10 Terriers that do not shed

If you are looking for a dog that doesn’t shed, you will probably find it in terriers. There are quite a few terrier breeds that do not shed. What they are exactly, I will show you below.
To the terriers that do not shed belong
- Yorkshire Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
- Airedale Terrier
- Fox Terrier
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Border Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Irosh Terrier
- Welsh Terrier
- Boston Terrier
Many terrier breeds do not shed or shed very little because they do not have a normal fur change. However, the care is a little more time-consuming than regular shedding, short-haired dogs, because you have to trim them regularly.
Table of Contents
Why do Terriers not shed?
Terriers are divided into 3 different types of coats. There are smooth-haired, stick-haired and rough-haired terriers.
Many terriers belong to the rough-haired breeds, they do not lose their fur as easily as other dogs. But also the coat of a terrier is constantly renewing itself and needs to be “replaced”.
Old fur dies and new fur grows back. You as the dog owner, need to remove the dead coat every 4 to 6 months (sometimes more often) by trimming.
Trimming is the process of pulling your terrier’s dead fur out of the skin by root. This does not cause any pain to your dog, due to the completely different skin structure. Trimming is necessary because otherwise the fur would become denser and denser and in time it could lead to itching.
What you should not do is to shear your terrier’s coat. This makes no sense. The dead hairs will remain in the skin and will only be shortened. It’s really about removing the dead hairs – that is, thinning out the coat.
Similar to dethatching lawns, when you remove old broken grass and moss so healthy new grass can grow back.
Are terriers suitable for allergy sufferers?
As a rule, you are not allergic to the dog’s hair as such, but to a special protein compound contained in the dog’s saliva, urine or dander.
So the less hair your dog sheds, the less likely you are to have an allergic reaction to that dog, as you will not get into contact with the hair. Most terriers are very suitable for allergy sufferers for this reason, as they shed little to no hair.
Which terriers do not shed?
People who are looking for a dog that does not shed have a variety of reasons. It may be that they are allergic to dog hair and are looking for a terrier that does not shed for health reasons.
Or they simply do not like dog hair everywhere in the apartment, on the clothes and do not want to constantly use the lint roller.
Whatever your personal reasons are for or against a specific dog breed, it is important that you are clear about what you want and what you don’t want. Take your time and think about which dog suits you.
Yorkshire Terrier

- Size: 18 – 23 cm
- Weight: 3 kg
The small Yorkshire Terrier has no undercoat and no fur change . For this reason, he loses very little fur. The coat of the Yorkshire Terrier is fine, smooth and shiny.
The coat must be groomed regularly to avoid matting and knotting, as it is easy to get all sorts of things caught in it.
In the past, the small Yorkis were used to hunt rats. Since they are very alert, they are very suitable as watchdogs, among others for seniors.
West Highland Terrier

- Size: 28 cm
- Weight: 6 – 10 kg
The cute West Highland Terrier also belongs to the terriers that do not shed. Unlike the Yorki, the Westi has undercoat, but it must be combed out regularly.
Since a West Highland Terrier does not have a natural coat change, it does not shed which is somewhat positive for many.
But this also means that you as a dog owner are in demand and have to trim your Westi. Because also with him the dead fur must be removed.
The West Highland Terrier is a happy, child-loving dog that is a real terrier despite its sweet appearance. Alert and fearless, he is a great family dog for many.
Airedale Terrier

- Size: 56 – 61 cm
- Weight: 18 – 29 cm
The Airedale Terrier, like many other breeds, is ideal for allergy sufferers because it does not shed hair. As with all breeds that do not shed hair, dog owners must be proactive.
Regular trimming at intervals of about 2 to 3 months is therefore necessary to remove dead hair manually. In between, it should be combed and brushed several times a week.
The Airedale Terrier is also an alert, but extremely friendly and playful family dog.
Fox Terrier (Wirehaired)

- Size: 36 – 39 cm
- Weight: 7 – 9,5 kg
The wirehaired variety of the Fox Terrier does not shed but then, like all others, must be trimmed regularly.
The Fox Terrier is a playful, affectionate family dog that likes to bark at other dogs when poorly trained.
Australian Silky Terrier

- Size: 23 – 26 cm
- Weight: 3,5 – 4,5 kg
The Australian Silky Terrier is often confused with the Yorkshire Terrier. However, the coat is finer and shorter. The Australian Silky Terrier has no undercoat and does not shed.
But he also needs regular coat care. After walks you need to comb dirt like branches, leaves etc. out of the coat to avoid matting.
The ideal family dog for big, small, young and old.
Border Terrier

- Size: 28 – 36 cm
- Weight: 5 – 7 kg
The Border Terrier does not shed either. However, like many other terrier breeds, you will need to brush him from time to time and trim him about 3 times a year.
This is because, as already described, the dead hair on these breeds must be removed by trimming.
The Border Terrier, like many others, is a playful, active family dog with which you can easily go jogging.
Cairn Terrier

- Size: 23 – 33 cm
- Weight: 6 – 8 kg
The Cairn Terrier is a robust dog breed from Scotland and belongs to the terriers that do not shed. The Cairn Terrier also has no natural fur change and needs regular trimming 3-5 times a year.
Irish Terrier

- Size: about 45 cm
- Weight: 11 – 12 kg
The Irish Terrier, like many other terriers, needs to be trimmed several times a year because it does not shed. The dead hairs are removed in this way.
The Irish Terrier is more of a go-getter than a lap dog. He is always alert and watchful but not aggressive. He is ideal as a guard dog.
Welsh Terrier

- Height: 39 cm
- Weight: 9 – 10 kg
Another terrier that does not shed is the Welsh Terrier. 3 to 4 times a year he also needs to be trimmed. Additionally regular brushing and you are done.
He is a classic terrier. Spirited, lively and bright. Like most terriers, the Welsh Terrier is alert, fearless but not aggressive. They like to learn quickly and are affectionate and happy.
Boston Terrier

- Size: 38 – 43 cm
- Weight: 5 – 11 kg
The Boston Terrier is considered by some to be the healthier and better French Bulldog. The Boston Terrier has no undercoat and the short coat is very low maintenance.
They generally shed very little and rarely cause allergies.
The Boston Terrier does need a coat in the winter.
For those who find terriers too active and brash, the Havanese may be a good choice. This is because a Havanese has little to no shedding.
Conclusion: Terriers that do not shed
Pretty much all terriers do not shed. However, you must then support your terrier with the coat change by trimming.
Thus, the terrier is usually suitable for allergy sufferers.
but you should consider the higher activity level of each terrier breed.
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