Picking the Best Non-Shedding Dog for Families

People have been keeping dogs as pets for centuries. The fact that so many people around the world keep them in their homes is proof enough that they make great pets. Keeping well cared for and toilet trained dogs indoors only has one drawback, they shed their fur, or to put it more accurately, some breeds shed their fur.

This is both a nuisance and a health hazard. It is a nuisance because the fur sticks to people’s clothes, couches, cushions, beds and so on, giving pet owners extra cleaning work.

It is also a health hazard because when dog fur floating in air is inhaled, it causes allergic reactions in some people.

The good news however for existing and aspiring pet owners is that there are special breeds of dogs that do not shed at all or which shed very little. In fact, there are tens of them, the choice is entirely up to you. For the reasons mentioned above, it is a great advantage to select your pet dog from such breeds.

Hypoallergenic Explained

The term hypoallergenic is used to describe dogs that do not produce allergic reactions in people. It is important to understand that these allergies are not due to dog fur, rather they are caused by flakes from the dog’s skin.

Dogs that are low shedding usually produce fewer flakes and so tend to be more hypoallergenic (cause less or no allergies) Also the smaller the animals, the fewer flakes there are because the total surface area is less.

What Breeds to Choose From?

Cavapoo

Before we look at other dog breeds let’s look at cavapoo vs cockapoo.

The cavapoo is a medium-sized animal with an average adult height ranging from about 25cm to 35cm. Adults tip the scales at around 5kg to about 10kg. This gentle dog had its origins in Australia and is a cross between a poodle and a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

It has that great advantage of being extremely low shedding making it an ideal pet dog. Some people consider this dog to be hypoallergenic. The usual coat colors are pure white, brown or black.

Some have a single color all round whilst some breeds are tri-colored. The cavapoo is generally considered a low maintenance pet dog requiring the occasional weekly bath. For pet owners who prefer their dog to grow a longer coat, the weekly brushing helps to prevent tangles from forming.

Cockapoo

This breed has a strong resemblance to the cavapoo. It is a cross between a poodle and a cocker spaniel. Coat colors range from white beige through to red. Like its cousin, the cockapoo is a low shedding animal. Again, a lot of people consider it hypoallergenic (no dog is 100 percent so).

There are some notable differences between cavapoos vs cockapoos. Cockapoos tend to be more active and require more exercise but tend to be more affected by separation anxiety.

Bichon Frise

Still, struggling to find the best dog breed for your family? The Bichon Frise could be the solution to your problem. This small animal is an ideal choice for a pet dog. It is considered by many to be hypoallergenic and it is an extremely low shedder (it should be noted that no breed of dog can be considered to be a complete 100percent ) non-shedder.

All dogs lose some hair to a greater or lesser degree. As such, fur shedding is a natural process that allows for the replacement of old fur with new so that the coat maintains a healthy shiny appearance.

Basenji

This is a small fiercely independent dog with naturally short fur. They love to groom themselves and shed very little fur. They are a rarity in the dog family in that they have almost no body odor.

Their fastidious nature and short hair make it necessary for only occasional cleaning with a soft brush. This is definitely a good choice for families that are looking for safe pets to keep.

These are some of the dog breeds that you can consider as a family the next time you are looking to buy a home pet.

Of course, there are other varieties such as the following dog breeds that are also a good choice:

• American Hairless Terrier

• Pumi

• Bedlington Terrier

• Xoloitzcuintli

However, it is always important to research or visit your nearest pet shop, for further assistance and guidance.

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