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Are There Any Large Dog Breeds That Dont Shed

By Roger Gibson


Pet hair can be problematic for a lot of people including sufferers of asthma. It is not possible to have a furry animal which does not lose any fur or dander, however some lose less hair and dander. Many of these are small dogs but there are some large dog breeds that dont shed.

Dogs are often referred to as non-shedding but that is really a misnomer as all dogs molt. If you do have problems with asthma it is worth checking that pet fur is not a trigger. To minimize the problem, you can vacuum regularly and damp dust to remove fur and dander. Try to keep your pet away from where you sleep and always wash your hands after you stroke them.

If you can tolerate a limited amount of fur, the dog probably best known for low shedding is the Poodle. Standard Poodles are intelligent and loyal and make great pets. There are now also crosses widely available like Labradoodles and Cockerpoos. The breeding will determine whether their coat behaves like a Poodle or more like the breed it is crossed with so check the pedigree to make sure there is more Poodle.

Coats that are water resistant are usually low shedders which is also true of dogs that are bred for water. Bo, the pet of the Obama family made Portuguese Water Dogs world famous when he appeared in photos of the White House and First Family. The Irish Water Spaniel also has a curly coat which sheds very little.

Looking like an over size terrier with bushy eyebrows and long beard, the Giant Schnauzer is another breed known to be fur friendly. Typically, they are clipped regularly to keep the main part of their coat short. The beard and hair around the feet is left long but tidy.

The Flanders Cattle Dog or Bouvier des Flandres was nearly wiped out during the First World War. Used for military purposes and in the trenches, they were as much casualties as the soldiers they served. Technically they do molt but the outer coat traps the lost hair preventing it from floating to the floor. This trapped fur needs to be removed to prevent matts occurring so they need brushing at least once a week.

Each animal is different in the way it molts and there is not a simple way to tell how much or often they will molt. Puppies have soft fuzzy fur which changes into the adult coat making it very difficult to determine what their full coat will be like. Bathing your dog once a month in a mild shampoo will keep down dander and regular grooming will keep them looking good and remove excess hair. Use a comb or brush suited to their coat type.

When selecting your pet make sure their personality fits your lifestyle. You should not have an energetic pet which needs a lot of walking if you do not have the time or space to exercise it. Highly intelligent dogs will need training and kept active to prevent bad behavior from boredom. If you do not have time to groom or do not want to spend money on a professional groomer then consider a short haired breed that will be less work but does molt a little.




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