Do you get red, itchy eyes and a stuffy nose every time at home when you play with your fluffy? Or rashes, swelling, and any other allergy symptoms. Don’t worry. You ain’t alone, over 15% of the population suffers from dog allergies.
The allergic nature of one person may vary greatly from another person’s. People can be allergic to anything, although for some persons certain dog breeds and even dogs within the same breeds may trigger allergy symptoms more than others.
Do you suffer from dog allergies and want to look for the best hypoallergenic dogs that won’t trigger your reactions?
What Is A Hypoallergenic Dog?
Well, when it comes to asking ‘what dogs are hypoallergenic?’ Sorry to break it to you, but there’s actually no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed.
This is because it is the dander that is dried, dead flakes on dogs’ coats, and the sticky protein in the dog’s saliva on the tongue that fixes to this dander are the things most people are allergic to, not the dog or its hair.
The pet’s hair itself isn’t a significant problem; the dog is not just shedding her hair; he’s shedding the saliva and the dander that is attached to the shed hairs.
The hair and dander then stick to carpet, furniture, clothing, and things around the house which makes the allergic and sensitive people react.
10 Best Hypoallergenic Dogs For People With Allergies
With all this in mind, the list below includes both hypoallergenic (rather less-allergenic) dog breeds and dogs good for allergenic folks.
These dogs are of low-dander than others, and often shed less, too (ELDORADO!). Get away from some of your allergy woes with these 10 dog breeds (which include small, medium, and large-sized dogs).
That is wonderful for allergy sufferers that will have you saying “Bless you!” (Because we all know, everyone deserves to have the man’s best friend).
1. Poodle
This popular dog breed comes in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy poodles. Dogs have fur while poodles have hair. Whaaaaat? Nay, that curly craziness is, in fact, hair.
The coat is wool-like, soft, and curly hair that comes in different colors and shades. Poodles and poodle mixes are a boon for anyone who suffers from allergies or asthma. If you want to have a slightly bigger dog that is still hypoallergenic and cute at the same time, choose the standard poodle.
2. Maltese
These cute, button-eyed Maltese dogs’ anti-allergy abilities lie in their long, flowing white locks with no undercoat. They are non-shedding, low-dander dogs.
This breed is the perfect pet for allergy sufferers looking for a hypoallergenic lap warmer. The Maltese mix breeds like Maltipoo, and Maltese Shih Tzu mix dogs also come under the provocative hypoallergenic dogs.
3. Bichon Frise
Like the Maltese, these “powder puff” dogs are lively non-shedding lower-allergen dogs.
Bichon Frise also has a white coat but theirs is a poofy, curly double coat that (of course) does not shed and it is harder for their dander to escape.
4. Schnauzer
The personality-plus Schnauzer is a safe bet for allergy sufferers. Why? schnauzers come in three sizes (just like poodles)- miniature, standard, or giant.
Although they have double coats with different colors, they do not really shed, unlike other double-coated dogs. Smaller dogs are more tolerable for allergy sufferers because they shed less frequently and produce much less dander than other others. Boom!
5. Yorkshire Terrier
The cutest canine specimen – Yorkie is an itty bitty breed and is a pint-size dream for allergic persons.
The Yorkie has a human-hair-like coat and doesn’t have an undercoat that sheds, making it a hypoallergenic choice.
6. Italian Greyhound
The small, elegant, and long-lived Italian Greyhound isn’t a scratch dog and they require minimal grooming and have no doggie odor, which is definitely a benefit.
This hound breed differs from all the fluffy little dogs on this list as the breed is blessed with a thin coat and shed about as much as any dog without an undercoat. On a side note: is it possible for anyone to resist that endearing face?
7. Chihuahua
The Chihuahua has two things going for him: a teeny-tiny frame and a single coat (in fact, Chihuahuas come in four coats).
Short-coated as well as long-coated, single (with no undercoat) sheds lesser than short coat-double and long coat-double (with undercoat) dogs. The Short, as well as long single-coated Mexicans, are considered too good for allergy sufferers.
8. Shih Tzu
The ‘little lions’ has hair rather than fur, does not shed much (and their hair falls out more only when brushed or broken), and produces less dander which makes them a good hypoallergenic breed for families. Good luck for you to have a good Shih Tzu time.
9. Havanese
You may be wondering just what makes this Cuban lapdog hypoallergenic.
They look deceptively thick and coated with a soft wavy, non-curly Bichon, making these dogs another ideal choice for allergy sufferers.
Havanese, a type of short-haired Havanese with a smooth coat, does shed and is not a hypoallergenic dog.
10. Puli
This Hungarian mop dog has unusual Rastafarian dreadlocks with an extremely thick and dense, rope-like coat, which is weather-resistant; the outer coat is wavy and the undercoat is dense and wool-like which looks like a twisted thread mop.
The Puli sheds lesser than other breeds and the shed hair stays ‘trapped’ in their dense coat so they are considered to be hypoallergenic.
Golden Rules Before Selecting Hypoallergenic Dogs
Interestingly, a person can be allergic to one dog and not another, even of the same breed. In general, other factors being equal, consider these golden rules about dog allergenicity (which works most of the time) when choosing a hypoallergenic breed:
- Small – Less hair to shed so less dander around
- Hairless – Not for everyone, but you’ve rather eliminated the shedding problem
- Single-coated – No heavy, allergen-ridden undercoat
- Curly-coated – Hair tends to cord more instead of dropping out
- Barking dogs – Not only seldom bite but also will release more saliva and dander
- Mixed breeds – The level of dander is unpredictable if one of the chosen breeds sheds more or an allergenic breed.
- Try hanging around with the dog – If possible, spend at least some time with a dog, you like and see which of them generates fewer allergens or sets you to sneezing.
