The bathing, brushing, and grooming needs of dogs can vary greatly depending on the breed.
Is it fair to say that as a general rule of thumb short-haired dog breeds require less grooming?
Find out in this article that lists the 10 short haired dog breeds that require the lowest maintenance for grooming.
Breed Characteristics
Generally speaking, dog breeds that have short hair will require less grooming than breeds with long hair. The type of coat also factors in. Some breeds have a double coat of fur, while others have only a single layer. Short-haired double-layer breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, and Pugs. These breeds need slightly more grooming than their single coat counterparts.
The greatest differences between short and long haired dogs is that most long haired dog breeds need to receive periodic haircuts or trims. And this brings us to another important distinction in the coats of different dog breeds. Some dogs have fur while others actually have hair.
Dog Fur vs. Dog Hair
As we mentioned, a dog will either have a single coat or a double layer coat. A double layer coat has a topcoat and an undercoat. The topcoat is coarse and more “hardy” to protect the dog against the elements. And the undercoat is usually fine, soft, and downy.
Both dogs that have hair and those that have fur can have a double-coat. Yet, all dogs with fur have a double-coat. Dogs with hair, whether it’s a single or double layer, will feel soft and silky to the touch, and many of them have hair that will continue to grow if it’s not trimmed, just like human hair.
In order to know whether a dog has hair or fur, and how many layers, you’ll have to research the breed, as there is no hard and fast rule to use. Complicating matters is the fact that many people use the terms “hair” and “fur” interchangeably.
Here are two lists you can reference:
Dog Breeds that Have Fur:
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Chow Chow
- Alaskan Malamute
- Akita
- Labrador Retriever
- Siberian Husky
- German Shepherd
- Great Pyrenees
- Great Dane
- Boston Terrier
- French Bulldog
Dogs that Have Hair:
- Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Border Terrier
- Spanish Water Dog
- Poodle
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Maltese
- Shih-Tzu
One isn’t better than the other, but dog owners should find out whether their dog has a single layer coat or double layer, because this will matter greatly when it comes to grooming. Dogs with a double layer coat should never be shaved. We cannot overstate this enough.
Many dog owners do not want their pooches to suffer during the hot summer months, and they think it’s best to have their dogs shaved. If a dog has a double coat, however, and the dog is shaved, it will damage the dog’s fur. The overcoat will not grow as fast as the undercoat. And since the overcoat is the layer that protects the dog from the elements, as well as dirt, parasites, and other contaminants, the dog will be vulnerable and at risk of health issues.
Most importantly, though it may seem counterintuitive, the thick double-coat of dogs actually helps them to stay cool in the hot summer months. The outer layer repels heat, and when this outer layer of hair or fur is removed, the dog will be exposed to the direct heat of the temperatures.
Luckily, if you get a short haired dog breed, you won’t even think about having your dog shaved.
Now, let’s dive into the lowest maintenance short haired dog breeds!
BOXER
Active, bright, and fun-loving, the Boxer purebred dog breed has a naturally short coat. The coat is single-layer and smooth. This breed sheds very little, and a weekly brushing will be more than enough to keep the shedding under control. Boxers only need to be bathed when they get dirty, or twice a year. If you want a silly, outgoing, and at-times courageous medium-sized dog, then a Boxer is a great option.
DALMATIAN
Dignified, outgoing, and intelligent, Dalmatians are a purebred dog breed known for their important role as fire fighting dogs. But this loyal breed isn’t only found in your local firehouse. Dalmatians have been lovable members of families ever since the breed originated 2000 years ago in Greece. This medium-sized dog has a short, smooth single layer coat, and will shed more in the warm months.
DOBERMAN PINSCHER & MINIATURE PINSCHER
Doberman Pinschers are medium-sized, athletic dogs who are best known for their intimidating, guard dog persona. Miniature Pinschers, a small version of the Doberman, contain everything their normal-sized forefathers have to offer yet stand at less than one foot tall. Both breeds have a smooth, short, single-layer coat, and require almost no grooming other than a good brushing once every couple weeks. Dobermans are highly loyal and territorial. They will treat you and your family like precious royalty and regard unwanted strangers and trespassers as threats to their king and kingdom!
GREAT DANE
Loving, laid-back, and low energy, Great Danes are the largest dog breed that requires the least amount of exercise for its huge size. In addition to having low exercise requirements, they are also low maintenance when it comes to grooming, thanks to their short, smooth coat. Their coat is a single layer, yet they shed moderately. You’ll want to brush your Great Dane about once a week, but other than that, this low maintenance breed won’t need much else. Great Danes are just as happy living in a small home or apartment as they would be on a large property. Just be sure to give your Dane a good walk around the block or half-hour of daily exercise.
PUG
Charming, loving, and a tad mischievous, Pugs make great companions to single people living alone and those in large families. Pugs have a double layer coat of fur, not hair. They are coarse to the touch and shed. If you don’t stay on top of brushing your Pug, especially in the warm months, you’ll likely have fur all over your home. Pugs make a great addition to couples with young children and those with big families. They’re good with other dogs and household pets, but don’t try to take them on a long walk. Pugs prefer short walks and could need many breaks and pit stops to catch their breath, thanks to their flat faces.
WEIMARANERS
Weimaraners have the most beautiful, regal-looking blue fur, though some Weimaraners are gray or silver-gray. This purebred dog breed is fearless, obedient, and friendly, and will gladly accompany you on long hiking trips and other outdoor adventures. Thanks to the Weimaraner’s short, smooth, single coat, this breed doesn’t require frequent grooming. A weekly brushing will keep things under control. Some rare Weimaraners have long hair, which is a double coat and requires more grooming, such as trims.
BOSTON TERRIER
Boston Terriers are small, friendly, and lively. Don’t mistake this breed for a poor man’s French Bulldog. Though they share a common forefather, the English Bulldog, these two breeds are like night and day. Boston Terriers are curious, comical, intelligent, and sensitive. Whereas French Bulldogs tend to be alert, sociable, affectionate, and a bit of a couch potato. If you have less time and energy to play with your dog, get a Frenchie. If you want a furry companion to trot beside you on long walks and guard you with his heart on his sleeve, then the Boston Terrier is for you. Boston Terriers have a short, smooth, single layer of hair. This hair will stay short, unlike other breeds with hair that continues to grow like human hair.
BEAGLE
Energetic, merry, and hard-working, the Beagle is a short-haired hound who takes his job protecting your home from unwanted furry visitors seriously. Deeply ingrained in the Beagle’s DNA is the instinct to hunt rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, and other rodents, which means that as long as you have a Beagle around, you won’t have to call pest control. You also won’t have to groom or bathe your Beagle much. This purebred dog breed has a short, smooth, double layer of fur. You can brush your Beagle weekly using a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or tool, or a hound glove. This will remove loose fur, and keep it from getting on your furniture.
DACHSHUND
Our last low-maintenance dog breed is the adorable Dachshund! Dachshunds are spunky, personable purebred dogs. This breed comes in both short and long fur. And though long haired Dachshunds are very silky, they technically have a double coat of fur, not hair. The short hair variety also has a double coat, but they shed a little bit less. Either way, with a weekly brushing, you can’t get more low maintenance than a Dachshund. But don’t let their small size fool you. Dachshunds have a ton of energy and can easily play for hours. These hounds are used to hunting small game and digging into the burrows of critters to retrieve them for their hunter-owners. Don’t be surprised if your cute Dachshund digs some serious holes in your backyard!
Those are our 10 short haired dog breeds that have the lowest grooming requirements! Which dog breed will you take home? Not sure? Stop by Petland Kansas City and discover our short haired purebred puppies that you can spend more time loving and less time grooming for years to come!