25 Dogs That Shed the Most: Beware of These Heavy Shedders!

One downside to having a dog is the shedding that comes with it. While some dogs hardly shed at all, like Poodles, many dog breeds shed A LOT.

Some dog owners don’t mind the fact that they always have dog hair on their clothes, while others prefer to stick with dog breeds that don’t shed as much.

If you’re looking to add a new fur child to your household, you may be wondering how much they shed. Alternatively, you may be wondering if it’s normal for your dog to shed as much as they do.

That’s why we’ve created this list of the most shedding dog breeds. At the end of the article, we’ll give you tips to help you manage your dog’s shedding along with a groomer’s secret tool for reducing shedding.

25 Dogs That Shed the Most

There are more than 15 dog breeds that shed, but we chose some of the most popular breeds that may shed more than you expect for this list.

Ranking	Name	Height	Weight	Life span	Breed size	Temperament	Origin
1	Labrador Retriever	22–24 inches	64–79 lbs	10 – 12 years	Large	Outgoing, Even Tempered, Intelligent, Kind, Agile, Trusting, Gentle	Newfoundland
2	German Shepherd	24–26 inches	66–88 lbs	9 – 13 years	Large	Intelligent, Curious, Stubborn, Alert, Obedient, Loyal, Confident, Protective, Courageous, Watchful	Germany
3	Bernese Mountain Dog	25–28 inches	84–110 lbs	6 – 8 years	Large	Intelligent, Affectionate, Loyal, Faithful	Switzerland
4	Great Pyrenees	28–32 inches	110–120 lbs	10 – 12 years	Giant	Gentle, Strong Willed, Fearless, Affectionate, Patient, Confident	France, Spain
5	Shiba Inu	14–17 inches	18–24 lbs	12 – 15 years	Medium	Charming, Fearless, Keen, Alert, Confident, Faithful	Japan
6	Siberian Husky	21–24 inches	44–60 lbs	12 – 15 years	Large	Outgoing, Friendly, Intelligent, Alert, Gentle	Siberia
7	Alaskan Malamute	24–26 inches	79–95 lbs	10 – 12 years	Large	Playful, Friendly, Devoted, Affectionate, Dignified, Loyal	Alaska
8	Australian Shepherd	20–23 inches	55–70 lbs	13 – 15 years	Large	Intelligent, Good-natured, Affectionate, Active, Protective	Western United States
9	Border Collie	19–22 inches	30–45 lbs	10 – 17 years	Large	Intelligent, Tenacious, Energetic, Keen, Alert, Responsive, Loyal, Athletic	Anglo-Scottish border
10	Shetland Sheepdog	13–16 inches	14–27 lbs	12 – 13 years	Medium	Intelligent, Lively, Affectionate, Alert, Responsive, Eager, Reserved, Loyal, Active, Playful, Gentle, Trainable, Strong	Scotland
11	Newfoundland	27–28 inches	140–180 lbs	8 – 10 years	Large	Sweet-Tempered, Gentle, Trainable	Newfoundland
12	Golden Retriever	22–24 inches	65–75 lbs	10 – 12 years	Large	Intelligent, Friendly, Reliable, Kind, Trustworthy, Confident	United Kingdom, Scotland, England
13	Rottweiler	24–27 inches	110–130 lbs	8 – 10 years	Large	Steady, Self-assured, Devoted, Fearless, Good-natured, Alert, Obedient, Confident, Calm, Courageous	Germany
14	Welsh Corgi (Pembroke and Cardigan)	10–12 inches	22–31 lbs	12 – 15 years	Small	Outgoing, Tenacious, Friendly, Bold, Playful, Protective	Pembrokeshire
15	Pomeranian	7 to 12 inches	3–7 lbs	12 – 16 years	Small	Playful, Extroverted, Intelligent, Friendly, Sociable, Active	Germany, Poland

1. Labrador Retriever

At the top of the list of dogs that shed the most is America’s favorite canine since 1991, the Labrador Retriever. Many new Lab owners are shocked by how much their dog sheds. They mistakenly assume that short-haired dogs like Labs don’t shed that much.

The shocking truth is that short-haired dogs can shed as much as any other coat type, but short hair sheds all year round and isn’t limited to changing seasons.

The stiff hairs of a Labrador Retriever have a way of weaving themselves into fabrics, so make sure you read to the end for tips on how to reduce how much hair your Lab leaves around your home.

SEE ALSO: How Much Do Labs Shed? Tips to Manage Labrador Shedding

2. German Shepherd

The second-most-popular dog in the United States is also a major shedder. The one benefit to the German Shepherd is that most of their shedding happens two to four times a year when the seasons change. While they do shed a little bit all year and need regular brushing, it’s usually manageable.

When your German Shepherd blows their coat during seasonal changes, you will see the hair start coming out in tufts. Luckily, those tufts are easy to brush out, so there’s no need to let those tufts become tumbleweeds floating around your home.

3. Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs have a beautiful, fluffy tricolor coat that people admire. Unfortunately, all that fluff tends to fall out around your home. While the shedding is worse seasonally, Berners will leave their mostly black hair all around your home.

Without plenty of brushing, much of the undercoat can get stuck in your Berner’s fur and create painful matting, which means that brushing is about more than just reducing how much black hair blows around your home.

4. Great Pyrenees

The snow-white hair of the Great Pyrenees looks beautiful when it’s on your dog, but it looks less beautiful covering your furniture. Like the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Great Pyrenees sheds worse when the seasons change but will shed all year round.

They are also prone to matting if they aren’t brushed enough. Drooly Pyrs, especially, can develop tight mats on their chest that may need to be shaved out, so regular brushing is a crucial part of owning a Great Pyrenees.

5. Shiba Inu

For as small as they are, it can be shocking how much the Shiba Inu sheds. Anecdotally among dog groomers, the Shiba seems to shed more hair per square inch of their body than just about any other dog breed.

Shiba Inus can be stubborn and often hate brushing or baths, especially if you don’t introduce them to those things at a young age. The sooner you can introduce those things to your Shiba, the better.

6. Siberian Husky

Bred to weather freezing Arctic temperatures, Siberian Huskies grow a thick undercoat for the winter that then “blows” out in the spring. They typically grow undercoat again in the summer and blow that coat in the fall. In fact, Huskies in warmer climates can blow their coat as often as four times a year, with regular shedding around the year.

Huskies often have sensitive skin and may require more than an hour of traditional brushing to remove all the hair when they blow their coat.

7. Alaskan Malamute

Like the Husky, the Alaskan Malamute was bred to withstand temperatures far below 0. Since Malamutes are even larger than Huskies, they can leave even more hair around your home. Malamutes can also have longer hair than Huskies that may get matted without enough brushing.

8. Australian Shepherd

This energetic ball of fluff will leave their fur everywhere they go without regular brushing. They can also overheat in the summertime if their winter undercoat isn’t brushed out. The hair behind their ears and around their butt and back legs is prone to matting, so brush your Aussie at least once a week to keep them comfortable.

9. Border Collie

Border Collie undercoat clings to your clothing more than you would believe. While their shedding does get worse when the seasons change, they tend to leave fur clinging to every surface they touch all around the year. Brushing them at least once a week helps take out that clingy fur.

10. Shetland Sheepdog

Like their Rough Collie cousins, the Shetland Sheepdog has a thick undercoat that can get stuck in their rough topcoat without regular brushing. While this may result in less hair blowing around your home, the built-up undercoat can cause your Sheltie to overheat, and in rare cases, the entire dog can become so matted with undercoat that they can no longer be brushed out and must be shaved for their own comfort.

11. Newfoundland

Newfoundlands have amazing personalities, but if you own one of these gentle giants, you had better be OK with two things: drool and shedding. This is an especially bad combination since their shedding hair will stick in their drool and make your home look like a black furry bomb exploded.

12.  Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is America’s third favorite dog and sheds anywhere from a little to a lot. In my 12 years of experience as a dog groomer, the redder the coat of a Golden Retriever, the less they shed. The lighter the coat, the thicker the coat and the more the dog would shed, with cream or white Goldens having nearly as much undercoat as a Newfie.

To keep your Golden comfortable, be prepared to brush them at least once a week.

13. Rottweiler

Like Labs, the short-haired Rottweiler can shed a lot more than you would expect, and they have coarse hair that can weave its way into fabrics. You’ll want to brush your Rottie at least every week or two to keep down the amount of shedding.

14. Welsh Corgi (Pembroke and Cardigan)

While Pembroke Welsh Corgis are more popular in the United States than their Cardigan cousins, both breeds have a thick undercoat that blows out when the seasons change and sheds a little bit all around the year.

15. Pomeranian

These tiny dogs can pack a powerful shedding punch. The tricky thing about Pomeranians is that their undercoat can get stuck in their topcoat. Combined with their relatively short muzzles, this can cause Poms to become dangerously overheated.

Unless you keep your Pomeranian shaved (which we don’t recommend), you should brush them at least once or twice a week.

16. American Eskimo

Despite its name, the American Eskimo has descended from Northern Europe and is also linked to the German Spitz. They like playing, which makes them excellent companions for busy people. They also keep persons and houses safe without being too hostile.

These dogs have a beautiful coat, a mane, and a plumed tail. Despite being small in stature, they shed a lot. Therefore, brushing the American Eskimos numerous times each week is necessary, especially when shedding.

This prevents your home from being full of their fur everywhere. In addition, this grooming process also enhances the health of your American Eskimo.

17. Chow chow

Who doesn’t love these fluffy furballs? The breed originated in northern parts of China and was historically employed as a guard dog. They are often groomed to resemble a cross between a bear and a lion. Among the shedding canines who enjoy human interaction are these fluffy pets.

As a dog parent, you must be aware that chow chows have a lot of coats. So, these dogs shed almost daily. So, if you wish to adopt or buy a Chow chow, you must be ready to brush them regularly. Otherwise, you would be dissatisfied with their shedding.

18. Akita

The Akitas are a large breed dogs of Japan. Since these dogs come from the mountainous regions of Japan, their coats are thick. This keeps them warm during the harsh winter seasons. Although their coat is short, it is double-layered and is always shedding.

Akitas were taught to hunt large animals, including bears, elks, and boars. They are usually seen serving as guards or police dogs in their native countries. However, they have recently attracted international attention.

They are not supposed to live in the yard. To be happy, they should be permitted to stay inside and live with their family. But because Akitas are double-coated, keeping them inside your house is not an easy task.

To ensure good looks and health, you have to give them a good deal of regular grooming and brushing.

Also Read: The 20 Best Big Dog Breeds For Families- Top Large Dogs for Kids & Family

19. Keeshond

Most dog breeds are either single or double-coated, but the keeshond is different and stands alone.

Keeshonds have a dense double top coat, a course undercoat, and an outer coat comprising long guard hairs. These unique characteristics help them to keep themselves warm in cold weather, dry in rainy weather, and cool during the summer season.

Keeshonds shed quite often, especially during the seasons when they shed periodically. Luckily, their coats do not have any foul smell. So, even if you have to deal with a lot of fur everywhere in your house, your house will remain free of any smell.

For the best result, you must brush your keeshond from head to tail for the best result at least once a week. In addition, it is strongly recommended to brush them daily during the shedding seasons.

This will help maintain their coats and clear all the mats and knots. Moreover, to increase manageability, part the hair into parts and spray with water.

20. Old English Sheepdog

These large dog breeds and their long locks and big hairs need lots of attention. They shed quite a lot, and you will find their hair almost everywhere, like on the couch, floor, and clothes.

Despite that, unlike typical heavy shedding dogs, owning an old English sheepdog has some advantages. So, to begin with, their coats are quite long, and the loose hairs get trapped in their fur. So, they can be easily brushed out. 

Also, these dogs don’t shed during any specific season. So, you don’t need to collect extra furs during these months.

You need to brush the top coat and rake the undercoat to deal with the issue of shedding in an old English sheepdog. This should be done every alternate day. Besides, bathing your dog every six to eight weeks may also help.

21. Papillon

The Papillon is known for being a cheerful and playful lap dog with butterfly ears. This is also where this dog breed gets its name from. Papillons are known to be moderate shedders. These dogs have a single coat, and they shed lightly throughout the year.

They, like any other double-coated dog breeds, go through two seasons of shedding. These shedding can be moth moderate or heavy. Therefore, the degree of shedding is determined by factors such as changing seasons. 

In addition, if you take your furry friend for a routine walk during the spring or fall, or if the weather is way too hot or cold, your papillon can shed more.

You should also be aware that if your papillon sheds heavily, please be sure that you brush them at least once a day. Otherwise, many of the loose hairs may get trapped in their coat. This, in turn, may least to yeast infections if not removed properly.

22. St. Bernard

St. Bernards are adorable fluffy big dog breeds. These gentle giants are known to be children-friendly and are very protective of their families. 

Saint Bernards are heavy shedders, and they have a thick and protective double coat; since they are quite big dogs, they have a lot of body surface area, so the amount of shedding is also quite huge.

Bernards shed moderately almost daily, but twice a year, generally during the fall and the spring, they shed heavily, and if you own one of these dogs, be ready to deal with a lot of furs! To take care of their shedding, brush them regularly using a pin brush or a rubber curry brush.

23. Samoyed

Samoyeds are another popular dog breed that originated in Siberia, and they are among the highest shedding breeds. They are fluffy and have snow-white coats; when they shed, their white fur is everywhere and easily visible.

If you own a samoyed, please remember that they shed mostly during autumn and spring, so you need to be extra careful during these times. 

Unfortunately, there are no specific ways to stop your Samoyed from shedding, but you can always take some steps to ensure they don’t create a mess with their furs.

To begin with, Samoyeds need a lot of regular grooming. Brush them with a metal comb during the shedding season and a sticker brush for the rest of the year. 

Use a de-shedding tool to raise the loose undercoat. Besides, you should also use good quality shampoo before brushing, as it can help separate the molted fur.

24. Dalmatian

Who doesn’t remember the cute bunch of dalmatian babies from the 1996 blockbuster movie 101 Dalmatians? But were you aware that these furry friends can shed a lot?

Dalmatians have coarse and short hair. These hairs will not only wind up all over your house, but you can also find this hair on your carpet and even on your clothes. Since these hairs are small, removing them can be tough and require a lot of time and effort.

The good news is that they only have a single coat, so they don’t shed seasonally. In addition, since their hair is stiff and short, molting is not as visible as that of other major shedding dogs.

25. Doberman

Doberman is a well-known dog breed known for its alertness and bravery. These dogs require a high level of daily activities and have a single coat, which is short and smooth.

Interestingly, here is a dog that has a short, silky, single-layered coat, and these dogs shed profusely. Dobermans are also large dogs. Therefore there is a lot of surface area covered with hair that they are ready to shed. 

Their gleaming black and brown jackets provide a sophisticated touch to their entire appearance. To keep them in the best of health, you should brush them at least once daily to keep them looking their finest.

Types of Dog Coat

There are around three hundred and fifty different dog breeds recognized worldwide. But each breed of dog is unique, and so are their coats.

Some of them have longer coats, while others have shorter coats. Generally speaking, there are eight different types of coats. Let us find out more.

Long Coat: Also known as drop coats, long coats are those hairs that constantly grow on a dog’s body. Unfortunately, dogs do not generally shed this long hair. However, as dog owners, all you need to do is just trim those hairs at regular intervals.

Short Coat: Short coats or short hairs are shorter in size and are usually smooth and lustrous. Short-coated dogs may be the best option for owners who do not want to bother with the ongoing process of grooming.

Medium Coat: Medium coats are around one inch long and shorter than long hairs. Dogs with medium coats do not need a lot of grooming, and they generally need to be bathed only once a month.

Double Coat: Dogs with double coats have a longer top coat and a shorter undercoat. This dual kind of hair helps these dog breeds deal with changing weather. During the sultry summer months, this double coat allows them to stay cool. In winter, it helps them keep warm.

Curly Coat: You must have noticed that some dogs have stunning coats with plenty of waves and curls. However, these dogs may have loose curls that are farther from or tight curls that are closer to the body. So, proper grooming and regular brushing are necessary to prevent mats and tangles in these thick and curly coats.

Wire Coat: The broken coat is another name for the wire coat. This kind of dog coat is hard and coarse, and these hairs do not shed.

However, this does not imply that wire-coated dogs do not require any grooming. But they require a very particular and different kind of maintenance.

Silky Coats: Some dogs have beautifully long, lustrous, velvety, silky hairs. Even though these kinds of coats look gorgeous on dogs, they need heavy grooming and proper maintenance. To maintain the appearance of such dogs, you need to free these hairs of mats and tangles.

Hairless Coat: The dogs who lack hair come in last, but by no means least. Some people adore dogs but have allergies to dog hair. These breeds of dogs may make the best pets for them.

Types of Shedding

All dogs, except those fully hairless, shed to some extent. Some breeds, such as the so-called hypoallergenic dogs, shed relatively little, but others, such as the massively double-coated breeds, shed a lot. Primarily, there are two kinds of shedding.

1. Year-bound Shedding
2. Seasonal Shedding

Year-bound shedding

Every hair in a dog’s body has certain developmental stages. These stages are influenced by the breed of the dog and the physical age of the dog. Besides, hormones and environment also determine how quickly their hair grows.

Though heredity is primarily responsible for hair length and texture, these factors also have a crucial role.

Breeds such as poodles and Yorkshire terriers are two breeds of dogs that grow hair continuously. As a result, both these dogs have longer hair shafts and minimal shedding. On the other hand, dogs such as huskies and labradors have longer hair shafts and thicker undercoats, and these dog breeds shed more.

Seasonal shedding

Generally speaking, dogs shed more during the spring and the fall. Most dogs are double-coated. They have both a top coat and an undercoat. What you feel and see on your furry friend is the top coat.

The undercoat comprises secondary hairs. These hairs are soft and short. These hairs grow around the primary hairs. Dogs start shedding to adjust to the changing weather. Changes in temperature also result in seasonal shedding. This is also known as a “blowing coat.”

Tips to Help Reduce and Manage Dog Shedding

There is no way to stop a dog from shedding, but there are some things you can do to help reduce and manage it.

Dry skin can make shedding worse, so managing your dog’s dry skin can reduce shedding. To improve the quality of your dog’s skin, try these tips:

• Feed them premium food – more nutritious food leads to better skin
• Don’t wash them more than once a month if possible – too much bathing can dry out your dog’s skin
• Use a gentle shampoo made for dogs – human skin has a different pH than dog skin and is too drying
• Make sure your dog gets plenty of omega-3 – a fish oil supplement can be a great way to do this

Brush your dog at least once a week. It stands to reason that the more fur comes out in a brush, the less hair will be left around your home.

FAQ’s

Wrapping Up Our List of the Worst Shedding Dog Breeds

While shedding is just a part of life when you have a dog, especially if you have one of the breeds on our list, regular brushing and a healthy diet can help reduce how much fur you’ll be battling inside your home.

Additionally, a professional groomer can do a bath and a deep brushing on your dog to help reduce shedding if you don’t want to do it yourself. Apart from that, wear your fur-covered clothes without shame – it just shows that you’re a proud pet parent.

References

• AKC

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