Do you need a short-haired dog to save you time and money on grooming? In our list of short-haired dog breeds, you can find any size of dog, from the large Great Dane all the way down to the tiny Chihuahua. Short-haired dogs don’t need to be brushed as often, but be warned that they do still shed, and not all of these dogs are hypoallergenic. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at each of our picks for short-haired dog breeds:
Top 20 Short-Haired Dog Breeds
1. Weimaraner
Image Credit: celyi, Shutterstock
Height:
22 – 27 inches
Weight:
55 – 90 pounds
AKC Group:
Sporting
This German hunting dog comes from the Weimar region in its native country. Weimaraners are athletic and require lots of exercise. Their coats are short and they come in a variety of grey shades. Weimaraners can be perfect family dogs and can even be good with children, so long as you run their energy out adequately.
2. Great Dane
Image Credit: volofin, Shutterstock
Height:
28 – 34 inches
Weight:
100 – 200 pounds
AKC Group:
Working
Great Danes, although easy with coat maintenance, will be more work in feeding and finding space for them. Even though they are huge, they have a calm nature and don’t need to let off tons of energy like other large dogs. If you give them a short walk or two a day, they will get all the exercise they need. Train them early on and they will be a lovable, lounging pup for you and your family.
3. Pug
Image Credit: maniablack18, Pixabay
Height:
10 – 13 inches
Weight:
14 – 18 pounds
AKC Group:
Toy
The Pug is a cute little pup that comes from China. Pugs were a sought-after pet back in B.C. times as they were the choice pets of Chinese emperors. They love to be right by your side and make you laugh with their antics. Their hair is short, true, but they will need their wrinkles cleaned out with a wet wipe or cloth every week or so. Pugs also have a hard time in hot weather, so make sure to keep him cooled off.
4. Italian Greyhound
Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock
Height:
13 – 15 inches
Weight:
8 – 11 pounds
AKC Group:
Toy
Italian Greyhounds are very similar to their ancestor, the Greyhound, in these ways: their coats are short, they are sweet and calm, and they don’t need tons of exercise. They make a perfect dog for people who can’t handle the large-sized Greyhound but still want the same good nature. Speaking of its small size, you will need to be careful with it while carrying it around with you because of its vulnerability to injury.
5. Miniature Pinscher
Image Credit: Dorena Beckendorf, Pixabay
Height:
10 – 12.5 inches
Weight:
8 – 10 pounds
AKC Group:
Toy
Miniature Pinschers (Min Pins, for short) are similar to Doberman Pinschers, but Min Pins are actually the older breed. Min Pins have a short coat that needs brushing once a week to make it look sleek and shiny. This dog breed has lots of pride and confidence, and is considered the “King of Toys.” Miniature Pinschers are great for a family with older children that know how to handle small dogs.
6. Labrador
Image Credit: Tina Rencelj, Shutterstock
Height:
22 – 24 inches
Weight:
55 – 79 pounds
AKC Group:
Sporting
The most popular dog breed in America for 28 years in a row has also got a short coat that’s easy to care for. Labradors love the water, so you won’t have a difficult time bathing them, either. Their personalities are affectionate, caring, and playful. Labs are very easy to train, which is why they are often used as service animals. Labs are great for people of all ages.
7. Rottweiler
Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock
Height:
22 – 27 inches
Weight:
77 – 130 pounds
AKC Group:
Working
Rottweilers have a reputation to guard and protect, and they are fiercely loyal to their families. Long ago in Germany, they were bred to drive cattle and pull carts of meat for butchers. This independent breed needs some good training early on to be manageable. You will likely win over any Rottie with a treat in the form of food, which is a good way to train them, too.
8. Dalmatian
Image Credit: Aneta Jungerova, Shutterstock
Height:
19 – 24 inches
Weight:
45 – 65 pounds
AKC Group:
Non-sporting
Dalmatians are known as fire station dogs for a reason. Before there were fire engines, Dalmatians were used to walk beside the horses drawing the carriage in order to calm them down. This breed is known for its high energy and requires lots of daily exercise to stay happy. Because of this, they might not be the best breed for apartment-dwellers or older folks.
9. Vizsla
Image Credit: martine552, Pixabay
Height:
21 – 24 inches
Weight:
44 – 60 pounds
AKC Group:
Sporting
With characteristics of a pointer and retriever, the Vizsla has striking similarities to the Weimaraner dog, besides it’s brown coat. Vizsla dogs are smaller and don’t require quite as much exercise, though they are quite agile and can run for a long time if they need to. They are graceful dogs with a beautiful coat that does not require much work to maintain.
10. Chihuahua
Image Credit: HG-Fotografie, Pixabay
Height:
6 – 9 inches
Weight:
2 – 6 pounds
AKC Group:
Toy
Chihuahuas come in long or short coat varieties that can be many colors. Don’t let its size fool you, these tiny dogs surprisingly carry a lot of energy and a big dog personality. However, if you’re wanting to take fewer trips to the groomer and be able to carry your dog practically anywhere, a short-haired Chihuahua will be a perfect fit for you.
11. Boston Terrier
Image Credit: Aneta Jungerova, Shutterstock
Height:
15 – 17 inches
Weight:
15 – 25 pounds
AKC Group:
Non-sporting
Boston Terriers got the name “American Gentlemen” because of their tuxedo-like short coat that’s easy to care for. These dogs are full of character, keeping families playing and laughing for years. They have a good amount of energy that should be worked out with enough daily play time.
12. Mastiff
Image Credit: GoDog Photo, Shutterstock
Height:
28 – 30 inches
Weight:
120 – 230 pounds
AKC Group:
Working
Though not as tall as Great Danes, Mastiffs rival them in weight and sheer mass. These dogs are protective but not aggressive, and they are quite loving towards their human family. They are fairly low-energy dogs that only need a few short walks a day to maintain their weight. Even though their coat is short, Mastiffs tend to shed a lot, and their excessive drooling combined with this makes them a bad dog for people with allergies.
13. German Shorthaired Pointer
Image Credit: Burry van den Brink, Shutterstock
Height:
21 – 25 inches
Weight:
45 – 70 pounds
AKC Group:
Sporting
German Shorthairs are bird dogs through and through. Their high-energy needs require them to have lots of entertainment and running around outside, which could be perfect for a family with kids on a ranch or a farm. The best part is that their coats only need one brushing a week, and sometimes a bath when they (likely) swim in muddy waters.
14. Dachshund
Image Credit: NORRIE3699, Shutterstock
Height:
8 – 9 inches
Weight:
16 – 32 pounds
AKC Group:
Hound
The Dachshund, like the Chihuahua, can be bred with varying coat types, including long-haired, short-haired, and wire-haired. As long as you get a short-haired breed, the coat maintenance will be minimal. Dachshunds (also called Doxies) commonly have skin problems, so they might need to be bathed more often than you’d think. Despite this, Doxies make great little watchdogs and will give you lots of love as long as you pay it forward with your attention.
15. Boxer
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
Height:
15 – 22 inches
Weight:
50 – 70 pounds
AKC Group:
Working
Boxers hail from Germany, dating back to the 1800s. Despite its fighter-style name, it’s quite friendly and cheerful. Boxers not only make great friends with their human family but also pet family members. Make sure you have enough time to give these pups the exercise they need, as they have pretty high energy levels.
16. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Image Credit: Pixabay
Height:
24 – 27 inches
Weight:
70 – 85 pounds
AKC Group:
Hound
This dog gets its name from a strip of hair on their backs that grows in the opposite direction, causing a “ridge” in its back. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was originally bred in South Africa to hunt lions in the wild. This dog is much more suitable for an active individual or couple, as Ridgebacks need lots of time for running around outside and are strong-willed with strict training necessary.
17. Whippet
Image Credit: Pixabay
Height:
18 – 22 inches
Weight:
18 – 48 pounds
AKC Group:
Hound
Whippets have been called the “poor man’s Greyhound,” and were used in the late 18th century and early 19th century as rabbit chasers and race dogs. They are a crossbreed between Italian Greyhounds and Greyhounds. This combination creates a gentle dog with low energy needs. Whippets would make a great apartment dog.
18. Beagle
Image Credit: Ross stevenson, Shutterstock
Height:
13 – 15 inches
Weight:
20 – 25 pounds
AKC Group:
Hound
Beagles are small/medium-sized scent hounds with a happy disposition and a moderate amount of energy. Their coats are water-resistant, which also means that they won’t get dusty too easily. Though they shed a moderate amount, brushing them regularly will keep their coats looking great. Beagles make great family dogs, just be aware that they could get stubborn on you.
19. French Bulldog
Image Credit: Lee Waranyu, Shutterstock
Height:
11 – 12 inches
Weight:
16 – 28 pounds
AKC Group:
Non-sporting
French Bulldogs, or Frenchies, are big-eared and joyful dogs. They are small dogs, but they are not dainty or fragile. It’s difficult to not smile when you see one. Frenchies are companion dogs, as they keep the mood around them light and happy. These dogs are playful, but they don’t need more than a short walk a day.
20. Jack Russell Terrier
Image Credit: Public Domain Pictures
Height:
10 – 12 inches
Weight:
14 – 18 pounds
AKC Group:
Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier is a charming dog breed that once graced the TV as Wishbone in the mid ’90s. You would think that because of its acting reputation, that Jack Russell’s would be easy to train, but this is not the case. It’s best to get a Jack Russell with some dog-owning experience already under your belt. Regardless, these dogs are low maintenance when it comes to grooming, but need a lot of exercise and play time.
Final Thoughts
Dogs with shorter hair have fewer grooming needs than long-haired dogs, which makes them desirable for a certain population of wannabe dog owners. Be warned, though, this does not mean that they shed less and never need brushing! A good comb-through will keep your pup’s hair from getting everywhere and will give you a chance to examine their skin for problems like bumps, skin lesions, and parasites.
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Featured Image Credit: danielle828, Pixabay
