Living with a heavy-shedding dog means embracing fur everywhere—from your couch to your clothes. Double-coated breeds, in particular, shed heavily, especially during seasonal changes when they “blow” their coats.
If you’re considering one of these fur-producing champions, here are 19 breeds that take shedding to the next level—so you can prepare for the fluffiest challenge of your life!
1. Akita
This ancient Japanese breed is one of the heaviest shedders. Its dense double coat undergoes dramatic seasonal shedding twice a year, with significant year-round shedding between seasons.
Their level of shedding makes them one of the most maintenance-intensive breeds for grooming.
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2. Alaskan Malamute
Built for the Arctic cold, Malamutes have an incredibly thick double coat that sheds profusely. Like their northern cousins, they “blow” their coats twice yearly while maintaining steady shedding year-round.
Research indicates that a single Malamute can produce enough shed fur in one season to stuff three pillows.
3. German Shepherd
Often nicknamed “German Shedders,” these dogs shed moderate to heavy all year round. They experience two major coat-blowing seasons annually, during which the shedding becomes even more pronounced.
Their shedding intensity is also linked to their high metabolism and active lifestyle.
4. Siberian Husky
Built for cold weather, Huskies shed their thick double coat twice yearly in dramatic fashion. They maintain moderate shedding throughout the year between seasonal changes.
Their undercoat can shed so profusely during seasonal changes that many owners collect it for spinning into wool-like yarn.
5. Golden Retriever
This dog’s beautiful golden coat comes with a price—constant shedding. Golden Retrievers have long, dense coats that shed significantly throughout the year.
Research shows that Golden Retrievers have one of the highest hair growth rates among all dog breeds, contributing to their continuous shedding pattern.
6. Labrador Retriever
America’s favorite breed is also one of the heaviest shedders. Their dense double coat sheds consistently throughout the year, with increased shedding during seasonal changes.
Labs have specialized oil-producing glands that make their coat water-resistant and contribute to increased shedding.
7. Saint Bernard
These massive dogs are champion shedders, leaving hair and fur everywhere – from clothing to furniture and even food. They have a soft undercoat and a longer, coarser outer coat.
Saint Bernard’s coat shedding amount may vary depending on the individual dog.
8. Newfoundland
These gentle giants are considered high-shedding breeds due to their two thick undercoats. Their massive size combined with their heavy coats means significant fur production year-round.
The water-resistant coat contains special oils that can make cleaning shed fur from furniture particularly challenging.
9. Great Pyrenees
These mountain dogs possess a thick, weather-resistant double coat that sheds year-round. Their overcoat is coarse, while their undercoat is soft and wooly.
Great Pyrenees’s large size means more fur to manage, especially during seasonal changes.
10. Chow Chow
Known for their lion-like appearance, Chow Chows shed their thick double coat in clumps twice yearly. They have a dense double coat with a soft, woolly undercoat and a rougher outer coat.
11. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese mountain dogs are working dogs with a double coat, a longer outer coat, and a wooly undercoat. Their thick double coat requires frequent brushing to prevent matting and manage the constant fur flow.
Their tri-colored coat means you’ll find three different fur colors throughout your home.
12. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Don’t let their small size fool you. These herding dogs are equipped with a dense double coat that sheds heavily throughout the year.
Despite their compact size, they can produce an impressive amount of fur, with some owners reporting daily vacuum sessions during peak shedding.
13. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Like their Cardigan cousins, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are heavy shedders. Their thick double coat helps them adapt to weather conditions but requires consistent grooming.
Their low-to-ground stance means their shed fur tends to collect in impressive drifts along baseboards.
14. Samoyed
These smiling white dogs are serious shedders with thick, fluffy double coats, making them appear much larger. The Samoyed’s fur is so luxurious that it was historically used for spinning yarn, and many owners still collect it today.
Their undercoat is soft and fluffy, while the outer coat is coarser and straighter.
15. Old English Sheepdog
These shaggy dogs shed extensively throughout the year. Their distinctive coat requires daily grooming to prevent matting and manage shedding, making them one of the most high-maintenance breeds for grooming.
Their coat can grow up to 6 inches long if not regularly trimmed.
16. Belgian Malinois
These intelligent working dogs shed year-round with two heavy seasonal sheds. Their short but dense double coat requires regular brushing to manage shedding and maintain its natural oils.
Their shedding tends to increase with stress or changes in routine.
17. Australian Cattle Dog
Australian cattle dogs shed moderately year-round with heavier seasonal shedding. Their weather-resistant double coat helps protect them during traditional herding work but requires regular maintenance to manage shedding.
Their unique speckled coat pattern makes their shed fur particularly noticeable on solid-colored surfaces.
18. Norwegian Elkhound
These ancient Nordic dogs have a thick, weather-resistant coat that sheds heavily twice a year. Norwegian Elkhound’s dense gray double coat requires regular grooming to manage shedding and prevent matting.
Their thick double coats can warm them in the coldest temperatures.
19. Collie
Made famous by Lassie, Collies are prolific shedders with their luxurious double coats. Their long outer coat and dense undercoat require regular grooming to prevent matting and manage shedding.
A Collie’s coat can take up to two years to grow to its full length and glory.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.