Dog hair on everything? Pick a lower shedder, then catch the rest.

No dog is hair-free. Some are close.

Every dog sheds a little. The low-shedding ones have a coat that keeps growing, like human hair, so less of it lands on your couch and more of it waits for the groomer. You trade vacuuming for brushing and haircuts. Our pet hair vacuum picks cover the vacuuming that is left.

Still want a head start? Our top vacuums for dog hair are ranked for homes with shedders.

And "hypoallergenic" is a sales word, not a promise. No breed is allergy-proof.

Low-shedding breeds, and the catch with each

• Poodle: Smart, trainable and about as low-shedding as dogs get. Comes in toy, miniature and standard sizes, from lap dog to jogging partner.
• The catch: That curly coat mats if you skip brushing and haircuts, and mats hurt. Plan on regular grooming.
• Portuguese water dog: A poodle-style coat on a sturdy, water-loving athlete. The big-dog option for people who don't want big-dog hair.
• The catch: Serious energy. A bored one will redecorate.
• Bichon frise: A cheerful cotton ball that sheds very little. Apartment-sized.
• The catch: Regular grooming, and tear stains show on that white face.
• Maltese: A small lap dog with a hair coat and very little shedding.
• The catch: A long coat needs daily brushing. Lots of owners keep a short puppy cut instead.
• Havanese: Friendly, adaptable and low shedding, without needing a marathon every day.
• The catch: The coat still needs regular brushing, more if you keep it long.
• Schnauzer: Miniature, standard or giant. A wiry coat that sheds little and is easier to live with than curls if you keep it clipped.
• The catch: Can be barky and stubborn. Training is not optional.

"Low-shedding" dogs that still leave hair around

• Yorkshire terrier: sheds little, but the fine hair breaks off and shows up anyway.
• Shih tzu: low shedding, high grooming.
• Doodles: a coin flip. Mixes inherit coats unpredictably, and some shed like a lab.
• Short-coated dogs (greyhounds, beagles, pugs): short isn't the same as low.

Got allergies? Do this before you commit

1. Spend real time with the breed: a few hours in a home with one, not five minutes at a meet-and-greet.
2. Pay attention to how you feel that day and the next morning.
3. Talk to your doctor before you bring a dog home if your allergies are serious.

Reactions are individual. Your friend who is fine with poodles tells you nothing about you.

Keep any dog's hair under control

• Brush on a schedule. Hair caught on a brush never reaches the rug.
• Wash the dog bed weekly. See how to wash dog bedding without wrecking it.
• Vacuum with a pet vacuum. A sealed HEPA upright like the Shark Rotator Pet Upright Vacuum is built for embedded hair.
• Run an air purifier in the bedroom. The LEVOIT Core 300-P has a pet filter with activated carbon for dander and odor, and it's sized for smaller rooms.
• Wipe paws after walks. Earth Rated wipes are thick and unscented; caked mud can take two.

FAQ

Do low-shedding dogs cost more to keep?

Usually in grooming, yes. Many need regular haircuts. Ask a local groomer what they charge for the breed before you decide.

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