If you suffer from mild allergies and have discussed with your doctor or allergist the possibility of getting a dog, you are probably looking to find out which breeds you should avoid to minimize allergy triggers as much as possible. Keeping in mind that any dog can trigger allergies because they all produce varying amounts of allergens, here we have compiled a list of 11 dogs that are considered heavy fur shedders.

With 200 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, it can be difficult to sort through them all, so we have done the work for you. We’ve included a short description for each breed so you can learn more about it and an image so you can see what it looks like.

Important note: Hair shedding should not be confused with shedding allergens. Dog allergies are triggered by certain proteins, known as allergens, that are produced or released in hair, fur, skin, urine, and saliva. There are different types of allergens, and not all dogs produce the same amount of each. So far, there is no proven existence of purely hypo- or hyper-allergenic dog breeds. However, for some individuals, the presence of a dog that sheds a lot of hair may worsen their allergy symptoms. This is the primary focus of this article.

The 11 Worst Dog Breeds for Allergies

1. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is the first heavy shedder that we’ve looked at so far, and you will likely be impressed at how much fur they will drop in your home. Since there is so much fur, this breed is likely to trigger allergic reactions. The spring season is the worst as the dog gets ready for summer.

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2. Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher has a short coat and contrary to what it may seem, they shed quite a lot. They don’t lose large amounts of hair as the seasons change like other dog breeds, but they do lose hair all year long, which can trigger your allergies.

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3. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small herding dog that sheds quite a bit. This heavy shedding will increase during the shedding seasons of fall and spring, and you’ll likely wonder where your pet is getting all of the hair. These dogs also tend to lick your face, which will spread even more allergens through their saliva.

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4. Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies have a thick double coat that enables them to handle extremely cold temperatures, and they have even pulled sleds in Antarctica. However, your dog must shed this thick coat twice a year so they can prepare for the next season, which will leave plenty of hair in your home. Professional grooming and frequent brushing can help, but plenty of fur will still find its way into your home.

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5. German Shepherd

A passing glance might give you the impression that the German Shepherd has short hair, but they have a medium double coat and shed quite a bit of fur year-round. They will also lose large clumps of hair during the shedding season that can leave an amazing amount of fur around your home. These dogs require moderate grooming, which should not be performed by an allergic person or their symptoms may be triggered.

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6. Pug

The Pug is a small, adorable dog with a thick, short, smooth coat that will shed quite a bit. This breed also likes to lick your face, placing allergy-causing proteins near your mouth and nose.

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7. Akita

The Akita is a large dog breed and males can often exceed 125 pounds. Their alert and courageous temperament make them a great watchdog. This dog breed has a medium double coat that sheds heavily and will leave hair around your house year-round. They will deposit large piles of hair that will rival those left by any other breed during the shedding seasons

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8. Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is probably the heaviest shedder on the list. These beautiful, sweet and strong dogs have a moderately long double coat that needs frequent grooming and sheds heavily. They are moderate droolers, and saliva might also be a problem. They make one of the best family dogs and will be your companion for life.

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9. Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a medium to large-sized dog with a friendly and playful personality. It’s well adapted to extremely cold weather and has a thick double coat that sheds several times a year, which can leave quite a bit of hair around the home. They are very unlikely to drool and have moderate grooming needs.

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10. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a powerful dog that can often stand 20 inches tall at the shoulders. They have a medium, double coat of fur that causes them to resemble a large teddy bear. They have a blue tongue and a scowling expression. They have moderate grooming needs and are known for their drooling levels.

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11. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a large working dog with a thick double coat that enables them to handle cold temperatures. As a result, this breed sheds its coat frequently and can leave quite a bit of fur around your home, especially during the spring and fall shedding seasons. Since the dog is so large, it’s impossible to control the hair as it falls off.

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed reading over this list and that it has helped you learn more about which breeds to avoid if you want to minimize the amount of hair shedding in your home. Many of these dogs, like the Pug, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, and Doberman Pinscher, are extremely common, and you may have had variable experiences with dogs of these breeds. This may be explained by the fact that the level of allergenicity varies from one dog to another rather than from one breed to another. Understanding that even the so-called hypoallergenic dogs can trigger your allergies will help you consider very carefully the option of adopting a dog. Our recommendation is to always work in collaboration with your allergist. If we have helped save you from a life of frequent headaches, stuffy noses, and itchy eyes, please share these 11 worst dog breeds for allergies on Facebook and Twitter.

• Related Read: Allergy Bumps on Dogs (Vet Answer): Hives and Urticaria Explained

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Featured Image Credit: Welshea, Shutterstock