| Most pet owners know that there's no such thing as a | | | | Poodles, Schnauzers, Portuguese Water Dog, Bichon |
| non-shedding dog. Even hairless dogs shed flakes or | | | | Frise, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Coton de Tulear, |
| scales of dead skin and dog hair, called dander, that | | | | Kerry Blue Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, and |
| settles like dust on flooring and furniture. Some experts | | | | Bedlington Terrier |
| believe that dander is a bigger problem than loose dog | | | | Smaller low- and non-sheding breeds not among the |
| hair for allergy sufferers. But people who must keep | | | | single-coated variety include many different terriers. In |
| their dog indoors or who are allergic to dog hair and | | | | addition to the single-coated West Highland Terrier |
| dander do have answers. There are ways to minimize | | | | (Westie) that may be a better choice for allergy |
| the problem. | | | | sufferers are the Yorkshire, Border, Cairn, Norfolk, Silky, |
| If you're thinking of bringing a new furry friend into your | | | | Welsh, Boston, Scottish, and Australian Terrier. Other |
| home, you may want to consider a "non-shedding" | | | | small non-shedding breeds include the Shih Tzu, |
| dog. Though you'll still have to cope with dander, non- | | | | Maltese (a close relative of the Bichon Frise), |
| and low-shedding dogs, also known as hypoallergenic | | | | short-haired Dachshund, Bichon Frise, Miniature Poodle, |
| dogs, don't produce as many allergens as other | | | | Italian Greyhound, Havanese, Miniature Schnauzer, and |
| breeds and are better companions for people with | | | | Powder Puff Chinese Crested. |
| allergies. | | | | You can also choose from a number of medium- to |
| No matter what kind of dog you have, the first and | | | | large-sized non-shedding breeds: Basenji, Poodles, |
| most important strategy to reduce shedding dog hair | | | | Schnauzers, Portuguese Water Dog, Soft Coated |
| and dander is to follow a regular grooming routine. Daily | | | | Wheaten Terrier, Coton de Tulear, Kerry Blue Terrier, |
| brushing or combing catches dog hair before it hits | | | | and Bedlington Terrier. |
| your furniture or carpet. It's much easier to remove | | | | Facts to Remember |
| dog hair and dander from a brush or comb. And | | | | If you want a non-shedding breed, you will probably |
| regular shampoos and trims will not only reduce | | | | want to shop with breeders. For humanitarian reasons, |
| shedding, they'll keep your dog's hair healthy and shiny. | | | | rescuing dogs from the shelter is a compassionate |
| Regular baths and trims keep both you and your dog | | | | way to get a great furry companion. But shelters have |
| more comfortable. | | | | little information about the purity of breeds they house. |
| Ready to Go Hairless? | | | | Even if it looks like a non-shedding dog, it may not be |
| When selecting your non-shedding dog, consider first | | | | that genetically. If dog hair and dander is a significant |
| one of the hairless breeds. They may not be as cute | | | | problem for you, work with professional dog breeders. |
| as their furry counterparts, but they have the great | | | | Having discussed the breeds of non-shedding dogs |
| temperaments of all dogs. Hairless breeds do shed | | | | available today, it's important to keep in mind a few |
| dander, but the ongoing problem of dog hair and | | | | basic facts: |
| dander is much easier to live with. These breeds may | | | | - All dogs shed dander, and dander is the most likely |
| have more skin-related problems, and you may need | | | | culprit when it comes to allergies. |
| to use sunscreen if you take them outdoors for long | | | | - All dogs shed some dog hair, even the hairless |
| periods. Hairless breeds include the Hairless Khala, | | | | varieties. |
| Chinese Crested, American Hairless Terrier, Peruvian | | | | - All dogs, even non-shedding varieties, require time, |
| Inca Orchid (or PIO), and the Xoloitzcuintie (or Mexican | | | | effort, and loving care. |
| Hairless). | | | | - The best way to reduce shedding, even in |
| Low- and Non-Shedding Breeds | | | | non-shedding breeds, is to stick to a regular grooming |
| If hairless dogs don't suit your taste, you can choose | | | | routine. |
| from the so-called non-shedding breeds that lose less | | | | - Pure-bred non-shedding breeds may be genetically |
| dog hair and dander than most. They come in all sizes | | | | predisposed to specific, sometimes serious health |
| and temperaments and make great companions. | | | | problems. |
| Some of them have a single layer of dog hair, better | | | | - Be sure that the non-shedding breed you select has |
| for low shedding, or dog hair that is more like human | | | | the temperament appropriate for your lifestyle and |
| hair. | | | | personality. |
| Single-coated breeds don't have the thick undercoat | | | | - Unless you've done careful homework about your |
| that other dogs shed in spring. Single-coat dogs include | | | | breeder, you may not get what you think you're |
| the Power Puff Chinese Crested (Powder Puff), | | | | getting. |