Dogs With Hair: What Type Of Dogs Have Hair Not Fur?

There are at least 36 breeds of dogs with hair not fur. Many of these breeds are registered with the American Kennel Club, while some are less commonly known. If they aren't trimmed, hair coats can grow to indeterminate lengths. However, a few of these breeds are predominantly hairless. Many do not shed, and according to the American Kennel Club, several of these breeds are even hypoallergenic such as the giant schnauzer, Maltese, and poodle.

Of the large breed dogs, the hair coats are curly, flowing and straight, wiry and rough, and nearly hairless. The standard poodle, Portuguese water dog, and Irish water spaniel possess curly hair coats. The bearded collie grows a flowing straight coat. Wiry rough coats can be found in the airedale, and giant schnauzer. Grooming needs are particular to each breed, with most needing monthly grooming or daily care.

However, the standard xoloitzcuintli, commonly referred to as the xolo, and the Peruvian inca orchid are predominately hairless breeds with straight hair growing only on some parts of their bodies. Note that the xolo does come in a coated variety in addition to the hairless version. Grooming needs for almost hairless dogs are clearly not as demanding as their long-haired counterparts, but do require some brushing and regular nail trims.

The widest variety of hair-coated breeds can be found in the medium sized group. Considering medium dogs include ratters, herders, companion pets, working breeds, and small working hounds, this group is diverse. Curly coats can be found on the miniature poodle and logatto romagnolo; wiry rough coats on the Bedlington terrier, kerry blue terrier, wirehaired fox terrier, and standard schnauzer, and elegant flowing straight coats on the Tibetan terrier, Polish lowland sheepdog (which is also referred to as a PON), lowchen, lhasa apso, miniature coated xolo, and soft coated wheaten terrier. The only hairless variety in this group is the hairless variety of miniature xolo.

Three unusual hair coats can be found in the medium-sized group. The basenji has a very short soft coat. The coats belonging to the puli and bergamasco, both of which are herding breeds, will almost naturally fall into Rastafarian style cords if left to continually grow.

Of the small and toy breeds with hair not fur, several popular breeds are included. The miniature poodle, bichon frise, Maltese, Yorkshire terrier, miniature schnauzer, Shih Tzu, and Havenese have differing coat characteristics, but are widely accepted as wonderful small companion pets with monthly grooming needs. Many are include on the list of hypoallergenic dogs including the Maltese, Yorkshire terrier, and Russian tsvetnaya bolonka. The latter translates to mean Russian colored lapdog and were originally bred to be the perfect apartment pet.

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Speaking of less commonly known small dog breeds, the Bolognese (also referred to as the bichon Bolognese), the Brussels griffon, both hairless and puff varieties of the Chinese crested and toy xolo, the coton de tulear, and the dandie dinmont terrier join the list. All these small and toy breeds have hair not fur. Dog hair typically has a longer growth cycle, reducing shedding and dander. Dander is usually the cause of allergic responses to dogs.