The positive impact dogs have on their owners simply can’t be underestimated — despite how much hard work they can be. Yes, dogs can help people through some of the toughest times in life, but they can create a lot of mess in the home.
While this is a tiny price to pay for the love a dog brings into a home, it can make vacuuming, cleaning upholstery and removing odours very tricky. If you’re thinking about bringing a new pooch into your home, it might be worth considering how much hair you’ll be cleaning up every day.
Yes, having the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair should make life easier, but it’s always good to know what how much hair and dander you’ll need to deal with. With that in mind, here are the common dog breeds that shed a lot of hair.
Siberian husky
Siberian huskies are bred to perform in sub-zero temperatures, so their coats are some of the thickest in the canine world. Long hairs cover their body and tail, and they are completely shed twice a year. However, shedding takes place gradually throughout the year, so cleaning pet hair with a husky in the house is a continual battle.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are short-haired dogs, but they shed hair continuously throughout the year. Generally, however, the rate of shedding picks up during during the warmer months of the year — so be prepared.
Chow chow
The chow chow is a Chinese breed with a beautiful, chubby face — and loads of hair. In fact, this particular breed has a mane a lion would be proud of. Bred as an early-warning system security dog, the chow chow sheds hair every single day of the year. If you’re bringing one of these stunning creatures into your home, you’ll need the best vacuum for pet hair in the UK, so begin your search now!
Alaskan malamute
Often mistaken for a husky, the Alaskan malamute was bred to drag huge loads across icy plains in the state of Alaska. During the colder months of the year, this breed doubles the thickness of its coat. However, when spring arrives and temperatures begin climb, shedding returns with a vengeance.
Labrador retriever
The most popular dog in the Western world, the labrador has a reputation for its year-round shedding. Initially bred to retrieve game and dead animals for hunters, they grow particularly thick undercoats for protection for wet and cold environments. Labradors shed hair quickly and consistently throughout the year, so constant attention is needed.
Akita
The akita is a large hunting dog from Japan. Originally bred to hunt large prey such as elk, bears and wild boars, the akita has a very thick coat in order to provide protection from sub-zero temperatures in the Japanese countryside. Used widely as guard dogs nowadays, akitas have two coats — so twice the amount of shedding.
German shepherd
Originally bred in Europe to herd farm animals, the German shepherd — sometimes referred to as an alsatian — is a tough dog that was expected to work long days in very cold and inhospitable climates. As a result, this dog has one of the thickest and most robust coats in the dog world.
Other breeds to look out for
Other dogs that shed lots — and continually throughout the year — include the beagle, the saint bernard and the great Pyrenees. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance pooch that keeps more of its hair, the breeds you should be looking at include the poodle, the Yorkshire terrier, the Maltese and the bichon frise. However, poodles in particular shed about as much hair as humans do, so any cross breed (such as a labradoodle or a goldendoodle) will help you to minimise your vacuuming.
Of course, some areas of the home are easier to keep clean than others. Dog hair is particularly difficult to remove from stairs, so it might be worth restricting your dog’s access to them. Alternatively, look for the best vacuum for stairs and pet hair.
If you have a powerful vacuum cleaner specifically designed to pick up pet hair and dander, cleaning becomes a quicker and easier job — giving you more time to spend with your dog.