16 Big Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed

These big dogs don't shed—at least, not much

By Jackie Brown
Updated on 12/06/22
Standard Poodles

Getty Images/Iza Łysoń / 500px

Just because you love to run with the big dogs doesn't mean you like to get their hair all over your clothing and your home. Luckily, while there is no breed of dog that doesn't shed at all, there are breeds that shed less than others. Some of these non-shedding breeds of dog are also hypoallergenic, which can help reduce the chances of triggering allergy symptoms to dog hair.

Some big dogs that don't shed include Airedales, standard poodles, Afghan hounds, and salukis.

Read on to meet 16 big dog breeds that don’t shed. 

If you’re interested in a breed that doesn’t shed because you are allergic to dogs, it’s important to understand the difference between non-shedding and hypoallergenic (and also what the term “hypoallergenic” really means). Just because a breed is non-shedding or hypoallergenic does not mean it is guaranteed not to trigger an allergic reaction, but a hypoallergenic dog breed is less likely to cause a reaction in an allergic person.

  • 01 of 16

    Airedale Terrier

    Airedale Terrier

    Getty Images/sgcallaway1994

    The Airedale terrier is known as the “King of Terriers” because it is the largest of all the terrier breeds. The Airedale was developed in England in the Aire Valley, where it was valued as a duck hunter and rat killer. The short, wiry coat may be straight, crinkled, or slightly waved. The coat does not shed, but it must be professionally clipped or hand-stripped three or four times a year. Brush weekly with a soft slicker brush to keep the coat tangle free. 

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: 23 inches tall at the shoulder 

    WEIGHT: 50 to 70 pounds

    Physical characteristics: Strong and well balanced. The hard, wiry, dense, straight, short coat is a mix of tan and black or dark grizzle, with tan head and ears.

  • 02 of 16

    Afghan Hound

    Afghan Hound

    Getty Images/Mariana Mikhailova

    The Afghan hound is a very ancient breed that originated thousands of years ago in the mountain region of what is currently Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. Here, the swift dogs were used for hunting and prized as loyal companions by royalty and nobility. The long, thick, silky flowing coat does not shed, but it needs a lot of maintenance, including frequent bathing (using both shampoo and conditioner), as well as lots of brushing (up to several hours every week). 

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder

    WEIGHT: 50 to 60 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Tall, lean and powerful, with very pronounced hipbones. The coat can be any color or combination of colors, including brindle and domino.

  • 03 of 16

    Barbet

    Barbet Dog

     Pixabay/Sonja-Kalee

    A centuries-old retriever breed from France, the barbet is a medium-large sized dog with a long and curly coat that sheds very little, but does require daily grooming to prevent mats and tangles. The barbet is a friendly, cheerful dog that is outgoing and playful, getting along well with children and other dogs. These dogs love to swim and need plenty of regular exercise, but have calm and agreeable personalities as long as their activity needs are met. Their shaggy coats can be black, brown, fawn, or gray.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 19 to 25 inches at the shoulder

    Weight: 35 to 65 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: A sturdy, robustly built dog with a long tail and large head. The shaggy, curly coat is long and dense and can be black, gray, brown, or fawn, sometimes with white markings.


  • 04 of 16

    Briard

    Briard

    Getty Images/Sandra Dombrovsky

    The Briard hails from France, where it has long been used to herd sheep and guard flocks from predators and thieves. The long, coarse, slightly wavy coat is dirt and water-resistant, and sheds very little as long as it is maintained correctly with plenty of brushing and combing (you might need to devote a few hours a week to this task). Bathe the Briard once a month, and have its hair trimmed by a professional groomer every few months. 

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder

    WEIGHT: 55 to 100 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Powerful, strong and agile, with a coarse, long coat in black, gray, or tawny.

    Continue to 5 of 16 below.
  • 05 of 16

    Giant Schnauzer

    Young giant schnauzer outside
    Young giant schnauzer

     @wickedwahkoowah/Instagram

     

    The giant schnauzer is the largest of three related schnauzer breeds. It was bred up from the standard schnauzer, which was the original schnauzer (the miniature schnauzer was bred down from the standard). In Germany, the giant schnauzer drove cattle to the market, and worked as an all-around farm dog and guard dog. The giant schnauzer’s dense, wiry coat sheds very little. It needs regular professional grooming, but in between appointments can be easily maintained with weekly brushing. 

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: 23.5 to 27.5 inches tall at the shoulder

    WEIGHT: About 55 to 85 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Robust, strongly built, and nearly square. The hard, wiry, dense coat forms a beard and eyebrows, and may be solid black or pepper and salt (gray).

  • 06 of 16

    Goldendoodle (Standard)

    Goldendoodle dog walking with rope leash near brick wall closeup

    The Spruce / Kristie Lee

    A cross between a standard poodle and a golden retriever, the standard goldendoodle is the largest of these designer dogs. These are friendly, outgoing, confident, and good-natured canines that make excellent family pets. The amount of shedding depends on how much of the poodle genetics hold sway over the coat; generally, the curlier and more "poodle-like" the coat, the less the goldendoodle will shed. The coat can be just about any color or combination of colors.

    Breed Overview

    Height: Over 21 inches at the shoulder

    Weight: Usually over 50 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Sturdy and well balanced body with a long fluffy tail. The curlier the coat, the less the shedding. Any color or combination of colors.


  • 07 of 16

    Greyhound

    Brindle and white Greyhound, sitting dog
    Tracy Morgan/Getty

    The fastest dogs on earth, the greyhound is a amiable, gentle, and dignified breed when off the racetrack. They do have quite a bit of energy and need a home where they'll have plenty of opportunities to run and play, however. They are affectionate with their families and enjoy time spent relaxing with their favorite people. While greyhounds do shed a bit, they aren't at all heavy shedders and don't require much grooming beyond occasional brushing and bath. Their coats can be a very wide range of colors and color combinations.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 27 to 30 inches at the shoulder

    Weight: 60 to 70 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Tall, athletic, and slim with long legs. The short coat sheds only a little and can be just about any color or color combination.


  • 08 of 16

    Irish Water Spaniel

    Irish Water Spaniel

    Getty Images/Matthew Eisman / Contributor

    The Irish water spaniel hails from Ireland, where it has long been used as a versatile hunting dog, able to point, flush, and retrieve downed birds, including ducks, geese, pheasant, and quail. The Irish water spaniel is covered in covered with dense, tight, crisp curls, but the long tail is completely smooth tail, earning the breed the nickname of “Rat Tail Spaniel.” The coat does not shed and is considered hypoallergenic, but it requires frequent brushing and regular professional grooming to keep it looking its best.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder

    Weight: 45 to 68 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Strongly built and well-boned. The dense, crisp, and tightly curled coat comes in solid liver (brown). 

    Continue to 9 of 16 below.
  • 09 of 16

    Komondor

    Komondor

    Getty Images/slowmotiongli

    The Komondor comes from Hungary, where it has been used for centuries as livestock guardian, protecting sheep from wolves and other predators, as well as guarding the farm and family. The coat is traditionally corded, which means the hair is encouraged to grow into long white dreadlocks, which allow the dog to blend in with his flock. The cords of hair are so thick they can serve as armor against attacking wolves and keep the dog warm in harsh weather. Though the corded coat does not shed, it requires an enormous amount of care to keep it healthy, clean, and dry. 

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: At least 25.5 inches tall at the shoulder

    WEIGHT: 80 to 100 pounds or more

    Physical Characteristics: Large and muscular with plenty of bone and substance; covered with a heavy coat of white cords.

  • 10 of 16

    Peruvian Inca Orchid (Large)

    Peruvian Inca Orchid

    Getty Images/janpla01

    The Peruvian Inca Orchid, also known as the Peruvian hairless dog (Perro sin Pelo de Peru) is a very ancient breed that developed naturally in Peru. Images of the breed can be found in pottery dating back to 750 AD.  The Peruvian Inca Orchid comes in hairless and coated varieties, as well as three sizes (small, medium, and large). The hairless Peruvian does not shed; it is usually entirely free from body hair, though some may have a very small amount of short hair on the head, feet, and end of the tail. These dogs need skin protection when spending time outdoors, including sunscreen in warmer months and sweaters in cold weather. 

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: 19.75 to 25.75 inches tall at the shoulder

    WEIGHT: 26.5 to 55 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Elegant and slim; hairless with smooth and elastic skin.

  • 11 of 16

    Poodle (Standard)

    Standard Poodle

    Getty Images/Teemu Tretjakov / EyeEm

    The poodle comes in three size varieties. The largest is the standard poodle, followed by the miniature and toy poodles. The standard was the original poodle, developed in Germany as a water retriever. The naturally harsh, dense curly coat is hypoallergenic and does not shed, but it is high maintenance. The standard poodle must be professionally groomed every one to two months and brushed every other day (daily for longer coats) to prevent mats. 

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: Standard: More than 15 inches tall at the shoulder 

    WEIGHT: Standard: About 40 to 70 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Squarely built, well-proportioned and smoothly muscled. The harsh, dense, curly coat comes in many solid colors, including but not limited to white, black, silver, brown, and apricot.

  • 12 of 16

    Portuguese Water Dog

    black and white Portuguese water dog sitting on a hill adjacent to water

    LynMc42k / Getty Images

    The sporty-looking Portuguese water dog has been known in Portugal for hundreds of years, where it helped fishermen, swimming from boat to boat or boat to shore, to deliver messages, retrieve broken nets, and even herd fish into nets. The waterproof coat does not shed and is considered hypoallergenic. The PWD requires weekly brushing and combing, and professional grooming every month or two.

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: 17 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder

    WEIGHT: 35 to 60 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: A robust dog of medium build. The profuse coat may be curly or wavy, and comes in black, white and brown, with or without white markings. 

    Continue to 13 of 16 below.
  • 13 of 16

    Saluki

    Dog with soft eyes

    Pixabay 

    One of the oldest breeds of dog, the Saluki was once the favorite hunting dog of ancient Egyptian pharaohs. These agile and sleek hounds are very intelligent and require quite a bit of exercise. While rather independent, the Saluki is still affectionate and devoted with its own family. Although these dogs do shed, it's fairly minimal compared to many other breeds and their short, smooth coat, which comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, needs very little grooming.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 23 to 28 inches at the shoulder

    Weight: 40 to 65 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Slim, athletic, and graceful. A medium-to-large dog with a short coat that can be almost any color or combination of colors.


  • 14 of 16

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    soft coated wheaten terrier

    @Hans Surfer / Getty Images

    These happy, outgoing, playful, and exuberant dogs were bred to work on Irish farms, but today prefer to spend their time lavishing love on their families, including children and other dogs. While soft coated wheaten terriers shed very little, their long, silky, wavy coats mat easily, and so require daily brushing sessions. Their fur is a soft beige to pale gold, reminiscent of the color of wheat. Like other terriers, the wheaten can be a bit stubborn at times.

    Breed Overview

    Height: 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder

    Weight: 30 to 40 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Well balanced, sturdy and muscular. The coat is long, wavy, and silky, in soft beige or gold that resembles the color of wheat.


  • 15 of 16

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

    Getty Images/Kyle Reynolds

    The wirehaired pointing griffon was developed in the Netherlands in the late 1800s to be a versatile hunting breed. Today, the wirehaired pointing griffon remains an excellent pointing and retrieving dog used to hunt upland birds. The straight, wiry, harsh, water-resistant double coat does not shed, but it must be brushed out thoroughly at least once a week. The wirehaired pointing griffon also needs professional trimming or handstripping three or four times a year. 

    Breed Overview

    HEIGHT: 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder

    WEIGHT: 35 to 70 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Medium-sized and strong of limb. The harsh, wiry, straight coat may be steel gray with brown markings, mchestnut brown, roan, white and brown, or white and orange.

  • 16 of 16

    Xoloitzcuintli (Standard)

    Standard Xoloitzcuintli

    Getty Images/eAlisa

    The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced “show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee” or “show-low” for short), also known as the Mexican hairless dog, evolved naturally in Mexico at least 3,000 years ago. The Xolo comes in three sizes: standard is the largest, followed by miniature and toy. The breed is hairless with tough, smooth skin, though some dogs have a small amount of short, coarse hair on top of the head, on the feet, and on the last third of the tail. The coated variety is completely covered in a short, smooth coat. Like the Peruvian Inca Orchid, the Xolo needs skin protection, including sunscreen in warm weather and a sweater or coat in winter. 

    Breed Overview

    Height: Standard: 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder

    Weight: Standard: 30 to 55 pounds

    Physical Characteristics: Lean, sturdy and muscular. The skin is tough, protective, smooth and close fitting and comes in a range of dark, uniform colors including black, gray black, slate, red, liver, and bronze.


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