If you have allergies and can’t stand a dog’s sniffles but still desire to keep one, you must have wondered if there are pups suited for you. Well, you’ll be glad to know that there are hypoallergenic dogs just for people like you.
Whether dog fur on your furniture, clothes and car disgust you or you are prone to dog-induced allergy attacks, don’t give up on dog ownership just yet. The American Kennel Club recommends adorable pups that will give you pup-love without dropping their hair everywhere.
Check out some of the dogs that don’t shed too much.
The 17 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed
1. Scottish Terrier
You may know them as personality-filled “Scotties”—big dogs in a tiny dog’s body. The independent but sometimes stubborn Scottish Terriers are the ideal pups for sniffle-free households.
These dogs were bred to hunt small animals, and their wiry, all-weather coats protected them regardless of the weather conditions. The good thing about Scotties is that they are low-maintenance and their coats require trimming only twice a year.
Although they are often excitable, stubborn, and sometimes aggressive towards kids, they are loyal, with long lifespans and robust health.
2. Tibetan Terrier
Who said hypoallergenic dogs don’t have hair? Tibetan Terriers are proof that you can get a pup with a soft, long, and woolly coat and not pick after its sniffles. These dogs are so beautiful that the Buddhist monks of Tibet considered them holy and a symbol of good fortunes.
Tibetan Terries shed minimally and can withstand cold better than other dogs because they were bred in cold climates. However, they still require regular grooming so that their coats stay smooth and unmatted.
3. Maltese Terrier
Despite donning gorgeous white silky coats that make them look like fluffy cotton balls, you’ll never find Maltese Terriers shedding on your furniture.
Maltese are affectionate toy pups that are enthusiastic, playful, loyal, and loving. And, they can be good therapy dogs because they commit to serving love in abundance.
4. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are hypoallergenic pups that make up for their small statures with great personalities. They are loving, loyal, and happen to be non-shedding too!
Originally from China, Shih Tzu dogs don’t shed, with their fur only falling out when grooming. However, they are high-maintenance as their coats require daily brushing and regular trimming.
They are great apartment or condo pups, quite active, and thrive when taken for regular walks and given lots of attention. They are also kid-friendly, thanks to their gentle and welcoming nature.
5. Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffon dog breeds are known for their watchdog traits despite being toy breeds and rarely weighing in at over 10 pounds. They also have friendly and affectionate dispositions, love to be walked, petted, cuddled, and tend to be picky with who to bond with.
It’s hard not to fall for their distinct cartoon-like big heads, more petite bodies, exaggerated faces, and endearingly huge eyes, and they are a gem with kids. Better still, these pups barely shed.
6. Portuguese Waterdog
Originally from Portugal’s Algarve region, Portuguese Waterdogs are active, loyal, vibrant, and love to play with water. They are also ardent swimmers thanks to their strong body build and webbed feet.
These hounds are hypoallergenic as they tend to shed very little. However, they still require regular grooming. You can count on this dog’s loyalty and obedience, although it is a rare breed.
7. Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
Initially bred in Ireland as farm dogs, Soft-coated Wheaten Terriers are happy and energetic dogs you must keep in your home. Their resilience, agility, obedience, tracking, and service as therapy animals are unmatched.
They are non-shedding and were once named “poor man’s wolfhound” and used for hunting vermin, herding, and guarding livestock.
8. Poodle (Toy, miniature, and Standard)
Poodles are a popular breed and come in all varieties and sizes (Toy, Miniature, and Standard). Although their exquisite curly hair requires regular clipping, poodles don’t shed much at all.
Besides being hypoallergenic, poodles are known for being virtually odorless, intelligent, responsive, and attentive. They love to be in the human company rather than stay alone for extended periods, making them ideal family pets.
9. West Highland White Terrier
Nicknamed “Westie,” West Highland White Terrier is a hypoallergenic dog breed with a double-coat. It’s a friendly and active little pup that’s equally loyal to its owners. Westie is a hardy breed and makes an excellent watchdog regardless of its size.
Breeders crossed Cairn and Scottish Terriers to create a dog that they would not mistake for a fox when hunting. Westies will shed some hair, though limited.
10. Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terriers originated from the Scottish Highlands and are among Scotland’s oldest breeds of working dogs. They got their name from their original role as hunting dogs as they would chase quarry between the cairns in the highlands.
11. Kerry Blue Terrier
Kerry Blue Terriers are also called Irish Blue and were bred as all-purpose working dogs. They initially took on tasks like herding, guarding, and hunting tiny pests.
A Kerry Blue Terrier’s hair is similar to a human’s, and it does not shed. This breed is born with a black coat and develops a blue one at around age two.
It is an active breed, intelligent, responsive, and can benefit from planned training, confident commands, and of course, rewards.
12. Standard Schnauzer
Whether miniature or full-sized, Schnauzer dog breeds are people-oriented, intelligent, and loyal. These dogs are Europe’s all-around farm dogs, although they are particularly suited as indoor animals today. Although they are hypoallergenic, keep in mind that they may require regular haircuts.
13. Yorkshire Terrier
Do not judge these spunky pups by their sizes. These tiny parcels of fur and fun don’t perceive themselves as small dogs and can be pretty adventurous and willful.
Commonly known as Yorkies, Yorkshire Terriers are ideal for both active owners and those living in apartments. They make loyal and devoted furry friends and shed very little.
The Northern Englishmen bred these dogs to hunt rodents in clothing and wood mills and were initially bigger. The dogs got smaller with time due to selective breeding.
Related Read: Are Yorkies Hypoallergenic Dogs? An Allergy Sufferer’s Guide to Dogs
14. Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds were a favorite among nobble Italian women in the Middle Ages. These sleek and graceful dogs do not shed any hair, only requiring you to rub their coats with a towel to keep them groomed and shiny.
Although they mostly appear in grey, you can find these dogs in a plethora of other colors too. They can also make great apartment dogs despite their activity levels. However, Italian Greyhounds do not thrive in cold climates due to their lack of fur.
15. Norwich Terrier
Although Norwich Terriers have waterproof fuzzy coats, they are not excessive shedders. These English hounds are very active and with keen eyes, with a diminutive size that made them great at hunting and driving foxes and rats out of farm sheds. They do well both outdoors and indoors.
16. Whippet
Whippets look much more like greyhounds and are fast and energetic. They do not shed, making them low maintenance regarding grooming, only requiring an occasional towel-rub to maintain the sleek coat.
The whippet makes a great family dog, thanks to its friendly and collected dispositions. However, you may require a backyard for them to run and race around, as they are not ideal for confined places and apartments.
17. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises were bred to be hypoallergenic, topping the American Kennel Society’s list for hypoallergenic dog breeds for allergic individuals. Their French name translates to fluffy white dogs, and the cuddly little cotton balls are ideal for cozy small spaces. Bichon Frise dog breeds only require you to clip their coats in an easy maintenance puppy cut.
Summary
Every dog must shed either dander and fur, so because a pup is hypoallergenic does not mean that you can’t be sensitive to it. It just means that the dog is less likely to cause you an allergic reaction, unlike other breeds.
You also have to groom it like you do the other breeds. Surprisingly, not all can be low maintenance and budget-friendly, as you may think.
See also: Is There No Such Thing as a Truly Hypoallergenic Dog?
Featured Image: Angel Sallade, Shutterstock
