Non Shedding Dogs: Part I

The truth is that non-shedding dogs are a myth. All dogs shed some amount of hair periodically. The fact is that shedding their fur is the only way dogs get rid of their dead skin cells. Whereas human shed dead skin cells through nails and hair on their head that keeps growing in length as more dead cells accumulate, dogs unfortunately don’t have that option. The length of the dog’s fur is restricted by its breed and by the climatic conditions of the regions they belong to.

For instance, dogs in colder regions of the world are likely to have thick heavy fur as they need protection from cold and snow, whereas dogs from temperate regions do not need such heavy protection in warmer climates. However, irrespective of the length of the dog’s fur, dead skin that is accumulated has to be shed and this is true of every dog breed.

While dogs with heavy coats are prone to very heavy shedding, the shedding of some breeds of dog is so negligible, they are considered to be non-shedding dogs. This is mostly because they have very little or almost no hair to begin with. Some such breeds of dogs that are considered non-shedding include:

A number of terriers are amongst the lowest shedding dogs amongst all other breeds of dogs. Some of the terrier breeds that pose the least shedding problems include:

Airedale Terrier
Largest of all terrier breeds, the Airedale terrier has a hard, dense and a rather wiry coat. What is impressive is that it is water resistant. This wiry coat is generally bright tan-colored in color while the grizzle body saddle and top of neck and tail is black or dark.

This wiry top coat has a soft under coat under it, although the double coat usually has very short hair. This breed of dog needs to be brushed at least thrice a week, if not everyday. Also, dead and lose hair should be finger plucked from the coat or hand stripped at least a few times a year, usually at the time of season change. As long as these basic grooming measures are taken care of, the Airedale terrier is a very light shedding dog.

Boston Terrier
Considered the perfect ‘indoor dog,’ the Boston terrier is not actually a terrier despite its name. It is actually a mix between the English Bulldog and the white Bull Terries, later further modified by crossing with the French dog. The Boston terrier’s coat comprises of short and fine hair, and it is shiny to look at. The color of the Boston terrier’s coat is usually brindle with white markings, but it may also be black with white markings.

Boston terriers require very little grooming. This breed of dogs is usually very clean and does not even require regular bathing. Cleaning it with a damp cloth on a regular basis is sufficient cleaning for Boston terriers. They shed very little hair throughout the year and are generally considered ‘hypoallergenic’ dogs.