It can be challenging to find dogs that don’t smell, but why do dogs have a distinctive scent? They sweat differently than us, producing a specific odor, which can be somewhat overwhelming.
Let’s visit the canine world to discover the least smelly dogs. You’ll be surprised to learn that some breeds are entirely odorless and perfect for family members with allergies.
List of Dogs That Don’t Smell
People often get a dog based on appearance or personality. Very few consider the dog’s smell until they realize the animal pongs a lot more than expected. That’s where the best smelling dogs come in. Generally, they have shorter coats and fewer oils.
Small Non-Smelly Dogs
If you’re sensitive to odors and want to avoid frequent pet cleaning and bathing, read on. The list below features the cleanest dog breeds that don’t smell.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a popular small dog without any breed-related smells. Unlike larger dogs, like the English Bulldog and Bloodhound, Yorkies don’t retain any foul odors in their coat or skin. That said, this adorable puppy might pong for other reasons, including perspiration in the coat’s hair follicles and the skin’s natural oils.
West Highland White Terrier
These little dogs that don’t smell have light coats with short hair. They have less odor as their fur traps fewer oils. Because of the breed’s short hair, hair follicles’ perspiration evaporates easily, leaving a clean, scent-free dog to pet and snuggle. Plus, these Terriers have the loveliest personalities.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are small with fluffy coats. They originated in the central European regions around Poland and Germany. Although their coats are fluffy and insulating, they don’t usually smell if they’re not wet or dirty. With a Pomeranian in your life, you won’t have to worry about its dog body odor unless the pup has a gland leakage or flatulence.
Maltese
Contrary to popular belief, Maltese dogs didn’t originate in Malta. Instead, they come from various places around the Mediterranean. They’re smallish dogs with short-haired coats, allowing the skin to breathe more easily and avoid undesirable smells. Also, Maltese dogs don’t have skin flaps, meaning less wax buildup.
Medium and Large Dogs That Don’t Smell
Many assume that the larger a dog is, the more likely it is to smell. But we’re here to tell you that’s not the case. Let’s check out the top breeds of dogs that don’t smell or shed.
Basenji
You’ll know a Basenji dog by its athletic appearance and short fur. The breed originated in Africa as hunting dogs. They have much in common with Prairie dogs, including a short tail and coat. Basenji dogs don’t bark much and are one of the least smelly dog breeds. That’s because its short hair allows the body to breathe, making it the easiest dog to take care of.
Schnauzer
In German, Schnauzer means “snout” but translates colloquially as mustache — the most distinctive breed feature. These are medium-sized dogs with curly coats and above-average intelligence. Although some Schnauzers can smell bad due to oily skin, you can easily treat that with shampoos. Plus, most breed representatives don’t smell at all.
Whippet
Whippet dogs are native to England, where they were bred from Greyhounds. You’ll notice their Greyhound heritage when you see their long snout, slender body, and springy hind legs. Like their ancestors, Whippets are also lively and energetic. They’re medium-sized dogs without any odor. Plus, their short coats don’t require extra cleaning or grooming.
Siberian Husky
Huskies were bred for sled-pulling and companionship. These energetic and resilient dogs have good health and heavy coats. But do Huskies smell? Although a Siberian Husky has a heavy coat, it’s not oily and doesn’t smell. Still, these dogs love running and playing, so the coat might become muddy.
Alaskan Malamute
Despite its name, the true Alaskan Malamute origin isn’t confirmed. Like Siberian Huskies, they were bred to work in extreme conditions and are strong and resilient companions. The Alaskan Malamute is also an odorless dog. These dogs have a thick coat that ranks them among the low shedding dogs.
Hypoallergenic Dogs
Do you have a family member with a dog allergy? It could be due to the dog’s scent, hair, or skin flakes. But that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your pet dreams.
Poodle
Poodles originally come from Germany. They were bred as hunting dogs to retrieve game from water. Poodles come in four varieties, each a different size. Still, they all have something in common — short, curly hair that doesn’t have a dog body odor and doesn’t shed. If you have a family member that’s allergic to animals, a Poodle is an excellent option.
Coton de Tulear
Coton de Tulear puppies are small, with black button eyes and furry faces. Apart from their appealing qualities, including playfulness, affection, and intelligence, they’re also perfect for people with allergies. Coton de Tulear has short curly hair that doesn’t shed or smell bad, so you can have fun with this affectionate dog without hassle.
Bichon Frise
If you or a family member has a pet allergy but also love dogs, low-maintenance dogs that don’t smell are the answer. Like Coton de Tulear, the Bichon Frise is a small fluffy dog with a lovely personality. Although it has plenty of fur to keep itself cozy, this French dog doesn’t shed or gather dust. It’s perfect for people allergic to pets.
Shih Tzu
If you have a dog allergy, you might think a short-haired dog is the best option, but that’s not always the case. For instance, take the Shih Tzu. The breed originated in Tibet and is known for its fun and playful personality, as well as its long-haired shaggy coat. Despite its long silk fur, these dogs are hypoallergenic and won’t smell if you provide them with proper care and food for Shih Tzu adults.
Stinkiest Dog Breeds
Let’s see what breeds you should stay away from. Here are the pups you’ll definitely not see among the dogs that don’t stink.
English Bulldog
English Bulldogs have facial folds, floppy ears, and tail pockets, all of which can contribute to a home that smells like a dog. That said, there’s no reason for your Bulldog to smell bad. It simply requires more cleaning and attention. The breed has short hair, which helps keep the pong under control, but you’ll have to wash and groom it regularly.
Pug
Pugs are small, short-haired dogs with squashed faces, so you might think they’re on the lower end of the smell scale. And you’d be wrong. Pugs smell pretty bad, but why do these dogs stink? Oil is produced in their skin, which has a protective purpose. Its accumulation results in bad smells. Once again, regular cleaning makes a difference.
Bloodhound
Bloodhounds’ origins date back to the middle ages, where they used to hunt deer. Today, police departments prefer this breed because of its amazing olfactory sense. Luckily, they can’t smell themselves or don’t mind if they do. Bloodhounds have an incredibly oily coat, contributing to a strong scent.
Why Do Dogs Smell?
Dogs perspire predominantly through their mouths but also their skin. Since their coat contains protective follicle oils and dirt picked up from swimming and running, the sweat often acquires a foul odor as it evaporates from their bodies.
Why Do Some Dogs Smell More Than Others?
Dogs have a reputation as one of the smellier pets. But some of them are clean, so why is it hard to find dogs that don’t make the house smell?
Excessive Oil Build-up
Most dog breeds have follicle glands on their coats that produce protective oils. These oils cover the hair follicles, making them waterproof and preventing mud and dirt from building up. Unfortunately, that can start to smell after a while, and you need to wash it.
Pet Dander
Even the least smelly dogs produce dander. That’s microbial skin cells that flake off and catch in the hair follicles floating onto the floor or furniture. To avoid pet dander, you need to clean the space regularly and wash your dog with special shampoo. Like other animals, dander in dogs can start to smell after a while and contribute to overall bad pet odor.
Thicker Coat
Generally, thicker dog fur is a precursor to bad coat odor. Dogs with longer coats have more hair follicles that produce excess oil. They also trap the oil for longer and prevent the skin from breathing. But that’s not always the case. So what dogs don’t smell? A good example is Shih Tzu, but note that many long-haired dogs have odor and allergy issues.
Skin That Will Fold Over
An old dog smells bad, and some breeds have skin folds on their bodies or faces. While many love these folds and even adopt dogs because of them, that can also contribute to bad smells. Unless you wash your dog regularly, oil, dirt, and old water collects under the skin folds and starts to smell. Naturally, the more folds your pup has, the more cleaning you’ll have to do to prevent bad odor.
Are There Any Dog Breeds That Don’t Smell?
Yes, dog breeds that don’t smell don’t have any odor and are easy to maintain. Generally, they tend to be short-haired breeds. We covered some on the list above — Maltese, Bichon Frise, Basenji, and Whippet dogs.
What About the Wet Dog Smell?
Wet dog smell frequently occurs in the home of dog keepers. It happens because the dog has dirt, grime, and water on its coat. As the water starts to evaporate against the warm dog body, it takes many adverse smells into the air.
How to Make Your Dog Smell Good Without a Bath?
Whether your dog is among the pets that don’t smell or not, you can improve its smell and increase its happiness by ensuring regular brushing and bathing. Brushing removes a lot of excess hair that contains smelly oils, and bathing in warm water keeps the hair follicles grime-free and fresh.
Wrap Up
Walk into the home of any dog owner, and the first thing you’ll notice is that doggy smell. But while many dogs smell bad often, you can find breeds that are entirely odorless. Some of the dogs that don’t smell are hypoallergenic, too. But remember, you still need to bathe your pup once a month.