We all have the right to a dog in our lives and around the house as a faithful companion as pets and friends, and part of the family! Poodles, Shih Tzu and others are always keen to please their owners.
Suffering from dog allergy and asthma is difficult; you suffer through many days with swollen glands, watery eyes, tight chest during cold season – and that might be just because of a dog. This should never stop you from having a dog to enjoy. While nothing is 100%, there are things that you can do to help.
There are many pets out there, and they’re referred to as hypoallergenic dogs. We have listed six top dog breeds for when you suffer or a family member suffers from allergies and asthma – allergic reactions are not great But as dog breeds go, there are many other dog breeds that might suit; these are just our favourite dog breeds
The worst thing you could experience is finding the dog you’ve grown attached to, only to have to give it up due to your worsening allergies or asthma because of a problem of shed hair from your pet or pets.
People with allergies to dogs often have a difficult time finding a pet or pets that they can live with. This article is designed to help you find the perfect hypoallergenic breed for your home, regardless of whether you’re simply looking for a new pet or are in need of an allergy-friendly companion. We’ve put together our list of six top breeds which should be able to make any allergy sufferer happy!
Table of Contents
What are Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Hypoallergenic breeds are dogs that do not shed or shed less than other dog breeds. This means you will spend less time vacuuming fur, and more time with your pet outside playing! The lesser shedding of their coats means you can rest assured that your house won’t be covered in fluff, fur or the like, causing allergic reactions, dander or similar. They often need more grooming and brushing though. Dogs don’t love grooming but you can make it more playful – and dogs love a playful routine. The more regular grooming the better!
However… a word of caution on the existence of hypoallergenic breeds.
Before we discuss which breeds are the best choice for a non-shedding pet, let’s first figure out if there is anything like “non-shedding dogs.”
The answer is: not exactly.
It’s a myth that there is any dog breed of dog that does not shed hair. Low-shedding dogs do exist, meaning they only shed a small amount of hair—and wouldn’t you know it, many people don’t notice their shedding at all.
What are the characteristics of a hypoallergenic dog breed?
In a way, this is almost a silly question – there are so many hypoallergenic dogs UK or abroad, native or imported, that there is no one character. The common link is usually physical – they are low-shedding (and by low-shedding we mean not dropping hair) but they can be fluffy like a Shih Tzu, furry like a miniature Schnauzer or hairy like a Yorkshire terrier! Either way, whether Bedlington terrier, Scottish terrier, border terrier or west highland terrier, terriers feature highly in this list.
But as to character, then they are the same as any other dog – they can be playful, affectionate, loyal, nervous, sweet, active, alert, intelligent, alert or, frankly, whatever.
What are the best Hypoallergenic Dogs?
We advise spending some time with the specific breed of dog you are thinking about committing to before making a decision. This will allow you to determine whether or not it is a good fit for your family and lifestyle. Here is a list of our favourite 6 hypoallergenic breeds, including some of our favourites.
What is the most popular hypoallergenic dog?
So this is our list. It’s what we think here at Emerald, so we tend to like terrier breeds, although lots of people find terrier breeds too playful.
Chinese Crested
The affectionate Chinese Crested is a hypoallergenic, non-shedding dog breed that comes in two varieties – hairless and fully coated. The less well known variety has thin fur, making it ideal for those with allergies to shedding.
Fewer hairs mean that this breed is less likely to shed and has little-to-no dander. However, this typically means they’re more prone to dermatological problems too (including sunburn).
Bichon Frise
The fluffy white Bichon Frise breeds is a fluffy pup that rarely sheds hair and enjoys the company of humans. Living in an apartment the Bichon Frise can also adapt to it with ease. The downside to the Bichon Frise as a hypoallergenic lap dog are how often they need touching up – a daily brush, monthly bath or trim, and weekly brushing will keep your pup in tip top condition.
Cairn Terrier
The fun loving Cairn Terrier is a type of terrier that is very hypoallergenic and can be great for people who suffer from allergies, making a great family pet. They have a double coat, so they have some shagginess to them. They were bred in Scotland and are good at chasing out rodents, which might work if you’re looking for guard dogs or at least small territorial dogs!
Border Terrier
One of the most popular breeds in the UK, Border Terriers have a wiry coat that doesn’t need stripping as often. It’s also a commonly used breed for families with an appetite for exploring new places. They are playful and affectionate with a great temperament and are fairly low maintenance, needing little grooming which is a relief for the owner, if the owner hates grooming and is allergic!
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is small and well known for not realising how big it is. It has a coat that sits in the hypoallergenic category due to its texture and the frequency of shedding.These pups are known for being scrappy, affectionate and feisty. If you’re looking for a pup that packs a big personality in a small package, this is your dog!
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is a hunting companion around the world with longevity and loyalty that just can’t be beat. They are hypoallergenic in nature, but also need daily grooming because of their long and thick curly fur.
They are curious, courageous, energetic, and playful—making them a great pet for an active family. The breed is also known for it’s energy and easiness to train and is a great hunting companion.
What are some other hypoallergenic dog breeds?
There are very many that are deemed to be less allergic as dogs that don’t shed. Here are just some of them:
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Shih Tzu
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Scottish Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
- Schnauzer
- Poodle
- Miniature Poodle
And of course many more….
Are Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds More Difficult to Groom?
Hypoallergenic dog breeds are great for people who can’t be around shedding dogs due to pet allergies. When most people think of hypoallergenic dogs they think of Poodles, Shih Ttzus and Yorkshire Terriers, but hypoallergenic dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Havanese, Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, Kerry Blue Terrier, Maltese, Schnauzer, Puli, Wheaten, Airedale, Border, Carin, Highland and Wire fox terriers and Bouvier des Flandres are all other breeds that have coats made of hair instead of fur, and are considered to be low shedding, hypoallergenic breeds. The bad news: they require substantial maintenance, as the hair coats are often wavy and catch loose hair and debris forming knots. Also, because they do not shed much, and their hair continuously grows it can become quite long.If you do not wash, brush and clip or trim your hypoallergenic dog, they will get tangled up in the fur department as they don’t shed much. But all dog breeds are different and you will need to decide yourself and it may depend on your particular allergy.
To sum up…
We hope you enjoyed our list of hypoallergenic dogs and that the survey we conducted helps you make your choice.
As with any medical issues, it is important to consult a medical professional if you suffer from allergies or reactions before making the choice of purchasing a dog.
It is a good idea to spend time with the type of dog you are thinking about getting before committing. If this isn’t possible, try to visit the breeder and spend as much time there as you can in order to see how your allergies react in a specific environment.
Finding a non-shedding breed may take some trial and error, but with the help of knowledgeable breeds, this decision can be very successful.
Top 6 Hypoallergenic Dogs for Dog Allergy Sufferers – FAQs
What is the best dog for someone with allergies?
Instead of constantly scooping up large mounds of fur, hypoallergenic breeds decrease your frequency and make it easier to focus on bonding.
Bring Your Guests Into The Rest Of the Home: Think about what guests might enjoy from a home tour when they come to visit you. An open space in the hallway can be transformed into a safe space.
Here are some, but we suggest reading the article above for more detail:
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Shih Tzu
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Scottish Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
- Schnauzer
- Poodle
- Miniature Poodle
What is the most popular hypoallergenic dog?
That can be a tricky one. Here are our favourite 6:
Chinese Crested
It may be surprising, but the Chinese Crested is a hypoallergenic, non-shedding dog. This lesser known variety has thin fur, making it ideal for those with allergies to shedding.
Although this breed’s coat is less likely to shed and comes with little-to-no dander, it also means they are more susceptible to skin problems.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a non-shedding fluffy pup that is happy living in apartments. The breed also likes to snuggle with humans.
The downside is the need to groom weekly or have it trimmed monthly and bathed every month.
Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terriers are a type of terrier that is hypoallergenic and make great family pets for people who suffer from allergies.
They have a double coat, rather than a single coat like other breeds. They were bred in Scotland and are good at keeping out rodents, so they might be great guard units or small territorial dogs!
Border Terrier
One of the most popular breeds in the United Kingdom, Border Terriers have a wiry coat that doesn’t require stripping as often. It’s also commonly used by families with an appetite for exploring new places.
They are playful and affectionate with a great temperament and need little grooming, which is a relief for the owner if they have allergies.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are small and well known for not realizing how big they can be. They have a coat that can be found in the hypoallergenic category due to its texture and frequency of shedding.
These breeds may be small in stature, but these pups are known for their active disposition and high energy.
Irish Water Spaniel
This dog is a hunting companion around the world with loyalty that is second to none. The dog breed is hypoallergenic in nature and doesn’t shed much despite daily grooming needs. The Irish water spaniel is known for its long, thick, curly coat.
They are curious, courageous, energetic, and playful—making them a great pet for an active family. The breed is also known for its energy and easiness to train and is a great hunting companion.
What dogs are good for allergies UK?
See above – you should always try some time with a dog as each one will have different issues. There is really no such thing as a non-shedding dog so some may affect you more than others. As we said, see if you can borrow someone else’s dog for a while and see how it affects you – that’s really the only way to see.
Which dogs are hypoallergenic and don’t shed?
Despite speculation about the existence of hypoallergenic breeds, there is not enough evidence to support such claims. Sources around internet claim that this unsubstantiated information may have been propagated by unreferenced online articles.
So what does that mean and after all that, is there a solution to allergies in this case? Is it just a case of taking medication and gently suffering? After all the love above in relation to these breeds, there is some science to consider.
The significant allergens are proteins found in a dog’s saliva and dander. Some studies have suggested that the production of the allergen, and therefore human allergic reaction, varies by breed, yet more recent scientific findings indicate no difference between breeds with regards to what triggers individual allergies.
One study found that dogs do not all have the same level of allergens in their coat.
One study found hypoallergenic breeds to have significantly more allergen in their coats than non-hypoallergenic breeds although there was no differences in the allergen levels in the air or on the floor.
Article summary: hypoallergenic dog breeds/Chinese crested/water dog/allergic reactions/regular grooming/people with allergies
