By limiting your choice to breeds of dogs with short hair, you considerably reduce the time and/or the costs of grooming, as well as the possible worries of skin diseases. Bacteria are less likely to proliferate when the dog's hair is short. Here is a list of dog breeds that meet the short or even flush coat criterion, classified by size.
Large Dogs
1. Mastiff
The Mastiff is a massive dog, one of the biggest, used for guarding in particular. It must be said that the simple fact of looking at it dissuades any person supposed to approach it.
Her fawn dress, in addition to her imposing size, accentuates her "massive" appearance. His short coat is thicker on the shoulders, neck and back.
At the time of the Phoenicians, there was a Mastiff by his side in each clan chief's hut. It was also used as a war dog. And yet he is a calm and sociable dog, a good paw as we like to say. He likes to play with his master, but not for too long because he gets tired quickly due to his heavy weight, in addition to appreciating the tranquility.
2. Great Dane
His hair is very short and dense, smooth and shiny.
Despite its imposing size (72 to 80 cm), the Great Dane is a dog whose maintenance is relatively simple. The problem comes rather from the space and the food budget that must be devoted to it.
You might think that the Great Dane is an animal that requires a lot of exercise.In fact not that much thanks to his calm character. This is a breed that adapts very well to family life. Be careful, however, not to rush him emotionally because under this imposing stature reveals a sensitive being.
3. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a large dog (57 to 70 cm) with short, hard and very dense hair.
He is now a pointing dog (at the time a running dog) who needs to spend his boundless energy. Strongly not recommended in an apartment, it needs to run every day in large spaces. If you have a house with a large garden, he will be the happiest of dogs, provided of course that you offer him walks every day.
Children? Not only does he adore them, but he also respects and protects them.
4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
It is also called "Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog" precisely because of the dorsal ridge formed by the hair that grows in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. He is a large dog (61 to 69 cm) with impressive physical characteristics: muscular, agile, tough and fast.
His origins clearly explain this well-balanced size and his outstanding performance. They come from South Africa where hunters used the Rhodesian Ridgeback to hunt lions in groups of 2 or 3. And yet under his proud airs of a dog with perfect proportions, he is a great sensitive who is able to change his behavior depending on the situation.
If his training must be subtle, it's the complicity he prefers to flourish. As you can imagine, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is absolutely not suitable for a person or a family who lives in town and in an apartment. A lot of fresh air and sport are essential to live with this dog who then becomes a dream companion for his master and for the children.
Medium-sized dogs
5. Beagle
Compact (33 to 40 cm) and lively, the Beagle is a running dog with very dense short hair. At the time of hunting with hounds, he was appreciated in England for his ability to hunt hare.
It is the ideal companion thanks to its many qualities. Here are a few: smart, brave, tough and fast.
Extensive walks are necessary several times a week because he is a dog that is full of energy and needs both physical and mental stimulation.
6. Italian Greyhound
" This breed of dog does honor to greyhounds in general thanks to its friendly character. Of a calm, friendly, loving nature, he also knows how to let himself go at times of madness when he is surrounded by people he knows.Otherwise, it takes him some time to adapt to strangers because of his shyness and sweetness."
Despite its reduced size compared to that of other greyhounds (32 to 38 cm), its top speed remains higher than that of many other larger dogs.
His short hair is short and fine. He appreciates a warm coat in the winter on his walks, but not when it comes to playing and running. If the Italian Greyhound adapts to living in an apartment, don't forget that he needs to run regularly in large spaces.
7. Labrador
Medium-sized (54 to 57 cm), the Labrador is a powerful dog that takes its taste for swimming, and water in general, from its origins. In fact, in the past, fishermen used them to help them recover fish that managed to jump overboard. By extension, it was very useful for hunting to recover waterfowl.
The Labrador is the most adopted pet on the planet. Apart from his “hunter-fisherman” faculties, he is a very intelligent dog endowed with uncommon attention for humans. He knows how to be gentle and patient with children. Its “good paw” nature makes this breed a safe bet that suits all families.
In return you will have to walk it regularly and as much as possible in nature. It is also the dog that is most often intended for assistance to visually or physically handicapped people.
As for his short hair, it is dense and slightly rough to the touch.
8. Rottweiler
The hair of the Rottweiler is certainly short, but of medium length and dense, both hard and smooth to the touch. Medium in size (56 to 68 cm), it is one of the oldest breeds that still exist. He is impressive with his muscles and his natural tendencies as a goalkeeper.He takes his role very seriously and beware of anyone who enters the property or mistreats the children of the family who welcomes him. This is why the training of this breed is very important. Because it must be said that in a distant era during which the Roman legions invaded the Germans and the French, he was already appreciated for his fighting and protective character towards the legionnaires.
Sport, sport, sport, that's how your dog will be happy. This is a dog that needs activity.
9. Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is a large medium-sized dog (54 to 62 cm) immortalized in our current era by W alt Disney. However, it is a breed that has been around for thousands of years. Until some time ago, he was called "coach dog" as a team dog, given his predisposition to get along well with horses.
Because of his mostly white coat (tinted with either black or liver spots), he is susceptible to deafness.His short hair is shiny, hard and dense. He is a balanced dog, always in a good mood, ready to play at any time. A house and a large garden are essential for a fulfilling life, not to mention regular sports sessions. His slender silhouette gives him skills for agility that he appreciates for action. He gets along well with the whole family and loves being around children.
10. Hungarian Pointer
The Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer sports a magnificent fawn unicolor coat whose short hair is said to be "wire" , strong, tight and matte. Of medium size (54 to 64 cm), it is a pointing dog and also of big game blood. He is one of those pets who always want to please their master and who love the company of humans, young and old.
He prefers action and the countryside is a great place to play for him.
11. Boxer
Medium-sized with short, hard and shiny hair, the Boxer has its origins in Germany. One might think that with such a name, this dog is either aggressive or a fighter like its ancestors (notably the Germanic Bullenbeisser, known as the "bull biter" , now extinct). But this is not the case, the Boxer is very affectionate and turns out to be an inveterate player. He therefore greatly appreciates the presence of children.
12. Whippet
The Whippet is a dog with short, fine and tight hair. Lightning fast thanks to its aerodynamic proportions, it comes to us from England. Used at the time for hunting rabbits, it was then the star at its expense in the cynodromes for the famous greyhound races, now prohibited in several countries.
Adopting a Whippet is truly a joy for the family. He is an intelligent and sensitive dog, who gives a lot of affection and knows how to be patient with children.Calm, he nevertheless calls for a few long weekly outings to run at the top of his lungs, his favorite activity. In this case only life in the city and in an apartment can suit him.
13. Basenji
The Basenji breed is remarkably elegant. The carriage of the head is high, the gait proud, the gait light. His very fine short hair is shiny and tight.
Already on the representations of the time of the Pharaohs, the Basenji was there as a pet and also for hunting to exhaust the game. Renowned for his absence of barking, he only uses his voice when really necessary, with a particular sound recognizable among all other breeds of dogs.
Lively and proportionate like an athlete, he is an accomplished athlete who can live in an apartment if he has enough large outdoor outings. On the other hand, loneliness tends to depress him strongly.
Small Dogs
14. Chihuahua
The short-haired Chihuahua is a popular pet for its small size.
If it bears the name of the largest Mexican state, it is because it was already adopted by the Aztecs and even considered the deity of happiness.
“Small dog but big character!” This is probably due to the fact that its small size gives it a number of privileges that a larger dog would not have. Indeed, most Chihuahua owners tend to overprotect their dog, but this can result in an increase in the character of this dog, feeling then “almighty”. It is therefore essential to properly educate and socialize it from an early age.
15. Dachshund
The Dachshund with short and even short hair is the oldest canine breed, compared to those with long and thick hair.Coming from the crossing of a low running dog and a pinscher, its original gait is closely linked to its short limbs and long body. But make no mistake about it: the Dachshund is above all a hunting dog and especially a terrier.
If you are looking for a pet that follows you everywhere, this is the ideal breed. He has character in spades. A protective and barking dog, he nevertheless has a very good character and generally gets along well with his congeners and even with cats.
16. Pug
Small but tough! The Pug is a dog with a very muscular, compact body. His short hair is fine, smooth, soft and shiny. We like or not his predominant bulging eyes and his flattened muzzle. Precisely this face makes it more sensitive to high heat and prevents it from breathing properly.
Apart from this small genetic "defect" , this breed of dog is of good constitution, both physically and behaviorally.He is good company, cheerful and full of spirit. The apartment suits him perfectly provided, like all dogs, that he is taken out every day.
17. Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher has short, close-cropped, well-stocked and shiny hair. Very lively, he misses nothing of what is happening around him. Moreover, at the time, the coachmen readily adopted it to eliminate rodents in the stables.
Affectionate and generous, he takes pleasure alongside his host family. Welcoming a Pinscher in an apartment is quite possible provided you walk it every day.
18. French Bulldog
Like the Pug, the French Bulldog is small but massive, a real ball of muscles. His hair is close-cropped and his head is as friendly as one could wish. He is also very good company with all the members of the family.He willingly lends himself to all kinds of activities, always in an even and cheerful mood.
He is one of the most adopted dogs in France and we understand him when we know that he requires little maintenance, that we can easily take him everywhere and that life in an apartment suits him if he can walk every day.
19. Jack Russell terrier
Famous for its ability to dig up foxes hidden in their burrows, the Jack Russel terrier has a smooth short coat.
With a strong and relatively independent character, it is a dog that must be educated from an early age. Small in size (25 to 30 cm), however, it requires a lot of exercise and long walks in the forest. Be careful, however, not to come across a wild animal, otherwise it will undeniably set off in pursuit.
20. Boston terrier
Small, the Boston terrier comes from the crossing of the Bulldog and the English White Terrier in the United States, whose breed unfortunately no longer exists. The fine texture of his short hair is smooth and shiny.
As long as he is in the company of his master from whom he constantly seeks his affection and recognition, this dog adapts to any environment, apartment or house.
However, he's full of energy and he's not a terrier for nothing. It will be necessary to stimulate it mentally and physically.
Although it is said that he wears a permanent tuxedo and looks great, he loves to clown around, whether at home with the children or on walks with passers-by and other dogs.