With so many unique types of dogs out there, deciding which one to bring home can be overwhelming. If you are confused between a cute pup and an athletic canine, your best bet would be to consider one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds. especially if you have pet allergies. There are so many attractive medium-sized breeds of dogs that you’ll be spoiled for choice. Below we have made a list of the best medium sized dogs that don’t shed much.
Medium-sized dogs make the best pets because they are as adorable as smaller dogs and as energetic as their larger counterparts. Whether you live in a small apartment, a dorm, or a big villa, a medium-sized dog will easily fit into your lifestyle, especially if you are a new pet owner.
These breeds vary greatly in weight, coat type, energy levels, trainability, and temperament. This category comprises all types of dogs, from perfect family canines to cheerful and outdoorsy mutts.
While there is no such thing as a non shedding dog, this list is combined with low-shedding and hypoallergenic dogs. They are a perfect fit for people sensitive to animal fur.
Here are some of the best medium-sized dogs that don’t shed much:
Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier is a brave, athletic, and strong-willed breed that was once called the ‘poor man’s sentinel, the gentleman’s favorite, and the farmer’s friend’. They are known for their versatile abilities as watchdogs, vermin dispatchers, and friendly companions.
Adopting an Irish Terrier may not be a good idea if you have other pets because the breed doesn’t get along with most other animals. You may want to keep them on the leash when there are rabbits or squirrels around.
However, they are extremely people-oriented and love spending time outdoors. Because they have immense stamina and energy, Irish Terriers can be destructive and have strong bites.
As they are also enthusiastic diggers, you shouldn’t adopt them if you are garden-proud. They can also be potentially noisy when they get excited, bored, or stressed.
You should keep them busy with interesting exercises, such as frisbee dogs, flyballs, and obedience routines. An Irish Terrier is a perfect pick for outdoorsmen who love hiking and running.
However, it will not settle for daily strolls in the park. It needs at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day or it will become impatient. Because of its short, rugged coat, the Irish Terrier has quite basic grooming needs.
This breed sheds minimally and needs to be brushed only once a week. Like all wirehaired dogs, the coat of Irish Terriers needs to be hand-stripped for retention of its weather-resistant ability.
Puli
The Puli is a self-confident, energetic, and smart breed with a lot of curiosity and a drive to learn. They are clever to an extent that they can manipulate their parents to get what they want.
However, a Puli shows fierce dedication to its family and is highly trainable. This double-coated breed has a wavy or curly overcoat and a thick, yet soft undercoat.
You’ll often see adult Pulis with flat or round cords. This is because the Puli’s coat lumps together smoothly if allowed to grow naturally.
As they grow old, their coat can become long enough to reach the ground. However, as these coats do not undergo shedding, Pulis are considered hypoallergenic. Their grooming, on the other hand, requires both time and commitment.
When a Puli becomes eight to ten years old, its dense undercoat starts developing. To keep your Puli in its unique corded coat, you’ll have to use your finger to open the cords.
Basenji
With a height between 16 to 17 inches, the Basenji is one of the smallest breeds of hounds. They have long legs, a high head carriage, a tightly curled tail, large ears, and a short back.
Though the Basenji is devoted to its family, they can be quite unfriendly with strangers. Because they initially hunted in packs, Basenjis can get along with other dogs if they socialized from an early age. However, a Basenji can be aggressive with other Basenjis.
As far as their grooming needs are concerned, Basenjis are very low-maintenance because they undergo minimal shedding. They don’t need to be brushed or bathed often.
However, you should brush your Basenji’s teeth a minimum of two times a week to get rid of tartar accumulation and bacteria hiding inside.
Whippet
Dubbed the ‘poor man’s Greyhound’, the Whippet is a graceful yet strong dog bred in the late 18th century for poaching rabbits. Its history as a hunting dog that speedily chased rabbits makes the Whippet an extremely agile breed with high energy levels.
They are as affectionate to their family as energetic in the field. The Whippet has a short, smooth coat that comes in many different colors with markings on its sleek body.
Like the Basenji, Whippets are very low-maintenance and only require occasional baths. However, they will need to be brushed every week to keep up with their minimal shedding.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Wheaten Terrier is an agile, intelligent breed that makes great watchdogs. While they prefer being with their human parents, they get along with everyone.
Due to their high energy levels, Wheaten Terriers love playing around. They are more disorganized and mischievous than their terrier cousins.
They have one of two distinct coat types: American or Irish. The American coat is denser and fuller, while the Irish coat is curvier and smoother. Though they don’t shed as much as double-coated dogs, they do need constant maintenance.
The soft and silky coats of both puppies and adult dogs should be combed at least once a week. However, you’ll have to brush their coat daily when they are transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.
Labradoodle
A Labradoodle is a hybrid breed developed from a Poodle and Labrador Retriever. While this breed has several different variations, Labradoodles possess some unique qualities that set them apart from other closely related breeds.
The characteristics of Poodles, such as intelligence and shyness, are more dominant in some Labradoodles. This breed of dog has a hypoallergenic, curly coat whose grooming can be time-intensive. Dogs that are more toward the lab side possess flat coats.
Though the amount of shedding in Labradoodles depends on the type of coat they inherit, these dogs don’t shed as much as double-coated breeds. Most Labradoodles need to be groomed once every two months.
Schnauzer
The Schnauzer is a square-built, athletic, and vigilant dog with a hard worry coat and spiky beard and eyebrows. This breed comes in various shades, ranging from pure black to silvery gray.
These dogs combine dependability and intelligence with a lively temperament. They are mainly used as family pets or personal guards. However, proper training and early socialization are needed to make a schnauzer a loving and obedient family pet.
A standard schnauzer is not a one-person dog and prefers company beyond its owner. It is quite fun-loving and gets along with children.
This breed has two coats: a wiry top coat and a soft undercoat. You’ll need to pluck its undercoat at least twice a year.
Schnauzers require grooming every five to eight months. As they have a coarse undercoat that is prone to matting, you must brush them two to three times a week.
Tibetan Terrier
Originally bred in Buddhist monasteries, the Tibetan Terrier is a long-haired dog that makes an excellent family pet. Despite being naturally reserved, Tibetan Terriers are socially confident and friendly with people they are familiar with.
You should only adopt them if you can put up with their constant and excessive barking. They usually bark out of boredom which can be prevented with regular physical and mental exercise.
These dogs have a longer hair life cycle than other breeds and therefore shed minimally. However, because they have a shaggy coat, Tibetan Terriers are high maintenance.
You will need to brush them at least two to three times a week to prevent matting. They should also be bathed every two weeks for a tangle-free coat.
Poodle
The Poodle is a water dog that comes in four different size variations, namely the Standard Poodle, Medium Poodle, Toy Poodle, and Miniature Poodle. However, Medium Poodles are not recognized universally.
Poodles are considered one of the smartest breeds in the world. Not only are they highly trainable but also make lovely family companions. However, without physical and mental exercise, they can get destructive.
Despite having a single-layer, hypoallergenic coat, Poodles are high-maintenance canines and need to be groomed every three to six weeks.
Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier is one of the least known terrier breeds. This farm dog is lively, brave, and gentle. If you want a solo pet in your home, a Kerry Blue Terrier may be an ideal pick as they don’t get along with other dogs.
The breed needs to be trained with firmness and patience. They also need plenty of physical and mental exercise every day. These terriers have thick, wavy coats that do not shed much but require frequent grooming.
Grooming of this breed is not only expensive but also time-intensive. You’ll need to spend more than an hour brushing your terrier’s coat daily. They also need to be trimmed and bathed every four to six weeks.
Benefits of Medium Low-Shedding Dog Breeds
Medium, low-shedding dogs make excellent pets due to their hypoallergenic coats and convenient size. Though there are some downsides to owning a medium breed, such as not being able to fly in-cabin, these dogs can save you from frequent cleaning and nasty allergies.
Here are some benefits of owning a medium, low-shedding dog breed:
Fewer Allergies
Keeping allergies at bay is the biggest advantage of having a medium-sized, hypoallergenic dog. Although all dogs can trigger some kind of allergic reaction, low-shedding dogs are less likely to cause them. This is because they don’t shed as much pet dander as high-shedding breeds.
Less Frequent Cleaning
When you have a low-shedding breed, you won’t end up with swarms of dog fur in your house. Cleaning your house of allergen-containing fur can be a nuisance. With a medium-sized, low-shedding dog, you won’t have to clean your house frequently.
Fur-Free Clothes
Dog fur can easily land on your clothes when you cuddle your pooch. This can be quite troublesome if hair strands are prominently noticeable because of having a different color than your clothes. As medium-sized, low-shedding dogs do not undergo as much shedding, your clothes, and other surfaces will generally stay free of fur. To help keep your clothes clean and other belongings fur-free, there are a number of helpful tools available to keep handy.
Though dogs have some amazing qualities, shedding is definitely not one of them, especially for allergy sufferers and fastidious owners. There are so many medium-sized dogs that undergo minimal shedding and are hypoallergenic. These dogs not only require less maintenance but make great family companions.
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