Dog Toxins & Poisons

Your Ultimate Guide to Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

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You’re strongly considering getting a dog. But then you find out that you or someone that you reside with may be allergic. Is that the premature end of your dreams of being a fur parent? 

Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

SBanks / Shutterstock.com

Not necessarily. Statistically, this is not uncommon, as 1 in 5 pet owners is (or is close to someone who is) allergic to pets.

This doesn’t mean that allergies can be ignored; rather, there are steps that you can take to mitigate the risk of allergic reactions. Especially when there is a plethora of hypoallergenic dog breeds you can choose from.

What is “Hypoallergenic”?

According to Oxford Dictionary, hypoallergenic is defined as: “relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.” With pets, the primary triggers of allergic reactions are the allergen proteins found in pet saliva, sweat, and dander. 

Dander refers to the “flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs” and is akin to dandruff for humans. Pet hair, contrary to common perception, is not an allergen. But it can collect and carry allergens. 

When pets move around the house, the tiny and lightweight dander go into the air and can stay afloat for a significant amount of time. Breathing in these particles can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to these triggers.

What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?

For dogs, the “hypoallergenic” designation is given to breeds that don’t shed as much.

Given that dogs shed their top layer roughly every 21 days, and some breeds are double-coated, that’s a lot of potential hair and dander!

Less shedding means less hair and dander, which consequently means less allergens floating around your home. In addition, hypoallergenic dog breeds have the added benefit of requiring less frequent cleanup since there’s less shedding.

And to be clear, there is no such thing as an allergy-free dog, as anything that has fur or feathers will produce allergens. However, hypoallergenic dog breeds are your best bet if you’re looking to minimize the allergens around the house.

100 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

Three Chocolate Color American Bully Dogs Playing

Three Chocolate Color American Bully Dogs Playing

Zanna Pesnina / Shutterstock.com

Take a look at the list below, with a 👍 next to the ones with the LEAST shedding:

  1. Affenpinscher 👍
  2. Afghan Hound
  3. Airedale Terrier
  4. American Bulldog 👍
  5. American Hairless Terrier 👍
  6. American Leopard Hound
  7. American Staffordshire Terrier
  8. Anatolian Shepherd
  9. Australian Terrier 👍
  10. Barbet
  11. Basset Fauve de Bretagne
  12. Basenji 👍
  13. Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound 👍
  14. Bedlington Terrier
  15. Belgian Malinois
  16. Bergamasco Sheepdog
  17. Bichon Frise
  18. Biewer Terrier 👍
  19. Black Russian Terrier
  20. Bluetick Coonhound
  21. Bolognese 👍
  22. Boston Terrier
  23. Bouvier des Flandres 👍
  24. Braque du Bourbonnais
  25. Briard 👍
  26. Brussels Griffon
  27. Bullmastiff 👍
  28. Cairn Terrier
  29. Cesky Terrier 👍
  30. Chihuahua
  31. Chinese Crested
  32. Chow Chow 👍
  33. Cirneco dell’Etna
  34. Cockapoo 👍
  35. Coton de Tulear 👍
  36. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
  37. Dogo Argentino 👍
  38. Fila Brasileiro
  39. Fox Terrier
  40. German Longhaired Pointer 
  41. German Shorthaired Pointer
  42. German Wirehaired Pointer
  43. Giant Schnauzer
  44. Glen of Imaal Terrier Dog 👍
  45. Goldendoodle
  46. Hamiltonstovare 👍
  47. Hanoverian Scenthound
  48. Havanese
  49. Irish Terrier
  50. Irish Water Spaniel 👍
  51. Italian Greyhound
  52. Kerry Blue Terrier 👍
  53. Komondor
  54. Kyi-Leo
  55. Labradoodle
  56. Lagotto Romagnolo 👍
  57. Lakeland Terrier
  58. Lhasa Apso
  59. Löwchen
  60. Maltese 
  61. Maltese Shih Tzu 👍
  62. Maltipoo 👍
  63. Miniature Pinscher
  64. Miniature Schnauzer
  65. Mountain Cur
  66. Norfolk Terrier 👍
  67. Norwich Terrier
  68. Old English Sheepdog 👍
  69. Papillon
  70. Peekapoo
  71. Peruvian Inca Orchid
  72. Pharaoh Hound
  73. Polish Lowland Sheepdog 👍
  74. Poodle 👍
  75. Portuguese Water Dog 👍
  76. Puli 👍
  77. Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka 
  78. Saluki
  79. Schnauzer 👍
  80. Schnoodle
  81. Scottish Terrier
  82. Sealyham Terrier
  83. Shichon
  84. Shih Tzu
  85. Silken Windhound
  86. Silky Terrier
  87. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
  88. Spanish Water Dog
  89. Tibetan Terrier 👍
  90. Tibetan Mastiff
  91. Toy Poodle
  92. Vizsla
  93. Welsh Terrier
  94. West Highland Terrier
  95. Wire Fox Terrier
  96. Wire-haired Pointing Griffon 👍
  97. Whippet
  98. Xoloitzcuintli 👍
  99. Yorkipoo 👍
  100. Yorkshire Terrier

Things To Do To Prevent Allergic Reactions From Dogs

Golden Retriever In Front Of A Woman Sneezing While Sitting On The Couch

Golden Retriever In Front Of A Woman Sneezing While Sitting On The Couch

Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

As mentioned previously, hypoallergenic does not mean allergen-free, but rather that the pet generally produces fewer allergens compared to others of the same species. 

This doesn’t mean that every dog in the breeds listed above will be compatible with your situation. Each dog is unique, and you might find that the individual who has allergies strongly reacts to one dog but has no reaction to another dog of the same breed. Thus, the below should be considered as general guidelines.

To find out for sure what works best for your specific needs, it is advised for everyone who will be co-inhabiting with the pet to meet the pet together. This will allow two things:

  1. You’ll see how the pet reacts to everyone.
  2. You’ll see how your everyone reacts to the pet. The visit may uncover allergies that they previously weren’t aware of.

To further mitigate the risk of allergic reactions, here are some other steps you can take as per The Humane Society:

  • Diet: Ensuring that your pet has a high quality diet has innumerable benefits, one of which is less shedding! Unlike high quality fresh dog food, lower quality dog food is full of fillers that don’t contain the nutrients your dog needs to maintain a healthy coat.
  • Grooming: De-shed your pet regularly with tools that help remove the loose hairs/undercoat. This will reduce the amount of hair that’s shed.
  • Bathing: Bathe your pet more routinely, even weekly, to reduce the amount of dander on your pet. This will help reduce the amount of dander spread throughout the home as your pet moves around. Make sure you use a shampoo that is specifically formulated for dogs.
  • Filters: Remove pollutant and allergens floating in the air with HEPA filters
  • Cleaning: Clean articles that dander can cling onto, such as curtains, couch covers, and pillows more frequently. This will help decrease the amount of dander present in your home. Vacuuming is also important, especially if you have rugs or carpet flooring, as dander can accumulate there. 

Conclusion

Hypoallergenic dogs are great choices for those who may be concerned about allergic reactions but are strongly considering a dog. With so many beautiful varieties to choose from, you’ll have no trouble falling in love with one (or many) to add to your family.

For the corresponding full guide on hypoallergenic cats, check out: Your Ultimate Guide to Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds

About the Author: Lily Dee is a writer at The Pawsome World, a site dedicated to sharing valuable content that will allow pets and their owners to live their best lives. Being a pet parent isn’t always easy, and The Pawsome World provides tips/hacks as well as heartwarming content that pet lovers can rely on. To learn more about The Pawsome World, visit thepawsomeworld.com. Also follow on IG for daily doses of pet-related happiness: www.instagram.com/thepawsomeworld/

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