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The 17 Cleanest Dog Breeds (with Pictures)

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

Maltese

Most people fall into one of two categories – dog people or cat people. Although we love cats, here at Hepper, we are crazier about dogs. Cats have many things going for them. But the one thing they have over dogs is that they are hygienic animals who clean themselves regularly.

But, there are a few dog breeds that are cleaner than others. So, if you want a dog, but you’re having a hard time thinking about their sometimes dirty habits, these guys could be your saving grace. Let’s take a closer look at the cleanest dogs.

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The 17 Cleanest Dog Breeds

1. Japanese Chin

japanese chin
Image Credit: Needpix

The Japanese Chin is a cute little guy who is often described as more feline than canine. Not only does he clean himself fastidiously like a cat, but he also jumps up on shelves and perches himself there all day. He is graceful and quiet too. So, if you can’t decide between a dog or a cat, the Japanese Chin is your best bet.


2. Xoloitzcuintli

Horizontal portrait of one dog of Xoloitzcuintli breed_TatyanaPanova_shutterstock
Image Credit: TatyanaPanova, Shutterstock

Despite being 3,000 years old, the Xoloitzcuintli is a very clean dog. He comes in either two varieties, either coatless or coated, and the coated type is super smooth and slick. No matter which coat he picks, he never smells and rarely gets mucky. All he needs is sunblock and a jumper in the winter, and he’s a happy hairless bunny.


3. American Hairless Terrier

American Hairless Terrier
Image Credit: nika174, Shutterstock

Here we have another hairless dog breed, who can also inherit a very short coat that is barely there. This means little chance of picking up dirt or smells, and he rarely needs a wash. He makes an excellent option for those with slight dog allergies. The only consideration you need to take is that he needs sunscreen and jumps just like the pup above.


4. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise dog lying on the grass
Image Credit: Carlos Amarillo, Shutterstock

The Bichon Frise is our clean canine cloud option. His cotton-like coat is soft and silky, meaning it rarely holds onto the dirt. He is also a hypoallergenic dog breed that sheds very little. So, if you like hairy dogs but you don’t like too much hair on your outfit, this lovely guy is a fluffy doggy dream.


5. Chow Chow

chow chow blue tongue
Image Credit: bogdanhoda, Shutterstock

You might be thinking, there is no way that this big ball of fluff is a clean dog breed. But he is, very much so. Like the Japanese Chin, he spends a lot of time grooming himself with that blue tongue of his. This means you have to do very little on the grooming front, just a regular brush to prevent his coat from matting.


6. Poodle

Two Poodles
Image Credit: Anna_Bondarenko, Shutterstock

The Poodle is also a hypoallergenic dog that sheds very little. The Poodle is one of the most commonly mixed dogs for this reason. His hair is long and curly, so all you have to do is brush him regularly with a slicker brush to prevent any tangles from forming. And no matter how much he loves to jump into the water, he will not get that damp doggy smell as some others do.


7. Dalmatian

3 dalmatian dogs
Image Credit: skeeze, Pixabay

The Dalmatian might be spotty, but he is very clean indeed. His short and sleek hairstyle means that dirt doesn’t stick to him. It is also water-resistant, meaning that rain and pond water just slide off him. Although he needs fewer baths than most, he is a moderate shedder all year round, which means he needs regular grooming.


8. Basenji

Basenji
Image Credit: mrmoroshkin, Pixabay

The Basenji has a very tight coat, meaning that he doesn’t collect dirt easily. And his ears are short too, which means they aren’t dirt collectors either. He is a hygienic pooch who takes pride in his appearance and cleanliness. If you can keep up with this guy’s energy, he is a sweet-smelling pooch.


9. Shiba Inu

shiba inu outside japan
Image Credit: Marcel Heidemann from Pixabay

The Shiba Inu is a Japanese fox-lookalike who has a water-repellant coat. So he is protected from the elements, making him one of the cleanest dogs going. He has zero drooling potential, and he takes time out of his day to clean his coat. He is also known to lick his doggy friends too, cleaning up everyone as he goes along.


10. Chihuahua

chihuahua
Image Credit: Didgeman, Pixabay

The Chihuahua, be that the long-haired or the short-haired is a teeny tiny pooch that carries little dirt. He is full of personality and sass, and he likes to keep himself clean to keep up with his charismatic demeanour. It takes less than five minutes to groom his body thoroughly, and he is easy to care for.


11. Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky
Image Credit: lornadandy, Pixabay

The Siberian Husky has an ice, water, and weather-proof coat, and he is one of the cleanest of them all. He’ll get muddy and dirty, but it’ll fall off as he is running about. And as soon as he gets home, he’ll clean himself, and he’ll be sparkly clean in no time. As long as you can put up with his shedding, you’ll get along brilliantly.


12. Greyhound

brindle greyhound
Image Credit: Akiko Campbell, Pixabay

The Greyhound has a really short and smooth coat, almost like velvet, and it rarely gets mucky. This guy is the fastest dog on record too, so even if he gets a spot of dirt on it, it’ll fall off in the wind. This sensitive pup loves nothing more than to cuddle up with his mom and dad, and you’ll happily cuddle up to him too with his clean coat.


13. Bedlington Terrier

Bedlington Terrier
Image Credit: Sevostyanova Tatyana, Shutterstock

The Bedlington Terrier is a rare dog, but distinctive thanks to his sheep-like coat and head shape. His coat is thick and woolly, and dirt doesn’t get it into his jacket easily. He is a hypoallergenic dog and sheds little too. You’ll have to take him to the groomers regularly to trim his coat because it grows so fast, but overall, he’s super clean.


14. Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Pinscher lying on the pillow
Image Credit: hhorakova, Pixabay

The Miniature Pinscher is often described as King of the Toy dogs. He is bursting with character and hasn’t got enough time to get dirty. Instead, he’s too busy trying to make his family laugh. He loves to cuddle up to his owner, and his soft and silky coat feels lovely and squeaky clean. Again, because he is so small, it takes just minutes to brush him from head to paw.


15. Whippet

Whippet
Image Credit: Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock

The Whippet is the smaller version of the Greyhound, meaning that not only is he just as clean, but it’s also quicker to brush him too. Again, this clean boy loves to snuggle with his family. And because he is so clean, you won’t mind him jumping up onto the sofa with you. Invest in some doggy jumpers for him because he feels the cold easily.


16. Maltese

Papitese (Maltese & Papillon Mix) Info
Image Credit: CataleyaLifedesign, Pixabay

The Maltese is another small and cloud-like dog who is hypoallergenic. He doesn’t shed much and keeps up with his own grooming regime. All you need to do is make sure his that his coat doesn’t tangle, and to regularly trim his fast-growing fur. This heavenly puppy is super sweet, and his cleanliness is the cherry on top.


17. Pharoah Hound

sad hound
Image Credit: Pixabay

The Pharoah Hound is the dog of the Egyptians. He is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, and in that time, he has learnt the art of outstanding cleanliness. He is a rare dog, and you can be sure that you’ll be the only person in the neighborhood with a Pharaoh Hounds. The Egyptians were cat people for sure, but this pooch impressed them with their skills, with cleanliness being one of them.

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The Wrap Up

So, that’s a wrap! With 17 of the cleanest dog breeds, you can be sure that there is a canine personality here for everyone. Some shed a lot, some shed very little, but all are super squeaky clean. You’ll rarely have to wash these guys because they take care of it themselves. So, if it is the doggy mess that is putting you off, you now have no excuse to get yourself a Fido.

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Featured Image Credit: monster_code, Shutterstock

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