If you have allergies but love large dogs, these big dogs that don’t shed a lot may be the perfect match for you. All of these big dog breeds shed in low amounts, and some are even hairless, with no shedding at all. Some of these pups are hypoallergenic, which can help if you have allergies to pet dander. Hypoallergenic means a dog has a single coat (as opposed to a double coat), which means they are less likely to trigger allergies. In addition to fewer allergy worries, with these low-shedding dogs, you won’t have to constantly clean fur off your furniture or clothing. Read on to learn about the best big dog breeds for low-shedding pets.
Methodology
To determine which big dogs that don’t shed are best, we took into consideration coat type, shedding amounts, and size. These pups are all medium to large in size and make excellent companions for people who want a low-shedding breed. Keep in mind that any dog with fur or hair has a degree of shedding, but these pups are less likely to cause allergies than most other breeds. Some people also have allergies to pet saliva and urine so make sure you know what triggers your allergies before adopting a dog.
Although many of these dog breeds are low shedding, they often require regular grooming, which can range from brushing to professional clipping and coat stripping. As always, individual dogs can vary in temperament and size but the common characteristics of each breed can help you determine if it’s a good fit for your household. Having a pet is a lifelong commitment that can last 15 years or more so you’ll also want to make sure your energy levels and lifestyle match up with your potential new pup’s needs.
15 Big Dogs That Don’t Shed
If you want a large, low-shedding dog or even a hypoallergenic dog, these big dogs that don’t shed are excellent candidates:
1. Standard Poodle
The Standard Poodle is a hypoallergenic dog breed that is popular for allergy sufferers. These smart, regal dogs are medium to large-sized. Although they have minimal shedding, Poodles do need regular grooming to keep their coats free of mats. Poodles are also athletic and energetic and need plenty of exercise. They learn quickly and excel in obedience work and other dog sports.
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Coat Type: Single-coated, dense, curly, and hypoallergenic.
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Size: Medium to large, standing 15 to 18 inches tall. Weight between 40 and 70 pounds.
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Shedding: Considered a low-shedding breed due to its curly coat that doesn’t shed much. Poodles are considered hypoallergenic.
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Grooming Needs: Requires frequent professional grooming (clipping or hand-stripping) to maintain a neat appearance and prevent mats.
Related: 20 Kinds of Doodle Dogs and Poodle Mixes
2. Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a popular designer breed that is a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. These trendy pups can be hypoallergenic but this is not guaranteed, as they may inherit some of the shedding from Golden Retrievers. Many people with allergies do well with Goldendoodles, however, but this can vary by individual dog. Goldendoodles are enthusiastic, fun-loving pups that have ample energy and require plenty of exercise. Similar to Poodles, they require regular brushing and grooming.
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Coat Type: Can be curly, wavy, straight, or a combination.
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Size: Medium to large, depending on the size of the Poole parent (which can be Standard, Miniature, or Toy). Goldendoodles are usually 22 to 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 75 pounds.
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Shedding: Can range from low shedding to moderate shedding depending on the coat type. Curly coats are often considered low-shedding. Straight coats tend to shed more, similar to Golden Retrievers. Goldendoodles are often considered hypoallergenic, but individual reactions can vary.
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Grooming Needs: Regular grooming is important for all Goldendoodles. Curly coats may require professional grooming to prevent mats and tangles. Straight coats may require more frequent brushing.
Related: Aussiedoodle Dog Breed Information
3. Afghan Hound
Although they have long, silky hair, Afghan Hounds are a low-shedding breed. Their silky coats need regular brushing to prevent tangles. These regal sighthounds have a dignified air but they also have a silly side when playing with their humans.
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Coat Type: Long, silky, low-shedding.
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Size: Afghan Hounds are tall and lanky, standing 25 to 27 inches. They weigh 50 to 60 pounds.
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Shedding: Afghan Hounds are considered to be hypoallergenic and are a low-shedding breed.
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Grooming Needs: Afghan Hounds’ long coats require regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles.
4. Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the terrier breeds and is a low-shedding dog. These pups have a wiry coat and shed minimally. Airedales are energetic and playful and can be strong-willed. These smart, active dogs learn quickly and can do well in obedience and agility.
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Coat Type: Airedales have wiry, low-shedding coats.
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Size: Airedales stand 21 to 23 inches tall and weigh between 50 and 70 pounds.
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Shedding: Airedales are considered a low shed, hypoallergenic breed.
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Grooming Needs: Airedales need weekly brushing and regular grooming with stripping or clipping to maintain their coats.
5. Bouvier Des Flandres
The Bouvier Des Flandres is a large French breed that is low-shedding. These strong working dogs are intelligent and brave and are often used as guard dogs. Although they do not shed a lot, Bouviers have a double coat, with rough outer hairs and a fine, soft undercoat.
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Coat Type: Bouviers have double coats with soft underfur and harsh outer hair.
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Size: Bouviers stand 24 to 27 inches tall and weigh 70 to 100 pounds.
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Shedding: Bouviers shed in small amounts. They are sometimes considered hypoallergenic even though they have double coats.
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Grooming Needs: Regular brushing and cleaning of their beards.
Related: Best Guard Dog Breeds
6. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest breed in the dog world, standing up to three feet tall. These gentle giants have double coats that do not shed a lot. Unlike many double-coated dogs, Irish Wolfhounds do not blow their coats and shed heavily.Weekly brushing will keep their loose fur to a minimum.
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Coat Type: Double coat with wiry outer fur and soft underfur.
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Size: Irish Wolfhounds are very tall, standing 30 to 36 inches. They weigh 105 to 120 pounds.
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Shedding: Irish Wolfhounds shed in small amounts throughout the year. Weekly brushing can keep their shedding to a minimum. They are not hypoallergenic.
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Grooming Needs: Regular brushing and average grooming requirements.
7. Giant Schnauzer
Giant Schnauzers, which are a bigger version of Standard Schnauzers, have a wiry coat that sheds less than many breeds. These large pups have the signature beard and eyebrows that make terriers so endearing. Giant Schanzers are intelligent, protective, and trainable, making them excellent companions and guard dogs.
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Coat Type: Double coat with a wiry outer coat and soft underfur.
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Size: Giant Schnauzers stand between 23 and 28 inches and weigh 55 to 95 pounds.
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Shedding: Giant Schnauzers shed less than most breeds, and regular brushing can keep their shedding levels low.
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Grooming Needs: Schnauzers need regular brushing and grooming with stripping or clipping to maintain their coats.
8. Greyhound
If you want a lovable apartment dog or a gentle friend who doesn’t shed a lot, the Greyhound is a great companion. Although they’re speed demons on the race track, these laid-back dogs love to curl up at home and are generally low-maintenance in the house. Greyhounds have short, single coats and shed minimally. Their fur is so short that they need sweaters or jackets to keep warm in cold temperatures.
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Coat Type: Greyhounds have single, short coats that require little maintenance.
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Size: Greyhounds are tall and lean, standing 27 to 30 inches and weighing 60 to 70 pounds.
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Shedding: Greyhound shed minimally. Regular brushing will help keep their fur off your furniture.
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Grooming Needs: Greyhounds have low grooming needs, only requiring weekly brushing and a bath every few months.
9. Komondor
The Komondor (plural is Komondorok) is a distinct breed due to its corded coat. These unique herding dogs are independent, intelligent working dogs. Komondorok are big dogs that don’t shed, making the breed a popular choice for allergy sufferers. Their unique corded coats require regular grooming to stay clean.
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Coat Type: Komondorok have corded coats that grow in long cords.
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Size: The Komodorok is a large dog, standing 25 to 28 inches tall and weighing 80 to 100 pounds.
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Shedding: The Komondor does not shed but may on occasion lose a cord.
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Grooming Needs: Komondorok need frequent trips to the groomers for bathing and special coat care to remove any debris.
10. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is a hypoallergenic pup with a curly coat. These adventurous pups make great companions for hiking, swimming, camping, and other outdoor activities. Portuguese Water Dogs shed minimally but do require regular grooming.
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Coat Type: Portuguese Water Dogs have curly coats that can range from wavy to tight curls.
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Size: Portuguese Water Dogs are medium to large, standing 17 to 23 inches tall and weighing 35 to 60 pounds.
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Shedding: Minimal
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Grooming Needs: Portuguese Water Dogs require regular brushing and grooming to prevent mats.
11. Puli
The Puli is a medium-sized pup with a corded coat that has little to no shedding. Puli’s coats include a mix of coarse outer fur and a wooly undercoat and as the coat grows, it naturally forms cords, clumping together. The Puli requires regular grooming with special care to help their cords grow optimally. These intelligent, active pups require plenty of daily exercise to stay happy.
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Coat Type: Corded coat with a coarse outer coat and a soft, wooly undercoat. Over time, the coat forms cords that are similar to dreadlocks.
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Size: Pulis are medium-sized, standing 16 to 17 inches tall and weighing 25 to 35 pounds.
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Shedding: Pulis shed very minimally but their coats do require maintenance.
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Grooming Needs: Pulis require regular grooming and maintenance of their cords to keep the cords clean and growing well. Some people opt for short cuts on their Pulis for less maintenance.
12. Saluki
Saluki are big dogs that don’t shed much. These dignified sighthounds have silky smooth fur that comes in two varieties – smooth and feathered. Feathered Salukis have longer fur on their ears, back of legs, thighs, and tails. These reserved pups are quiet, gentle, and independent-minded. They are fast runners and love a good chase.
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Coat Type: Silky, single coat that comes in smooth (short) and feathered (with longer fur on their ears, legs, and tails).
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Size: Salukis are tall and lean, standing 20 to 28 inches and weighing 40 to 65 pounds.
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Shedding: Salukis shed minimally and regular brushing will help them stay free of extra fur.
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Grooming Needs: Salukis need regular brushing to prevent tangles and mats and stay healthy.
13. Xoloitzcuintli (Standard)
Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican hairless dog, has a hairless variety that is one of the few truly non-shedding dogs. Even the coated Xoloitzcuintli has a short, single coat that sheds minimally. The Xoloitzcuintli comes in three sizes, with the Standard being the largest. This ancient dog breed is loyal with a calm demeanor.
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Coat Type: Short, single coat for the coated variety and no coat for the hairless variety.
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Size: 18 to 23 inches and 30 to 55 pounds
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Shedding: No shedding for hairless pups and minimal shedding for the short-coated Xoloitzcuintli
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Grooming Needs: Hairless Xoloitzcuintli need minimal grooming but do require nail trims, baths, and sunscreen for protection from prolonged sun exposure.
14. Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is the tallest spaniel recognized by the American Kennel Club. These curly-coated sporting dogs are big dogs that don’t shed a lot. Irish Water Spaniels have curly, waterproof coats and unique tapered tails. If you’re looking for an athletic and gentle dog that is great with kids, the Irish Water Spaniel is a great match.
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Coat Type: Dense, curly coat with a short and smooth coat on the face.
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Size: Irish Water Spaniels stand 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 45 to 68 pounds.
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Shedding: Irish Water Spaniels have a curly, hypoallergenic coat that sheds minimally.
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Grooming Needs: Requires weekly brushing and trimming every two months.
15. Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco Sheepdog has a unique matted coat that does not shed. These hypoallergenic pups have three kinds of hair, called ‘dog,’ ‘goat,’ and ‘wool,’ according to the AKC. The hairs must be matted together and then this sociable sheepdog requires very little grooming after that. Bergamasco Sheepdogs are loyal, attentive, and have a strong desire to please, making them excel in obedience and other dog sports.
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Coat Type: Matted with three kinds of hair – dog, goat, and wool. Together the hair forms mats.
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Size: Bergamasco Sheepdogs stand 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh 57 to 84 pounds.
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Shedding: Does not shed.
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Grooming Needs: Adult Bergamascos require little grooming – just bathing a few times a year. They do not need brushing once their coat has been matted. Young Bergmasco Sheepdogs grow in their full coats after one year of age and then require a special process to rip their coats into mats, which can take a minimum of a few hours. Once this is done, they require minimal maintenance.
High-Shedding Large Dog Breeds
Large dogs to avoid if you don’t want a lot of pet fur include double coated breeds such as German Shepherds (sometimes called German Shedders!), Alaskan Malamutes, Akitas, Newfoundlands, Siberian Huskies, and Great Pyrenees Mountain Dogs. Dogs that were bred in cold conditions have extra fur for warmth and these pups often shed a lot.
Finding the Perfect Pup
If you’re looking for big dogs that don’t shed, these breeds have minimal shedding. Some do require regular grooming, while others are low-maintenance. If you’d like to adopt a dog, check out Petfinder for lots of purebred and mixed-breed dogs in rescues in your area. Before adapting, consider your available time for a dog, budget, and lifestyle so you can find a dog that matches your energy level and personality.
Once you decide on a dog, check out our 10 Tips to Prepare Before Adopting a Dog for a checklist of items to assemble before your big day. If you need recommendations for dog gear to make your new dog’s life easier and happier, check out our Top Dog Gear Recs Based on Experience.
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