12 Large Dog Breeds That Don't Shed. Large dogs that don't shed are awesome! It's very easy to understand why people love them so much; they are gentle giants that make for watchful protectors and awesome snuggle buddies at the same time. Living with a dog is one of the best ways to make your life better.
In the first place, Having allergies doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the ability to live with a dog. There are still a few dog breeds that don’t shed.
We here at Dope Dog have created a list of large dogs that don’t shed and this list would definitely suit your lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if you prefer a dog with a long coat, short coat, wiry coat, a hairless breed or one with cords. We have included them all in the list.
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1. KOMONDO
The Komondor is a large, white Hungarian livestock guardian dog. They are usually recognized by their long, corded coats. The cords of the coat forms naturally and it takes about two years for them to reach full length.
The cords do not require much tending and the Komondor is one of the dog breeds that don’t shed. 12 Large Dog Breeds That Don't Shed.
You do need to bathe a Komondor occasionally and this can take some time. The bath itself isn’t so bad but it can take a very long time for the cords to dry. They are also affectionate with their family and gentle with children but they don’t trust strangers.
KOMONDOR PROS
- Steady and dependable
- Very protective
- Only requires moderate exercise
- Beautiful, shaggy, and imposing
KOMONDOR CONS
- Can be destructive when bored
- Suspicious towards strangers
- Aggressive to new animals
- Deep, booming barks
2. AIREDALE
Known as the “king of terriers”, the Airedale is one of the large dog breeds that don’t shed. They are the largest of the terrier breeds.
They have a harsh topcoat and a softer undercoat. The coat is hard and wiry and should lie close to the body. The breed does require frequent stripping and coat care, so plan to use a professional groomer. Airedales are alert and energetic. 12 Large Dog Breeds That Don't Shed.
Daily exercise is a must with this breed; they need it to stay happy and content. The Airedale terrier is a friendly and sweet pooch that their owners all in love with pretty quickly. These are agile dogs that were originally bred for swimming, so you can expect them to be very active.
Airedale pros
- Atheltic and energetic
- Can learn to do almost anything
- Sensible guardian
Airedale cons
- Requires lots of exercise
- Can be rowdy
- Has a chasing instinct
3. SALUKI
Saluki is an ancient breed originally from the desert, the Saluki has silky fur and sheds very little. They are a sighthound and one of the fastest breeds in the world, especially at longer distances.
Independent and aloof with strangers, they can be difficult to dog train. They should not be let off the leash in open areas.
Saluki rarely needs grooming and they have a unique appearance. They are gentle dogs that have a halo of nobility around them, which is not surprising considering these were literally the dogs of the pharaohs of old Egypt. 12 Large Dog Breeds That Don't Shed.
SALUKI PROS
- Easy to care for, soft coat
- Athletic and graceful
- Doesn’t bark much
- Polite with people
SALUKI CONS
- Sensitive to stress
- Independant attitude
- Can be slow to learn
- Shy when not socialized enough
4. PERUVIAN INCA ORCHID (HAIRLESS)
The Peruvian Inca Orchid can either be hairless or coated. The hairless variety is recommended for people with allergies. The breed comes in small, medium and large sizes.
They are considered to be a low maintenance breed for grooming. These dogs are very energetic, and they need lots of exercises.
At home, they are loyal and protective of their family.
PERUVIAN INCA ORCHID PROS
- Affectionate
- Intelligent
- Protective
- Easy to train
PERUVIAN INCA ORCHID CONS
- Not very playful
- Very territorial
- Prone to separation anxiety
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5. POODLE
They are famous for their snazzy hair and outwardly appearing entitled look that they tend to own, but despite their looks, they still make for great family pets. Poodles are also one of the healthiest dog breeds you can find. 12 Large Dog Breeds That Don't Shed.
This might sound crazy, but would you believe me if I told you that they were not always the stylish dogs they are today? In fact, Poodles have a history of being used as water retrievers as they used to fetch waterfowl out of water bodies for their hunters.
Poodles are clever, loving, and elegant and they are one of the dog breeds that don’t shed. They are one of the most elegant large dog breeds in the world, and they make for excellent pets for those with allergies.
POODLE PROS
- Very intelligent
- Low exercise requirements
- Easy to train
- Rarely shed
POODLE CONS
- Needs frequent grooming
- Nails grow quickly
- Predisposed for certain illnesses
6. IRISH WATER SPANIEL
Joining the list of large dog breeds that don’t shed is, not surprisingly, another water dog breed.
The Irish Spaniel is one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds according to the American Kennel Club.
They are affectionate, playful animals that make for wonderful companions. As you have probably guessed by the name, these are also excellent swimmers. They don’t shed much but they still need to be brushed every once in a while to keep their coats neat and clean.
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IRISH SPANIEL PROS
- Very active
- Relatively unnaggressive
- Perceptive to emotions
IRISH SPANIEL CONS
- High exercise requirements
- Destructive when bored
- Needs regular coat care
7. GIANT SCHNAUZER
Schnauzer has three separate breeds; miniature, standard, and giant, and even though each of them is considered a breed of its own, they share lots of similarities.
They are bold, smart, alert and energetic.
They need to exercise every day to stay happy and content. The schnauzer has a double coat with a soft undercoat and a wiry topcoat. Their top coat is resistant to dirt and debris, but it still needs some hand stripping every now and then.
They don’t shed much, but they still need daily brushing to reduce shedding and keep their coats clean.
GIANT SCHNAUZER PROS
- Elegant
- Makes a good watchdog
- Their wiry coat rarely sheds
GIANT SCHNAUZER CONS
- Needs a lot of exercise
- Rowdy, especially when young
- Strong-willed: requires a confident owner
8. BOUVIER DES FLANDRES
This breed sheds little, but be forewarned; their furry bodies collect a lot of debris.
Bouvier des Flandres were originally bred to be a multipurpose farm dog. They were smart enough to herd livestock and strong enough to pull carts, imposing enough to be a guard dog.
Not terribly high energy, but they do like to be exercised on a regular basis. They’re assertive, protective and intelligent animals.
BOUVIER DES FLANDRES PROS
- Large, shaggy, and dignified
- Sensible and steady-tempered
- Typically calm and quiet
BOUVIER DES FLANDRES CONS
- Likes to chase/nip moving things
- Coat requires frequent care
- Potentially aggressive towards animals
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9. THE GOLDENDOODLE
A hybrid between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle is a match made in heaven. This is a dog that is everything you’d expect it to be. They’re cute, affectionate, and playful...similar to the Golden Retriever.
In fact, it has one of the best qualities of big dog breeds. They are big babies and owners often talk about how their large dogs are just puppies at heart.
Also, They are large dogs that don’t shed. They have coats with similar characteristics of the Poodle. This makes them perfect for people with allergies.
GOLDEN DOODLE PROS
- Love to snuggle
- Typically quiet
- Excellent with children
GOLDEN DOODLE CONS
- Hip dysplasia issues
- Need heavy exercise
- Socially anxious
10. PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
Portuguese water dogs are happy dogs with a burst of energy. They make excellent companions for older kids and get along with most people they meet.
However, they are not suitable for inactive, couch potato families. These dogs enjoy an active lifestyle with plenty of running, swimming, and a game of fetch.
PORTUGUESE WATER DOG PROS
- Agile and athletic
- Does well with other pets
- Thrive on playtime
PORTUGUESE WATER DOG CONS
- Requires regular bruising and clipping
- Loves to chew
- Needs a plethora of exercise
11. BELGIAN MALINOIS
The Belgian Malinois weighs about 40- to 50-pounds, but some may exceed 80 pounds. Firstly, They have a short straight out coat that's easy to maintain and prevents them from shedding.
Then, They are a large breed that has many common characteristics with a German Shepherd. Furthermore, They don't drool and combine that with their hypoallergenic coat, they make an amazing companion for allergy sufferers. Unfortunately, they are not suitable pets for novice dog owners because of their firm and leadership personality. Lastly, They require a lot of training and socialization to develop good habits.
Belgian malinois pros
- Large but graceful
- Very smart and versatile
- Observant, watchful, and protective
Belgian malinois cons
- Has a high activity level
- Likes to chase and nip
- Can be either aggressive or fearful
12. BLACK RUSSIAN TERRIER
Firstly, The Black Russian Terrier was developed as a police and military dog. Its thick coat doesn’t shed much; it would keep the dog warm during the harsh winters.
Then, To give you an idea of their history, this breed originates from the combo of the Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, Airedale, and Newfoundland.
Lastly, The coat of the Black Russian Terrier needs constant grooming to prevent mats and to trim the hair around their eyes to avoid irritations.
BLACK RUSSIAN TERRIER PROS
- Easy to train
- Amazing watchdogs
- Generally very friendly to people and animals
BLACK RUSSIAN TERRIER CONS
- Low to average intelligence
- Stubborn personality
- Commonly have health issues
TIPS TO STOP DOG SHEDDING
Adopting one of these breeds is a great start to having a shed-free home, but there are additional steps you can take to limit (or stop) dog shedding:
- Brush them regularly
- Bathe them frequently - if they love to swim, even better!
- Feed them a nutritious diet
- Watch for and treat any skin or hair problems immediately
WHERE CAN I BUY A DOG THAT DOESN’T SHED?
If you’re looking to add a new family member that doesn’t shed much to your household -- check your local animal shelters!
Millions of pets end up in a shelter each year, and you’re sure to be able to find one that is a perfect fit for you and your home.
Not only are you saving a life, breaking the pet overpopulation cycle, and fighting against cruel breeding facilities, you get to choose from a large selection of perfect pups who would love to go home with you!
And that's it! We hope this list helped you out and that you'll soon find the perfect, non-shedding, cuddly canine. Don't forget to check out these great treats for your new best friend.
Furthermore, How can you make your new pup even happier after you bring them home? With the best dog treats and products from Dope Dog!
