What Dogs are Hypoallergenic

Have you ever wanted a furry friend despite having troubles with pet allergies? The good news is that not every dog causes itchy eyes and sneeze fits. Let’s dive into the world of hypoallergenic dogs: dog breeds that are better suited for people with allergies.

Many people consider dogs to be more than just pets. But allergies can cause problems for some people, which makes it hard to enjoy companionship with traditional dog breeds. For those looking for canine companionship without the typical allergic reactions, you may be asking: what dogs are hypoallergenic? These hypoallergenic breeds provide a compromise to those with allergies, enabling them to better enjoy the presence of dogs without having to constantly fight off the symptoms of allergies.

What Makes Dogs Hypoallergenic?

To better understand why certain breeds of dogs may be better for people with allergies to pets, it’s helpful to know a bit about the actual causes of our symptoms. Contrary to popular belief, people with dog allergies aren’t necessarily allergic to the hair itself – rather, they’re allergic to dog saliva, dander, and urine, which contain allergens known as Can F1 and Can F2. As a result, people tend to make the connection to dog hair, as they often house plentiful allergens in the form of dander and dried urine.

In response to being exposed to a lot of these allergens, allergic individuals’ immune systems may overreact, leading to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Thus, people with dog allergies tend to look for dogs that are hypoallergenic, meaning they produce and spread less Can F1 and Can F2. There are a variety of breeds that fit this criteria, some better than others.

Affenpinscher

Affenpinschers' low-maintenance coats make them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers, much like many of the wiry-haired dogs on this list. The wiry coats of Affenpinschers do not grow quickly, nor do they shed much. These dogs are regarded as wonderful companion dogs that are toy-sized, funny, and confident.

Afghan Hound

Afghan Hounds' silky coats actually shed very little, despite the fact that they may not initially seem like the greatest hypoallergenic dogs. These dogs have short, fuzzy coats when they are puppies, and as they get older, their fur grows longer and needs to be brushed more frequently.

Afghan Hounds are distinguished by their noble and respectable appearance. They also have an enormous amount of loyalty and dedication to the people they call their own.

American Hairless Terrier

American Hairless Terriers, as their name might suggest, are primarily hairless, though there is a coated variety as well. Either way, these dogs don't shed much at all.

These dogs are a great hypoallergenic breed, but you will need to take care of their ears and shield them from the sun. The playful terrier attitude of American Hairless Terriers is well-known, and they make excellent family pets.

Basenji

Basenjis have curly tails that make them easy to identify. They are independent and intelligent. Basenjis are sometimes referred to as the "barkless dog" because of a sound they make that is somewhere in between a chortle and a yodel.

Basenjis have short coats, require little maintenance, and only shed infrequently, making them excellent hypoallergenic dogs.

Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier is another hypoallergenic dog with a distinctive appearance; its coat has a sheep-like texture. These canines are renowned for being lively and are eager to be the focus of attention.

The coats of Bedlington Terriers are crisp and curly, with a mixture of harsh and soft hair. Nevertheless, in contrast to many other terrier breeds, they are not wiry. Despite not shedding often, Bedlington Terriers do have rapidly growing coats that need to be trimmed on a regular basis.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a charming lap dog with a personality and charm all its own. Its pure white coat gives it away. Bichons make wonderful companion dogs because they usually get along with kids and other animals.

Bichons are a hypoallergenic dog breed that sheds very seldom. The AKC claims that the hair that does shed comes from their undercoat. Although they require frequent brushing and grooming, bichons are generally excellent dogs for people with allergies.

Chinese Crested

Chinese Cresteds are well-known for their roles in films such as How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Marmaduke, and Cats & Dogs. They are lively and playful dogs. Powderpuffs are a hairless and coated variety of Chinese Cresteds. The hairless dogs do not shed, as one might anticipate, and even the coated dogs do not shed much.

However, both varieties of Chinese Cresteds need some maintenance. For the hairless dogs, this usually means regular brushing; and for the coated dogs, skincare products. All things considered, if you're searching for a hypoallergenic dog, these are great options.

Coton de Tulear

Coton de Tulears, despite the flowing appearance of their coats, shed very seldom and need little maintenance, particularly if their coats are kept short. That being said, unless their coats are kept in a short "puppy clip," these dogs' soft, cotton-like white coats have the potential to grow long. 

These hypoallergenic dogs are wonderful companions; they're energetic, joyful, and quite happy to spend the entire day chasing you around the house.

Giant Schnauzer

The giant schnauzer dog breed is among the biggest on our list! These are large dogs that are excellent companions, as their name implies. Not only are giant schnauzers intelligent, devoted, and highly trainable, but they also don't shed much.

Regular brushing and grooming can help minimize dander for those with mild allergies. The Giant Schnauzer is unquestionably your best option if you're searching for a large hypoallergenic dog that works hard and stays active.

Havanese

Among hypoallergenic canines, the Havanese is a real gem thanks to its upbeat temperament and opulent silky coat. Havanese dogs are surprisingly low shedders despite having long hair, and they make great pets for allergy sufferers if they receive regular grooming.

A Havanese will add elegance and happiness to your home whether it is curled up on your lap or playing tricks on you—all without triggering your allergies!

Irish Water Spaniel

Standing tallest among all AKC spaniels, the Irish Water Spaniel is among the largest hypoallergenic dogs, alongside the Giant Schnauzer. Irish Water Spaniels are also energetic and, as their name implies, are water lovers.

These dogs can be identified by their tapering "rat tails" and curled coats. Irish Water Spaniels shed seasonally, but their coats are generally hypoallergenic. This being said, they do need to be brushed and trimmed on a regular basis.

Kerry Blue Terrier

Kerry Blue Terriers, who have one of the most distinctive coat colors in the dog world, are renowned for being perceptive and high-spirited. Kerry Blues have coats that range in color from light-blue gray to deep slate. Although these big dogs don't shed often, they still need to be brushed and trimmed frequently.

Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto Romagnolos have a fascinating history in addition to being cute, bear-like dogs. They were called "truffle dogs" because they were traditionally bred to hunt for truffles. These dogs work very hard and have very good noses.

With their thick, double coat of curly hair, the Lagotto may not seem like a hypoallergenic dog breed, but they shed very little. To prevent matting, just make sure to bring them in for routine trimming.

Maltese

Maltese dogs, like Bichon Frise and Coton de Tulears, are distinguished by their white coats. Even though this breed doesn't shed much, Maltese still need to be brushed and groomed if their coats are kept long.

Maltese are devoted companion dogs that can be a wonderful asset to the family. They are incredibly loving and are often content to sit on their owners' laps.

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is the tiniest breed of schnauzer. However, don't be misled by their diminutive stature – with the right training, these gregarious and active dogs can actually make excellent security canines.

Despite having two coats, Miniature Schnauzers shed very little, just like Giant Schnauzers. Maintaining their hair well will help you prevent allergy symptoms.

Alternative Solutions to Dog Allergies

Alongside befriending hypoallergenic dogs, there are several other things you can do to address your dog allergies! For instance, just by improving basic household cleaning and improving your dogs’ hygiene, you can drastically reduce the amount of allergens both on surfaces and in the air. On top of this, you could look into products dedicated to reducing these allergens, such as Pacagen’s Dog Allergen Neutralizing Spray (Coming Soon!), which directly neutralizes Can F1 and Can F2 allergens in a manner that’s both effective and safe for yourself and your dog.