Grooming and coat
Which dogs shed the least?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Curly and wire coated breeds such as Poodles, Bichon Frises, Schnauzers, and many terrier types shed the least visibly, since their coats trap dead hair rather than releasing it around the house. These lower shedding coats typically need more frequent brushing and professional trims, often every four to six weeks, to stay mat free.
The trade off behind low shedding
Coats that shed the least visibly, like a Poodle's curly coat or a Schnauzer's wiry double coat, hold onto dead hair inside the coat instead of dropping it. This means less hair on the furniture but more regular hands on maintenance, since that trapped hair needs to be brushed and eventually clipped out or it will mat.
Examples across sizes
Toy and Miniature Poodles, Bichon Frises, and Maltese are common low shedding choices for smaller households, while Standard Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Airedale Terriers offer a similar low shedding coat in a larger dog. All of these typically need brushing several times a week and a professional groom roughly every four to six weeks.
Setting realistic expectations
Low shedding is not the same as low maintenance. A Poodle's coat, left ungroomed for a couple of months, mats far more seriously than a shedding breed's coat ever would, so the time saved on vacuuming is often spent instead on brushing and grooming appointments.
Key takeaways
- Curly and wire coated breeds like Poodles, Bichons, and Schnauzers shed the least visibly.
- These coats trap dead hair rather than dropping it, so they need more frequent brushing to avoid mats.
- Low shedding coats generally need a professional trim every four to six weeks to stay manageable.