Are you wondering which dog breeds shed the most?
It’s unbelievable how some dogs almost don’t shed, and others leave so much fur around the house that you can knit a sweater out of it.
So, today we’re going to talk about the heaviest fur shedders in the dog world.
Some of them may surprise you!
9 Dog Breeds That Shed the Most
People often ask me which dogs shed seasonally.
The truth is that all dogs lose fur year-round as their hair follicles go through a cycle of growth and fall.
How much a dog shed depends on their breed and coat type (single or double).
Since some breeds have hair with longer lifespan, it might seem like your pet isn’t shedding that much.
Other dogs have follicles with a short lifespan and it looks like they’re constantly losing fur.
Besides year-round shedding, some breeds shed their fur heavily in response to weather change.
They grow a thick coat in winter and replace it with a light one in summer.
That’s what some people call blowing a coat.
But enough chit-chat. Let’s see which dog breeds shed the most.
#1 Akita
Akita is one of the most popular Japanese breeds, and these stunning muscular dogs are famous for their bravery, loyalty, and devotion to their owners.
Think about them as fearless guardians, whose only goal is to please their humans.
While Akitas are easy to groom, they have a double coat – a dense, plush undercoat and a short overcoat.
They shed year-round and heavily two or three times a year.
Regular vacuuming is a must, or you’ll find fur everywhere, including in your food.
On the plus side, Akita are neat dogs that tend to lick themselves like cats and keep their coats neat and clean.
As long as you don’t mind the hair and manage to tame their stubborn spirit, Akita is an excellent dog for experienced owners.
#2 Pug
Look at how cute Pugs are with their soulful eyes and comical faces! How could such a small dog shed so much?
That’s what a lot of owners wonder when they get a Pug and have to remove fur from their clothes every day.
While Pugs have short fur, they have a double coat with two layers and shed like crazy, especially in the summer.
They need regular brushing to keep the shedding to a minimum and a monthly bath to keep the coat clean and fresh-smelling.
On the good side, Pugs are small, and it’s easy to brush and bathe them.
Moreover, Pugs are one of the funniest dogs and will amuse you all day with their antics.
#3 Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain dogs often steal people’s hearts with their tricolored coats and white Swiss cross on their chests.
These large dogs are also affectionate, eager to please, and highly trainable.
However, Bernese Mountain dogs shed moderately all year-round and heavily in spring and autumn.
You’d need to brush their coat regularly to keep the coat mat free and reduce the amount of dog hair.
Despite their mellow temperament, Bernese dogs aren’t a good breed for first-time owners due to their size, health problems, and energy levels.
They’re also outdoor dogs and don’t do well in apartments.
#4 Basset Hounds
Do hound dogs shed? You might be wondering about that when you look at a Basset Hound’s short and smooth coat.
Basset Hounds are dogs that shed a lot, and they do it year-round.
The good news is that their coat repels dirt and grime, and you can control the amount of fur around the house with regular brushing.
Unfortunately, Basset Hounds also drool a lot and tend to make a mess when they drink due to their mouth’s loose skin.
They aren’t the best dog breed for neat freaks and can be quite stubborn and hard to train.
#5 Great Pyrenees
Who can resist this large gorgeous dog with their white coats and gentle eyes? The Great Pyrenees is a remarkable breed that showers their owner with unconditional love.
They make great therapy dogs and love to have a job around the house.
Unfortunately, Great Pyrenees dogs are average to heavy shedders and usually blow their coats at least once a year.
When that happens, you might have enough fur for several sweaters or shawls.
But a Great Pyrenees’ hair is so silky and smooth to the touch that you can spend hours petting them.
That makes up for the hours spent cleaning the fur off the carpets.
Despite their heavy shedding coats, Great Pyrenees dogs aren’t that difficult to groom, and their coat repels dirt, so they don’t need frequent baths.
#6 Keeshond
A medium-sized dog breed, the Keeshond is among the dogs that shed the most.
That’s not surprising since Keeshonds have thick double coats and magnificent plumed tails that they carry with pride.
In general, Keeshonds are seasonal shedding dogs, and you can expect them to blow their coat twice a year.
The heavy shedding might last up to three weeks and can be quite intense for people who don’t know what to expect.
On the bright side, Keeshonds don’t smell that much when compared to other breeds.
They keep their double coat in pristine condition and need a bath every three months.
However, they don’t tolerate heat well and prefer cold weather.
#7 Welsh Corgi
Do you know that Welsh Corgis have two varieties? These would be Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
The main difference between the two is the tail. Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a docked tail, while Cardigans have long ones.
When you look at the adorable Corgi, you expect them to be medium shedding dogs, at most.
However, both Corgi types have a thick undercoat and a long overcoat, which means that they shed all the time.
At least twice a year, you can expect your Corgi to shed heavily. Daily brushings during this period are necessary to control the shedding. Baths also help.
#8 Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are large dogs with powerful bodies and thick, double coats.
When you take these factors into account, you can guess that Alaskan Malamutes are one of the dogs that shed the most.
In general, Alaskan Malamute sheds continuously throughout the year, and you need a good vacuum cleaner to keep up with the fur.
Twice a year, these muscular dogs blow their coats, and large clumps of dog hair will be around the whole house.
Despite their heavy shedding, Malamutes have odorless coats and get on well with everybody.
But their strength and stubborn personality make them a bad choice for inexperienced owners.
#9 Saint Bernard
Last, but not least in our list of dog breeds that shed a lot is the adorable Saint Bernard.
A friendly giant dog with a thick coat, Saint Bernard has quite a reputation due to their representation in movies.
While Saint Bernards make excellent indoor dogs due to their calm personality, they are messy dogs who don’t tolerate heat very well.
Saint Bernards aren’t seasonal shedding dogs and shed moderately most of the time and heavily twice a year.
If you’ve ever wanted to make something out of dog hair, you’ll have plenty of material to work with.
Moreover, all Saint Bernards drool a lot and get saliva everywhere when they shake their enormous bodies.
No matter what breed you pick – low-shedding dogs, medium shedding dogs, or heavy shedders – brushing is essential.
Otherwise, you’ll soon discover dust bunnies made of dog hair all around the house.
Moreover, you should speak to your vet if your dog has started shedding more heavily than normal.
Excessive shedding might be related to stress and disease.
