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If you love big dog breeds like Greyhounds and Barbets, you definitely don’t want to end up covered in fur every time you hug them.
Although no single dog breed (pure or crossbred) is completely shed-free, some put off significantly less fur than others.
Many of these low-shedding breeds are also hypoallergenic, which can minimize allergic reactions to dog hair and dander.
Continue reading this post to discover the 15 big dogs that don’t shed, to give you the best of both worlds.
15 Big Dogs That Don’t Shed
1. Afghan Hound
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 50 – 60 pounds | 25 – 27 inches | Black, cream, red, blue, brindle, Domino | Elegant build, tall, and powerful |
With ancient roots from the mountainous regions of modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, the Afghan Hound were highly sought as royal companions.
These swift canines are covered in noble fur and majestic locks that complement their superior outward looks.
Afghan Hound’s luxurious long coats do need regular brushing to keep them soft and fluffy, but the good news is they don’t shed much.
2. Airedale Terrier
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 50 – 70 Pounds | 21 – 23 inches | Black & tan, grizzle & tan | Dense, wiry coat, tall, strong with an athletic build |
If you love terriers and want the largest one out there with minimal shedding, the Airedale Terrier is a great choice for you.
They’re beautiful dogs with black and tan coats, and their wiry, slightly longer hair needs a weekly brush and a trip to the groomer now and then.
Another good thing about the Airedale Terrier is that their fur doesn’t have much oil, so there’s less dander floating around, which makes them a good hypoallergenic option if you have allergies.
Originally from England, the Airedale Terrier was first used for catching rats and hunting ducks. They’re known to be independent, and a little wary of strangers, but they make wonderful family pets.
3. Barbet
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 35 – 65 pounds | 19 – 25 inches | Black, brown, gray, fawn | Curly, shaggy coat, sturdy build with a large head. |
The Barbet, a medium-sized dog from France, was originally bred to retrieve waterfowl, and they absolutely love the water till now. They’re amazing swimmers, so get ready for some water adventures.
Despite being shed-free, their thick, fluffy coats can get tangled. Just like other dogs with long hair, you’ll need to brush them regularly to keep their fur looking shiny and healthy.
Barbets are super friendly dogs with sweet personalities. They get quickly attached to their owners to the extent that they can get a bit uneasy when you’re not around.
4. Black Russian Terrier
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 80 – 130 pounds | 26 – 30 inches | Black | Thick, coarse coat, muscular build, docked tail, and brick-shaped head |
The Black Russian Terrier is a strong, impressive breed with a beautiful, all-black coat. Known for their bravery and confidence, these dogs were bred to be watchful guardians and protectors.
They’re naturally a bit reserved around strangers, which makes them great watchdogs, but they’re incredibly loyal and loving with their families.
BRTs have a thick, coarse coat that doesn’t shed much, but you’ll want to brush them regularly and get them trimmed now and then to keep them looking sharp.
5. Briard
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 55 – 100 pounds | 22 – 27 inches | Black, gray, tawny | Long, wavy & coarse coat with a strong build and agile body. |
The Briard is a brilliant French herding dog that excels at guarding flocks and herding sheep. They’re strong and brave, but they’re also loving and loyal, which makes them wonderful family pets.
One thing that stands out about the Briard is their coat. It’s great at repelling dirt and water, which is helpful for the work they were bred to do.
But, this amazing coat does need some grooming a few times a week to keep it in top shape and reduce shedding even further.
Underneath all that hair, Briards have expressive faces with cute ‘peek-a-boo’ eyes, which just adds to their lovely exterior.
It’s a good idea to bathe your Briard dog monthly and take them to a professional groomer every few months to keep their coat healthy and easy to manage.
6. Giant Schnauzer
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 55 – 85 pounds | 23.5-27.5 inches | Black, salt (gray), & pepper | Dense, wiry coat with a beard and a robust body build |
The Giant Schnauzer is the largest of the three Schnauzer breeds. They came from the Standard Schnauzer, which is the original breed. The Miniature Schnauzer is a smaller version of the Standard.
In Germany (where they were originally bred), Giant Schnauzers were used to herd cattle to market and did all sorts of jobs on farms, including guarding.
Their thick, wiry coats don’t shed much, but they do need to be groomed regularly by a professional. Brushing them weekly at home can help keep their coat in good shape between grooming appointments.
These dogs make excellent guard dogs when it comes to personality. They become very attached to their families, especially the kids.
7. Greyhound
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 60 – 70 pounds | 27 – 30 inches | Black, white, brindle, fawn, blue, red | Short, smooth coat, tall, athletic build with long legs |
Greyhounds, famous for their incredible speed (topping at 45 mph), are also very friendly, gentle, and calm when they’re not on the track.
They’re full of energy and do best in homes where they have plenty of space to run and play. Greyhounds love their families and would be more than happy to relax on your lap.
They do shed a little, but not much. The best part is that they don’t need a lot of grooming, just a weekly brush and an occasional bath are enough.
8. Irish Water Spaniel
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 45 – 68 pounds | 21 – 24 inches | Solid liver brown | Tight, curly, water-resistant coat, distinctive topknot, and a well-proportioned frame with a ‘rat tail’. |
The Irish Water Spaniel are fantastic hunters, with historical roles in retrieving, flushing, and pointing game birds with ease, so they’re a favorite among duck hunters.
Their signature curly coat needs regular brushing to keep it shiny and prevent knots. A nice bonus is that they hardly shed at all, which is perfect if you want to keep your house clean.
Aside from their hunting abilities, these dogs just adore water, as you might guess from their name. They’re also smart and alert, so they learn quickly both at home and out in the field.
These ‘Rat Tail Spaniels’ are playful and loving with their families, but they might seem a little reserved around strangers and visitors.
9. Komondor
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 80 – 100 pounds | 25.5 – 27.5 inches | White | Corded, wooly coat, with a heavy-boned, large & muscular build build |
The Komondor, from Hungary, has been protecting sheep and livestock from wolves and other threats for centuries.
They also served as guardians of the farm and family. Their unique coat naturally formed long, white dreadlocks, which helped them blend in with the sheep they were protecting.
Because of their long, rope-like coats, people often call them ‘mop dogs.’ Komondors are very protective and always on alert. They’re also friendly, social, and easy to train, but they do need a lot of grooming.
These thick cords of hair not only protect them from wolf attacks but also keep them warm in harsh weather.
Although their corded coat doesn’t shed, it does require a lot of attention to keep it clean, healthy, and dry.
10. Portuguese Water Dog
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 35 – 60 pounds | 17 – 23 inches | Black, white, brown, parti-color | Curly or wavy coat, robust build |
The Portuguese Water Dog, originally from Portugal, has a long history of working alongside fishermen. For centuries, they did everything from herding fish to delivering messages and retrieving lost nets.
Their unique coat is waterproof, keeping them from getting soaked. They have a single coat that needs regular grooming to prevent tangles, but overall, they’re not extremely high maintenance.
The PWD is a popular choice for people with allergies because they don’t shed much and have fewer allergens than many other similar-sized breeds.
11. Saluki
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 40 – 65 pounds | 23 – 28 inches | White, cream, fawn, red, black & tan | Smooth or feathered coat, graceful build |
The Saluki is an ancient sighthound breed from the Middle East, and they were once considered as Divine gifts from the heavens.
They’re calm, dignified dogs, medium to large, with a long, slender body. Their fur is short, smooth, and silky, with some longer, feathery hair around their ears and tail.
Salukis are quick, graceful, and very smart, so they need lots of exercise. Even though they’re pretty independent, Salukis are also loving and devoted to their families.
They do shed a little, but not as much as many other breeds, and their short, smooth coat, which comes in lots of different colors and patterns, doesn’t need much grooming.
12. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 30 – 45 Pounds | 17 – 19 inches | Wheaten (golden beige) | Soft, silky coat, with a well-balanced & sturdy build. |
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, an easy-going dog from Irish farms, is always in a good mood, loves everyone, and is super loyal. Being a terrier at heart, you can expect them to be a little stubborn.
Their unique wheaten-colored coat doesn’t shed much, but you’ll need to take care of it regularly to avoid matting.
One of the leading highlights of this breed is their soft, wavy coat, which can be anything from a light beige to a shiny golden color, like wheat ripening in the field.
13. Spanish Water Dog
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 31 – 49 pounds | 15.75 – 19.75 inches | Black, brown, beige, white, particolored | Curly, wooly coat, robust build |
The Spanish Water Dog, or Perro de Agua Español, has been a familiar canine companion in the Spanish countryside for more than eight centuries.
Being working dogs, Spanish Water Dogs do best when they have jobs to do that challenge them mentally and keep them busy.
Their curly coat doesn’t shed too much fur, but grooming and occasional clipping are very important aspects when caring for your Spanish Water Dog to keep their coat neat.
14. Standard Poodle
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 45 – 70 pounds | 15 + inches | Black, white, apricot, gray | Curly, dense coat, well-proportioned body with an elegant build |
Poodles come in different sizes, ranging from toy, miniature, and standard. The standard version is the largest of them, and they sport a classic curly coat that looks good whether long or short.
Their naturally curly coat is often considered hypoallergenic because it rarely sheds, as compared to other breeds.
Consider grooming your poodle dog regularly and plan a visit to the professional groomer occasionally to keep your dog’s exterior looking best.
15. Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog)
| Weight Range | Height Range | Coat Colors | Physical Characteristics |
| 30 – 55 lbs | 18 – 23 inches | Black, gray, slate, bronze | Hairless or short-coated, sleek build |
The Xoloitzcuintli, Xolo, or Xoloitzcuintle, commonly known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, is an ancient breed from Mexico, with a projected history dating back to 3000 years ago.
Their name is pronounced ‘show-low-itz-QUEENT-lee,’ but most people just call them ‘show-low.’ They come in three sizes; standard (the biggest), miniature, and toy.
Most Xolos are hairless with tough, smooth skin, but some might have a bit of short, rough hair on their head, feet, and the tip of their tail.
There are also some Xolos with a short, smooth coat. Like the Peruvian Inca Orchid, Xolos need protection from harsh weather, so have sunscreen when it’s hot and a sweater or coat when it’s cold.
Read Also: 27 Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed a Lot
Conclusion
As you have seen, you can find big dogs that don’t shed much, as long as you do your homework and choose the right breed for you.
From the intelligent Standard Poodle to the ancient Mexican Hairless Dog, these 15 breeds we’ve talked about come in all sorts of characters and external appearances, and none of them puts off too much fur.
With the right grooming techniques and overall care, these big, low-shedding dogs can be awesome companions for any home that prioritizes cleanliness.
Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.
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