Hypoallergenic dogs are for those who love dogs, but suffer from dog allergies. If you are looking for some hypoallergenic dog breed, we will help you find it.
When we talk of domestic pets, the first animal to come to your mind is bound to be a dog―cat lovers may disagree, but that is a never-ending debate that’s best left for some other day. Bringing home a pet dog is an idea almost all dog lovers cherish, but not all of them can do it. There are some dog lovers who would love to have a pet dog, but they can’t because they suffer from dog allergy. If not themselves, some people have kids or parents/spouse who suffer from this condition, as a result of which they cannot afford to get home a dog. If you too fall under any of these categories, then a hypoallergenic dog breed is what you need to look out for.
What Causes Dog Allergy in Humans?
Dog allergens are proteins that are found in the saliva and dander of dogs, which are known to trigger allergic reactions in humans. Such reactions are triggered when the dander, which is carried around the house with the dog’s fur, enters the human respiratory system. In case of reaction, the person may experience skin rashes, watery eyes, itchy eyes, sneezing, and stuffy nose. In some cases, it can lead to serious issues, like wheezing, asthma attacks, and breathing problems.
What are Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds?
Hypoallergenic dog breeds are those breeds that produce relatively less dander. You should keep in mind that there are no dogs that can be called ‘totally’ hypoallergenic. All dogs shed and produce some amount of allergens. Many people are of the belief that only hairless dogs are hypoallergenic, as they do not shed. The fact, however, is that there are many dogs with a good hair coat that are hypoallergenic, and thus, are considered ideal pets for people with allergies.
Hypoallergenic Breeds
| Breed | Large Dogs | Small Dogs | Non-shedding Dogs | Dogs Good with Children |
| Airdale Terrier | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Affenpinscher | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| American Hairless Terrier | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bedlington Terrier | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bergamasco | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bichon Frisé | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bolognese | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bouvierdes Flandres | ✓ | ✗ | Does not molt | ✗ |
| Cairn Terrier | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chinese Crested | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chihuahua | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Coton de Tulear | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dandie Dinmont Terrier | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Greyhound | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Havanese Dogs | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Irish Water Spaniel | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Kerry Blue Terrier | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Komondor | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lagotto Romagnolo | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lhasa Apso | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Maltese | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pomeranian | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Poodles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Polish Lowland Sheepdog | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Portuguese Water Dog | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Puli | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Samoyed | ✓ | ✗ | No dander | ✗ |
| Schnauzers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shih Tzu | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Silky Terrier | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spanish Water Dog | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tibetan Terrier | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Welsh Terrier | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Xoloitzcuintli | ✓ | ✓ | Hairless, but produces dander | ✗ |
| Yorkshire Terrier | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Additionally, you need to look into other details, like temperament, grooming requirements, barking problem, and health problems related to each breed. When you find a dog breed that suits your needs, you should spend at least 30 to 40 minutes with it at the dog breeders place. You should continue to visit the dog for two more days and watch out for signs of allergy. If you do not develop any kind of allergy or health problem, it is the right dog for you. Remember, no dog is totally hypoallergenic; all dogs shed dander and hair to some extent.
