Large Low-Shedding Dog Breeds
Looking for a dog breed that doesn’t shed? Pet Insurance Australia takes a look at the top large non-shedding dog breeds.
First and foremost; it’s important to understand that all dogs shed. However, depending on your chosen dog breed this can vary quite dramatically. The biggest misconception of the typical ‘low-shedding’ or ‘non-shedding’ breeds is that they are also ‘low-grooming’ breeds. This is simply not the case, and many non-shedders will require a decent amount of grooming to keep their coats knot free and remove the trapped dead hair.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds?
It is important to remember when it comes to allergies to check with your doctor exactly what you are allergic to. For many allergic dog and cat lovers, their allergy will include dander (skin), saliva or even urine of the actual pet. Therefore, purchasing a pup that is considered ‘low-shedding’ may not stop your allergic response. It’s recommended to speak to your doctor in regard to your allergies and pet ownership. It’s also a good idea to visit your breeder and have as much interaction with your chosen pup as possible to see if you have any reactions that will cause a concern.
Top 10 Popular Big Dogs That Don’t Shed
Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds offer a different pet ownership experience. These dogs are known for their elegance and grace, making them stand out in the canine world. While Afghan Hounds may demand significant grooming attention, low-shedding breeds are ideal for individuals seeking a pet that requires less maintenance.
- Coat and Grooming: Afghan Hounds are known for their long, flowing locks, resembling human hair. They require daily brushing to prevent tangles, making grooming quite time-consuming. Professional grooming help is often needed.
- Breed Characteristics: These dogs are celebrated for their elegance and grace, offering a unique pet ownership experience. Their almost human-like hair and distinctive appearance make them stand out in the dog world.
- Maintenance and Lifestyle Suitability: Afghan Hounds are low-shedding but demand significant grooming attention. They might not be the best choice for first-time pet owners due to the extensive grooming required.
- Choosing the Right Breed: For those looking for a large breed with minimal shedding and manageable grooming demands, alternatives like Labradoodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, or Standard Poodles might be more suitable. Prospective owners should consider their lifestyle and grooming preferences when selecting a dog.
Airedale Terrier
Airedales are known for their friendly and spirited nature. They are highly intelligent and make excellent family pets due to their loyal and affectionate demeanor. Their coat, while dense and wiry, sheds far less than breeds with softer, longer fur. This makes them a preferred choice for individuals and families looking for a larger, low-shedding breed.
- Coat and Shedding: Airedales have a dense, wiry coat that sheds far less than other breeds, making them an appealing choice for those seeking a low-shedding large breed. They are not entirely hypoallergenic but are known for minimal shedding.
- Breed Characteristics: Often referred to as the “King of Terriers,” Airedales are friendly, spirited, highly intelligent, and make excellent family pets. They are loyal, affectionate, and well-suited for family life.
- Grooming Needs: Their grooming needs are manageable, with many owners opting for professional grooming help. Trimming or clipping the coat can further reduce shedding, especially during seasonal changes.
- Versatility and Activities: Airedales are versatile dogs, excelling in various activities including agility and obedience training. Their moderate shedding and charming personality make them an attractive option for those seeking a low-maintenance, affectionate, large-breed dog.
Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres, with its low-shedding characteristics, is an excellent choice for those who appreciate a dog with minimal grooming challenges and less hair to contend with. Their delightful temperament, combined with their beautiful coat, makes them a sought-after breed among dog enthusiasts.
- Coat and Shedding: This double-coated breed is admired for its beauty and minimal shedding, a result of their undercoat trapping loose hair. Their low-shedding attribute is especially appealing to those who dislike constant hair cleanup.
- Grooming Needs: Regular grooming is crucial to maintain the health of their coat and prevent matting. Daily brushing is recommended, and while essential, it is relatively manageable compared to other breeds. Regular professional grooming sessions every six weeks, involving a quick trim, are common to keep their coat knot-free and reduce loose hair in the home.
- Breed Characteristics: The Bouvier des Flandres is appreciated for its delightful temperament and beautiful coat. They are an excellent choice for those seeking a dog with minimal grooming challenges and less household hair.
Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is an excellent choice for those seeking a large, low-shedding dog breed. They are often considered hypoallergenic, making them suitable for families with allergies due to their unique coat type which produces less dander compared to other breeds. These dogs are known for their intelligence and adaptability, making them easy to train. This can be an added advantage for pet parents who wish to maintain their pet’s coat with regular grooming sessions, as these dogs usually respond well to training and handling.
- Coat and Hypoallergenic Traits: Known for their low-shedding and often considered hypoallergenic, their unique coat produces less dander, making them suitable for families with allergies.
- Intelligence and Training: These dogs are highly intelligent and adaptable, which facilitates easy training. This is advantageous for maintaining their coat through regular grooming sessions.
- Personality and Exercise Needs: Giant Schnauzers have a robust and active personality, requiring regular exercise. They are excellent companions for outdoor activities and also serve as effective watchdogs due to their alert and protective nature.
- Maintenance Benefits: Their wiry coat traps less dirt and debris, leading to fewer baths and overall easier maintenance. This makes the Giant Schnauzer a top choice for those seeking a large, manageable canine companion.
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel, with its distinctive wavy coat, is another excellent choice for those looking for a dog that doesn’t shed much. Their lack of hair shedding is primarily due to their unique double coat, which traps the dead hair.
- Coat and Shedding: The Irish Water Spaniel’s distinctive wavy coat is a double coat that traps dead hair, leading to minimal shedding. Regular brushing, about two to three times a week, is necessary to prevent tangles and knots.
- Breed Characteristics: Known for their versatile and playful nature, they are highly intelligent and excel in dog sports and activities, making them great companions for active families or individuals.
- Family and Social Traits: They are friendly and affectionate, good with children and other animals, making them well-suited for family life. Their love for water and swimming adds to the fun and exercise opportunities they provide.
- Historical and Functional Traits: Historically bred for retrieving game from water, their coat offers water resistance, making them ideal for those living near water bodies or enjoying water-related activities.
- Overall Suitability: The Irish Water Spaniel’s minimal shedding, high trainability, playful nature, and water-resistant coat make it an ideal choice for a medium-sized, low-maintenance dog for families and active individuals.
Komondor
The Komondor’s distinctive cords, low shedding, and protective nature make them a fascinating and rewarding breed to own. However, their coat care is specialized and requires commitment, making it essential for prospective owners to seek professional advice and be prepared for the grooming demands of this unique breed.
- Coat and Shedding: Known for its unique corded coat resembling dreadlocks, the Komondor is a low-shedding breed. The cords develop fully when the dog is around two years old, requiring special care during growth to keep them dry and dirt-free. Regular separation of the cords is essential to prevent tangling and matting.
- Grooming Needs: The maintenance of a Komondor’s coat is quite unique and can be challenging, especially for first-time owners. It’s crucial to keep the cords clean and well-managed, often requiring professional guidance to learn proper coat care techniques.
- Breed Characteristics: Komondors are loyal and protective, originally bred as livestock guardians. This background contributes to their vigilant and courageous temperament. Proper socialization and training are essential for their adjustment.
- Suitability: Despite their large size and impressive coat, Komondors are surprisingly low shedders, making them suitable for those concerned about dog hair in the home. However, the time and effort required for their coat maintenance are substantial.
Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog, a breed known for its affinity for water and stunning appearance, is an excellent choice for those looking for a minimal shedding dog. While they do shed very little, regular grooming is necessary to keep their coats in good condition.
- Coat and Shedding: This breed sheds very little but requires regular grooming to maintain coat health. Brushing a few times a week is necessary to prevent tangles, and many owners opt for professional grooming for clipping and trimming.
- Water Affinity and Care: Known for their love of water, it’s important to rinse their coat after swimming to remove salt, chlorine, or other residues. This post-swim care is vital for their skin and coat health.
- Breed Characteristics: Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent, energetic, and highly trainable, making excellent companions for active individuals or families. Their friendly and social nature makes them great family pets.
- Famous Connection: Popularized by former U.S. President Barack Obama’s family, this breed’s hypoallergenic nature makes it suitable for families with allergy concerns.
Saluki
The Saluki, known for being one of the oldest dog breeds, is a great option for those seeking a minimal shedding pet. This breed has long been admired not only for its low shedding qualities but also for its lack of the typical doggy odor, which is a unique characteristic among canines.
- Coat and Shedding: Salukis are known for low shedding and a lack of typical doggy odor. Regular grooming, including brushing once or twice a week, is sufficient to maintain their elegant appearance.
- Breed Characteristics: Graceful, slender, and associated with speed and agility, Salukis have a history as hunting dogs. Despite their athletic nature, they are gentle and affectionate, suitable for both active and relaxed home environments.
- Appearance: Their fine, silky coat, which may have feathering, adds to their distinctive elegance. Grooming is straightforward, making them appealing for those seeking a low-maintenance yet visually striking dog.
- Temperament and Adaptability: Known for their independent and sometimes aloof personality, Salukis are deeply loyal to their owners and adapt well to various living situations, thriving with room to exercise.
Standard Poodle
The Standard Poodle’s low-shedding yet high-maintenance coat, combined with their intelligence, elegance, and versatility, make them a highly desirable breed. They are particularly well-suited for those who are willing to invest time in regular grooming and who enjoy an active and engaging companionship with their pet.
- Coat and Shedding: Standard Poodles are low-shedding but require high maintenance for their dense, curly coats. Regular professional grooming and daily home brushing are essential to prevent matting and maintain coat health.
- Breed Characteristics: Highly intelligent, elegant, and trainable, Standard Poodles are among the smartest dog breeds. Their friendly and active nature makes them excellent companions for families and individuals.
- Versatility in Activities: They excel in various dog sports, reflecting their origins as duck retrievers. Their athleticism makes them suitable for owners who enjoy engaging their pets in physical and mental exercises.
- Hypoallergenic Traits: Their hypoallergenic coat is often well-tolerated by individuals with allergies, making them a suitable option for sensitive owners.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, with its distinctive double coat consisting of a thick, weatherproof undercoat and a wiry outer coat, is a great choice for those seeking a dog with limited shedding. This breed’s unique coat texture plays a key role in reducing the amount of loose hair around the home. However, to maintain the health and appearance of their coat, regular grooming is essential.
- Coat and Shedding: With a distinctive double coat – a thick undercoat and a wiry outer coat – this breed sheds minimally. Regular combing is necessary to maintain the coat’s health and appearance.
- Grooming and Care: Grooming serves both functional and well-being purposes, including checking for skin issues and ensuring the coat remains free from matting.
- Breed Characteristics: Known for their friendly and intelligent nature, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are highly trainable and suitable for active families. Their hunting instincts make them excellent outdoor companions.
- Family and Social Interaction: Affectionate with family members, they integrate well in households with children and other pets, known for their ability to adapt to a family environment.
So there you have it. 10 of the most popular large-sized dogs that don’t shed. We hope this helps you find your perfect companion! Please share and subscribe to our blog for more helpful pet guides and articles.
This article was brought to you by Pet Insurance Australia, providing the best possible pet cover through our cat insurance and dog insurance plans.
Also see: popular low shedding dog breeds
Medium size, low-shedding dog breeds
small, low shedding dog breeds
understanding dog breeds
Nadia Crighton is a renowned and accomplished professional in the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an extensive career spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets.
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