One problem dog owners deal with daily is the constant stream of shed hair coating everything in the home. Although some breeds of long-haired dogs shed less than their shorter-haired brethren, you may be exchanging one hair care issue for another. Low-shed doesn't necessarily translate to low-maintenance.
Maltese
His long, silky white coat and big black eyes and nose give the Maltese a striking appearance, and the good news is you won't find those long white hairs draped all over your home. Although he doesn't shed much, the mini Maltese requires daily brushing to keep his coat looking sleek and neat. Skipping even a day could translate to a tangled mess. A bath whenever necessary keeps the coat clean and sparkling white.
Shih Tzu
Adult shih tzus hardly shed at all, but a puppy approaching his first birthday will shed like there's no tomorrow. This is a temporary thing, as he's essentially trading his puppy coat for the adult version. Once this period passes, he'll shed very little. The amount of grooming your shih tzu needs varies depending on the texture of his coat—the softer and thicker it is, the faster it will mat. Baths are given as often as you like.
Silky and Yorkshire Terriers
Two breeds in the tiny terrier line offer long coats with little shedding: the silky and the Yorkshire. Regular sessions with a pin brush keep their coats tangle-free and looking silky smooth, and the Yorkshire benefits from a weekly bath as opposed to the silky's once-a-month routine. The silky requires regular trimming around his eyes, ears and feet to keep him comfortable and looking neat, while the Yorkshire typically sports a topknot to keep the hair out of his face.
Lhasa Apso
Often confused with a shih tzu, the Lhasa apso is a slightly larger breed with a thicker, heavier coat than his Chinese cousin. That's where the differences stop, as the Lhasa requires just as much grooming and sheds about as little as the shih tzu. Mats can set in fairly quickly on his coat, and sneak in underneath if you don't get through to the skin. Daily brushing and a bath every two or three weeks keep him looking clean and neat, making for one happy little Tibetan dog.
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Writer Bio
Jane Williams began her writing career in 2000 as the writer and editor of a nationwide marketing company. Her articles have appeared on various websites. Williams briefly attended college for a degree in administration before embarking on her writing career.