Individuals love to have a fur child in their home because of their playful behavior and energetic and affectionate personalities. Every dog breed has some unique characteristics which make them special. Some dogs shed a lot more than other breeds. Some dog owners do not mind having dog hair littered around in their houses or on their clothes. However, some dog owners are quite particular about littered dog hairs.
In this article, we present a list of all the worst shedding dog breeds, as it will help dog owners decide which dog breed to bring home.
Worst Shedding Dog Breeds: Taking a Closer Look
There are various types of shedding occurring in different dog breeds. However, the shedding depends only on one factor i.e., the thickness of a dog’s coat. Several dog breeds have adapted and evolved into double coats. The double coats help the dog survive the extremes of the environment and provide general protection. A double coat has a normal fur coat at the top. Beneath it is a fur coat with considerable thickness. If your dog breed has a double fur coat, in that case, the hair shedding is more intense as compared to a single fur coat.
Hence, we can say that the worst shedding dogs are those with double coats. These dogs experience intense shedding more than once every year. Now that we have discussed the reason why some dogs shed the most, let’s take a deep dive into the list of worst-shedding dog breeds
1. Labrador Retriever
- Life Span: 10-12 years
- Weight: 64-80 lbs
- Height: 22-24 inches
- Origin: Newfoundland
- Characteristics: Intelligent, Gentle, Agile, and Longing to go outside
Other information: Affectionate and fun-loving personality. Unfortunately, they top our list of worst shedding dog breeds, mainly due to their sleek and short-hair fur coats.
2. German Shepherd
- Life Span: 9-13 years
- Weight: 66-88 lbs
- Height: 24-27 inches
- Origin: Germany
- Characteristics: Loyal, Confident, Obedient, Courageous, Intelligent. Etc
Other Information: You will commonly find this dog breed with many police departments across the globe. They tend to shed hair continuously all year round. This gives them the second position in the list of most shedding dog breeds.
3. Bernese Mountain Dog
- Life Span: 6-8 years
- Weight: 80-110 lbs
- Height: 26-28 inches
- Origin: Switzerland
- Characteristics: Faithful, joyful, and intelligent.
Other Information: Bernese Mountain Dogs are furry companions known for their good behavior, playful nature, and affectionate cuddles at bedtime. It is one of the largest dog breeds on our list, but the size is in no way connected to shedding. The mountain dog will experience regular shedding all year round but the intensity of shedding will rise during spring and fall.
4. Great Pyrenees
- Life Span: 10-12 years
- Weight: 10-130 lbs
- Height: 30-32 inches
- Origin: Spain and France
- Characteristics: Confident, Gentle, Affectionate and Calm
Other Information: As the name suggests, they are native to the mountainous regions of Spain and France. The cold temperature in the area means they develop double coats and hence the shedding intensity is on the higher side.
5. Shiba Inu
- Life Span: 12-15 years
- Weight: 20-24 lbs
- Height: 15-17 inches
- Origin: Japan
- Characteristics: Fearless, Alert, and Faithful
Other Information: They are stubborn and hate bathing. Hence, it would be difficult if you didn’t inculcate a habit of regular bathing from earlier years.
6. Siberian Husky
- Life Span: 12-15 years
- Weight: 45-60 lbs
- Height: 22-24 inches
- Origin: Siberia
- Characteristics: Dignified, Friendly and Playful
Other Information: They are bred to withstand the Arctic's freezing temperatures. Siberian Huskies shed their winter undercoat during the relatively warmer spring. They again develop the undercoat in summer and shed them in autumn.
7. Alaskan Malamute
- Life Span: 10- 12 years
- Weight: 80-95 lbs
- Height: 24-26 inches
- Origin: Alaska
- Characteristics: Dignified, Friendly and Affectionate
Other Information: Just like the huskies, Alaskan malamute can withstand temperatures below 0 degrees. This dog breed is bigger than the Siberian Husky, and as a result, it would mean more littered hairs.
8. Australian Shepherd
- Life Span: 13-15 years
- Weight: 55-70 lbs
- Height: 21-23 inches
- Origin: Western USA
- Characteristics: Active, Joyful, and Intelligent
Other Information: The Australian Shepherd catches the eye with its unique coat colors, striking eyes, and charming floppy ears, making it a naturally attractive breed. Regular brushing your Australian Shepherd regularly is advisable as hair around their legs and behind their ears is vulnerable to matting.
9. Border Collie
- Life Span: 10-17 years
- Weight: 30-45 lbs
- Height: 20-22 inches
- Origin: England and Scotland border
- Characteristics: Energetic, Tenacious and Athletic
Other Information: The hairs of border collie will stick to your clothes and surroundings more than you think. As the seasons change their shedding also gets worse so regular brushing and combing is vital.
10. Shetland Sheepdog
- Life Span: 12-14 years
- Weight: 15-27 lbs
- Height: 14-16 inches
- Origin: Scotland
- Characteristics: Reserved, Affectionate, Intelligent and Lively
Other Information: If regular combing is not done, the undercoat may overheat and it becomes so matted that brushing is not possible. In this scenario, shaving is the only option.
11. Newfoundland
- Life Span: 8-10 years
- Weight: 150-180 lbs
- Height: 26-28 inches
- Origin: Newfoundland
- Characteristics: Gentle and Trainable
Other Information: These gentle giants are amazing and loving personalities. You would be happier with them if they drool and shed less.
12. Golden Retriever
- Life Span: 10-12 years
- Weight: 65-75 lbs
- Height: 22-24 inches
- Origin: England and Scotland
- Characteristics: Trustworthy, Friendly, Intelligent and Kind
Other Information: According to independent polling, golden retriever is the third most favourite dog in America. Their shedding intensity varies from little to intense shedding. The redder the fur coat, the lesser the shedding will be. On the other hand, a white or cream undercoat means intense shedding.
13. Rottweiler
- Life Span: 8-10 years
- Weight: 110-130 lbs
- Height: 25-27 inches
- Origin: Germany
- Characteristics: Fearless, Alert, and Calm
Other Information: Striking black and tan dog for its strength and allure. Their coarse hair can stick and accumulate in cloth fabrics. While seeing them, you won’t believe that rottweilers shed so much hair, but they actually do.
14. Welsh Corgi
- Life Span: 12-15 years
- Weight: 24-31 lbs
- Height: 10-12 inches
- Origin: Pembrokeshire
- Characteristics: Bold, Tenacious and Playful
Other Information: Thick coat means that these Welsh dogs have yearlong shedding, and this shedding varies as per changes in the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I manage dogs with heavy shedding?
Dog shedding is completely normal, and the intensity varies from one breed to another. You can try some things on your dog to reduce shedding. It includes regular combing and bathing, blow drying after bath and brushing it, giving him supplements after consulting the vet, and providing healthy and nutritious food.
What factors contribute to dog shedding?
The factor that leads to shedding in dogs is the thickness of their fur coat. Dogs with thicker undercoat tend to lose hair intensely and more regularly as compared to those who have a thin undercoat or only a single fur coat.
Can shedding in a dog be reduced by diet and supplements?
Yes, you can control shedding by providing him with a proper and nutritious diet. Moreover, if you can’t handle the excessive shedding by your dog, you can see a vet and he can give you some supplements to reduce excess shedding.
Do certain seasons affect shedding in some dog breeds?
Yes, seasons also affect shedding intensity in some dog breeds. As temperatures start to fluctuate more and there is a change of seasons, shedding is more. For example, it has been observed that shedding in dogs is quite higher during spring and fall.
What are health concerns due to excessive shedding?
Shedding is normal for a dog breed. However, if the shelling is abnormal or occurs in seasons or times when it is not supposed to occur then it can be a cause of concern for dog owners. Some health concerns are parasite and fungal infections, thyroid disease, kidney issues, adrenaline disease, or Cushing’s disease.
Takeaway
This article discussed some of the worst shedding dog breeds in the world. Some dog breeds are known to exhibit shedding higher than other dog breeds. It depends on the thickness of the fur coats. Dogs having double coats tend to shed a lot more than dogs with a single coat. If you think that your dog is shedding excessively or abnormally, immediately consult your vet.
What about akitas,