The bigger the dog, the more dog there is to love. In some cases, the bigger the dog, the more hair they leave behind. Understandably, the prospect of inheriting a ten year legacy of shed may be unappealing to prospective dog owners. However, while there are concerns that come with owning a large dog, a mountain of hair does not have to be one of them. Here we’ve compiled 15 large dog breeds with short hair to provide a brief survey of what’s out there.
The 15 Large Dog Breeds with Short Hair
While large and lovable, many of the breeds on this list are also working breeds with guard dog pedigrees. For this reason, it’s important to socialize a large dog as a puppy to ensure it’s familiar and comfortable with meeting strange dogs and people.
1. American Bulldog
Average Lifespan: 10-15
Average Size: 60-90 pounds
Coat: short
The American Bulldog is a large, bully-type breed developed in the United States as a guard dog. Although related to the English Bulldog, the American Bulldog is typically taller in stature and more physically capable than its English cousin.
With a bite force of 350psi, the American Bulldog is a formidable guard dog, intimidating in appearance. Because of its physical capabilities, it is essential that owners thoroughly train these dogs and accustom them to strangers.
Often mistaken for pit bulls, this breed has fewer ownership restrictions than pits, making it a convenient alternative for those in areas where the pit bull is outlawed.
2. Bloodhound
Average Lifespan: 7-11 years
Average Size: 70-100 pounds
Coat: short
Known for its use as a scent hound and tracking dog, the Bloodhound is one of the larger hound-type breeds, having been originally developed in central Europe to assist on hunting expeditions.
This droopy-faced dog is recognizable from its signature facial folds, which hang loosely about its cheeks. The folds themselves are meant to trap scent particles, allowing the dogs to follow even the subtlest of trails.
Short-coated and a loving family dog, Bloodhounds should only be kept by experienced dog owners. Be aware of possible medical issues associated with the breed and check in with your vet often.
3. Boxer
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 55-70 pounds
Coat: short
Known for its underbite and playful disposition, the Boxer originally hails from Germany where it was developed to assist with hunting wild boar. The breed is intelligent and energetic, requiring consistent exercise and stimulation to ensure its health and mental wellbeing.
Of large dog breeds with short hair, the Boxer is known for being one of the better family dogs. Despite its incredible bite force and muscular build, the boxer is gentle and patient with young children.
4. English Mastiff
Average Lifespan: 6-12 years
Average Size: 120-230 pounds
Coat: short
One of the largest dogs on our list, the English Mastiff was originally developed in England, although it has ancient roots dating back to Mesopotamia and ancient Rome, where the breed was used to control wild game for fights in colosseums.
Imposing and muscular, an English Mastiff is said to have been the heaviest dog of all time, having hit the scales at a record breaking 343 pounds.
Despite its size and frame, the English Mastiff is a gentle giant and good family pet. However, for those considering this breed, be aware that dogs of this size come with a host of health concerns, as well as a shortened lifespan.
5. Cane Corso
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 80-120 pounds
Coat: short
Another breed with roots in ancient Rome, the Cane Corso is an Italian breed of mastiff originally developed for a multitude of purposes, including work as a guard dog, herding breed, hunting dog, and companion animal.
While having a heavy body comparable to other mastiff breeds, the Cane Corso is a fearsome mix of strength and agility, and is light on its feet for such a large-bodied dog.
An extremely intelligent breed, the Cane Corso can be trained to differentiate between potential threats and benign encounters. The breed will often rely on signs from its owner to judge what behavior is appropriate in a given situation.
6. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Average Lifespan: 10-14 years
Average Size: 35-110 pounds
Coat: short
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is an American breed originally developed in Louisiana as a herding/hunting hound. Although its background is unknown, the Catahoula Leopard Dog is thought to be a landrace breed bred from dog/wolf crosses and other dogs common to the swamps of Louisiana.
Excellent as a hunting and scent hound, the breed may have one of the most striking and unique coats on our list of large dog breeds with short hair.
7. Doberman Pinscher
Average Lifespan: 10-13 years
Average Size: 70-100 pounds
Coat: short
The Doberman Pinscher, a distinguished large breed of short-haired dogs, originated in Germany as a dedicated protection and guard breed utilized to safeguard properties and individuals. Recognizable by its sleek black coat and elongated snout, the Doberman stands out as the quintessential guard dog breed, celebrated for its sharp intellect, remarkable strength, and speed while on duty.
Thanks to its intelligence, this large breed of short-haired dogs proves highly trainable and obedient to its owners. Nevertheless, owing to its size and physical prowess, it is crucial to socialize the Doberman at an early age.
8. Great Dane
Average Lifespan: 6-10 years
Average Size: 100-130 pounds
Coat: short
The Great Dane, also known as the German Mastiff, is the largest breed of dog and was originally bred for hunting and controlling large game.
Although from Germany, the Great Dane was developed by crossing long-legged wolfhounds from England with the English Mastiff, producing heavy-bodied and fleet-footed hunting dogs capable of chasing down wild boar.
Sadly, much like the English Mastiff, the Great Dane’s large body means that it can suffer from size-related maladies, and very often will die prematurely.
9. Rottweiler
Average Lifespan: 8-10 years
Average Size: 77-130 pounds
Coat: short
With similar coloration to the Doberman, the Rottweiler is another breed developed in Germany and that is used for protection and by police. Although now seen as an excellent guard dog, the Rottweiler can actually trace its roots to herding dogs and dogs used by butchers to pull carts to market.
Broad-headed and muscular, the Rottweiler is considered a temperate and obedient breed that responds well to instruction. It is necessary to provide them with regular exercise.
10. Boerboel
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 110-180 years
Coat: short
One of the only large dog breeds with short hair on this list that hails from Africa, the Boerboel is a mastiff-type dog from South Africa, where it was originally bred to hunt large game and protect farms.
Due to its sheer size and musculature, the Boerboel is renowned for its ferocity and confidence when in the field, being one of the only dog breeds capable of hunting leopards and baboons.
However, because of these features, the Boerboel, much like the pit bull, has been banned from several countries and states, where it was deemed a violent threat and at risk of causing human harm.
11. Greyhound
Average Lifespan: 10-14 years
Average Size: 55-90 pounds
Coat: extremely short (hair sometimes absent from stomach)
Well known for its speed and agility, the Greyhound is a breed originally developed in Europe as coursers, whose purpose is to help chase down and outpace deer on hunts.
While their original purpose may have been as hunting sighthounds, Greyhounds are perhaps most famously used as racing dogs, competing against one another around a track. However, this practice is banned in some places.
Notably, the Greyhound’s extremely short coat and sometimes naked stomachs mean this breed is an extremely light shedder, with hairs that are hard to detect.
12. Bullmastiff
Average Lifespan: 8-10 years
Average Size: 100-130 pounds
Coat: short
The Bullmastiff is an English breed of dog developed by crossing the English Mastiff and English bulldog breeds to create a lighter bodied mastiff-type dog. Strong and confident, the Bullmastiff was produced as a guard dog to watch over and protect people and properties.
For those looking to get a Bullmastiff, it is good to recognize that this breed, like many others on this list, is a working dog, and can be aggressive if not properly socialized at a young age.
13. Dogue de Bordeaux
Average Lifespan: 6-9 years
Average Size: 100-150 pounds
Coat: short
Recognizable for its truncated snout and wrinkled face, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a mastiff-type breed originally from France where it was bred to pull carts, guard properties, and protect livestock against predators.
Shorter than some of the other mastiff-type breeds, the Dogue de Bordeaux nonetheless retains a mastiff’s stocky build and sturdy frame, being incredibly heavy for its size.
While it once neared extinction as a breed, the Dogue de Bordeaux has since made a comeback and its population has grown. That said, the breed is perhaps the rarest of the large dog breeds with short hair on this list.
14. Dogo Argentino
Average Lifespan: 10-15 years
Average Size: 88-120 pounds
Coat: short
Superficially resembling the Cane Corso, the Dogo Argentino is a large, short-haired dog breed, originally developed in Argentina for the purpose of hunting large game.
A robust and stocky big dog breed, the Dogo Argentino also excels as a formidable guard dog. Known for its intelligence, the breed has been employed in various roles such as a search and rescue dog, as well as a seeing-eye dog.
Compared with some other big dog breeds with short hair on our list, the Dogo Argentino is long-lived and generally has few health issues, aside from a predisposition to partial deafness.
15. Broholmer
Average Lifespan: 7-12 years
Average Size: 90-150 pounds
Coat: short
The Broholmer, also known as the Danish Mastiff, is a mastiff-type breed originally from Denmark. The breed was produced by crossing English Mastiffs and local Danish breeds.
Like the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Broholmer also came near extinction between the world wars, and has likewise made a comeback, although still relatively rare. The breed is considered well tempered and obedient to its owners, but has been known to be wary of and aggressive towards strangers.