Allergies & shedding
Large dogs that don't shed much
If you'd love a bigger dog but not the tumbleweeds of hair, there are good options. Most large low-shedders are athletic working breeds, though, so the real question isn't the hair — it's whether you can match their energy.
- Every breed here is medium-sized or larger and scores 2 or lower out of 5 for shedding.
- We sorted by shedding first, then by size, so the lowest-shedding big dogs come first.
Bigger breeds that leave little hair behind
Australian Labradoodle
Sociable, trainable and usually carefully selected for companionship. It remains a developing type, so breeder transparency matters more than the label.
- Shedding
- Very low
- Size
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very high
- Exercise needs
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,700–€3,000
Poodle (Standard)
An athletic, unusually intelligent dog behind an elegant coat. Thrives on problem-solving and close partnership.
- Shedding
- Very low
- Size
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very high
- Exercise needs
- Moderate
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,700–€2,800
Portuguese Water Dog
Athletic, clever and deeply involved in family life. The low-shedding coat brings regular clipping and the brain needs daily work.
- Shedding
- Very low
- Size
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very high
- Exercise needs
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,600–€2,700
Whippet
A sofa dog with a sprinter's body. Quiet, affectionate and remarkably easy to live with.
- Shedding
- Very low
- Size
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Very low
- Exercise needs
- Moderate
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,000–€1,700
Airedale Terrier
Large, clever and cheerfully self-directed. An Airedale needs humour, consistency and more exercise than its tidy outline implies.
- Shedding
- Low
- Size
- High
- Grooming
- Very high
- Exercise needs
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,500–€2,500
Bernedoodle
Usually affectionate, substantial and people-oriented. Size, coat and confidence can differ greatly even within one litter.
- Shedding
- Low
- Size
- High
- Grooming
- Very high
- Exercise needs
- Moderate
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,800–€3,200
Greyhound
A sprinter that sleeps most of the day. Quiet, clean and surprisingly well suited to calm homes.
- Shedding
- Low
- Size
- High
- Grooming
- Very low
- Exercise needs
- Low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,100–€1,900
Vizsla
The velcro dog. Athletic, sensitive and never more than a metre away from you.
- Shedding
- Low
- Size
- High
- Grooming
- Very low
- Exercise needs
- Very high
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,300–€2,100
Big, low-shedding and usually busy
The Standard Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Airedale and Vizsla are clever, active dogs that want an hour or more of real exercise and something to think about every day. The Greyhound and Whippet are the calm exceptions: short coats, gentle indoors, happy with shorter bursts. Doodles vary more than the name suggests, so meet the parents.
Curly coats need a groomer every six to eight weeks. In our data these breeds run from about €1,000 a year for a Whippet to €3,200 for a Bernedoodle, with the poodle types around €1,600–3,000.
Please don't choose from this list if…
- You can't offer a working breed an hour or more of exercise and training every day.
- Professional grooming for a big curly coat isn't in the budget.
- You're counting on a doodle to be low-shedding — it's likely, never guaranteed.
Questions people ask us
What is the best large dog that doesn't shed?
In our data the Standard Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog shed least among bigger breeds, and both are clever and trainable. The Greyhound is the easy-going, low-grooming alternative.
Do Standard Poodles need a lot of exercise?
Yes, more than many people expect. They were bred as water retrievers and are happiest with daily walks, play and training.
Is a Bernedoodle low-shedding?
Often, but it depends on the individual coat. Expect to brush several times a week and book regular grooming whichever way it goes.
Your week is the other half of the match
A list can only get you so far. The Find My Dog quiz sets your home, your hours and your limits against every breed, and shows you the reasoning behind each score so you can judge it for yourself. It takes two minutes and it's free.
For when your dog comes home
DoggMatch+ helps with the practical side of the first year: training week by week, food portions worked out from your dog's weight, a care calendar and a printable Dog Pack. It's entirely optional, and everything on this page stays free.
See what DoggMatch+ includes