I have put together a list of 17 breeds that are small and/or have coats that shed very little.
#1 Miniature Poodle
The Miniature Poodle weighs between 5 and 9 kg and stands at around 28-38 cm in height. Poodles have hair instead of fur and are considered hypoallergenic.
Miniature Poodles need near-daily grooming (even if they are considered hypoallergenic) for their high-maintenance coat.
#2 Bichon Frisé
The Bichon Frise is a Franco-Belgian breed of small toy dog that originated in the Mediterranean area. The Bichon Frisé sheds very little because the shed hair is caught up in the undercoat.
Weighing between 10 and 20 pounds and standing about 9 to 12 inches, the Bichon Frisé is eager to please its humans and can learn a variety of tricks.
#3 Maltese
The Maltese is a dog that serves well as both a playful companion and a lapdog. It weighs about 4 to 8 pounds and grows to around 7 to 12 inches in height. The coat is a single layer of hair that is naturally soft and silky. All dogs shed, but Maltese tend to shed very minimally.
#4 Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is an ancient breed that was bred to be a companion. They easily get along with other dogs and animals. These dogs do shed, but minimally due to their hair-like coats. They typically weigh between 9 and 16 pounds and stand 9 to 11 inches tall.
#5 Yorkshire Terrier
They are among the smallest of dogs, standing only six or seven inches tall. Yorkshire Terriers carry their heads high. I view this as a sign of intelligence and confidence. They love spending time with their owners and are generally friendly. These dogs are categorised as non-shedding dogs due to having hair, as opposed to fur.
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#6 Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a spunky, spirited breed, and the smallest of the three schnauzer breeds. Miniature Schnauzers may put on a show of scrappiness when confronted by other pets they do not know. Schnauzers barely shed.
#7 Havanese
The Havanese is an affectionate, intelligent little dog that has a distinctive, long, and silky coat. The height ranges from 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches at the shoulder.
#8 Chinese Crested
Chinese Crested are good-natured and affectionate dogs that tend to live a long life (up to 18 years!). The Chinese crested is known for its hairless body, which makes it ideal for those in apartments and for the elderly.
#9 Bolognese
The Bolognese is a dog with a fluffy white coat that is affectionate and enjoys spending time with you. The hair sheds very little but requires regular combing to prevent matting.
#10 Affenpinscher
It is a small toy dog of Pinscher type that can be a good pet for you, especially if you are a first-time dog parent. It was originally developed as a vermin killer. They have an average height of nine to 11.5 inches at the shoulder. Affenpinschers don’t shed excessively.
#11 Basenji
The Basenjis stand 16 to 17 inches at the shoulder, and they are known for their strong prey drive. They are lively and independent, apt to ignore commands. Basenjis do shed, but not as much as most other dogs.
#12 West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier is a breed of dog from Scotland that stands 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder and typically weighs 15–20 pounds. Westies often have a strong prey drive. They have a soft, dense, thick undercoat and a rough outer coat. As such, Westies shed much less than the average dog.
#13 Italian Greyhound
The Italian greyhound is truly a greyhound in miniature. Standing between 13 and 15 inches tall, the Italian Greyhound has a smooth, glossy coat in various shades. Italian Greyhounds don’t shed a lot as they only have a single coat.
#14 Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tuléar, which actually means “cotton from Tuléar,” is a small, fluffy dog from Madagascar. They’re small but robust and have a bright white coat. The Coton de Tulear is considered a hypoallergenic breed that sheds very little. They are known for their affectionate and friendly nature.
#15 Löwchen
The Löwchen, also known as the Little Lion Dog, is a dog breed that boasts a short, broad skull and muzzle. It was once one of the favoured pets of European nobility. The Löwchen does not shed. They are an excellent companion if you love small dogs.
#16 Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian water dog bred to get along well with kids and other pets. Don’t worry if you have a cat in your home. It was recognised by the Italian Kennel Club in 1991. Lagotto Romagnolos don’t shed much and are considered “hypoallergenic” dogs. They are highly attuned to their owners when well trained.
#17 Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is an ancient breed that originated in the mountains of Tibet. The breed doesn’t shed very much at all. Good news if you have a pet allergy. They served as indoor watchdogs in temples and palaces. According to legend, Tibetan monks who failed to reach Nirvana (a state of “without desire, without love, without wish“) were reincarnated as Lhasa apsos.