Hair, hair everywhere, and not an inch of ground to spare.
There are quite a few breeds that shed a lot of hair, but here we'll see and compare which dogs shed the most.
We'll also talk about the different coat types in brief, and how that can affect shedding.
Let's get started!
Which dog breeds shed the most fur and hair
There are a few dog breeds that stand out when it comes to shedding fur and hair. Here are the top ten dogs that shed the most, in no particular order (because they all shed A LOT):
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute sheds a lot of fur year-round, but they're one of the best dogs for cold weather.
They're also one of the oldest breeds, dating back to the early 1700s. Their fur is also super thick because historically, they lived in the Arctic regions in Alaska, where temperatures can hit -79.8° F (-62° C)
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and medium
Do Alaskan Malamutes shed: Yes. A lot. But can be lessened with constant brushing.
Samoyed
The Samoyed is also a heavy shedder, with lots of white fluffy hair flying around all the time.
Samoyeds are similar to the Malamute - they live in super cold areas in Siberia, and need a dense coat to thrive there.
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and long
Do Samoyeds shed: Yes. A lot, and very heavy shedding.
German Shepherd
Hardworking, loyal, and a super shedder. The German Shepherd sheds hair year-round, and sometimes drops fur balls when he's playing.
Sometimes also known as the German Shedder, for obvious reasons.
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and variable length
Do German Shepherds shed: Yes. A lot. Their affectionate nickname by many owners are the "German Shedder".
Akita Inu
Independent, fierce and loyal to their owners (as seen by Hachiko).
The Akita Inu is a Japanese dog breed that sheds hair constantly, despite their coats being relatively low maintenance.
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and short (surprisingly)
do Akita Inus shed: Surprisingly less than the rest on this list, but will blow their coat two to three times a year (heavy shedding)
Siberian Husky
A dog that loves the freezing cold, and hates summer.
The Siberian Husky is a heavy shedder, and can lose a lot of fur in the warm months. All round lovable goof.
As with the Samoyeds, Siberian Huskies thrive in tundra environments, and so have thick double coats to insulate them from the cold.
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and short (surprisingly)
Do huskies shed: Yes. A lot.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a dog with a thick coat of fur which can lead to excessive shedding.
They have super thick double coats, and when they blow their coats, will cause intense shedding twice a year.
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and long
Do chow chows shed: Yes. A lot.
Golden Retrievers
One of America's favorite dog breeds sheds a LOT of hair. The Golden Retriever is a big shedder, especially during shedding season.
They thrive well in temperate regions, and have double coats that insulate them from the cold when retrieving downed waterfowl (hence the Retriever name)
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and short
Do Golden Retrievers shed: Yes, a lot, and all year round.
Labrador Retrievers
The Labrador Retriever is a close second to the Golden Retriever when it comes to shedding. They both shed year-round, and especially during the spring and fall.
Interestingly, they mostly present with short coats, but shed nearly as much as golden retrievers.
They also collect downed waterfowl, which might explain the short, but dense coats they have.
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and short
Do Labrador Retrievers shed: Yes, but lessened if groomed weekly.
Boxers
Boxers are a high-energy breed that love to play and run. They also shed a lot of hair, which can be problematic if you have allergies.
But with weekly grooming, you can keep that to a minimum.
Interestingly, they are a single coated breed of dog, but if you live in hotter climates, they can shed very intensely as well. So to hear of a boxer shedding heavily is not uncommon, sadly (for your home and cleanup)
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and short
Do boxers shed: Yes, but lessened if groomed weekly.
Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a large dog breed that sheds a lot of hair. Grooming him regularly can help minimize the amount of fur shed at a time.
From saving people in the Alps, to lounging at home, these serial shedders will turn your jacket into a fur jacket.
These are double coated breeds that will shed significantly ALL YEAR ROUND.
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and long
Do Saint Bernard's shed: Saint Bernard's shed A LOT. Stand by multiple brushes all year round.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Another large boy, the Bernese mountain dog thrives off cold weather in general.
They also shed, a lot. Like, really a lot. They are known to shed heavily all year round.
I guess a giant adorable lap dog bear has it's own unique price to pay, eh?
Breed Information
Coat Type: Double Coat, Straight and long
Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed: Bernese Mountain Dogs shed A LOT. Get the brush ready all year round.
How to reduce the amount of dog hair that is shed in your home
There are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of dog hair that is shed in your home.
One option is grooming your dog regularly which will help remove loose hairs before they fall off on their own.
Another thing you can do is vacuum or sweep up any stray hairs so they don't get stuck in carpets and furniture which make them harder to clean later on.
If possible, try washing their bedding once every week which should cut down significantly how much hair there is around your house at any given time!
Tips for keeping your house clean and free of pet hair year-round
Dog hair is a pain in the butt. It's everywhere, and it gets on everything. Your clothes, your furniture, your bedding... nothing escapes from that furry mess!
But you don't have to live with it anymore because here are some tips for keeping your house clean and free of pet hair year-round:
Air purifiers
Use an air purifier which will help remove dander (a type of skin cell) as well as other allergens like dust mites or pollen.
Those can contribute to allergies if left unchecked around home environments where pets reside regularly!
Sweeping your floor regularly
This should help minimize how much shedding occurs throughout space over time, unless you like seeing random clumps of dog fur rolling at home.
A benefit of regularly sweeping your for is the preventing of other potential issues, such as asthmatic attacks or potentially irritating and inflaming your nasal passages! (source)
Vacuuming your home regularly
Vacuum regularly which will reduce the amount of hair that gets stuck on furniture or clothing which makes it difficult to pick up later.
This also prevents dander from building up over time which can cause allergic reactions as well due to its presence in the air, similar to above.
The added bonus is also that vacuuming helps to get at the little nooks and crannies that are difficult to get to by just sweeping the floor alone.
Confining your dog to a specific area when cleaning the house
If possible, try to keep your pet outside as much as you can or at the very least in an area which is easy to clean up after them - like a designated pet bed which can be washed every so often rather than having it spread all over your house.
If not, you'll probably never be done cleaning your house if your dog is happily attacking your broom stick.
Conclusion
Dogs that shed the most are not always the easiest to care for, but they make up for it with their adorable personalities. If you’re prepared to put in a little extra work to keep your home clean, then one of these high-shedding dog breeds may be perfect for you.
Also, hopefully the tips above will help make living with a furry friend a lot less hairy at home- and with that, less possibly allergic or asthmatic episode, too.
Just be prepared to either take dog grooming classes yourself and learn to groom them, or train your dog to behave when you do bring them to the groomers!