Large Breeds That Don’t Shed

These Pooches Are Large Breeds That Don’t Shed

Dogs that don’t shed or dogs that have low shedding are typically better choices for people who suffer from pet allergies. It is not the actual dog hair that we are allergic to, rather it is the dog’s dander, saliva, urine, skin and other proteins. Allergens, especially dander, get trapped on a dog’s fur and then transferred to the carpet or furniture and eventually into the nose of an allergic person. So the less the dog sheds, the less dander there is to aggravate your allergies. Shedded dog hair can also collect allergens like dust and pollen, which can cause symptoms in allergy suffers.

Looking for large breeds that don’t shed? Then you should take a look at these large hypoallergenic dogs.

Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier originated in England. It is a good working dog that was used to guard the home, for hunting small game and for police work. They excel in protection, agility, and obedience. The Airedale Terrier is an active and athletic dog that needs regular exercise. It is a good idea to have a fenced backyard when owning an Airedale. The Airedale is loyal and protective of their family, but the Airedale is willing to accept outsiders once their family has welcomed them inside. This breed is also good with children. The Airedale is high spirited and should be supervised around cats and small animals. This intelligent dog is highly trainable and should be socialized from a young age. These giant British Terriers have a double coat with soft fur underneath and a coarse top coat that requires regular brushing. Because it is the largest of the terriers, the Airedale has been given the nickname “King of the Terriers.” This breed stands about 23 inches tall and weighs about 45 pounds. To learn more about this breed, go to Choosing an Airedale.

Bouvier Des Flandres

This breed is a working dog. It is also a very good guard and police dog that was used as an army dog during the two World Wars, carrying messages and hunting out the wounded. The Bouvier Des Flandres originated in Belgium and France and was introduced to North America in the 1930s. This loyal breed is protective of the children in his herd. They learn commands easily but some Bouviers can be strong willed with less assertive owners. The breed can be aggressive towards strangers. The Bouvier needs regular exercise and at least two long walks every day. Its long, shaggy coat requires regular brushing and trimming. For a large dog, this breed is quite agile and light on its feet. This is a large dog measuring 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weighing about 90 pounds. Health concerns for this breed include hip dysplasia.

Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer averages about 23 to 27 inches high and weighs between 65 to 100 pounds. The males are typically larger than the females. This breed has a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years. This handsome bearded dog has a wiry and dense double coat that requires regular brushing and occasional grooming. It can be either black or salt and pepper gray in color. The Giant Schnauzer was developed in Germany in the late 1800s as a working farm dog. It was originally bred by cattlemen to move livestock to market. During WWI, this breed was trained as police dogs. This fiercely loyal breed is very protective of their human companions. This breed makes an excellent guard dog or watchdog. A very willful breed, the Giant Schnauzer should be trained and socialized from a young age. This is an active dog that needs daily exercise. To learn more about this breed, go to Choosing a Giant Schnauzer.

Irish Water Spaniel

Standing between 21 and 24 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 45 and 65 pounds, this large dog is known for its unusual tail – it has curly hair on the first four inches from the base of the tail, and the rest of the tail is nearly hairless. This is an intelligent breed. The Irish Water Spaniel was bred as a bird dog. Unlike other spaniels, this breed was not developed to flush out birds, but rather to jump into the frigid waters of Ireland to retrieve dead or wounded fowl. This breed loves the water. They have webbed feet and their coat is naturally water resistant. The Irish Water Spaniel has a double coat with tight ringlets. Its tight curly coat should be brushed and groomed regularly to prevent matting. This loving dog bonds closely with their family and is anxious to please, but they are naturally reserved towards strangers. The Irish Water Spaniel requires plenty of social interaction, toys, and playtime to keep them entertained. This dog would be happy with a large fenced backyard. To learn more about this breed, go to Choosing an Irish Water Spaniel.

Komondor

The Komondor stands about 25 to 31 inches tall and weighs about 70 to 80 pounds. This breed looks like a big dust mop with a long, soft white coat that is corded into dreadlocks. This coat would help him to blend in with sheep if he were caring for them. A big muscular dog, the Komondor comes from Hungary. This breed is at its best when it is working. If they are left without a job to do they become bored quickly. Traditionally this breed has been used as a herder and a police dog. A great guardian, the Komondor is loyal, devoted and protective. He tends to protect his family, his home and his possessions. He is easily trained but because of his protective nature, he may not be gentle enough for every family. The Komondor enjoys long daily walks and outdoor country living. This is an independent thinker so begin training and socialization early and establish yourself as the dominant member of the pack. Common health problems in the Komondor are hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, and skin problems.

Saluki

The Saluki stands about 23 to 28 inches high and weighs up to 65 pounds. Female Salukis can be much smaller. One of the world’s oldest breeds, Salukis were never sold – they were given as gifts. This breed can have either a smooth or feathered coat which is short and close. The coat is smooth, soft and silky. The Saluki requires occasional brushing, maybe once a week. Salukis are friendly, loving and gentle. They do not tolerate roughhousing and do better with older, gentle children. This breed is devoted to its family members and often has one special person. Salukis become so attached to their family members that they can become depressed if left alone for long periods of time. The Saluki has a strong hunting instinct. This breed needs room to exercise in a large fenced yard.

Standard Poodle

The Standard Poodle stands about 15 inches high at the shoulders and weighs between 45 and 70 pounds. This breed has a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years. The Poodle has been used in France and Germany since the 1400s for hunting and retrieving, as water dogs and as companions. This breed was known as a circus trick dog and it was also known for its ability to sniff out the famous truffle mushrooms. Poodles have webbed feet. They have thick, curly, short hair. Poodles should be brushed on a daily basis and they need regular grooming. This is a very intelligent breed that learns quickly. They are very friendly dogs and make great companions. Poodles get along well with children and they enjoy being around other people and animals. They are very obedient. The Poodle is very active and requires a healthy amount of daily exercise. Health concerns for this breed includes progressive retinal atrophy, digestive tract disorders, skin problems and heart problems. To learn more about this breed, go to Choosing a Standard Poodle.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Also known as a Griff, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon stands about 20 to 24 inches high and weighs 50 to 60 pounds. This breed came into existence in Europe in the mid to late 1800s. This active dog is a strong swimmer and an excellent water retriever. It has a rough double coat that needs to be brushed twice a week. This is a graceful dog. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is friendly and easy to train. It is an intelligent and obedient dog that is deeply devoted to his family. This breed makes a great family pet. Extremely sociable, the Griff gets along well with children and other dogs, but does not do well with cats and other small pets. This breed does well in an active country setting with plenty of room for running.

Mixed Breeds

If a breed is hypoallergenic, you may wonder if mixed breeds of these dogs also have that same trait. The answer is, maybe. It depends on which traits the hybrid dog has inherited from which parent. In fact, different puppies in the same litter may or may not be hypoallergenic, depending on which type of coat they have inherited.

To learn more about hypoallergenic dogs, go to Looking for a Hypoallergenic Dog? Here’s What You Need to Know.