Which Dogs Are Hypoallergenic?
Owning a dog may be your dream. You’ve probably thought about this for years, but there’s a catch. You or someone you love is allergic. Or, frankly, your mom or significant other can’t stand the hair. Keeping the house clean with all of that dog hair can be stressful and no one wants to add additional stress to their lives. So, is there a solution? The answer is yes! There are hypoallergenic dogs that can be the perfect answer for your situation.
It’s important to know that there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs. The ones that are considered hypoallergenic are either low shedding or have no hair. Dander is what causes allergies, so these dogs produce very little dander and most allergy sufferers do well with them.
Here’s a list of some traditional American Kennel Club hypoallergenic dogs:
Affenpinscher
Afghan Hound
American Hairless Terrier
Barbet
Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frise
Bolognese
Chinese Crested
Coton de Tulear
Giant Schnauzer
Havanese
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Komondor
Lagotto Romagnolo
Lowchen
Maltese
Miniature Schnauzer
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Poodle (miniature, toy, and standard)
Portuguese Water Dog
Puli
Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
Shih Tzu
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Wire Fox Terrier
Xoloitzcuintli
Yorkshire Terrier
This list of traditional, AKC recognized breeds are all great options for those with allergies. You can use the American Kennel Club website to compare breeds and to find resources, breeders, and rescues.
In recent years, the Doodle breeds have become extremely popular for their hypoallergenic properties. They’re low to non-shedding dogs so they do require regular visits to the groomer for trims. A Doodle has either one Poodle parent and one parent of another breed or it’s a product of two Doodle parents. Doodles also come in miniature sizes if a large dog isn’t your style. Here are some of the most popular Doodle varieties:
Bernedoodle – Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle
Labradoodle – Labrador Retriever and Poodle
Goldendoodle – Golden Retriever and Poodle
Aussiedoodle – Australian Shepherd and Poodle
Cockapoo – Cocker Spaniel and Poodle
Schnoodle – Schnauzer and Poodle
Cavoodle – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle
Sheepadoodle – Old English Sheepdog and Poodle
Irish Doodle – Irish Setter and Poodle
Saint Berdoodle – Saint Bernard and Poodle
Maltipoo – Maltese and Poodle
Yorkipoo – Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle
Newfypoo – Newfoundland and Poodle
As you can see, there are so many options for hypoallergenic dogs for you to choose from. Every size, color combo, some with hair and some without, and all with different personalities. It’s highly recommended that you do plenty of research on these breeds to find a personality match, especially when it comes to the Doodle varieties since you’re combining two breeds.
Everyone deserves the chance to have a dog, and for those with allergies or an aversion to hair, hypoallergenic dogs are a great option!