18 Dog Breeds That Don’t Smell (As Much)
Based on the information above we can safely assume dog’s with short to medium coat length, and that naturally produce less dander, will indeed have less odor.
In that case; non shedding breeds, short coated breeds, and hunting dogs (but not water retrieval) are a good match. You’ll notice Terrier breeds all fall into this category.
The Basenji is a sharp and active working dog with a high amount of energy. Which means they’ll need a very high amount of running and stimulation every day. They certainly function best when given a “job”.
While still kind and caring, these breeds can be a handful for those who can’t handle their independent nature.
The Bichon is a silly, affectionate, and gentle companion. They can be also be quite clever and go looking for trouble – but it’s all in good fun.
They share a lot of characteristics of a toy poodle, with their soft frizzy coat and toy face. Their curly hair can hold onto some bad smells, especially if they’re overdue for a bath.
Underneath their ears and around their bum can get especially dirty. Groomers will trim those extra short to keep them free of debris.
I recommend a thorough bath or full groom every 6 to 8 weeks to keep them feeling fresh and clean.
Chihuahuas sometimes (and unfairly) receive a bad reputation. While they can certainly be noisy, they’re actually wonderful companions.
Chihuahuas all have one thing in common – they’ll choose who their owner is and stick to them for life. They can often be described as “Velcro” dogs, as they’ll be stuck to your side wherever go. Thankfully their small size makes them easily portable.
Dachshunds (or “Doxies”) are wonderful little companions that spend their days playing and napping. They adapt well to just about any family routine, as long as it’s with the ones they love.
These little dogs are incredibly bright, which makes teaching new tricks and routines an absolute joy. However, they are known to be stubborn in some aspects, especially when it comes to potty training.
While they typically don’t smell bed, they may find something interesting to roll in that could carry a foul scent.
The Doberman has gained a reputation for being a fierce attack dog. But on the inside they’re very gentle, under the right care. Humans have been trained to see this dog as threatening due to their use as guard dogs.
That’s not entirely surprising as Dobermans were originally bred for guarding, military, and police work. Peer through the tough-guy exterior and you’ll find a kind and affectionate companion.
The Dobermans short coat is easier to maintain and keep clean. But they’ll still need a bath every few months as oils and dirt build up.
You would think that owning the fastest dog in the world would be pretty hectic. And while Greyhounds have a lot of exercise needs, they’re actually quite calm and lovable.
They would rather nap in the sun than expend too much energy. Unless they see a rabbit or squirrel that is.
Greyhounds can be a very timid breed, and may show signs of nervousness around strangers and new dogs. That’s why it’s recommended you socialize them at an early age to develop some confidence.
Havanese have the biggest heart of all, and they’re absolutely in love with you. This is the epitome of a lapdog as they’re glued to your side and looking for a warm spot to nap at all times.
They’re quite adaptable to your lifestyle, but Havanese do not like being left alone and may bark and howl while you’re gone, which may make them difficult apartment dogs. They can be overly timid, but some early training and socialization can help curb their anxiety.
The Jack Russel terrier is a fiercely independent and energetic breed. Originally bred to hunt foxes, they had to rely on their wits and speed to outrun the clever fox. As you might imagine, they can be a handful for the average owner.
While incredibly affectionate and kind, they require a high level of mental stimulation and intense exercise. Because there’s nothing more destructive than a bored Jack Russel.
Originally bred to hunt foxes and protect livestock, the Lakeland Terrier is there to watch and defend what’s most important.
As a hunting dog, they’re quick and agile, and have intense bursts of energy to help them give chase.
Lakelands make great companions; they love to show off their energetic side to their families, and do whatever is necessary to make you smile. They are incredibly intelligent but can be stubborn with training, which may test your patience. With their speed and intelligence, they thrive as hunting or agility dogs.
The Maltese are energetic, playful and sweet with a very gentle nature. But it’s important to socialize them to kids while they’re still pups, as an older dog may feel the need to “protect” their owner.
At home they may be a perfect “princess”, yet won’t hesitate to take on the “brave hero” roll when they feel it’s necessary.
Maltese are incredibly intelligent and eager to please, which makes training a lot of fun.
Their coat does require a certain amount of upkeep, especially if you want to curb bad odor. Daily brushing and regular grooming are a must.
A sometimes overly confident trouble-maker (but it’s all in good fun) the Pomeranian is the star of their own show. They can be described as confident, curious, and enjoy being treated like a prince (or princess).
Poms are a perfect accomplice to go on adventures with, as they enjoy spending their days following you around and genuinely enjoy new experiences. Just keep in mind they’re sensitive to heat and need to cool off every so often.
Fluffy dogs like Poms have a coat that requires daily maintenance and brushing.
The Shnauzer come in three very different sizes – Miniature, Standard, and Giant. What they all share in common is having the world’s biggest heart.
Typically the miniature and standards are known to be absolutely ecstatic with energy, while the larger ones are a little more relaxed.
Schnauzers benefit from a wiry coat texture that allows dirt and oil to fall off of it. Your schnauzer groom style can be a big determining factor in how often you will have to groom or bathe.
Scottish Terriers can be describe in one sentence: too smart for their own good.
That’s because the Scottish Terrier lives by their own set of the rules. They can be strong headed and independent, which makes training somewhat difficult. That isn’t to say they’re not affectionate – they absolutely love their family and show deep affection.
As you may have noticed from the picture above, their long coats and beards can get quite dirty – which leads to some bad smells. However, they benefit from wiry coat texture which helps dirt and oil fall away.
If you choose to leave a longer coat and beard than expect to do some maintenance and visit a groomer once every 8 to 12 weeks.
The West Highland Terrier (or “Westie” for short) is a lovable handful but perfect for the right owners. They’re excitable, clever, and often mischievous (but it’s all in good fun).
Westie’s have a high amount of energy to burn off, which can be addressed with daily playtime, walks, and fun training. These are highly social dogs, and absolutely thrive with a full-time playful companion.
Whippets are truly the least smelly of dogs, so much so that they are practically odourless. Their short coat also means minimal shedding and grooming.
Similar to Greyhounds, Whippets are a popular racing and hunting breed. Despite their athleticism, they are surprisingly relaxed. While they still enjoy a good run, they will spend the majority of their day relaxing or laying in the sun.
Whippets are also a quiet breed, and only resort to barking when very excited or very lonely.
Yorkies are energetic little fire-crackers that love to show off. They can be feisty, and sometimes even
Your specific Yorkie coat type and hair style will determine just how smelly they get. Short, wiry coats will hold onto less grease and dirt. While a long and silky coat will require more maintenance.
If your Yorkie loves to dig and explore – then a short groom may be best to keep them smelling clean.
The other reason dogs smell is that they simply adore rolling in stinky smelly foul messes from down the park. That can include other animal poop, or rotten food (YUCK)! Some even delight in participating in this pungent exercise right after a bath… “well mum this stinky possum poop smells much better than lavender!”
This clever gland produces an oily/waxy secretion known as sebum. This oil gives your pet their shine and silk, it also forms an incredible barrier to protect the skin and keep it waterproof. So, it’s no wonder that these common breeds are known to smell a little more than others including:
Then there is the important question of allergies and ear infections. If your dog is suffering from skin allergies, they will omit a strange odour. This could be a sign of food or contact allergens and it’s important to seek veterinary advice. This can occur in all breeds, regardless of the size of the sebaceous gland. Allergies do not tend to get better on their own and will need assistance, this is particularly true if the allergy has promoted a yeast outbreak on the skin or inside the ears. It can be terribly uncomfortable for your pet.
However, all is not lost! It just means you may need to bathe your pet more often than not and ensure you use a good quality dog shampoo and really give your pet a good scrub. Some of these breeds also have ample skin folds and large floppy ears. If you notice a sickly-sweet smell on your pet it could be a sign of a yeast infection and seeking veterinary treatment is recommended. Most owners of these dogs are masters at ensuring their pups smell super on a weekly basis.
The reason for this is actually quite simple: there are a lot of molecules floating around in the air that make up and belong to your pet. They’re unlikely to be sprayed on by something you’ve washed with and these molecules collect on surfaces like floors or tables. This mix of pet-sized molecules can find its way into another room where they’ll start a cascade reaction with other airborne species such as pollen, dust particles, bacteria and viruses that have been missed by regular cleaning methods.
1 Irish Water Spaniel
One of the largest and oldest of the Spaniel breeds, the Irish Water Spaniel is well-adapted to spending time in any body of water. Their hypoallergenic coats shed very little and have no distinct smell, even when wet.
Top 10 Dog Breeds That Don’t shed or smell | Small Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed
There are many dog breeds that seem to carry around that particular “doggy” odor and this can be undesirable for many people looking for a companion. There are many reasons for dog smell such as poor general hygiene, poor diet, allergies or a coat or skin type that holds smell in. Regardless of the reason, there are many dog breeds people consider to be on the odorless side and we’ve compiled a list of them here. The following are the top 10 least smelly dog breeds according to dog experts:
The Dalmatian is well-known for its appearance as well as its use and popularity in firehouses, movies and as company mascots. Originally bred as a carriage pulling dog in Croatia, it is now largely an active family companion. Because of their short, dense coat, Dalmatians are known for lacking traditional doggy odor.
The German Pinscher is a medium-sized Pinscher breed often mistaken for a Doberman, although it is a separate breed. They are strong, elegant and active dogs that make excellent companions for the right owner. Their coat type is well-known for producing very little odor.
The Papillon, aptly named due the butterfly look of its ear feathering, is a toy breed of dog that makes a wonderful lapdog and companion. They are very intelligent and easily trained and they excel in various dog sports such as obedience and agility. Owners and enthusiasts do report that the breed lacks the typical doggy smell that many others exude.
The Saluki is a beautiful sighthound from Egypt and Iran, where it was used as a hunting and racing dog. They are elegant, independent and incredibly athletic dogs and owners are often surprised that they possess very little doggy odor.
All varieties of the Schnauzer – Miniature, Standard and Giant – all have the same coat type and lack the same amount of doggy odor that many other breeds have. They are each different breeds, although the Standard Schnauzer is the original and all were used as ratters and guard dogs.
This small African breed has a short, smooth coat that doesn’t trap odor and creates a dog that doesn’t carry any odor. The breed is also known for its tendency to howl and yodel rather than bark and has many characteristics that are different than typical domestic dogs.
The Portuguese Water Dog is a water-retrieving breed from Portugal. They have a thin, curly coat that sheds very little. Because of this, they are considered to be one of the more hypoallergenic breeds and also have little to no doggy smell.
The Poodle comes in three varieties – Toy, Miniature and Standard. All three types have the same coat that not only smells very little, but is considered to be hypoallergenic. These dogs hardly shed and are an excellent choice for someone looking for an intelligent, active companion, as all three breeds excel in various dog sports like agility and obedience.
The Kerry Blue Terrier is an Irish breed originally used to hunt vermin such as rats, rabbits and foxes. It has also been used as a herding and guard dog. It’s coat is soft and lacks an undercoat, allowing it to contain little to no doggy odor at all.
The Bichon Frise is one of the most popular companion dog breeds due its cheery, energetic nature. They make excellent family companions and do not shed their thin, single-layered coat. Their coat also has the benefit of prohibiting any doggy odor from developing and many owners enjoy this quality as much as their dogs’ happy dispositions.