Shedding is a natural process for dogs. Animals shed to get rid of old, damaged, or extra fur. This means that all dogs shed, but there are some breeds that shed less. Most dog lovers would love a canine that does not shed much. Besides the problem of cleaning every surface to get rid of the fur, there are people who even suffer from allergies due to dander. For such people, the best bet is to get a dog that sheds less.
Did You Know?
Recently, Portuguese Water Dogs became highly popular after a dog from the same breed was adopted by President Barack Obama. The canine, Bo, was chosen due to its hypoallergenic status.
Guard Dogs that Shed Less
Guard dogs bark at intruders and are natural alert buzzers. If you are looking for a guard dog that does not shed a lot, there are quite a few options to choose from.
The Giant Schnauzer is a breed with signs of minimal shedding. Giant Schnauzers are intelligent and calm but require regular exercise. Weighing an average of 70 to 100 pounds, these dogs grow to a height of 60 to 70 cm. They have a wiry and dense outer coat, along with a soft undercoat. Giant Schnauzers can be a real threat to intruders. These dogs are favorites for people looking for large guard dogs that do not shed much.
Boston Terriers are a US breed, a cross of White English Terriers with Bulldogs. They have a compact build with erect ears and a short tail. The average height of Boston Terriers ranges from 38 to 43 cm long, while their average weight ranges between 10 and 25 pounds. Though friendly and gentle, they are quite protective of their owners.
They are also referred to as ‘hypoallergenic’ dogs, which means that they are less likely to cause allergies in individuals.
Komondors are powerful dogs of Hungarian origin. They have an average height of 60 to 80 cm, along with an average weight of 90 to 132 pounds. The breed is moderately playful, devoted, and affectionate. The Komondor is considered as one of the best guard dogs for those who own livestock and have family members allergic to dander. However, their long, corded coat tends to accumulate dirt easily and grooming it takes a lot of time. Being very territorial, they do not like strangers.
This fairly rare breed is originally from Portugal. Portuguese water dogs are highly intelligent and have curly coats. They are gifted with webbed toes, which help them swim. They grow to an average height of 50 to 60 cm, with an average weight of around 40 to 60 pounds. Their excellent companionship and minimal shedding make this breed highly suitable for individuals suffering from allergies.
With their loud and distinctive bark, they are quite effective as watchdogs. The breed has a history of retrieving things from the water, guarding boats, and carrying messages from one boat to another.
Argentine Mastiffs are muscular and strong, and have a white short coat. They were initially used in the hunting of animals like boars. They grow to an average height of 60 to 70 cm, with an average weight of 90 to 120 pounds. Given their high intelligence and loyalty, these dogs are used in military units, search operations, and secret services. They are very effective as guard dogs too. They shed much less than other breeds, and can turn out to be real protectors under varied circumstances.
Also known as Waterside Terriers, Airedale Terriers were bred to hunt otters. With an average weight of 55 to 66 pounds and a height of 50 to 60 cm at withers, this is the largest of all terriers that originated in Britain. They have a hard and short-haired double coat that needs regular grooming. These are very intelligent dog breeds with natural hunting instincts. Though they can be easily trained with positive force-free training methods.
They are usually friendly with other household pets and strangers, but their protective instincts may be piqued if they sense something suspicious.
Native to Ireland, Kerry Blue Terriers are medium-sized dogs whose original role was that of farm dogs. However, nowadays, they make an excellent choice for guard dogs that don’t shed. They have an average height of 44 to 51 cm, along with an average weight of 33 to 40 pounds. They are energetic guard dogs that can be trained relatively easily, however, they can be stubborn at times as well. Kerry Blue Terriers can be aggressive towards other dogs and animals and are cautious of strangers.
They need a proper introduction to accept family members. These dogs need to be groomed daily for their bluish-gray coat to maintain their shiny look.
A favorite of many dog lovers because of its affectionate and friendly disposition, the poodle is an excellent choice for a low-shedding dog breed. The dog has an average height of about 38 cm, along with an average weight of 45 to 70 pounds. This intelligent dog breed requires its own space and maybe a little wary of other animals. It is a playful dog that loves people but is quick to sound an alert when it finds an intruder.
Although it may not cause serious physical harm to a stranger, its size and loud barking can instill fear in an intruder’s mind.
While there are quite a few dogs that shed less, not many can qualify as guard dogs as well. Though the breeds mentioned above shed less, grooming, at regular intervals, is required, as it helps the dog develop healthy hair, that sheds less.
