Top 10 Dog Breeds That Shed the Most

Mary Simpson
by Mary Simpson
You’re never fully dressed without some dog hair clinging to your clothes! If you don’t mind the fuzz, here are the dog breeds that shed the most.


While my gal-pals are non-shedding Schnoodles that require regular grooming by a seasoned pro, I’m always surprised to find those non-Poodle breeds (think Retrievers and Terriers) quietly perched atop the grooming stations as they endure a comb-out. I mean, why spring big bucks to have someone bathe and groom your pooch if you can get by with just regular brushing, right? Truth is, for some breeds even a daily brushing does nothing more than skim debris from their surface coat. It takes a really deep de-shedding session to get down to the undercoat and remove all that fluffy loose hair before it envelopes your life each time the seasons change.


So, what causes some breeds to shed more than others? It’s typically down to having a thick double-coat with a soft, downy under-layer that provides warmth topped by coarse layer of hair that delivers waterproof protection from the elements. Your dog will gradually shed both coats throughout the year, but it will be particularly heavy when temperatures change and he needs to prepare for the growth of a new coat. The term used for this type of extra heavy shedding is “blowing his coat” and the visual it instills pretty much sums it up. This hairy period of time happens when Spring turns to Summer and when Fall turns to Winter and whether you try to stay on top of it yourself or decide to bring in the pros, you can bet that a quality brush and lint roller are about to become your favorite home accessories.


Want to know which breeds are best at leaving a furry trail in their wake? Here are 10 of the top offenders plus tips on tools to keep those fluffy tumbleweeds at bay.


Beagle

No surprise that this iconic hunting dog’s coat is designed to tolerate all the cold, damp, wet conditions he encounters when out tracking his prey. And that means he has developed a particularly dense double-coat that you just know he’ll be shedding throughout the entire year. And as a heads up, this will be particularly heavy during those times of year known as “shedding season”. So, how to tackle his short, smooth coat effectively? Grooming tip: brush 1 to 2 times a week and use a medium-bristle brush that will massage his skin to help stimulate new growth and a hound glove to remove any accumulation of loose, dead hair. (Photo credit: Przemek Iciak/Shutterstock)


Pug

While you’ll never find this sturdy little pooch retrieving downed waterfowl or tracking a fox through fields, that short, form-fitting single-coat of his renews itself on a pretty regular basis throughout the year. In fact, this fun-loving lap dog is sure to leave a furry imprint on clothing, furnishings, carpets… you get the picture. Want to know how to help keep Pug fluff at bay? Grooming tip: brush your Pug a minimum of 3 times a week to keep loose hair at bay and use a bristle brush that will not only capture the fur and any accumulation of debris, but will stimulate oils in his skin for a healthier coat. (Photo credit: Yuttana Jaowattana/Shutterstock)


Alaskan Malamute

While his nature can be stubborn and self-reliant, there is nothing hands-off about his thick, triple-coat (yes, he has a fluffy undercoat, coarser upper coat, and finally a layer of guard hairs). In fact, this pooch is one of the more high-maintenance outdoorsy breeds because his plush fur coat requires constant upkeep for it to remain healthy. Grooming tip; you’ll be brushing your Mal on a daily basis using a slicker brush and line comb that can get down deep enough to remove any matting. Bathing is not a no-no for this breed, and during shedding season, plan to invest in a top-quality undercoat rake to remove loose hair. (Photo credit: travelarium.ph/Shutterstock)


Border Collie

This outdoorsy pooch is born to run, and chase, and herd, and this means a lot of dirt and debris can build up in his dense double-coat. Whether you have the rough- or the smooth-coat version of this breed, his full coat and longer fur is going to require a little extra effort to prevent tangles and matting. So, how do you keep on top of it? Grooming tip: brush your Border Collie a minimum of 2 times a week and during shedding season, on a daily basis. Use a good pin brush that can penetrate down to the hair root and break down clumps and mattes before they become a problem. (Photo credit: Aneta Jungerova/Shutterstock)


Shiba Inu

Time to stock up on those lint rollers, because this double-coated family favorite sheds heavily throughout the entire year. In fact, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has even tossed around the idea of using a shop vac to help blow out some of this pooch’s loose fur when shedding season arrives and his hair loss becomes particularly heavy. Grooming tip: brush a Shiba Inu at least 2 times a week and as often as daily when shedding season hits. While a good quality pin or slicker brush is sufficient throughout the year, during shedding season you’ll want to include an undercoat rake with rounded teeth in your arsenal of grooming tools. (Photo credit: Akbudak Rimma/Shutterstock)



Chow Chow

One look says it all, doesn’t it? Of course, this dog’s profusive double-coat is going to leave a furry trail wherever he lays – especially during shedding season. And because accessories like collars and harnesses can rub and cause matting around his neck and shoulders, you’ll need to stock up on a few professional-grade grooming tools to keep him looking and feeling his best. Grooming tip: brush really thoroughly at least 2 times per week using a slicker brush for his overall coat, a rake brush to really get into that thick fur near his hind quarters, and a metal comb to tackle the area around his face and ears. (Photo credit: BIGANDT.COM/Shutterstock)


Dalmatian

While this dapper looking dog comes with a single-coat of fine, short hairs versus a thick double-coat, his fur is extremely dense and that means he’s a heavy shedder year-round In fact, it’s the tiny size of these thin hairs that can make it such a challenge to clean them up deal when that dusting of fur starts to consume the entire house. What’s a Dal lover to do? Grooming tip: for best results plan to brush your pooch 5 to 10 minutes each day to keep on top of his shedding. Use a bristle brush, horsehair mitt, or rubber curry comb to remove loose, dead hair without damaging skin. (Photo credit: Lisjatina/Shutterstock)



German Shepherd Dog

This handsome dog is one heavy shedder, so if you’re planning to add one to your family, you should also plan to invest in a serious vacuum cleaner. He will be shedding that thick undercoat throughout the year, and more heavily when the seasons change and he needs to get rid of that old coat to make way for a new one. Grooming tip: brush him at least 2 times per week and increase to daily during shedding season. A good slicker brush will do the job throughout the year, but a rake brush will help you get down deep to remove his loose, under-coat during shedding season. (Photo credit: Schelmanova Natalia/Shutterstock)



Golden Retriever

Bred for working in the great outdoors, this hunting dog tends to be known as much for his heavy shedding as his amiable spirit, intelligence and sense of loyalty. Yes, this pooch’s dense, water-repellant double-coat is not only prone to heavy shedding, but because of its longer length, it can also matte and tangle if not maintained. But, how often your Golden needs a clean-up depends on his outside activity as well as the time of year, because he is a seasonal shedder. Grooming tip: brush his fur out 2 to 3 times a week using a quality slicker brush that can get down deep enough to remove loose hair and any debris while also de-tangling. (Photo credit: Olena Brodetska/Shutterstock)



Pekingese

Although most breeds known for heavy shedding tend to be of the outdoorsy nature, with thick double-coats to protect from the elements, that trait isn’t exclusive to the big and burly. In fact, the double-coat this lap dog possesses is as thick as they come. And when you add in the length, matts and tangles can become a problem so plan to bring in the pros a couple of times each year for a good clean up. What can you do between grooming sessions to keep him welcome on the laps of friend and family? Grooming tip: you’ll need the serious tools including a slicker brush to remove dead hair and a rake brush that can access the thick undercoat to de-tangle and de-shed. (Photo credit: T.Den_Team/Shutterstock)

Mary Simpson
Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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