Looking for a furry friend who won’t slobber all over your furniture? Many dog lovers dream of a companion that keeps things tidy.
Some dog breeds naturally produce less drool and shed minimally, making them perfect for neat freaks and allergy sufferers alike.
These clean canines offer all the love without the constant cleanup, proving you can have a four-legged family member without sacrificing your home’s cleanliness.
1. Basenji
Known as the “barkless dog,” Basenjis groom themselves like cats, licking their paws and wiping their faces. This natural cleanliness means less doggy odor and practically zero drool.
Their short, fine coat sheds minimally and only requires occasional brushing to remove loose hairs. Even better – they rarely need baths unless they’ve rolled in something particularly smelly.
Originally from Central Africa, these independent pups were bred to hunt silently in the brush. Their fastidious nature makes them perfect apartment dwellers for tidy owners who appreciate a clean-living companion.
2. Bichon Frise
Bouncy little Bichons combine the best of both worlds – adorable fluffiness without the slobber. Their powder-puff appearance comes from a double coat that curls rather than sheds, trapping loose hair within the coat instead of on your furniture.
Despite their cloud-like appearance, Bichons produce minimal saliva and rarely drool. Their cheerful personalities match their clean habits, making them delightful companions for fastidious owners.
Regular grooming keeps them looking their best, but the payoff is worth it – a snow-white cuddle buddy who won’t leave wet spots on your clothes or hair all over your home.
3. Boston Terrier
With their tuxedo-like markings and compact size, Boston Terriers bring gentlemanly manners to the canine world. Unlike their flat-faced cousins who tend to drool, Bostons typically keep their saliva to themselves thanks to their moderately tight lips.
Their short, sleek coat sheds minimally and requires just a quick weekly brushing. A simple wipe-down with a damp cloth keeps them looking sharp between occasional baths.
Nicknamed “American Gentlemen,” these charming dogs match their dapper appearance with clean indoor behavior. They’re quick to house-train and adapt well to apartment living without leaving messy evidence of their presence.
4. Chihuahua
Pint-sized Chihuahuas pack big personality into a surprisingly low-maintenance package. Their tiny mouths produce minimal drool, and their compact size means less fur to shed around your home compared to larger breeds.
Short-coated Chihuahuas need just occasional brushing to stay tidy, while long-haired varieties require slightly more attention but still shed less than many other breeds. Their small paws track in less dirt from outdoors, another cleanliness bonus.
These pocket-sized pups are particularly suited for apartment dwellers who want a clean living space. Many Chihuahua owners successfully paper-train their tiny friends, making them excellent pets even for those with limited outdoor access.
5. Dalmatian
Famous for their distinctive spots, Dalmatians deserve equal recognition for their exceptionally clean nature. Their short, dense coat sheds year-round but lacks the oily quality that creates that typical “dog smell” in many breeds.
Unlike many large breeds, Dalmatians rarely drool thanks to their well-formed lips that keep saliva contained. Their athletic build and natural elegance extend to their tidy eating and drinking habits.
Originally bred as carriage dogs, these spotted companions maintain their dignified appearance with minimal grooming needs. A weekly brushing removes loose hairs, and their natural cleanliness means baths are only needed occasionally – perfect for active owners who prefer spending time playing rather than cleaning.
6. Japanese Chin
Once treasured by Japanese and Chinese royalty, the Japanese Chin carries itself with aristocratic grace. Much like the Basenji, these dogs exhibit distinctly feline behaviors – including fastidious self-grooming that keeps them remarkably clean.
Their silky, straight coat sheds moderately but doesn’t tend to tangle, making maintenance simpler than with many other long-haired breeds. Their small, flat faces might suggest drooling potential, but Japanese Chins typically keep their saliva to themselves.
These refined pups prefer clean surroundings and quickly adapt to household routines. Their dainty eating habits minimize mealtime mess, and their lightweight bodies mean they’re less likely to track in mud or debris from outdoor adventures.
7. Maltese
With their flowing white locks and elegant demeanor, Maltese dogs look like they’d be high-maintenance. Surprisingly, these little aristocrats stay remarkably clean naturally. Their silky single-layer coat doesn’t shed much, and the white hairs that do fall out are fine enough to be less noticeable than coarser fur.
Despite their long facial hair, Maltese rarely drool. Their small size means less saliva production overall compared to larger breeds. Many owners keep their facial hair trimmed in a “puppy cut” to maintain cleanliness around the mouth.
Originally bred as companion dogs for nobility, Maltese have retained their dignified, clean habits through the centuries. They’re particularly suitable for owners with allergies who still want a luxuriously soft dog to cuddle.
8. Miniature Pinscher
Often called “King of the Toys,” Min Pins strut around with the confidence of dogs ten times their size. Their sleek, short coat requires minimal grooming and sheds very little, keeping your home relatively hair-free.
These pint-sized pups have tight lips that prevent drooling, and their compact mouths produce less saliva than larger breeds. Their precise, dainty eating habits mean less mess around food bowls – a welcome bonus for neat owners.
Fiercely independent and proud, Min Pins maintain their own cleanliness with an almost catlike attention to personal grooming. Their small size means they track in minimal dirt from outdoors, making them excellent apartment dwellers for cleanliness-conscious owners.
9. Papillon
Named for their distinctive butterfly-shaped ears, Papillons combine elegance with surprising cleanliness. Despite their long, silky coat, these small spaniels shed less than you might expect and produce virtually no doggy odor.
Their small, refined faces feature tight lips that keep drooling to an absolute minimum. Even during excited moments when many dogs might drool, Papillons stay remarkably dry-mouthed.
French for “butterfly,” the Papillon’s name reflects both their ear shape and their light, airy presence in a home. Their dainty paws and careful movements mean they’re less likely to track in outdoor messes, and their intelligent nature makes them quick to house-train – a cleanliness bonus that busy owners particularly appreciate.
10. Poodle
Available in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, Poodles offer the same exceptional cleanliness regardless of their dimensions. Their famous curly coat doesn’t shed like typical dog fur – instead, dead hair gets caught in the curls until brushing or grooming removes it.
Beyond their minimal shedding, Poodles rarely drool thanks to their long, narrow muzzles and tight lips. Their intelligent, dignified demeanor extends to their eating habits, where they tend to be neater than many other breeds.
Originally bred as water retrievers, Poodles maintain a naturally clean coat that resists dirt and debris. Their skin produces less oil than many breeds, resulting in minimal doggy odor – a significant advantage for owners who prefer their homes to smell fresh rather than furry.
11. Shiba Inu
Internet-famous for their fox-like appearance and stubborn personality, Shiba Inus are less known for their exceptionally clean habits. These ancient Japanese dogs groom themselves meticulously, licking their paws and cleaning their faces much like cats do.
Their double coat sheds seasonally but remains remarkably clean and odor-free between blowouts. Regular brushing during shedding seasons keeps loose fur under control. Shibas have properly formed lips that prevent drooling, keeping their distinctive “Shiba smile” dry and clean.
Naturally independent, these dogs are typically easy to housebreak and prefer clean living spaces. Their cat-like fastidiousness extends to their bathroom habits – many Shiba owners report their dogs seeking private, clean spots for elimination, making them ideal pets for cleanliness-conscious owners.
12. Whippet
Often described as “a Greyhound in a smaller package,” Whippets combine athletic ability with remarkably clean habits. Their short, fine coat sheds minimally and lacks the strong doggy odor common in many breeds, requiring just occasional brushing to remove loose hairs.
Unlike some deep-chested breeds, Whippets have well-formed lips that prevent drooling under normal circumstances. Their refined faces and elegant necks stay dry even after drinking water – a pleasant surprise for owners accustomed to messier dogs.
These gentle speedsters are naturally clean and typically house-train easily. Their sensitive nature means they prefer clean living spaces, making them excellent companions for tidy households. As a bonus, their short coat means less dirt and debris gets tracked in after outdoor adventures.
13. Yorkshire Terrier
Don’t let their glamorous, floor-length coats fool you – Yorkies are surprisingly clean little dogs. Their hair (not fur) grows continuously like human hair and sheds minimally, making them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers and neat freaks alike.
These pint-sized terriers have small mouths that produce very little saliva, so drooling is virtually non-existent. Many owners keep their facial hair trimmed or tied up in a topknot to prevent food and water from soiling their silky locks.
Originally bred to catch rats in clothing mills, Yorkshire Terriers maintain their working-class practicality despite their elegant appearance. Their small size means less dirt tracked in from outdoors, and their fastidious nature makes them relatively easy to house-train compared to some other small breeds.