The thought of a large breed dog often conjures up an image of a very hairy, drooling, messy dog. It seems like a lot of large dogs tend to shed all year long, leaving little fluffy hairballs that like to pile up in the corners of rooms and underneath furniture. Vacuuming almost every day to try to keep up with your large shedding dog can be a lot of work.
Not to mention the drooling, a characteristic that a lot of large dogs tend to share. Large dogs like Great Danes tend to be notorious droolers, leaving a trail of slobber from your kitchen to your living room every time you are cooking.
But are there any large breeds that do not drool or shed?
While all dogs will drool and shed occasionally, several large breeds drool and shed less than others. These breeds include Standard Poodles, Irish Water Spaniels, Portuguese Water Spaniels, Lagotto Romagnolo, Komodors, Greyhound, Afghan Hound, Saluki, and some doodles.
It is very fair to choose a dog based on the desire to have a clean house and to want to vacuum and mop less. While many large breeds drool and shed quite excessively, we have put together a list of 9 large breeds that do not drool or shed, or at least not that much!
What Makes Dogs Drool?
Just because your dog made this list of large breeds that do not drool or shed does not mean that they might not ever drool. Dogs that tend to drool excessively by nature tend to have exaggerated lips and jowls, which can hold pockets of saliva that spill out in streams of drool. Kind of like the hound in the video below.
While the dogs on this list do not have the loose jowls that make some dogs notorious droolers, they might still occasionally drool. Here are some reasons why dogs drool besides facial structure.
Temperature Regulation
In addition to the few sweat glands and finding cool surfaces to lay down on like the bathroom floor, panting is one of the primary ways dogs have to regulate their temperature. When your dog is getting hot, they might start panting and drooling, even if they are a breed not known for drooling.
Always make sure your dog has access to shade and water, especially in hot summer months, to avoid heatstroke.
Excitement
Dogs tend to drool when they are excited and feeling energetic. There are many reasons a dog might become so excited they will start drooling, including food, meeting new people or dogs, or toys.
Anxiety
Drooling is also a sign of anxiety. It is an automatic response to being scared or nervous, much like shaking. For a list of dogs that tend to have lower anxiety, check out this article.
Sickness
Some illnesses will make any dog drool regardless of normal habits. This includes nausea, dental problems, injuries, gastrointestinal issues, or ingesting a toxic substance. Take your dog to your veterinarian if you are ever worried that they could be sick.
Shedding vs. Hypoallergenic
All dogs do shed their fur, usually in the spring and fall. By losing their hair, they are making room for new healthy fur. The amount of shedding depends on a dog’s age, breed, and diet. Although there are many breeds, including large dogs, known to shed less. Even some long-haired dogs are low shedders.
Hypoallergenic dog breeds are less likely to trigger allergies by producing less dander and are usually low shedders. Nonetheless, there are low-shedding dogs that still produce dander that triggers allergies.
So keep in mind, that the dogs that have found themselves on this list might not shed much, but it does not mean that they are hypoallergenic. Furthermore, a hypoallergenic dog is not guaranteed to be safe for individuals with allergies.
However, the dogs on this list do not shed almost at all, which means their fur falls out less frequently. While all dogs shed to some degree, these dogs hardly shed at all which means less vacuuming!
Large Breeds That Do Not Drool Or Shed
Now that we have discussed that all dogs drool and shed to some degree, let’s take a look at 9 breeds that are known for very little drooling and shedding.
1. Standard Poodles
Most likely originating from Germany, the smart and energetic Standard poodle was bred as a water dog and still excels as an excellent sports dog. They love obedience and dog sports.
While Poodles come in many different sizes, the Standard Poodle is a large breed weighing between 40-70 lbs. Their low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat always makes a splash at confirmation shows. When you see them in their full show cut, you can see their long, lean, snouts, which means they drool very little.
Originally used for water-fowl retrieving, the Standard Poodle loves the water. Their curly coats make staying warm and drying off after a good swim easier. However, their lovely coats require maintenance with daily brushing and regular grooming. Otherwise, your poodle’s low-shedding coats can mat, requiring a full shave.
2. Portuguese Water Dogs
Weighing up to 60 lbs, this large Portuguese dog is a water dog like the poodle. Portuguese Water Dogs were bred to help fishermen and you can still see the kind of work they do in Water Dog Working Trials.
According to the AKC, “Porties” are athletic, eager to please, and trainable, making them popular as working dogs for obedience and dog sports like agility. While they may not drool a lot, they are still known for being a mouthy breed.
They have a similar coat to the Standard poodle with slow-growing tight curls. Their low shedding, hypoallergenic fur not only insulates them in the water but dries quickly once out once back on land or a boat. It also needs regular brushing so it does not become matted, but most owners opt to keep their hair trimmed short.
3. Irish Water Spaniels
One of the oldest spaniel breeds in the world, the Irish Water Spaniel is a shedding curly-coated breed that loves to swim. Weighing around 50-60 pounds, not only are they great waterfowl retrievers, but are popular for hunting on land.
Irish Water Spaniels are often called the clowns of the spaniel group because of their boisterous and funny personalities. Although they do tend to be reserved with strangers so should be properly socialized from puppyhood.
Unlike the Standard Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog, the Irish Water Spaniel’s curly fur is double-coated. It is low shedding but does not need to be clipped as long as they are brushed regularly. Many Irish Water Spaniel owners like to keep the already shorter hair on their faces trimmed so they do not look too shaggy.
Once cleaned up, you can tell by their face that they are a breed that does not drool very much. However, if they are working in the field on a hot day they probably will pant and drool a little.
4. Lagotto Romagnolos
This rare Italian breed is a 30-40-pound dog and is a popular dog for truffle hunting. Despite being on the smaller side of large, the Lagotto Romagnolos are incredibly rugged dogs bred for endurance. Originally a water dog, they are now a truffle dog, tracking in the forests of Italy.
Looking like a stuffed animal with its curly coat, this tough dog sheds minimally. Lagotto Romagnolos are smart, need lots of exercise, enjoy having a job, and are natural at scent games.
While they also do not drool, if you do not keep their face groomed, they might splash water all over your floor after drinking water. Those beards are great at catching and dripping water everywhere
5. Komondors
At around 100lb, the Komondor is a very large livestock guardian breed from Hungary. Unlike other livestock guardian dogs like the Great Pyrenees that shed daily, the Komondor is known for not shedding or drooling excessively.
Komondors do not shed because of their unique corded coat that looks like dreadlocks. At around the age of 9 months, owners of these independent dogs will begin to clump their fur until it grows into cords. They are never brushed but do enjoy the occasional bath to keep their corded coat clean. Just make sure they are dried completely after a bath or it can smell.
Please keep in mind that while the Komondor drools very little, they still can get dirt and water trapped in their beard and drag it around your house!
6. Greyhounds
Build for power and speed, at around 60 pounds Greyhound is the fastest breed in the world. Sighthounds like Greyhounds were bred to identify by sight and then chase game without any direction from their handlers, which has made them exceptionally independent by nature.
Greyhounds have a very short coat that does not shed much and needs hardly any maintenance. The AKC only recommends the occasional bath and weekly rub down with a damp cloth. They drool very little unless they are running hard chasing critters or playing Fast CAT.
Because of their minimalist coat, they make a great dog for those who want a large breed that does not drool or shed and also does not have a lot of time to dedicate to daily grooming.
7. Afghan Hounds
Originating in modern-day Afghanistan, these large beautiful sighthounds are also known as the “Persian Greyhounds.” Afghan Hounds are shaped like their English cousin but have long silky hair. They are stubborn dogs with a high prey drive, and while difficult to train excel at modern-day lure coursing.
Since they were bred as hunting companions in the frigid mountains of Afghanistan, they needed to keep a thick coat with long straight silky fur. With all that long lucious hair, it might be surprising the learn that Afghan Hounds are not only a large low shedding breed, but also hypoallergenic. Make sure to brush that fur daily. It mats easily and Afghans tend to be shy around strangers and might not like the trips to the groomer even if though need them.
Sighthounds like Afghans all have very slender tight-lipped faces. This particular profile keeps drooling to a minimum.
8. Salukis
Another low-shedding sighthound, this leggy large breed comes from Egypt. At around 50 lbs, the Saluki is very beautiful and agile, loving a good sprint or zoomie session.
Salukis low shedding coat comes in many different colors and patterns and can be feathered or smoothed. Their coat is not quite as thick or long as their Afghan cousin, but they are still very striking. They need to be brushed weekly, and feathered Salukis need a bit more attention or they can get mats.
Sharing a similar confirmation as the Greyhounds and Afghan Hounds, the Saluki rarely drools. Not only do they not have loose jowls, but their independent nature makes them less food-motivated and, therefore less likely to be prompted to drool. Picky eaters usually do not drool.
9. Honorable Mention: Doodles
I hesitate to add doodle on this list as it is a catch-all term for a Poodle cross. From a breeder in Australia, the first doodle was a mix between a Labrador and a Standard Poodle. Sometimes a large doodle can be low shedding, and sometimes they might not drool. However, it all depends on genetics.
Doodle mixes (both large and small) tend to shed less than other dogs, but are not always as low shedding as the purebred Standard Poodle. Fur types can range from long and silky, to curly, wiry, or straight and short. Some doodles even have a combination of different fur types, which creates high-maintenance grooming needs.
Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are among the most popular doodle mixes nowadays, but doodles come in a variety of sizes and it is easy to find large mixes. Many doodle breeders are mixing extra large dogs that drool and shed excessively like Bernese Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees with the Standard Poodle. Because of genetics, there is no certainty that your doodle mix will have the Poodle traits of not drooling or shedding.
Doodles need daily brushing and regular appointments with a professional groomer. The genetics that go into crossing a Poodle with another breed do not guarantee a large dog that does not shed or drool.
Final Thoughts
Dogs come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and personalities. They can also be messy, especially big dogs, so it is okay to decide to minimize the mess by choosing a large breed that does not drool or shed very much. Not everyone can handle the fur balls that dogs like Huskies leave all over the house!
If you are looking for a dog that is enthusiastic about working with you, consider the Standard Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Irish Water, Spaniel, or Lagotto Romagnolo. These curly dogs love having a job and are very athletic and eager to be with you. While they do not shed or drool very often, they still might get excited and slobber a little when playing.
For those who like a more independent personality, think about the Kommodor, or sight-hounds like the Greyhound, Afghan Hound, or Saluki. Despite their love of speed, the sight-hounds on this list often make good apartment dogs since they tend to nap when not sprinting. Do not worry, they will not shed or drool on your couch.
Finally, if you are willing to roll the dice, you might get lucky with a large doodle cross that does not shed or drool. Nonetheless, genetics play a big role in a dog’s traits so mixing two breeds does not guarantee the perfect combination you might be looking for.
So, if you love a house with little fur or drool to clean up but still want a large breed to cuddle on the couch, hopefully, this list of large breeds that do not drool or shed has been helpful.
