Dog lovers with allergies can still enjoy being a dog owner. The trick is to select from the dog breeds that don’t shed much dander and hair. Non-shedding breed dogs are commonly known as hypoallergenic dogs, and they can be an excellent choice for individuals with allergies.
While no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, there are dogs that don’t shed much. This means less dander in the house – which is the reason behind your allergic reactions.
When many people hear about hypoallergenic dogs, they immediately think of small dog breeds. But there are also many large breed dogs that don’t shed.
This means that it is possible to own a large, delightfully sweet dog, even if you have allergies or your partner hates pet hair.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best big dogs that don’t shed.
Table of Contents
What Is A Hypoallergenic Dog?
Some dog breeds are said to be hypoallergenic since they don’t shed hair or they shed a little amount. Since these dog breeds don’t shed, the allergy-inducing dander that accumulates on their fur is not released into the air or around the house as much as with a heavy shedding dog.
Pet dander is usually the reason behind allergies. It is made of very tiny bits of skin, which shed together with the coats of dogs, cats, birds and rodents. The proteins in these skin cells are the culprit behind allergies, including congested or running noses, excessive sneezing and irritated eyes.
As much as we would wish, no dog breed is 100% non-shedding or hypoallergenic. It is impossible for canines not to shed even a small amount of fur, but the large dog breeds we are going to discuss shed the least.
So, if you’re looking for large breed dogs that don’t shed, read on.
The Best Large Breed Dogs That Don’t Shed
If you’re looking for a big dog that doesn’t shed, there are quite a number of breeds to choose from.
The following are just some of the large hypoallergenic dogs that can give people with allergies the chance to enjoy the loyalty, companionship and unconditional love that comes with owning a dog, and of course, the many tail wags and face kisses!
1. Giant Schnauzer
Height: 23 to 27 inches tall.
Weight: 55 to 95 pounds.
Giant Schnauzers grow to around 95 pounds, making them a very large non-shedding dog. These dogs were originally developed to herd cattle and to serve as guard dogs. They also work as military and police dogs in some European countries.
This means that a Giant Schnauzer is a very loyal and intelligent dog that also makes a great guardian of the owner’s property. The Giant Schnauzer is also a high energy dog that requires plenty of physical activities and mental stimulation.
This big hypoallergenic dog will require periodic hair trimming and regular brushing to help keep his coat in tiptop condition.
If you’re looking for an active, intelligent and very large canine that sheds a very little amount, then the Giant Schnauzer can be a great choice for you.
2. Saluki
Height: 23 to 28 inches tall.
Weight: 35 to 70 pounds.
The Saluki is a very old, ancient dog breed. The Saluki is a sighthound and is known to be one of the fastest dog breeds in the world, particularly at long distances. This dog has a smooth coat and sheds very little.
Independent and reserved with strangers, these dogs can be hard to train. They are smart, gentle and aloof. They have a distinct appearance and rarely require grooming.
These beautiful dogs come in many different colors and patterns. They have large, oval shaped eyes. Their coat is short and silky, and they don’t require much grooming, compared to many other breeds.
3. Bouvier des Flandres
Height: 24-27 inches.
Weight: 70-90 pounds.
The Bouvier des Flandres was originally bred in Flandres, a region in the northern part of Belgium. These large non-shedding dogs were commonly used to herd livestock and to pull carts.
They are excellent guard dogs who are smart, fast learners, loyal and protective of their people. They are gentle canines who get along with people and other household pets.
These big hypoallergenic dogs enjoy being part of everything, and can become destructive if left alone for far too long.
These large fluffy dogs have a thick, double coat that sheds very little. Weekly brushing can help remove any loose hair. However, these pups should be bathed only when it’s absolutely necessary. It’s recommended to trim their coat, particularly the fur around their paws.
4. Airedale Terrier
Height: 21 to 23 inches tall.
Weight: 40 to 65 pounds.
One of the biggest terriers, the Airedale Terrier is also one of the most beautiful hypoallergenic dog breeds. They have a short, thin coat that requires only occasional bathing and weekly brushing to get rid of dead hair.
They are very friendly, brave and confident dogs. They are intelligent and highly energetic dogs that require an active routine to stay happy. This means they should have access to a large, fenced-in yard for them to play and run around in.
Airedale Terriers are independent dogs, but they also enjoy spending time with their owners. They are affectionate, loyal and protective.
They also get along well with children. So, if you’re searching for a cute, fun and outgoing dog, then you should probably choose this breed.
5. Standard Poodle
Height: 15 to 24 inches.
Weight: 45 to 70 pounds.
The Standard Poodle is one of the best known big hypoallergenic breeds of dogs in the world today. With the increase in interest in hypoallergenic dog breeds, we are witnessing more and more Poodle mixes.
Although it may be tempting to choose a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle, there’s no guarantee that any of these mixed breed dogs will have a low-shedding coat like the Poodle parent.
Choosing a Standard Poodle will help ensure almost no shedding. This makes them one of the best large hypoallergenic dog breeds out there.
The Standard Poodle is a very intelligent and active pooch that originated from working retrievers.
Like many other alternatives on this list, your Standard Poodle will require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation since they are smart and active. Therefore, a Standard Poodle would be a great fit for an active and social person.
6. Portuguese Water Dog
Height: 20 to 23 inches.
Weight: 35 to 60 pounds.
The Portuguese Water Dog is another large dog breed that doesn’t shed much. This breed was originally bred to help fishermen by driving fish into nets.
Portuguese Water Dogs are sometimes confused for Sheepadoodles because of their curly coat and patterns. They reach around 22 inches in height and 60 pounds in weight.
These are very active dogs that require plenty of exercise each day. They make great guard dogs thanks to their size and high intellect. This makes them a great choice for most active families.
Beach-goers might want to get one of these dogs if they want a four-legged friend they can have fun with on the beach.
7. Irish Water Spaniel
Height: 21 to 24 inches.
Weight: 45 to 58 pounds.
Now you must have realized that water dogs make great choices for allergy sufferers. In addition to the Portuguese Water Dog, the Irish Water Spaniel is also a great choice for anyone looking for the best large dogs that shed the least.
They are funny, playful dogs that need plenty of exercise each day. Like most of the other breeds on this list, this dog will require early socialization and training. This is due to their stubborn nature, which can be challenging for first time owners.
They have a thick, curly coat that requires regular grooming. These dogs require daily brushing and periodic visits to a dog groomer.
However, they require bathing when it’s absolutely necessary. Developed to help with hunting and retrieving game from the water, Irish Water Spaniels enjoy swimming. If you want a beautiful and playful dog that doesn’t shed much, this breed might be a great pick.
8. Afghan Hound (Originally known as Tazi)
Height: 27-29 inches.
Weight: 50-64 pounds.
The Afghan Hound is a beautiful, stately dog that is known for their thin frame and long, smooth hair. Interestingly, they are also hypoallergenic despite being one of the most longhaired dog breeds out there.
And although these are very large dogs, they don’t shed much. However, they require regular brushing to keep their coat looking its best and in proper condition. Regular bathing will also be necessary due to their long, thick and silky coat. This breed will also require conditioner.
They are said to be clownish due to their mischievous character, but full grown dogs tend to be independent. Whenever your Afghan Hound requires attention, he will let you know,; otherwise, they can be quite reserved.
9. Komondor
Height: 25 to 27 inches.
Weight: 80 to 100 pounds.
If you want a sheepdog or a larger version of a Shih Tzu with its typical fur that resembles a mop, then you should consider getting a Komondor.
The best thing about this breed is that their coarse hair doesn’t require brushing. Instead, it should be trimmed from time to time, but you don’t need to do it so often.
The reason why the Komondor is said to have coarse fur is because they are actually deadlocks. Now that’s a cool fun fact, isn’t it?
On the flipside, the Komondor‘s white fur is more likely to become dirty. This means they require frequent baths. And due to the texture of their coat, they take a lot of time and effort to dry them up after bathing.
The Komondor is very loyal to their owners and will guard and protect them at all coats. These pups need to be well socialized from an early age. This is because they tend to be aggressive towards people and other dogs they are unfamiliar with. If properly socialized, your Komondor puppy can grow to be a gentle and devoted companion.
Due to their size and the extensive nature of socialization and training that is necessary for this breed, they are not the best choice for first time owners.
10. Samoyed
Height: 24.5 to 30 inches.
Weight: 35-65 pounds.
The Samoyed is a non-allergenic dog breed that was originally bred by the Samoyedic people who inhabit the areas around Siberia, Russia.
The Samoyed is a large white dog that falls under the Spitz group of canines. This big low-shedding dog was commonly used to herd livestock, pull sledges and guard property.
Sledge dogs like the Samoyed were an integral part of the arctic lifestyle and they were used to transport humans and cargo over icy terrain.
The Samoyed has a thick, double coat that helps to protect them from very cold conditions. This means the Samoyed is not ideal for hot climatic conditions.
These dogs are very intelligent, energetic, loving and playful. They get along with humans, but early socialization and training is necessary to turn them into well-mannered family pets.
Conclusion
Of course, there are some other large dog breeds that have hypoallergenic or minimally-shedding fur or hair.
As with all dogs, especially large breed dogs that don’t shed, proper grooming and attention is required to keep them in proper condition and looking their best. But this is obviously a small price to pay for owning a large, delightfully sweet dog. In any case, who doesn’t prefer to groom and brush their canine friend instead of cleaning after them?
Frequently Asked Questions: Big Dog Breeds That Shed Don’t Shed
Do all big dogs shed?
Yes. All dogs do shed at least a little amount. Shedding refers to the loss of damaged or dead hair and this occurs with each and every dog breed.
However, there are dog breeds that don’t shed much or shed very little. This means that although the above large breed dogs are considered to be hypoallergenic, they may shed a little amount of fur. So, although the article is titled “Large Breed Dogs That Don’t Shed”, a more appropriate title would probably be “large breed dogs that don’t shed much” or “Big dogs that shed the least”.
What large dogs are hypoallergenic?
There are several large dog breeds that shed the least. Big or large dogs that are known to be hypoallergenic include the Giant Schnauzer, Saluki, Komondor, Bouvier Des Flandres, The Irish Water Dog, Portuguese Water Dog, Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Samoyed and the Bergamasco Shepherd, among others.
What’s the largest hypoallergenic dog?
The Giant Schnauzer is the largest hypoallergenic dog in the world.
Are Samoyeds really hypoallergenic?
The Samoyed is considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed due to its minimally-shedding coat. This breed is ideal for individuals who tend to experience pet allergies.
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