeds initially bred as work or utility hounds but now have become more family-friendly companions. They are very good with young children and love being around family for most of their time.

However, Schnauzers are not as good with other pups as they are with their human companion, so it might be better to pass on Schnauzers if you already own another breed at home. 

Although these hounds do not shed a lot, you might want to watch out as they tend to drool more than an average canine. They also require brushing on their thick long fur a few times a week. 

In addition to being cuddly companions at home, Schnauzers are also vigilant about their surroundings and act like guard dogs as well. They do not bark unnecessarily at every passerby but watch out for danger constantly.

Standard Schnauzer breed retain following features:

  • Life Span: 13-16 Years.
  • Height: 11-14 Inches.
  • Weight:  13.6 to 20 Kg.
  • Price: $1,500 to $2,500 in USA. 

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are the smallest breed of dogs available on the market recognized by the American Kennel Club. Terriers are not over 3.2 kg.

A brown and black Yorkie enjoying outing at the beach with a pink harness.
Source : pinterest

Yorkshire Terrie dogs are also known as Yorkie in different parts of the world including the United States of America. Although they have a small body structure, Yorkies are full of energy and are very playful. They are also easily open to strangers with their welcoming and warm personalities.

They are affectionate and are very good around young children, making Yorkies a family-friendly pet. They do not shed and will not cover your home with hair despite having long and silky hair. 

Yorkshire Terries' small build will also not intimidate children and will help them overcome their fear of canines if they have any. Most importantly, they are hypoallergenic pets.

Yorkshire Terrier dog breeds quick facts are listed below:

  • Life Span: 11-15 Years.
  • Height: 7-8 Inches.
  • Weight:  Up To 3.2 Kg.
  • Price: $1,200 to $2,500 in USA.

10. Whippet

Whippets closely resemble Greyhounds but are much smaller in size and used as companion dogs. Whippets do not have long fur or hair to shed.

A white, black, and orange Whippet standing in the woods with its tail tucked between its legs.
Source : pinterest

Whippet dogs are a very affectionate and kids-friendly breed of medium-sized dogs. They have incredible speeds and accelerations.

They were originally bred for hunting and coursing game but now are being used as emotional companions.

The pups are also perfect for busy families as Whippets do not require much grooming and brushing due to their small and soft coats. Whippets are also somewhat open to strangers but keep some skepticism in the beginning before opening up. 

Whippets also adapt quickly and are trainable, they are also silent and do not make much noise until something is going on in the surroundings.

Whippets dog breed is also used in dog shows for racing due to their unmatched speeds. Their qualities are listed below:

  • Life Span: 12-15 Years.
  • Height: 18-22 Inches.
  • Weight:  11-18 Kg.
  • Price: $2000-$3500 in USA. 

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11. Minature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzers are recognized as a different breed by the American Kennel Club and other major kennel clubs around the world. 

A beautiful miniature Schnauzers in silky wavy golden fur.
Source : instagram

Miniature Schnauzers are very affectionate and friendly with young children despite their size but they do not get along very well with other dogs in the family. Although you do not need to worry about excessive shedding and hair being everywhere in the house, Schnauzers tend to drool more than average.

They have a wiry double-layer coat with medium length and their unique bristly beard and whiskers set them aside from any other breed immediately. They require grooming every once or twice a week.

Schnauzers are very vigilant and are eager to please the master while training. They also have the ability to adapt to changes in the environment efficiently but may get loud at times. Schnauzers have mild energy levels but require constant mental stimulus to engage. 

  • Life Span: 12-15 Years.
  • Height: 12-14 Inches.
  • Weight:  5 to 9 Kg.
  • Price: $500 to $2,700 in the USA.

12. Goldendoodle

Medium size hypoallergenic dogs are Goldendoodle. They are a crossbreed between a Golden Retriever and Poodle.

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Goldendoodles are the perfect family pet as they have the intuition and human-oriented nature of a Golden Retriever and the low-shedding and allergy-free coat of a Poodle. They also look impeccably cute with the curly coat in golden color. 

The two breeds were deliberately bred starting in the 1990s and Amy Lane was the first person to coin the term Goldendoodle. She is also credited with successfully breeding mini Goldendoodles. 

Although the relatively new breed does not have a set behavioral trend, they generally take good qualities from their parents. They are trustworthy, playful, and human-oriented like Golden Retriever, and take non-shedding qualities and curly hairs from Poodles. 

  • Life Span: 10-15 Years.
  • Height: 17–24 Inches.
  • Weight: 6.8–36.3 Kg.
  • Price: $2000–$4000 in USA. 

13. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises are a small-sized breed of dogs perfect for companionship. Bichon Frise also looks adorable and suitable for ornamental purposes.

A well groomed and dressed Bichon Frises ready for dinner at the table.
Source : instagram

They are incredibly affectionate and are excellent with young children. Their fluffy look and small size make them popular among small kids and adults alike. Bichon Frises also get along with other 4-legged members of the family really well.

Although they do not shed, they require constant grooming and brushing of the coat. You might want to set aside 20 minutes of your daily time to keep them tidy every day. 

Despite their small size, they have a high-energy level and are very playful. They are also open to strangers easily and are eager to please the owner, Bichon Frises are also easier to train as compared to other small breeds.

However, they do tend to get loud at times and are not vigilant. They might not get off the couch even if someone shows up inside your home without consent.

  • Life Span: 14-15 Years.
  • Height: 9.5–11.5 Inches.
  • Weight: 5–8 Kg.
  • Price: $2000–$4000 in USA. 

14. Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso is a Tibetan breed of dog characterized by long and silky hair. The Lhasa Apso breed has been around for over a millennium. 

A long and silky haired Lhasa Apso with their beauty product in the side.
Source : instagram

Lhasa Apso was originally bred as sentinels for monasteries and Palaces in Tibet but were later adopted as emotional companions. The first pair of Lhasa Apso arrived in the United States of America in 1933 as a gift from the 13th Dalai Lama.

They are super affectionate but are not as good with young children as other similar breeds. Despite having very long outer hair and medium-length undercoat, they do not shed and hence fall in the category of hypoallergenic dogs. 

However, that kind of long hair, constantly requires brushing and grooming which might require a lot of time dedication, and attention from the owners. As originally bred for guarding, Lhasa Apso is very vigilant and keep a constant watch on the surrounding. 

Lhasa Apsos are also very efficient adapters and have a medium energy level and noise level. 

  • Life Span: 12-15 Years.
  • Height: 10–11 Inches.
  • Weight: 5.5–8 Kg.
  • Price: $500-$1,200 in the USA. 

15. Havanese

Havanese have an outgoing, funny, and intelligent traits in addition to low-shedding and being hypoallergenic. 

Adorable light golden color Havanese wears a bowtie to look smart.
Source : instagram

Havanese have impeccable interpersonal skills, both with human companions and other fellow four-legged furry friends. As they are small and cute, they catch the attention of kids easily and can play with them all day long. Havanese have high energy levels and are very playful. 

Although they might shed a little more than other dogs on our list, they still won't cover your home in hair and fur like other breeds. However, they do require quite a bit of attention when it comes to grooming and brushing their long double-coated hair. 

They are very open to strangers and are easily trainable. Havanese are eager to impress their owners and other members of the family with new tricks but they do get loud sometimes. They are mildly vigilant and will most of the time alert if something goes south.

  • Life Span: 14-16 Years.
  • Height: 8.5–11.5 Inches.
  • Weight: 3–6 Kg.
  • Price: $1,000-$1,500 in the USA.