Do Patterdale Terriers shed a lot?

They shed in the ordinary way most short-coated terrier breeds do, which is moderate rather than heavy, but it is not a low-shedding coat in the way a Poodle's or a Bedlington's is. Regular brushing helps manage loose hair around the house.

Are any terrier breeds actually hypoallergenic?

No terrier, or any dog, is truly hypoallergenic, but wool-coated types such as the Bedlington Terrier and some Poodle crosses shed less and are more often suggested to allergy sufferers than working terriers like the Patterdale, whose coat sheds in the usual way.

Does a Patterdale's rough coat need special grooming?

Rough or broken-coated Patterdales benefit from hand-stripping a couple of times a year, which removes dead outer hair and keeps the coat's texture correct, but this is a coat-condition job rather than something that changes how much the dog sheds day to day.

Are Patterdale Terriers hypoallergenic?

No, Patterdale Terriers are not considered hypoallergenic, and no dog breed truly is. Unlike wool-coated breeds sometimes recommended to allergy sufferers, a Patterdale has a working terrier coat — smooth or rough, but shedding in the ordinary way — so it is not a breed usually put forward as a lower-allergen option.

What a Patterdale's coat is actually like

Patterdale Terriers come in two coat types, smooth and rough (sometimes called broken-coated), and both are close, working terrier coats bred for function on the fells rather than for a particular look or low shedding. Neither type is wool-like or continuously growing the way a Bedlington's or a Poodle's coat is, and both shed hair in the ordinary, seasonal way most double or single-coated breeds do.

Because the coat is short and close to the body, shed hair can be less visually obvious around the house than with a long-coated breed, but that is different from actually shedding less dander — the allergen carried on skin flakes and saliva is not reduced just because the loose hair is harder to spot on the carpet.

Why this breed isn't usually suggested for allergies

Breeds recommended to allergy sufferers are typically those with continuously growing, low-shedding coats — Poodles, Bedlington Terriers, some Poodle crosses — because less loose hair generally means less airborne dander. A Patterdale's coat does not work this way, so it is not commonly listed among the breeds suggested for people managing a dog allergy.

That does not mean every allergy sufferer will react to every Patterdale, since individual sensitivity varies hugely and is not perfectly predicted by breed. It does mean the breed's coat type is not the reason to choose one if allergy management is the main concern.

What the coat needs instead

Patterdale Terriers are genuinely low-maintenance to groom compared with many breeds — an occasional brush is usually enough for the smooth coat type, and the rough coat benefits from hand-stripping a couple of times a year to keep it in good condition, though this is about coat texture rather than reducing shedding or allergen levels.

If allergies are a real concern in your household, spending time around an adult Patterdale before committing is the honest way to find out how you react, rather than relying on the breed's grooming needs as a guide either way.

Working terriers like the Patterdale were bred for a job on the fells rather than for the show ring or the family sofa, and that background shows in a coat built for weather resistance and durability rather than for looking a particular way or shedding less. It's a genuinely different design goal from a wool-coated breed, and it's worth knowing that going in rather than being surprised by ordinary shedding once you already have the dog.

Kit for this breed

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Microfibre Pet Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.

From£10.99

Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.

From£13.99

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

Browse all of Knowledge Hub →

Common questions

Do Patterdale Terriers shed a lot?: They shed in the ordinary way most short-coated terrier breeds do, which is moderate rather than heavy, but it is not a low-shedding coat in the way a Poodle's or a Bedlington's is. Regular brushing helps manage loose hair around the house.
Are any terrier breeds actually hypoallergenic?: No terrier, or any dog, is truly hypoallergenic, but wool-coated types such as the Bedlington Terrier and some Poodle crosses shed less and are more often suggested to allergy sufferers than working terriers like the Patterdale, whose coat sheds in the usual way.
Does a Patterdale's rough coat need special grooming?: Rough or broken-coated Patterdales benefit from hand-stripping a couple of times a year, which removes dead outer hair and keeps the coat's texture correct, but this is a coat-condition job rather than something that changes how much the dog sheds day to day.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.