4 Most Popular Large Shorthaired Dog Breeds That Are Easy to Groom

Large shorthaired dog breeds that are easy to groom are in a league of their own, they are probably the most distinctive breeds in the world because of their size. Pet owners love them for many reasons, and one of them is that they’ve got short hair. If you are looking for a large dog with short hair, you’ve come to the right place. In this article you will learn all about the most popular large short haired dogs, including information about their weight, height, colors, behavior and much more.

We understand why you would want a large dog with short hair, so that you don’t spend more time grooming it than you would enjoying its company. If you want to know more about the type of canine that would be right for you, keep reading.

German Short Haired Pointer (GSP)

As the name suggests, this breed originates from Germany. They were bred as multipurpose hunting dogs during the nineteenth century. The German Short Haired Pointer almost became extinct during World War II. At the end of the war, a lot of breeders hid their most prized possessions and this involved sending their GSPs to Yugoslavia. The GSP made its way to the United States in 1925, between the 1950’s and 1970’s, the breed had earned a stellar reputation in America by winning numerous competitions. 

Behavior and Temperament

Despite their size, this popular large shorthaired dog breed thats easy to groom, is warm and friendly; they are confident, witty and always up for a challenge. These canines don’t like alone time and will develop separation anxiety if their owner is gone for too long. The GSP isn’t comfortable being outside in a kennel, they are house dogs and love spending time with family members. They are known to chose a favorite and stick to them like glue. 

The German Short Haired Pointer loves children, but because of their high energy levels, it is advised that they are supervised when they are around young kids. They get along well with other dogs but they do have a tendency to be aggressive around the same sex. Additionally, they can also get aggressive around smaller pets such as rabbits and cats because they are natural hunters. These character traits are not set in stone, so if you have other pets, a trial run will help you determine if a GSP will fit in well with your family. 

Although this breed is highly intelligent, they are difficult to train, one of the reasons for this is that they are both self-assured and easily distracted. In other words, if what you are asking them to do doesn’t make sense in their mind, they are not going to do it. Therefore, the GSP needs a firm hand while training them which means they are not ideal for first time dog owners. 

Grooming

This breed is considered low maintenance; they don’t shed a lot and they need weekly brushing with a firm bristle brush. You will know when your dog needs a bath because they will start smelling. Clean their ears weekly and check for signs of infection. You will need to brush their teeth daily and clip their nails twice a month. 

Additional Information

• Colors: Solid liver, white and liver

Fun Fact: Their noses are exactly the same color as their coats.

Great Dane

Evidence suggests that the Great Dane may have originated from China because they appeared in Chinese literature as early as 1121 B.C. It is believed that the Assyrians introduced them to different parts of the world by way of trading their dogs with the Romans and the Greeks. Great Danes were originally bred to hunt boars and their ears were cropped to protect them from being torn by the boars tusks. 

Behavior and Temperament

Great Danes are known for their charming personalities; the term “big friendly giant” definitely describes these canines. They love playing and frolicking about; the Great Dane has a strong desire to please their owners and this makes them easy to train. These canines are family dogs, but they enjoy being around people in general; they welcome strangers with open arms unless they feel threatened by them. This breed is extremely protective of their owners and their territory. Despite their size, the Great Dane has an interesting habit of wanting to lye in their owners laps. 

These wonderful dogs are extremely fond of children, but an adult should be present when they are around young kids. Great Danes get on well with other dogs; but in general, they are uninterested in other pets and will go into attack mode with livestock. 

Grooming

Despite the fact that they shed a lot, Great Danes are included in the most popular large shorthaired dog breeds & easy to groom because their coats are easy to maintain. You will need to brush your dogs coat often using a firm bristle brush. Unfortunately, bathing the Great Dane poses a ‘great’ challenge. They don’t like bathing and will pull all sorts of antics to avoid it. However, they will need a bath at least once a month. 

Additional Information

• Colors: Mantle, harlequin, black, blue, brindle, fawn

Fun Fact: As you have read, Great Danes are between 30 – 34 inches tall, which makes them the tallest dog breed in the world. 

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever comes from Newfoundland in Canada and they have been around since the 1500’s. They were originally bred to retrieve ducks and fish that had wriggled free from fishing hooks. The breed started becoming popular in the 1800s after gaining the attention of English nobles during their visit to Canada. The Labrador Retriever was recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club in 1917

Behavior and Temperament

Labrador retrievers are one of the most adored dogs in the world. Not just because they are beautiful to look at, but they also have award winning personalities that will make anyone they come into contact with fall in love with them. They are a very loving and kind hearted breed; they are also very friendly and they enjoy socializing with humans and animals alike.

The Labrador Retriever is highly intelligent and they thrive off pleasing their owners which makes them easy to train. Firm training is essential for the Labrador Retriever because they are high energy dogs and they can get very excited. If this is not channelled in the right way, they can become destructive. 

This breed enjoys being around family, they don’t like being away from their owners for too long. When Labrador Retrievers get lonely and bored, they do things like chew and dig to relieve their frustration. They need both physical and mental stimulation to maintain a healthy balance. These canines enjoy going for walks or playing fetch in the park to expend their energy. 

Grooming

Labradors shed a lot, so you will need to give them a good brush once a week using a bristle body brush. They will need additional brushing during molting season. It is also important to mention that Labrador retrievers get very dirty because they enjoy rolling in the mud and other unpleasant puddles when they are out and about.

There is no hard and fast rule as to when you should bath your canine, but when they do get dirty after a walk, be sure to hose them down. Additionally, give them a good bath at least once a month to prevent your dog from smelling. Brush their teeth daily and, clean and check their ears once a week and clip their toe nails twice a month. 

Additional Information

• Colors: Chocolate, black, yellow

Fun Fact: Labradors enjoy swimming because that is one of the things they were designed to do. Their webbed feet allow them to paddle fast, their thick tails act as a rudder, and their heavy waterproof coats protect them from the cold weather. 

Rottweiler

Evidence suggests that the Rottweiler originates from Germany they were first bred to transport cattle to the market. Butchers also used them to pull their carts; Rottweiler’s were one of the first police dogs and they served with honor in the military. Therefore, they have been extensively trained in all areas of protection and guarding. 

This most popular large shorthaired dog breed thats easy to groom, doesn’t have the best of reputations, due to a few mishaps that went public, the breed has been unfairly labelled as aggressive and dangerous. As a result, depending on the rules in your town, to own a Rottweiler, you may need to carry additional liability insurance. 

Behavior and Temperament

Despite their menacing appearance, the Rottweiler is a friendly family dog who loves nothing more than to be around his owner. They make excellent guard dogs and are fiercely protective of their keepers and territory. Rottweiler’s are not ideal for first time pet owners because they need training from an experienced and firm handed trainer. This breed is very affectionate and loving, they don’t like being alone and will become destructive after long periods of isolation. 

Rottweiler’s get along well with children and they are very protective of them, but because of their size, make sure they are always supervised when around kids. This breed doesn’t need a lot of exercise, taking them for a walk for ten minutes twice a day will keep them satisfied. However, it is essential that they are given this time to work out because they are prone to obesity. Additionally, the breed is an intelligent dog and will also need a lot of mental stimulation in the form of agility classes and advanced obedience classes. 

The Rottweiler doesn’t mind other dogs as long as they are not of the same sex. In most cases, they can live with other animals such as cats. 

 They are confident and calm because they know that when push comes to shove, they can handle themselves. 

The bad news is that if you are planning on buying an adult Rottweiler, you will need to spend time looking for one that has been socialized and trained well or you will be stuck with an aggressive and angry dog. Unfortunately, a lot of adult Rottweiler’s are given up for adoption because they were not trained properly as puppies which caused them to grow into destructive adults. 

Grooming

Rottweiler’s have a double coat they shed moderately throughout the year, and shed excessively during the spring and fall months. You will need to brush your dog weekly with a firm bristle brush. Bath your pet as needed, clean and inspect their ears once a month, brush their teeth daily and snip their toenails twice a month. 

Additional Information

Fun Fact: Rottweiler’s wouldn’t be with us today if it wasn’t for the police and military. They started dying out during the industrial revolution because their jobs as cattle herders were taken over by machines.

Final Thought

As you have read, not all of the most popular large shorthaired dog breeds that are easy to groom, are meant for everyone.  If you are considering purchasing one, you will need to do some research to find the right dog for you. This post should have given you an idea of what to pay attention to because from grooming, to exercise to how they socialize, all large short haired breeds have their unique needs.

It also helps to meet different breeds in person because you are likely to get the right feel for them when you are interacting with the dog directly. As well as having a full understanding of the breed you are planning to purchase, you will also need to make sure that you find a reputable breeder who breeds healthy and happy dogs. The most trustworthy breeders are generally registered with a legal body such as the American Kennel Club.

READ NEXT: 5 Best Dog Grooming Courses Online