boxer wearing harness

Maybe you're looking for the perfect guard dog, but you also need a breed that doesn't shed. If you've got family members who suffer from allergies, then selecting a breed with a low-shedding coat can certainly help minimize allergy flare-ups.

Do note that there are not many dog breeds that can be considered truly non-shedding. Many breeds, even those sometimes called hypoallergenic or non-shedding, do shed their hair or fur to some degree. But the good news is that some do so less than others. These breeds can be more accurately called low-shedding.

The advantages of a low-shedding or non-shedding guard dog breed include fewer regular trips to the groomer or even no trips at all! Your pup will usually only need a quick brush once a week or so. You also won't find so much dropped hair around your house, which is always a bonus!

We've split our roundup of the best guard dog breeds that don't shed (much!) into large, medium and small breeds. If you have a particular preference regarding the size of the guard dog you're looking for, you can head straight for that section. If not, you can enjoy looking at all these gorgeous guard dogs!

Let's dive in!

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Large Guard Dog Breeds That Don't Shed

1. Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terrier
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The courageous Airedale Terrier is friendly when it comes to spending time with their families, but they won't hesitate to protect their pack if they think you're in danger. Their wiry and short coats don't shed much at all, so a weekly brush is all they need.


2. Giant Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzer in the field
Image Credit: Bruno /Germany, Pixabay

The powerful Giant Schnauzer will definitely make anyone approaching your property stop and look twice. This breed has a territorial streak and makes wonderful guard dogs as long as they're carefully trained. Their thick double coat can be clipped, which dramatically reduces shedding.


3. Bouvier des Flandres

Bouvier des Flandres
Image: Tatyana Kuznetsova, Shutterstock

This tough-looking breed love to protect their families, so working on socialization and training is essential if you want a well-trained guard dog. Bouviers have a dense double coat that doesn't shed much because most hair is caught within the coat. You will need to brush them weekly to remove this hair and prevent matting.


4. Briard

Briard in park
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The Briard might look cute under their mop of hair, but that doesn't stop them from protecting their families. This high-energy dog loves to have a job to do. Their long coats trap a great deal of hair, which reduces shedding, but they will need regular grooming sessions.


5. Komondor

Komondor
Image credit: Marcel Jancovic, Shutterstock

The powerful and independent-minded Komondor uses its instincts as a guardian of flocks of sheep to protect and guard their families. Their coats form distinctive cords that don't need brushing, but you might need help from a groomer to start the process of your pup's coat cords forming properly, as you'll have to make sure they're shaped correctly.


6. Standard Poodle

standard poodle
Image credit: Peakpx

The intelligent Standard Poodle can easily be trained as a guard dog thanks to their loyal spirit and obedient, trainable nature. The Poodle's coat sheds very little, and the hair that does fall out tends to get caught in their coat.


7. Appenzeller Sennenhund

Appenzeller Sennenhund
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Appenzeller enjoys living outside in a warm and waterproof kennel. Their high guarding instinct means they will always be looking out for their families. The thick double coat of the Appenzeller does require regular brushing to remove loose hairs, but they don't shed all that much.


8. Black Russian Terrier

Black Russian Terriers
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The Black Russian Terrier is a courageous and powerful breed who needs an experienced owner. Their history as a military breed means they love to protect their families. Their double coats can be trimmed by a professional groomer, and this big breed will only shed a little seasonally.


9. Boerboel Dog

Boerboel
Image Credit: 947051, Pixabay

These territorial dogs have a strong desire to protect their owners and homes. This is a breed for knowledgeable owners who are confident training dominant breeds. The Boerboel's short coat doesn't shed too much, so a weekly groom should keep stray hairs under control.


10. Bullmastiff

The exterior of the dog stand. Bullmastiff_BORINA OLGA_shutterstock
Credit: BORINA OLGA, Shutterstock

Around their families, the Bullmastiff can be friendly and affectionate. But their history as a guarding breed for British country estates means they have the desire to protect their homes. Their coats don't shed much at all, except for once or twice a year as the temperatures change.

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Medium Sized Guard Dogs That Don't Shed

11. Boxer

Boxer
Image Credit: Myriams-Fotos, Pixabay

Boxers might be well-known for their fun-loving and enthusiastic personalities, but they also have a protective side that can make them extremely effective guard dogs. Their short coats shed very little, and you'll only need to brush them once a week at most.


12. Shar-Pei

shar pei side
Image Credit: Pickpik

Shar-Peis love their families but are suspicious of both other dogs and strangers. They won't hesitate to defend their territory, making training essential if you want a well-behaved guard dog. Their short coats don't shed much and only require minimal grooming.


13. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgeback
Image Credit: Couleur, Pixabay

The Rhodesian Ridgeback has both a strong prey drive and a desire to protect their families and home territory. These independent dogs are strong-willed and need an experienced owner. Their short and shiny coats don't shed much and just need a weekly brushing session.


14. Perro de Presa Canario

tan perro de presa canario
Image: volofin, Shutterstock

This unusual breed comes from the Canary Islands, where they were used as guardians for flocks of sheep. They are calm around their owners but are territorial and won't back down if challenged. Their short coat only needs occasional brushing to keep stray hairs at bay.


15. Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinscher
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The powerful Doberman Pinscher is well-known for its incredible guarding ability. Their high levels of intelligence mean you'll need to keep your Doberman well trained so they are confident in what job they should be doing. Their short and sleek coat is extremely low-maintenance.


16. Bergamasco Sheepdog

two bergamasco
Image: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock

Bergamasco Sheepdogs are patient and kind with their families but extremely protective of them. This breed has an unusual coat that forms sections of hair that mat together and are known as "flocks." Their coats can be considered non-shedding once the flocks are fully formed.


17. Kerry Blue Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier
Image Credit By: Jne Valokuvaus, shutterstock

These large terriers have a beautiful soft coat that comes in many different shades of blue-grey and doesn't shed at all. They enjoy watching over and taking care of their families, but they're not difficult to train and can enjoy interacting with other dogs.


18. Puli Dog

puli
Image Credit: kidsnewshu, Pixabay

The Puli has a distinctive, non-shedding coat that forms into cords. It's quite high maintenance until the cords are fully formed, and after that, you won't need to do any brushing at all! Pulis are independent and strong-willed, so their owners need to have plenty of training experience.


19. Rottweiler

Rottweiler
Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay

Rotties are gentle with their families but are confident enough to protect you if they perceive a threat. They're not an aggressive breed but certainly look intimidating when guarding your property! Their coat usually doesn't shed much, except at the end of spring and start of winter.


20. Spanish Water Dog

Spanish Water Dog outside
Image credit: Daz Stock, Shutterstock

The Spanish Water Dog's coat should never be brushed and sheds very little. You can keep them clipped or train their coat into long cords. These active dogs are loyal to their families but cautious of strangers. They have a high prey drive, so they must be supervised with smaller pets.


21. Standard Schnauzer

black standard schnauzer
Image Credit: Eve Photography, Shutterstock

A smaller version of the Giant Schnauzer, these dogs share the same courageous and loyal spirit that makes them excellent watchdogs. Their coats shed very little and if kept clipped in a neat trim, will be low maintenance in terms of grooming.


22. Portuguese Water Dogs

portuguese water dog in the forest
Image credit: Brook Robinson, Shutterstock

The Portuguese Water Dog has a dense coat that appears non-shedding, but in reality, the hairs are simply trapped within their curls. A quick weekly groom is all that's needed. Porties are athletic and energetic, and they love watching out for their families.


23. Catahoula Leopard Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog
Image Credit By: Eudyptula, shutterstock

These loyal dogs are both protective and territorial, so they need proper socialization from a young age if they are to make a well-mannered guard dog. They're affectionate with their families and their short coat only needs a quick brush once a week. This makes them a great guard dog that doesn't shed.

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Small Guard Dogs That Don't Shed

24. Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzer
Image Credit: joangonzalez, Pixabay

Completing our Schnauzer trifecta is the Miniature Schnauzer. These little pups make fearless watchdogs who love keeping a close eye on their families. Their wiry coat is low maintenance and sheds very little. Clipping their coat makes grooming an even easier task.


25. Chihuahua

Chihuahua
Image Credit: HG-Fotografie, Pixabay

No one told the Chihuahua that they're the smallest dog breed, so they take their job of watching over their families seriously! They can be vocal and won't hesitate to let you know what's going on. Their coats can be long or short-haired, but both are relatively easy to maintain.


26. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier
Image Credit: Nel Botha, Pixabay

Yorkies might look cute, but they have the classic fearless terrier spirit that makes them excellent tiny watchdogs. The Yorkie's soft coat is more like hair than fur and does not shed much at all. It can be kept long or clipped into a cute and easy-to-maintain puppy trim.


27. American Hairless Terrier

american hairless terrier
Image Credit: Pxhere

You won't have to worry about any shedding at all with the cute American Hairless Terrier! These alert and feisty little dogs love to watch over their families and are a great choice if you need a truly non-shedding breed. You do have to watch out for sunburn over the summer months.


28. Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier
Image credit: skeeze, Shutterstock

These smart little dogs are sensitive yet alert, so they will be keeping an eye on the comings and goings of your neighborhood, making them a great guard dog that doesn't shed. Their small size makes them a great choice for urban living. A Boston's smooth and short coat sheds very little and needs minimal grooming.

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Conclusion: Guard Dogs That Don't Shed

We hope you enjoyed our roundup of 28 of the best guard dog breeds that don't shed at all or shed very little. Who knows, perhaps your dream dog is in there! Remember that some of these breeds need experienced owners who are familiar with socializing and training dogs who have a territorial and protective streak. Others are perfect for first-time dog owners who also want the protection of a loyal pup to watch over you and your family.


Featured Image Credit: Pixabay