Dogs have grown to become one of man’s most trusted friends and companions over the years. Thus, most dog owners treat them like their children and consider them a part of their family. Unfortunately, some individuals who would have loved to be pet parents are allergic to dogs. This is mostly because dogs shed their coat occasionally and not everyone is cool with that. Nevertheless, you can now enjoy being a dog owner by choosing from any of the hypoallergenic dogs – none/less shedding dog breeds.
A dog is considered hypoallergenic if it sheds very little which implies that it might not trigger an allergic reaction. Most dogs have allergens present in their saliva, hair, urine, and of course dander. While there isn’t a dog that is a hundred percent hypoallergenic, there are some that produce less dander which can drastically reduce allergic reactions in humans. Moreover, having hypoallergenic dogs doesn’t imply that they won’t require grooming as every dog needs to be groomed one way or the other.
Table of Contents
15 Hypoallergenic Dogs To Consider As Pets
1. Poodle
There are several breeds of poodle (Toy, Miniature, and Standard) and they are all hypoallergenic dogs as they shed less. They are super cute, easy to train, and very smart, which has made them one of the very popular dog breeds in the United States today. The Poodles have a proud carriage and elegant appearance. They are said to have their origin in Germany and Central Europe in the 1500s.
To enjoy the most of your poodle, it’s advisable to have the poodle clip which protects their joints and vital organs while swimming. With a life span of 10 to 13 years, some of their major health challenges are sebaceous adenitis, Addison, and gastric torsion and their minor challenges can include epilepsy, cataract, and entropion. It is also advisable to brush the coat every other day or weekly for shorter coats. Moreover, when poodles shed hair, it doesn’t fall out but becomes caught in the surrounding hair which can become matted. On the bright side, this might be a good option for people with allergic reactions.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
This small dog breed was developed during the heat of the cotton mill boom in Yorkshire, England. Although they are small, Yorkshire Terriers are very skilled at hunting and were used to hunt and track pesty rats in the clothing mills. They are known for their long, silky, glossy and perfectly straight coat and also have a signature dark steel blue and a clear tan coat. Most importantly, in addition to making the list of hypoallergenic dogs, their coat has the same texture as human hair which is less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
To date, they are known to be very smart, affectionate, lively, and super intelligent which has further endeared them to humans. These hypoallergenic dogs have no major health challenges but it’s advisable to have their eye, hip, thyroid, and knee checked. The breed added a life span of 14 to 16 years to their amazing characteristics.
3. Shih Tzu
This very friendly dog was developed in ancient China over 1000 years ago. The name Shih Tzu means Lion Dog and they are one of the most esteemed animals in China due to their association with Buddhism.
While they can be very mischievous due to their extreme playfulness, they make one of the best watchdogs in the world today as they are very cautious of their environment and fiercely loyal. The Shih Tzu is not only adorable as a toy breed but is also great for families with children and other pets since they easily get along with everyone.
Though flowing with long hair, their coat does not shed unless broken or during brushing, and they require grooming every other day. It is advisable to carry out hip, eye, and DNA tests for renal dysplasia. They have a life span of 11 to 14 years.
4. Bichon Frise
They are also referred to as the comedian canine due to their high-spiritedness and playfulness. They have roots in the Mediterranean and were produced by crossing a large water dog (Barbet) with small coated white dogs.
They have a double coat with a soft dense undercoat and a coarser curly outer coat. This coat stands off the body, giving them a powder-puff appearance. Their fluffy coat is tightly curled and keeps dead hair with dander restrained. Bichon Frise is very agile and playful. They have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years and can have challenges with their hip, knee, and eye as they advance in age.
Read Also:Â Large Dog Breeds: 10 of the World’s Largest Dogs
5. Havanese
This very gregarious breed of hypoallergenic dogs is originally from Havana, Cuba. They are known for their very expressive eyes and silky long hair. They have a quirky personality and can be really funny. Most owners claim that the Havanese communicate with their eyes and they are very intelligent in nature which means training won’t be an issue. Their fluffy coat also prevents their hair from falling out.
They have no major health concerns but can suffer minor challenges like deafness, elbow dysplasia, and mitral valve insufficiency. Havanese dogs can live for up to 14 years.
6. Chinese Crested Dog
This dog breed was said to have originated from Africa and taken to China in the 13th century. They are slender, fine-boned, elegant, and very graceful. They are also very sensitive and loyal. Some of the members of this breed are covered in a soft silky coat of moderate length and density while the hairless variant has soft silky hair on the head, tail, feet, and lower legs. Chinese Crested dogs shed little, depending on how often they are groomed. While the hairless varieties need regular skincare which might include sunblock, moisturizer, and bathing, the other species might need their coat brushed every other day.
They have a life span of 13 to 15 years and the major health challenge they might have are lens luxation, glaucoma, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and deafness. Nevertheless, these factors are not enough to stop you from enjoying the company of this adorable buoyant fellow.
7. Schnauzer (Miniature or Standard)
With an origin from Germany that dates back to the middle ages, these dogs are smart and very energetic. They make excellent vermin hunters and also serve well as guards or watchdogs. They have performed lots of helpful duties for humans over the years. The giant variety has been used widely as drug dogs, police dogs, stock dogs, detection dogs, as well as search and rescue dogs.
They have a harsh coat which requires combing once or twice weekly. Schnauzer has a life span of 10 to 12 years and their major health concern is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). They may also develop cataracts, PRA and OCD. However, they have been confirmed to be hypoallergenic dogs.
8. Affenpinscher
These dogs are sturdy, agile, and tough enough to pursue and dispatch rodents. They have a monkey-like facial expression with a long beard and prominent eyebrows. Their coat only needs an occasional removal of dead hair which makes them a great choice for people with allergies.
They are said to have originated from Germany with their name – Affen meaning monkey and Pinscher meaning terrier. These hypoallergenic dogs are very playful and mischievous. They are bold, inquisitive, and stubborn and they climb too, little wonder why they are often likened to monkeys. They can live for 12 to 14 years without any major health concerns.
9. Basenji
Basenjis were said to have originated from Central Africa (Congo and Zaire). They are considered primitive and very feisty. The breed is high on the legs and possesses high speed with the ability to do double suspension gallop. Their short coat is just right for the hot climate in Africa and they have little chance of shedding and less dander.
Their coat grooming needs are very minimal. They just need occasional brushing to remove dead hair. The major health challenges these hypoallergenic dogs have are Fanconi syndrome and Basenji enteropathy. They can also sometimes develop an umbilical hernia.
10. Portuguese Water Dog
This breed has a medium build and is slightly longer than they are tall. They are from Portugal and mostly have a single coat that can be curly or wavy. They have an attentive, steady, and penetrating expression. They are often very good with children and love water too.
Members of this dog breed can be groomed in two different ways; the retriever clip whereby the entire coat is trimmed to about 1-inch length with the tail tip left at full length or the lion clip in which the muzzle and the middle part up to the tail tip are clipped. This breed requires regular grooming to keep its coat dander-free. Their major health challenge is PRA and sometimes hair loss, juvenile cardiomyopathy, and CHD. They can live for up to 14 years.
11. Puli
The Puli originated from Hungary around the middle ages. They were agile sheepherders before they were reintroduced to America in the 1930s as family pets. These dogs are very quick, acrobatic, and can change directions instantly. Pulis has a waterproof coat which requires consistent grooming. Their undercoat is soft, woolly, and dense with a wavy or curly outer coat. The outer coat can be brushed out or left to form round flattened cords. They are often described as mops on springs and are full of energy.
For these hypoallergenic dogs, their major health concern is CHD and sometimes deafness, patellar luxation and degenerative myelopathy. Notwithstanding, they have a life span of 10 to 15 years.
12. Komondor
They are said to have their origin in Hungary since ancient times. They are muscular with plenty of bone and substance. They are also slightly longer than tall. Most Komondors have a double coat with the undercoat dense and woolly and the outer coat coarse, curly or wavy. Another unique feature they possess is that the undercoat is trapped in the outer coat which forms a strong, tassel-like cord that protects the dog from the elements and the teeth of a tough adversary.
Their cords are so tight that traditional shedding is unlikely. They were bred as independent protectors of livestock and used as guard dogs for sheep flocks. Interestingly, their mass of curly wool made them appear as one of the flock. They can be up to 2 years of age before their cords finally form and it’s advisable to avoid swimming due to the long time it takes their coat to dry. Although they are hypoallergenic dogs, they are carefree and the cords in the coat need to be regularly separated. Their major health challenge is CHD and gastric torsion. This breed can live for up to twelve years.
13. Irish Water Spaniel
This breed of dog has its origin in Ireland in the 1800s. It is the tallest spaniel and its coat is one of the most distinctive features of the breed. It has no undercoat just a body covered in crisp ringlets and its tight curls mean less shedding which makes it ideal for people with allergies. They have alert, intelligent, and quizzical expressions.
They have a life span of 10 to 12 years and their major health concern is otitis externa and CHD. They also suffer minor challenges like elbow dysplasia, nail-bed disease, megaesophagus, and distichiasis.
Read Also:Â Doberman Puppies – Easy Care And Everything You Need To Know
14. Bedlington Terrier
This Terrier breed possesses an arched loin which allows it to garner great speed and agility. They have been described as a wolf in lamb clothing with an origin that dates back to 1800 – England.
With their light and springy gait, they are among the softer terriers and are very loyal, companionable, and demonstrative. They have a mixture of soft and hard hair on their coat which stands off the skin and hardly sheds. Bedlington Terriers have a life span of 12 to 14 years and can be susceptible to inherited copper toxicosis.
15. Wire Fox Terrier
With the wiry denseness of their coat, a Wire Fox Terrier hardly sheds. The origin of these non-shedding dogs can be traced to England around the 1800s. They are agile, and keen, with lots of speed and endurance. They have a short fine undercoat and an outer coat that is dense, broken, wiry, and twisted, appearing like coconut matting. They have no major health concerns and have a life span of 10 to 13 years.
Though among the much-desired hypoallergenic dogs, the Wire Fox Terrier is a ball of fun which means you need to keep it stimulated because of the level of energy it exudes.