Dogs are beloved companions, but for many, the joy of pet ownership can be overshadowed by frustrating allergies. While no dog is truly 100% hypoallergenic, certain breeds are known to produce fewer allergens due to their coat type and minimal shedding. For those seeking a furry friend that falls into a manageable size category, finding medium dogs that don’t shed a lot can be a game-changer. These breeds offer a wonderful balance of size, temperament, and a coat that’s more allergy-friendly, allowing individuals and families to enjoy the companionship of a dog without constant sneezes and itchy eyes.
Understanding Low-Shedding and Hypoallergenic Dogs
The term “hypoallergenic” can be a bit misleading, as all dogs produce allergens. These allergens are found not only in a dog’s hair but also in their dander (flakes of skin), saliva, and urine. However, dogs that shed less tend to release fewer allergens into their environment. This is why breeds with specific coat types—often curly, wiry, or hairless—are frequently recommended for individuals with dog allergies. They trap dander more effectively or produce less of it, making them a better fit for sensitive households.
It’s important to remember that individual reactions can vary. What works for one person with allergies might not work for another. Therefore, spending time with a specific breed before committing to adoption or purchase is always advisable to gauge personal compatibility. When looking for medium dogs that don’t shed a lot, understanding these nuances is crucial for a successful match.
Top Medium Dogs That Don’t Shed a Lot
If you’re looking for a dog that’s not too small, not too large, and won’t leave a carpet of fur in your home, these medium dogs that don’t shed a lot are excellent contenders. Each offers unique characteristics alongside their allergy-friendly coats.
Standard Poodle
Poodles are perhaps the most famous of all “hypoallergenic” breeds, and the Standard Poodle fits perfectly into the medium-to-large category, offering a substantial yet elegant presence. Known for their exceptional intelligence and elegant, curly coat, Standard Poodles shed very little. Their dense, curly hair traps loose dander, preventing it from spreading throughout the home. They are highly trainable, active dogs that enjoy mental and physical challenges, making them versatile companions for various lifestyles. Regular grooming, including brushing and professional clipping every four to six weeks, is essential to prevent matting and maintain their coat’s health.
White Standard Poodle walking gracefully through green grass
Miniature Schnauzer
While the name suggests “miniature,” the Miniature Schnauzer often straddles the line between small and medium-sized, making it a viable option for those seeking medium dogs that don’t shed a lot but prefer a slightly more compact companion. Standing no more than 14 inches tall and weighing 10–20 pounds, these intelligent dogs adapt well to different living environments. Their wiry double coat sheds minimally, but it requires consistent care, including regular brushing and stripping or clipping, to maintain its texture and cleanliness. Miniature Schnauzers are known for their spirited personalities, loyalty, and protective instincts, making them excellent watchdogs and affectionate family members. They need at least an hour of daily exercise to stay happy and well-behaved.
Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is the quintessential medium-sized dog on this list, offering a robust build and a distinguished appearance. Weighing up to 45 pounds, these dogs share many desirable traits with their miniature counterparts, including a low-shedding, wiry coat that is allergy-friendly. Standard Schnauzers are highly intelligent, energetic, and possess a strong protective instinct, making them devoted family guardians. They thrive on activity and mental stimulation, enjoying long walks, games of fetch, and puzzle toys. Consistent training and socialization are vital for these intelligent and sometimes opinionated dogs to ensure they are well-adjusted companions.
Gray Standard Schnauzer standing alert in a field
Portuguese Water Dog
Originally bred to assist fishermen, the Portuguese Water Dog is a robust, athletic medium-sized breed known for its distinctive curly or wavy, waterproof coat that sheds minimally. These dogs are intelligent, energetic, and highly trainable, excelling in dog sports and outdoor activities, especially those involving water. Their strong desire to please and friendly demeanor make them excellent family pets, provided they receive ample exercise and mental engagement. Regular grooming is necessary to prevent their thick coat from matting, often requiring professional clipping every few months in addition to weekly brushing at home. Their love for swimming makes them ideal companions for active individuals and families living near water.
Labradoodle
A popular crossbreed, the Labradoodle combines the friendly nature of a Labrador Retriever with the low-shedding coat of a Poodle. While their coat type can vary depending on genetics, many Labradoodles inherit the Poodle’s curly or wavy coat, which tends to shed very little. Standard and Medium Labradoodles fit comfortably within the category of medium dogs that don’t shed a lot. They are renowned for their intelligence, affectionate personalities, and gentle disposition, making them superb family pets and often used as service dogs. Labradoodles are highly trainable and benefit from early socialization and consistent exercise to channel their considerable energy.
Brown Standard Labradoodle walking through a park on a sunny day
Goldendoodle
Similar to the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, also celebrated for its low-shedding qualities in its medium and standard sizes. These dogs are known for their friendly, outgoing nature, high intelligence, and characteristic soft, wavy to curly coats that are less likely to trigger allergies. Goldendoodles come in a variety of colors and textures, requiring frequent grooming with a slicker brush to prevent matting and maintain their beautiful appearance. They are highly adaptable and thrive on companionship, making them wonderful additions to active families. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are key to keeping a Goldendoodle happy and well-behaved.
Lagotto Romagnolo
Hailing from Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient breed known for its woolly, curly coat that is perfectly adapted for water retrieval and truffle hunting, and importantly, sheds very little. This breed is of medium size, making them a great fit for those seeking medium dogs that don’t shed a lot. Lagotti Romagnoli are intelligent, affectionate, and possess a lively temperament. They are known to be good with children and other pets, making them excellent family dogs. Their curly coat requires specific grooming, including regular brushing and occasional trimming, to keep it healthy and free of mats, especially after outdoor adventures.
Two Lagotto Romagnolo dogs with curly, woolly coats lying in dirt, looking at the camera
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is a distinctive, medium-to-large breed with a dense, crisp, curly coat that is naturally water-repellent and sheds very little. Always liver-colored, their unique “rat tail” and topknot add to their charm. These dogs are friendly, intelligent, and highly trainable, originally bred for retrieving game from water. Irish Water Spaniels possess a high energy level and require substantial daily exercise to remain happy and healthy. Their robust build and playful nature make them excellent companions for active individuals or families who can provide them with consistent training and opportunities for outdoor adventures, particularly swimming.
Aussiedoodle
A cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle, the Aussiedoodle is a smart and energetic dog that often inherits the Poodle’s low-shedding coat. Depending on the Poodle parent (Standard or Miniature), Aussiedoodles can range from medium to large in size, fitting the criteria for medium dogs that don’t shed a lot. They are highly intelligent, eager to please, and typically possess a friendly and outgoing personality. Due to their energetic parent breeds, Aussiedoodles require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. Enrichment toys and regular training sessions are crucial for these clever pups.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a charming medium-sized Irish breed celebrated for its silky, incredibly soft, “wheaten” colored coat that sheds minimally. These dogs maintain a high energy level throughout their lives, embodying the lively spirit of terriers. They need ample exercise and mental stimulation to stay well-behaved and happy. Wheatens are known for their friendly and joyful “wheaten greetin'”—a jump-up-and-kiss welcome. Their unique coat requires consistent grooming, including daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles, ensuring its characteristic softness and minimal shedding qualities are maintained.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier dog standing on a log in a natural setting
Schnoodle
Combining the low-shedding qualities of two hypoallergenic breeds—the Schnauzer and the Poodle—the Schnoodle is a versatile designer dog that can vary in size from toy to standard. The medium-sized Schnoodle is an excellent option for those seeking medium dogs that don’t shed a lot. Their coat can be curly or wavy, depending on the genetics inherited from their parents, but it is consistently low-shedding. Schnoodles are intelligent, affectionate, and playful, often displaying a charming, comical personality. They are generally good with families and adapt well to various living situations, provided their exercise and grooming needs are met.
Bedlington Terrier
Often likened to a lamb in a dog’s clothing due to their distinctive curly, woolly coat and elegant appearance, the Bedlington Terrier is a unique medium-sized dog that doesn’t shed much. While sometimes described as small, their size can lean towards medium (up to 17.5 inches tall). Their dense coat is low-allergen, but requires specific grooming, including regular brushing and stripping to maintain its characteristic texture. Bedlington Terriers are affectionate, loyal, and possess a lively, spirited nature. They thrive on companionship and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. Daily exercise is important to keep these agile dogs physically and mentally stimulated.
Xoloitzcuintli (Standard)
The Xoloitzcuintli, or Mexican Hairless Dog, is an ancient and rare breed known for its unique hairless variety, which is inherently low-shedding and hypoallergenic. While they come in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, the standard Xoloitzcuintli fits the medium dog category perfectly. They also have a coated variety with a very short, fine coat that also sheds minimally. Xolos are known for being calm, alert, and loyal companions, forming strong bonds with their families. Their skin requires specific care, including moisturizing and sun protection, while the coated variety needs minimal brushing.
Whoodle
A cross between a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle, the Whoodle combines the desirable traits of both parent breeds into a friendly, intelligent, and low-shedding medium-sized dog. Their coat is typically soft, wavy, or curly, inheriting the minimal shedding characteristic that makes them suitable for allergy sufferers. Whoodles are known for their affectionate nature and playful spirit, making them excellent family pets. They require regular exercise to channel their energy and benefit from consistent training and socialization from a young age to ensure they grow into well-adjusted companions.
Tan Whoodle puppy playing with a washcloth indoors
Bernedoodle (Medium)
The Bernedoodle is a crossbreed resulting from the pairing of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. While Bernedoodles can range widely in size from mini to giant, the medium Bernedoodle is a fantastic option for those seeking medium dogs that don’t shed a lot. They inherit the Poodle’s low-shedding, wavy to curly coat and the Bernese Mountain Dog’s gentle, affectionate, and loyal temperament. Medium Bernedoodles are known for being intelligent, easygoing, and excellent with children and other pets, making them popular family dogs. They require consistent exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and maintain their friendly disposition.
Barbet
The Barbet, pronounced “bar-bay,” is a cheerful and shaggy medium-to-large dog breed from France, known for its dense, woolly, and curly coat that sheds very little. Their name, derived from the French word “barbe” (beard), highlights their characteristic hairy chin. Barbets are highly intelligent, good-natured, and love water, making them natural retrievers. They are active dogs that thrive on outdoor activities and strong family bonds. Their protective curly coat needs regular grooming—brushing two to three times a week and occasional professional trimming—to keep it healthy and free of mats, especially after swimming.
Close-up portrait of a curly red Barbet dog face with a distinctive beard
Peruvian Inca Orchid (Medium)
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a unique and ancient breed, known for its hairless variety which makes it inherently hypoallergenic and virtually shed-free. This breed comes in three sizes, with the medium variety perfectly fitting the criteria for medium dogs that don’t shed a lot. They can also have a coated variety with a very short, sparse coat that also minimizes shedding. Peruvian Inca Orchids are elegant, alert, and form strong bonds with their families, though they can be reserved with strangers. Their hairless skin requires protection from sun and cold, while the coated variety needs minimal grooming.
Tips for Living With a Low-Shedding Medium Dog
Even with a dog that doesn’t shed much, managing allergies and maintaining a clean environment is important for individuals with sensitivities. Here are a few key considerations:
Keep Up With Grooming
Regular grooming is paramount for low-shedding breeds. While they may not shed a lot, their coats still require consistent care to prevent matting and to remove any trapped dander and allergens. This includes regular brushing, which helps to distribute natural oils and keep the coat healthy. Many of these breeds also benefit from professional grooming every 4-6 weeks for trimming and bathing. Using a specialized shampoo designed to reduce pet dander can further minimize allergens in the home. Learning some basic at-home grooming techniques can also be beneficial between professional visits.
Maintain a Clean House
Minimizing allergens extends beyond just the dog’s coat to the living environment itself. Regularly vacuuming carpets and upholstery, dusting surfaces, and washing bedding (both yours and your dog’s) can significantly reduce the accumulation of pet dander. Using air purifiers with HEPA filters can help remove airborne allergens, and ensuring good ventilation throughout your home can also contribute to a healthier indoor environment. Designating certain areas of the house as “dog-free zones,” especially bedrooms, can provide a sanctuary for allergy sufferers.
Talk to Your Doctor
For individuals with dog allergies, consulting with a healthcare provider or allergist is crucial for developing an effective management plan. They can offer guidance on medication, nasal sprays, or even allergy injections (immunotherapy) to help manage symptoms. It’s also important to be aware that allergens are present in a dog’s saliva and urine, not just their dander. Therefore, avoiding close contact with these substances, such as letting the dog lick your face or handling their waste without washing hands, can help prevent allergic reactions. A doctor can provide personalized advice to help you live comfortably with your low-shedding medium dog.
Conclusion
Choosing a medium dog that doesn’t shed a lot can bring immense joy and companionship to individuals and families who navigate the challenges of pet allergies. Breeds like the Standard Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and various Poodle mixes offer a wonderful combination of manageable size, desirable temperaments, and coats that are much more accommodating for sensitive individuals. While no dog is truly allergen-free, these breeds significantly reduce the amount of dander released into the environment, making a harmonious home possible. With proper grooming, diligent house cleaning, and proactive allergy management, you can welcome a loving, furry friend into your life and experience the unconditional love that only a dog can offer.
