Moving on from my Post on “How to Reduce Dog Shedding” I am now going to give you my 10 Favourite Small Dogs That Don’t Shed Hair. They are in no particular order, and these dogs are all classed as Hypoallergenic. That means they shed very little and are excellent companions for those of us with allergies. You will also find more details in The Complete Dog Breed book which I have reviewed here.
Bichon Frise
This breed are well known for being happy, bold and very lively. They make amazing companions and are extremely attractive and adaptable to any home. Unknown to many, these have actually been bred in Norway to round up sheep!!! Regular grooming is a must and even though they are white-haired you will find they are relatively free from any allergic skin conditions. The Bichon Frise gets on well with children, other dogs and is easy to obedience train. They are happy in urban living but do need a lot of grooming.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Mediterranean region
Life Expectancy: 14 Years
First Use: Companion
Use Now: Companion
Other Name: Tenerife Dog
Weight range: 3-6 Kg (7-12 lb)
Height Range: 23-30 cm (9-11 in)
Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon or Griffon Bruxellois has been bred from different breeds to result in an amusing, good natured, reliable and alert companion. They have been bred from the likes of the German Affenpinscher, The French Barber and the Yorkshire Terrier. The breed was particularly popular between the two World Wars and remains the most popular in Belgium. The Brussels Griffon gets on well with children and other dogs. They can be easily trained but do not quite a lot of grooming. Unfortunately this breed does not cope well in colder climates. As for colouring these come in Black or Black / Tan.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Belgium
Life Expectancy: 12-14 Years
First Use: Hunting Vermin
Use Now: Companion
Other Name: Griffon Belge
Weight range: 2.5 – 5.5 Kg (6-12 lb)
Height Range: 18-20 cm (7-8 in)
Havanese
These are really beautiful dogs and are extremely popular in The United States. This breed are descended from either Bolognese dogs crossed with small poodles or Spanish – owned Maltese. They are naturally shy and gentle and very responsive. This makes them the perfect family dog as they are fantastic around small children. A perfect companion, they get on well with other dogs and can be easily trained. They adapt well to urban living and are happy in warmer climates. Through breeding, they are found in various colours including Cream, Silver, Gold, Blue and Black.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Mediterranean region / Cuba
Life Expectancy: 14-15 Years
First Use: Companion
Use Now: Companion
Other Names: Bichon Havanais, Havana Silk Dog
Weight range: 3-6 Kg (7-13 lb)
Height Range: 20-28 cm (8-11 in)
Maltese
Once called the Maltese Terrier it is believed that Phoenician traders brought the breed to Malta over 2000 years ago. Today’s Maltese is thought to be the result of breeding Miniature Spaniels with the Miniature Poodle. They are good-tempered, sweet natured and sometimes sensitive. They develop a long coat that needs constant attention and grooming on a daily basis. The coat is particularly to difficult to manage at around eight months of age when the puppy coat is replaced by adult hair. The Maltese is particularly good with children and loves to exercise. However, if a more chilled out life is required, they will happily adapt. They are happy in sunnier climates, don’t mind urban living and get on well with other dogs.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Mediterranean region
Life Expectancy: 14-15 Years
First Use: Companion
Use Now: Companion
Other Name: Bichon Maltaise
Weight range: 2-3 Kg (4-6 lb)
Height Range: 20-25 cm (8-10 in)
Lhasa Apso
These were originally bred in Tibet and were the companion of Monks. They wanted a dog that barked at unfamiliar sounds or sights. The breed did not arrive in the West until around 1921. The Lhasa Apso has a beautiful long straight heavy coat and has various colourings of White, Brown, Gold, Black, Bicolour and Dark Grizzle.
Other facts to consider are they are normally good with children, they are happy in urban living, can happily live in sunnier climates, get on well with other dogs, make great watchdogs but need a lot of grooming.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Tibet
Life Expectancy: 13-14 Years
First Use: Monks Companion
Use Now: Companion
Other Name: Apso Seng Kyi
Weight range: 6-7 Kg (13-15 lb)
Height Range: 25-28 cm (10-11 in)
Miniature Schnauzer
Certainly one of my favourites as we had a beautiful Miniature Schnauzer called Nessa who had a fantastic life with us. The Miniatures are a perfect replica of the Standard and Giant Schnauzers. With the addition of Affenpinscher and Miniature Pinscher bloodlines. The Schnauze is German and means nose or snout which is their most prominent feature. You will find these in either Silver / Black, Salt / Pepper or Black. The breed is very calm, is not snappy and gets on great with children. He will get on well with other dogs, lives well in an urban areas and gets on well with children. They enjoy colder climates but do not tolerate the heat. The Schnauzer makes a fantastic guard dog as he is an enthusiastic barker. The coat does need lots of attention so be prepared to do your bit as a groomer.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Germany
Life Expectancy: 14 Years
First Use: Ratting
Use Now: Companion
Other Name: Zwergschnauzer
Weight range: 6-7 Kg (13-15 lb)
Height Range: 30-36 cm (12-14 in)
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier or Scottie is a descendant of dogs from the Western Scottish Isles and were then bred in Aberdeen in the 1800s. The most common colour is Black but they are also found in Wheaten, Red Brindle and Black Brindle. Believe it or not they are actually more popular in North America than they are in the UK. They are known to be a little reserved and make excellent guardians. They live well in urban areas and are happy in colder climates. Due to their demeanor they make great guard dogs but are not easy to obedience train.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Life Expectancy: 13-14 Years
First Use: Small mammal hunting
Use Now: Companion
Other Name: Aberdeen Terrier
Weight range: 8.5 – 10.5 Kg (19-23 lb)
Height Range: 25-28 cm (10-11 in)
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is the world’s most popular terrier and originated in the 1800s in West Riding in Yorkshire. It is believed they were bred by crossing Black and Tan Terriers with the now extinct Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers. They were used for ratting in the mines, and carried by Miners in their pocket. The typical Yorkie has very little understanding of his size and will take on any other dog. They have massive amounts of energy and are very stubborn. The Yorkie lives well in urban areas, enjoys warmer climates but is not suited to living outside. They tend to not get on so well with other dogs, are very difficult to train, but make excellent guard dogs.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Life Expectancy: 14 Years
First Use: Ratting
Use Now: Companion
Weight range: 2.5-3.5 Kg (5-7 lb)
Height Range: 22-24 cm (9-10 in)
West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier thrives on plenty of attention and lots of exercise. Very popular in North America, Great Britain, Europe and Japan they were bred alongside Cairn Terriers who were bred by the Malcolm family in Scotland. They were bred white so they could be seen clearly on the Scottish moors. The Westie is great with children, can adapt to urban life and is happy in warm or colder climates. They make great guard dogs but are difficult to obedience train.
Breed Information
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Life Expectancy: 14 Years
First Use: Ratting
Use Now: Companion
Weight range: 7-10 Kg (15-22 lb)
Height Range: 25-28 cm (10-11 in)
Conclusion
The breeds I have listed above are the most common that we see, and my wife has the pleasure of grooming. There are many other breeds that are also Hypoallergenic, for example, The Afghan Hound, The American Hairless Terrier, Bedlington Terriers, The Chinese Crested, Kerry Blue Terriers and Portuguese Water Dogs. The list can go on and on, it really is a matter of researching and choosing what is best for you and your family.
==〉For Further Information On Dog Breeds Follow This Link 〈==
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to ask.
All the Best