As much as you adore dogs, you don’t love the idea of your pup covering every single surface of your house (and your body) with a nice thick layer of their hair. The dogs that shed the most are typically double-coated breeds. This isn’t always the case, but it’s a fairly good prediction of how much fur you can expect to find floating around your house. And FYI, all dogs shed at least a little bit—even the hypoallergenic ones. However, if you’re trying to avoid constant vacuuming or allergic reactions to pet dander, you may not want to go with a breed known for its ability to cover everything with a layer of hair.
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The 15 Dogs That Shed the Most (So You Can Determine if Your Vacuum Is Up for the Job)
Published Jul 12, 2021
Types of dog coats
There are many different types of dog coats. Some pups will inherit a single type of coat from their parents, while others may have combination coats. Understanding what type of dog coat you’re dealing with will determine how often you need to brush, bathe and trim your dog. Grooming isn’t just a luxury for show dogs; it’s a necessary part of dog ownership that keeps them happy and healthy. When researching a breed’s coat, you’ll need to understand layers, length and texture.
A double coat means a dog has two layers of fur: a soft, short undercoat and a coarse, long overcoat. Undercoats protect canines from external nuisances (bugs, dirt) and help regulate temperature. Overcoats are designed to protect the undercoat and skin from heat, sun and other potentially harmful elements. A single coat is exactly what it sounds like—one layer of fur all over your dog’s body. It can be any texture or length.
If a dog’s fur is less than two inches long, it’s considered a short coat. That means that longer than two inches is a long coat. Long-haired breeds will require more at-home grooming, like brushing, to ensure they don’t knot, which can trap smells and parasites. Funnily enough, just because a dog’s hair is long doesn’t automatically mean more shedding. Some of the dogs who shed the most are short-haired breeds.
Finally, texture plays a big role in grooming and shedding. Silky and smooth coats look exactly as you’d expect: shiny and straight. Wire coats are made up of coarse, brittle hair that is almost rough to the touch. These may require more intense grooming practices, depending on the breed. Heavy coats are often associated with fluffy dogs or breeds bred for cold climates. Corded coats are basically made up of intentional clumps of fur, like dreadlocks. These coats, and curly coats, actually shed less than other textures.
Types of shedding
Coat type impacts how often your dog sheds. Double-coated breeds are usually seasonal shedders, which means that come spring and fall, you can expect a few weeks of constant shedding. This is normal! It also happens in addition to regular, year-round shedding. It’s like leaves falling off a tree to make way for new growth. Single-coated breeds pretty much shed a consistent amount all year (and less overall than double-coated breeds).
Breeds that are hypoallergenic or non-shedding tend to be terriers with wire coats or pups with curly coats, like poodles. Technically, all dogs shed at least a little bit. But knowing what you’re getting yourself into will help inform decisions like which vacuum to buy and how many lint rollers to keep in each room. Without further ado, the 15 dog breeds that shed the most.
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1. Akita
Height: 24-28 inches
Weight: 70-130 pounds
Personality: Loyal, Protective
Activity Level: High
Coat Type: Double, Medium Length
Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
Akitas have thick, medium-length double coats that require ample brushing. They come in many colors, from black to brown, red to white and beyond. Their undercoats may even be a completely different color than their overcoats. Brush them weekly to keep their coats healthy. Seasonal shedding from an Akita is something to behold, so get ready for a hair storm.
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2. American Eskimo Dog
Average Height: 10 inches (toy), 13 inches (miniature), 17 inches (standard)
Average Weight: 8 pounds (toy), 15 pounds (miniature), 30 pounds (standard)
Personality: Intelligent, Social
Activity Level: High
Coat Type: Double, Medium Length
Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
The pure white double coat on an American Eskimo Dog will soon be everywhere, like a dusting of snow. To make your life easier, brush them a few times a week to catch these endless white hairs before they end up all over your sofa. Bathing Eskies too often can irritate their skin, so check with your vet or groomer before plopping your pup in the bath.
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3. Bernese Mountain Dog
Height: 23-28 inches
Weight: 70-115 pounds
Personality: Calm, Friendly
Activity Level: Moderate to High
Coat Type: Double, Medium to Long Length
Life Expectancy: 7-10 years
Talk about hair everywhere. The Bernese Mountain dog needed a thick, double coat to survive harsh winters in the mountains of Switzerland. Beautifully marked, these dogs have black, white and tan coats that are dense and wooly. They’re as friendly as they are furry, so get ready to brush frequently and be covered in hair.
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4. Chow Chow
Height: 17 - 20 inches
Weight: 45 - 70 pounds
Personality: Stubborn, Loyal
Activity Level: Moderate
Coat Type: Double, Medium Length
Life Expectancy: 8-12 years
Chow Chows are so furry they look like lions with heavy manes of rust-colored hair. Their double coats are smooth underneath and slightly rough on top. Without frequent brushing, a Chow Chow’s coat can develop nasty knots.
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5. Doberman
Height: 24-28 inches
Weight: 60-100 pounds
Personality: Brave, Alert
Activity Level: High
Coat Type: Single, Smooth, Short
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Now, here’s a dog with a smooth, short, single-layered coat that also sheds a ton. Dobermans are also big dogs, so there’s a lot of surface area full of hair ready to shed. Their shiny black and tan coats add an extra level of chic to their overall physique. To keep them looking their best, try brushing at least once per day.
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6. German Shepherd
Average Height: 22-26 inches
Average Weight: 50-90 pounds
Personality: Loyal, Confident
Activity Level: High
Coat Type: Double, Medium Length
Life Expectancy: 7-10 years
German Shepherds are known for their hard-working mentality and incredible ability to shed constantly. While most often recognized by their black and tan fur, they can also come in shades of gray, cream, red and white. A German Shepherd’s undercoat is soft and their overcoat is rough; a tough exterior with a cuddly interior, just like their personalities.
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7. Golden Retriever
Height: 21-24 inches
Weight: 55-75 pounds
Personality: Friendly, Devoted
Activity Level: Moderate to High
Coat Type: Double, Medium to Long Length
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
One interaction with a Golden Retriever is enough to know how much they love people—and how much they shed. Ranging from dark rusty gold to bright yellow gold, these dogs are literally named after their luscious locks. A Golden’s coat is also water-repellent.
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8. Great Pyrenees
Height: 25-32 inches
Weight: 85-110 pounds
Personality: Calm, Sweet
Activity Level: Low
Coat Type: Double, Medium to Long Length
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Think of a Golden Retriever but bigger. With more hair. And brighter hair, so it’s easier to see. That’s the Great Pyrenees. Thankfully, their thick coats resist knots and don’t trap dirt, so grooming is a breeze. Just run a brush through their hair a few times a week. And vacuum a lot.
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9. Labrador Retriever
Height: 21-25 inches
Weight: 55-80 pounds
Personality: Outgoing, Fun-loving
Activity Level: High
Coat Type: Double, Short Length
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Another great example of a short coat with plenty of shedding power. A Labrador Retriever’s double coat is short, so it’s more difficult to distinguish between layers. Have no fear, they’re both there. Actually, both water-resistant layers end up everywhere. These dogs are so sweet and energetic, it’s easy to forgive the shower of hair that follows them everywhere.
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10. Old English Sheepdog
Height: 21-22 inches
Weight: 60-100 pounds
Personality: Adaptable, Gentle
Activity Level: Moderate
Coat Type: Double, Long Length
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
An Old English Sheepdog might be the poster child for dogs that shed. Their shaggy fur bounces as they move and requires more grooming and attention than many of the dogs on our list. Be prepared for weekly grooming sessions; trimming the fur a bit is wise if your Old English Sheepdog isn’t prepping for a show.
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11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Height: 10-12 inches
Weight: 28-30 pounds
Personality: Playful, Affectionate
Activity Level: Moderate
Coat Type: Double, Short Length
Life Expectancy: 12-13 years
Is there anything cuter than a Pembroke Welsh Corgi trotting over to sit in your lap? No! But get ready for them to leave a pile of red, fawn or tan fur when they get up. Like most double-coated breeds, their soft undercoats are covered by thick, slightly coarser overcoats. Pembroke Welsh Corgis also developed weatherproof fur over time, as they were bred to herd animals outdoors for long stretches of time.
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12. Saint Bernard
Height: 26-30 inches
Weight: 120-180 pounds
Personality: Charming, Watchful
Activity Level: Moderate
Coat Type: Double, Short to Long Length
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
Though their double coat acts up seasonally, expect a decent amount of fur year-round from Saint Bernards. As a dog bred to withstand harsh conditions in the Swiss Alps, these dogs have as much fur as they do love to give. They also come in long and short coated varieties.
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13. Samoyed
Height: 19-24 inches
Weight: 35-65 pounds
Personality: Sweet, Adaptable
Activity Level: High
Coat Type: Double, Long Length
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Like the American Eskimo Dog, Samoyeds have snow white double coats. These coats keep their bodies warm in winter and keep your floors covered in hair. Again, seasonal changes are going to increase the amount this pup sheds, but don’t worry. There will still be plenty of hair floating around at all times.
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14. Shiba Inu
Height: 13.5-16.5 inches
Weight: 17-23 pounds
Personality: Affectionate, Protective
Activity Level: High
Coat Type: Double, Short Length
Life Expectancy: 13-16 years
Shiba Inus can be red, tan, sesame and black. They can also be world-class shedders. While brushing Shibas during shedding season (aka, all year) can help trap hair before it gathers around your home, you don’t need to worry about knots or tangles in their short coats.
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15. Siberian Husky
Height: 20 - 24 inches
Weight: 30 - 60 pounds
Personality: Social, Loyal
Activity Level: High
Coat Type: Double, Medium Length
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Siberian Huskies are thickly coated dogs who shed plenty of hair throughout the year, especially as the seasons change. The American Kennel Club says aside from the ample amount of hair constantly falling off of them, Huskies are relatively clean dogs. Don’t overbathe them.
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