Those of us who have or have had dogs know the endless cycle of finding dog hair on your furniture, cleaning it up, and inevitably finding more waiting for you there after a short while, in the exact same spot. Having a non-moulting dog could help with this problem, with the added benefit of minimizing allergic reactions… So what breeds are least likely to coat everything in hair? Read on to find out…
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So why would you want a non-moulting (or lightly-moulting) dog?
No hair, no cleanup?
Some may choose a non-moulting dog to avoid the hassle of having to constantly lint roll or vacuum the hair off of the furniture and clothes; having a non-moulting dog can certainly save you a lot of the time and effort in hair removal. The truth is, however, that there isn’t a dog that is entirely non-shedding. All breeds will inevitably shed a small amount of hair. So don’t be surprised when you find the stray hair laying around!
No more allergies?
Others, however, might get a non-shedding dog as a great solution for dog allergies. Less shedding means less dog hair lying around, and less hair means less dander. Which is what usually causes an allergic reaction. Non-shedding dogs are often called ‘hypoallergenic’ for this reason. There is lower exposure to the allergen dander, and therefore a lesser chance of reacting to it.
It is important to note, however, that if you have a dog allergy, getting a hypoallergenic dog breed is not the magic solution it’s made out to be. While dander is the usual culprit causing allergic reactions to dogs, there are other proteins found in dog saliva and urine which may also trigger allergies. There is no such thing as a true hypoallergenic dog. Breeds labeled hypoallergenic merely shed less and therefore decrease the chances of causing an allergic reaction.
Breeds that don’t moult
There are many non-shedding or ‘hypoallergenic’ dog breeds to pick from! As with choosing any pet, make sure that aside from picking a breed with the low shedding characteristic you want, you also consider the temperament, size, and overall suitability of the animal for you and your home.
If you are looking for a smaller-sized companion, one of the following might be just the right fit for you. Crowd favourites such as the Maltese terrier, Bichon Frise, Toy/Miniature Poodle, or Shih Tzu will light up any home with their playful and lively character. The Border Terrier and West Highland White Terrier are often a popular choice with families; given their loyalty and sociable personality.
If you’re looking for easy grooming, consider the Chinese Crested dog, Basenji, or short-haired Dachshund, who will all be low maintenance due to their short-haired coats; or lack thereof in the case of the Chinese Crested!
There are also a variety of suitable breeds for those wanting a larger-sized dog. Kerry Blue Terriers, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers all have a lovely soft and dense coat that will not moult. These long-haired or curly coats will be continuously growing, however. And will require trips to the groomers for a little doggy haircut. If the grooming aspect isn’t appealing to you, Greyhounds or Irish Terriers may be a good choice due to their short-haired coat.
What to keep in mind
As you can see, there are many different breeds for you to consider, big or small, long or short-haired! Whatever you decide, just make sure that you have researched thoroughly beforehand. And checked that the breed is in fact non-shedding. A common misconception is that all short-haired breeds will not moult, but unfortunately, that’s far from the truth (much to the dismay of many owners)!
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