Low Shedding Dog Breeds in Australia (And What to Expect)

If you're researching dogs before getting one, or you're already a dog owner wondering why some breeds seem to leave hair everywhere while others barely shed at all, understanding low shedding dog breeds in Australia is a practical starting point. Low shedding doesn't mean zero maintenance — but it does mean significantly less hair on your floors, furniture, and clothing compared to heavy shedding breeds.

What Makes a Dog Low Shedding?

Shedding is determined primarily by coat type rather than breed size. Dogs with single layered coats — one layer of fur without a dense undercoat beneath — tend to shed far less than double coated breeds. The undercoat is what produces the heavy seasonal shedding that owners of Huskies, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds know well. Remove the undercoat from the equation and you remove the bulk of the shedding problem.

Some low shedding breeds have hair rather than fur — a distinction that matters because hair grows continuously rather than shedding in cycles. Poodles are the most well-known example. Their coat grows continuously like human hair, sheds minimally, and requires regular clipping rather than deshedding.

It's worth understanding that why your dog is shedding so much is often a coat type question rather than a health question — heavy shedding in double coated breeds is normal, not a problem to fix.

Low Shedding Dog Breeds in Australia

Australia's climate varies considerably across regions, and breed suitability for the local environment is worth considering alongside shedding characteristics. The following breeds are widely recognised as low shedding and are popular choices across Australia.

Poodle and Poodle crosses

The Poodle is the benchmark low shedding breed. Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles all share the same continuously growing, low shedding coat. Poodle crosses — Labradoodles, Groodles, Cavoodles, Spoodles — have become among the most popular dogs in Australia precisely because they tend to inherit the low shedding coat characteristics of the Poodle parent, though coat outcome in crosses varies and isn't guaranteed.

Poodles and their crosses require regular professional grooming to prevent matting, but the trade-off in reduced home hair is significant for most owners.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise has a soft, curly double coat that sheds minimally because loose hair tends to get caught in the outer coat rather than falling freely. Regular brushing is needed to prevent matting, but shedding onto floors and furniture is minimal. They suit apartment living well and adapt comfortably to Australia's varied climates.

Maltese

The Maltese has a long, fine, silky single coat with no undercoat — which means very low shedding and minimal seasonal coat blowing. They require regular brushing to keep the coat tangle-free and periodic trimming, but produce very little loose hair in the home. A popular choice across Australia for people who want a low maintenance coat in a small breed.

Shih Tzu

Similar to the Maltese in coat structure, the Shih Tzu has a long double coat that sheds very little despite its density. Most of the loose hair gets caught in the outer coat during brushing rather than shedding onto surfaces. They're well suited to Australian conditions and are consistently among the most popular low shedding breeds in the country.

Schnauzer

Schnauzers — Miniature, Standard, and Giant — have a wiry double coat that sheds minimally. The wiry outer coat traps loose hair rather than releasing it onto floors and furniture. They require hand-stripping or clipping to maintain the coat properly, but for owners willing to invest in regular grooming they produce significantly less home hair than most breeds of comparable size.

Basenji

The Basenji is a short coated, single layered breed with very low shedding and minimal grooming requirements. One of the lower maintenance coats in terms of both shedding and grooming time, though they are an active breed with specific exercise needs. They suit warmer Australian climates well.

Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog has a single layered, low shedding coat similar in structure to the Poodle. They gained significant popularity after being recognised as a hypoallergenic-friendly option and suit active households well. Their coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting but sheds minimally.

Low Shedding Doesn't Mean No Grooming

This is the most important thing to understand before choosing a low shedding breed. Many low shedding dogs — particularly those with continuously growing coats like Poodles, Bichons, and Maltese — require more frequent professional grooming than heavy shedding breeds. The coat doesn't fall out on its own, which means it needs to be managed through clipping, trimming, and regular brushing to prevent matting and skin issues.

The trade-off is less hair in your home, not less grooming overall. Our guide to how to reduce dog shedding at home covers the grooming side of shedding management in practical detail — much of which applies to low shedding breeds in terms of keeping the coat healthy and tangle-free.

What to Expect from a Low Shedding Dog in Australia

In practical terms, switching from a heavy shedding breed to a low shedding one typically means a significant reduction in visible hair on floors, furniture, and clothing. You'll likely vacuum less, find hair on your clothes less often, and notice less accumulation on soft furnishings.

What you'll still need to manage is regular brushing and grooming appointments. A Cavoodle or Maltese left unbrushed for weeks will develop mats that require professional attention to remove safely. The grooming cost and time commitment is real — it's just a different kind of maintenance to the constant cleaning that comes with a heavy shedding breed.

For the right tools to keep any dog's coat in good condition regardless of shedding level, our guide to the best dog grooming tools Australia covers what to look for based on coat type. And if you're managing a double coated breed alongside or instead of a low shedding one, our guide to the best grooming routine for double coated dogs covers the specific approach those breeds need.

For owners researching low shedding dog breeds in Australia, the day-to-day reality is generally a cleaner home with a different grooming commitment

Are Low Shedding Breeds Hypoallergenic?

This is a commonly asked question worth addressing directly. No dog breed is truly hypoallergenic — allergic reactions to dogs are typically triggered by a protein found in dog saliva, urine, and dander rather than the hair itself. Low shedding breeds distribute less of this protein through shed hair, which can reduce reactions in sensitive people, but they don't eliminate the allergen entirely.

If allergies are the primary reason for choosing a low shedding breed, spending time with the specific breed before committing is a sensible step. Individual reactions vary, and what works for one person may not work for another regardless of the breed's shedding classification.

You can find a range of dog grooming tools suited to low and high shedding coats alike — the right brush for a Poodle cross looks very different to the right brush for a Labrador.

The RSPCA Australia provides guidance on choosing the right breed for your lifestyle and living situation — worth reviewing before committing to any breed regardless of shedding level.