You’ve always wanted a dog, but the thought of fur covering your couch, your clothes, and every corner of your home makes you hesitate.
Maybe you’ve dealt with allergies that flare up after a cuddle session, or you’ve heard horror stories about the endless battle against shedding. It’s enough to make any future dog parent second-guess.
But here’s the good news — there’s a way to have the best of both worlds. Low and non-shedding dog breeds offer the joy of companionship without the constant cleaning or allergy worries.
Let’s dive into how these pups can seamlessly fit into your life — keeping things joyful, manageable, and fur-free (well, almost!).
Why choose a non-shedding dog?
Non-shedding dogs are more than just allergy-friendly — they offer practical perks that busy households can appreciate. They shed very little or not at all, reducing the daily battle with stray hair on furniture and clothes. This also means less time spent grooming and vacuuming, leaving you free to enjoy the best parts of being a dog parent.
1. Cavoodle
A cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, Cavoodles are friendly, low-shedding companions that fit perfectly into any home. Their soft, wavy coats are allergy-friendly and require regular grooming to stay tangle-free.
Known for their gentle nature and playfulness, Cavoodles are great with kids and other pets, making them a top choice for families. While they enjoy cuddling on the couch, they also have a playful side that loves a good walk or game.
🧡 Lyka tip: Cavoodles can be prone to digestion sensitivities, so a gentle, nutrient-rich diet with ingredients like butternut squash (like Lyka) can keep their tummies happy.
🐩 Read more: Cavoodle breed insights: care, personality & expert tips →
2. Maltese
The Maltese is a toy breed known for its silky, snow-white coat that doesn’t shed, making it ideal for allergy-prone homes. Gentle and affectionate, they’re perfect lapdogs who thrive on companionship.
Despite their delicate appearance, Maltese dogs are spirited and love a bit of playful mischief. Regular grooming is necessary to keep their luxurious coat looking its best, but their calm demeanour and loyalty make it worthwhile. Maltese are adaptable and equally happy in apartments or larger homes.
🐟 Lyka tip: Incorporate omega-3-rich foods like fish oil into their diet to promote a healthy, shiny coat and reduce inflammation. Lyka's Turkey, Kangaroo and Lamb Bowls are designed to give your pup relief. Each meal contains fish oil, along with other soothing ingredients to help reduce itchy skin and inflammation.
3. Toy Poodle
Small, intelligent, and hypoallergenic, the Toy Poodle is a delightful companion. Their curly coat traps loose hairs, reducing shedding and allergens. Toy Poodles are highly trainable and love to show off their tricks, making them a favourite for active households or individuals who enjoy engaging their dogs mentally. They thrive on attention and are known for their loyalty.
While grooming can be frequent, their non-shedding coat is worth the effort.
🐠 Lyka tip: Support their brainpower and energy levels with a diet containing Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in ingredients like fish, to promote cognitive health and vitality.
🐩 Read more: Toy Poodle breed insights: care, personality & expert tips →
4. Labradoodle
The Labradoodle, a Labrador-Poodle mix, combines intelligence, friendliness, and a non-shedding coat. Their curly fur is perfect for allergy sufferers, and their social, playful nature makes them an excellent choice for families with kids or other pets. Labradoodles are active dogs who enjoy outdoor adventures, but they’re just as happy lounging at home with their loved ones.
They require regular grooming to maintain their coats, but their joyful presence more than makes up for it.
🌾 Lyka tip: Keep Labradoodles energetic and healthy with high-quality proteins and slow-releasing pseudo-grains like quinoa for sustained playtime fuel. You can find quinoa in Lyka’s Lamb and Turkey Bowls.
🐩 Read more: Labradoodle breed insights: care, personality & expert tips →
5. Moodle
A Moodle, a Maltese and Toy Poodle mix, is a small, affectionate, and allergy-friendly dog. Their low-shedding coat makes them ideal for those seeking a cleaner home, and their lively, playful nature is sure to bring joy to any household. Moodles are perfect for apartment living, as they don’t require excessive exercise and love snuggling with their owners.
Regular grooming keeps their curly coats in top condition, ensuring they look and feel their best.
🥣 Lyka tip: Custom-portioned meals tailored to their size and activity level help Moodles maintain a healthy weight and avoid overfeeding. Each Lyka meal is pre-portioned based on your dog’s profile, so you don’t have to worry about serving sizes or counting calories.
🐩 Read more: Moodle breed insights: care, personality & expert tips →
6. Groodle
A Groodle, also known as a Goldendoodle, combines the best traits of the golden retriever and Poodle. Their wavy, low-shedding coat makes them a popular choice for families, especially those with allergy concerns. Groodles are intelligent, friendly, and adaptable, thriving in both urban and rural settings. They’re highly social and love being around people, making them perfect for families with kids.
While their coats require regular grooming, their affectionate nature and playful energy make them worth every brush stroke.
🐟 Lyka tip: A diet rich in omega-3s and lean proteins helps keep their skin healthy and their coat shiny and soft. Lyka meals are designed to actively strengthen your dog's defence against allergies and irritants and nourish their skin from the inside out.
7. Spoodle
Spoodles, a mix of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, (also known as a Cockapoo) are energetic, loving dogs with low-shedding coats. Their adaptable nature makes them suitable for apartments or larger homes, and they thrive on interaction and play. Known for their cheerful disposition, Spoodles are excellent companions for families or active individuals.
Regular grooming is needed to prevent their curly coats from matting, but their fun-loving personality makes the effort worthwhile.
🧡 Lyka tip: Anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric can support their joint health, keeping them active and ready for playtime well into their senior years. You can find turmeric in Lyka’s Turkey Bowl.
🐩 Read more: Spoodle breed insights: care, personality & expert tips →
8. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a fluffy, affectionate breed with a hypoallergenic coat that hardly sheds. These small dogs are cheerful, sociable, and full of energy, making them a joy to have around. They adapt well to apartment living and are great with kids, thanks to their gentle demeanour.
Regular grooming is essential to maintain their signature puffball look, but their loving and friendly nature more than compensates for the effort.
🥕 Lyka tip: Bichons are prone to dental issues, so meals with crunchy vegetables like carrots along with regular teeth brushing can help support healthy teeth and gums.
9. Maltese Shih Tzu
The Maltese Shih Tzu is a small, regal breed with a long, luxurious coat that doesn’t shed. These dogs are affectionate, calm, and known for their charming personalities. While their coats require frequent grooming, their minimal shedding makes them a great option for those with allergies.
Shih Tzus are wonderful companions for individuals or families who appreciate their affectionate and easygoing nature.
🌱 Lyka tip: Incorporating ingredients rich in omega-3s like chia seeds into their diet helps keep their coat silky and their skin healthy. Lyka meals are made with real ingredients like chia seeds and other anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce inflammation and sensitivities, relieve irritation, and promote a healthy immune response to potential allergens.
🐩 Read more: Maltese Shih Tzu breed insights: care, personality & expert tips →
10. Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)
Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs with silky, non-shedding coats that are perfect for allergy sufferers. Despite their tiny size, Yorkies have bold, confident personalities and love to explore. They are great companions for both city dwellers and suburban families.
Regular grooming is essential to maintain their beautiful coat, but their playful spirit and unwavering loyalty make it all worthwhile.
🍠 Lyka tip: Due to their small size, Yorkies benefit from nutrient-dense meals to maintain their energy levels. Lyka’s meals include low-GI carbohydrate ingredients like purple sweet potato and butternut squash to provide a steady energy supply and support tryptophan absorption on higher protein diets.
11. Schnauzer (Miniature, Standard, and Giant)
Schnauzers come in three sizes, but all share a wiry, low-shedding coat and loyal temperament. They are intelligent and alert, making them excellent watchdogs and companions. Schnauzers thrive in homes where they receive plenty of attention and stimulation. Their coats require regular grooming to prevent matting, but their versatile nature ensures they fit seamlessly into any family or lifestyle.
💛 Lyka tip: Meals with natural oils, like flaxseed, help keep their wiry coats smooth and their skin moisturised. Lyka’s Chicken, Beef, Turkey and Kangaroo Bowls contain a healthy amount of flaxseed oil for skin support.
Are non-shedding dogs truly hypoallergenic?
While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, non-shedding breeds produce less dander — a common allergen in skin flakes. Paired with a clean home and regular grooming, these breeds can significantly reduce allergic reactions.
Real food for real health
Just like humans, dogs thrive on a varied, nutritious diet. Non-shedding breeds benefit from a diet rich in high-quality proteins and skin-nourishing ingredients to support their unique coats. Lyka’s gently cooked meals, featuring real Aussie produce and omega-rich ingredients, are tailored to help pups shine — inside and out.
Learn more about how Lyka is transforming mealtime for dogs across Australia.
🐩 Read more: The life-changing benefits of real food for dogs →