All dogs shed and all dogs have dander. The only thing that's different is the varying degrees.
If one wants a dog that doesn't shed, I suggest going to Toys-R-Us and getting a stuffed one.
I know that is true, but I've got to say, I lived 15 years with my Bedlington, and I don't remember ever picking up a stray hair. There are some breeds that don't really shed their coat off their body at all.
Different breeds, same experience. Parents' and sisters' schnauzers don't shed any to any visible degree. (But the GSDs shed .... Shed. A. Lot.) Same with SIL's Shih Tzu and cousin's Cairn Terriers. Our Westie doesn't shed either ... I recently picked him up while outside wearing a black suede coat. There was not one single hair ... and he's very white so if anything shed it definitely would have showed on black suede.
It
is technically true that "all dogs shed ... all dogs have dander", but some breeds don't produce enough of either to trigger reactions in most people with allergies. There's also the dander thing ... but some breeds don't seem to cause reactions even in the highly allergic. Sis's co-worker has an asthmatic kid ... triggered by allergies ... but their two Bichons cause no problems at all. Good thing, 'cause the kid's a real dog lover. Parents originally thought she couldn't have one, until their allergist suggested a Bichon.
"Non-shedder" is not
technically correct ... just easier than "very-low-shedder-but-not-to-the-point-that-anyone-notices".
"Minimal" or "low-shedder" is more accurate ... but many times applied (by some) to breeds that
do have noticeable shedding ... just less than say, a GSD or Rough Collie. One thing with non-shedders though ... keeping up with combing/brushing is an absolute must. They do shed a little bit, just don't deposit hair all over ... meaning the little bit they do shed stays on their body and can cause matts if you don't stay on top of their grooming.
