From energetic playdates to cozy cuddles, there’s always something to be excited about as a dog owner. But perhaps the worst thing about it is dealing with shedding. Not only is it a hassle to deal with, but pet hair allergies also make shedding a huge problem. We have good news there are breeds out there that don’t shed. These hypoallergenic breeds will be your new furry (or not) canine best friend.
With three different sizes to choose from, poodles are widely sought-after pooches. Poodles don’t have an undercoat that sheds significantly, so people are much less likely to be allergic to them.
The Maltese is known for its beautiful straight, white locks. They’re small, happy lap dogs considered to be hypoallergenic. Maltese dogs are great companion pets for those with mild or moderate allergies to dogs.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 8 to 10 inches
WEIGHT: 4 to 7 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: White, with a long and silky single-layer coat without an undercoat
Lucky for those who are allergic to pet hair, the Chinese Crested doesn’t have much to speak of. Often seen in the show ring, Chinese Crested dogs show off tiny, hairless bodies with poofs of hair on their heads, feet, and tail. They have little dander, drool, and shedding.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 11 to 13 inches at the shoulder
WEIGHT: 8 to 12 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: It has soft and silky hair that is only present on the head, feet, and tail with pinkish grey skin, often with white spots along the chest and belly
The bichon frise is another dog considered to be hypoallergenic. Bichon frises are small pups with bright and affectionate personalities. Because their curly, white coat produces little dander, they are less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Non-Sporting Group
HEIGHT: 9 to 12 inches
WEIGHT: 7 to 12 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Curly coat in white (may have traces of apricot, buff, or cream)
A medium-sized dog, the Portuguese water dog is an intelligent and generally friendly breed. Individuals make great service dogs and have a natural ability to swim. They have a soft and fluffy black single coat that tends not to shed.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Working (AKC)
HEIGHT: 20 to 23 inches for males, and 17 to 21 inches for females
WEIGHT: 42 to 60 pounds for males, and 35 to 50 pounds for females
COAT AND COLOR: Curly or wavy coat with black, black and white, and brown coloring
The Basenji is a bred hunting dog originating from central Africa. Basenjis are very intelligent, athletic dogs with plenty of curiosity. They barely shed at all, which means they may be suitable for those with non-severe dog allergies.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Hound
HEIGHT: 16 to 17 inches
WEIGHT: 20 to 25 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Smooth, short coat in chestnut red, black, brindle, or tri-color (black and red); white feet, chest, and tail tip
With a long, silky coat and a regal presence, the Afghan hound is a fan favorite in dog shows. This breed is confident and independent, but also sweet and even goofy around their human family.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Hound
HEIGHT: 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder
WEIGHT: About 50 to 60 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Long, silky coat in any color or combination of colors, including brindle and domino
Cuba’s national dog is the Havanese, a compact and playful pooch who loves its owners. Their silky coat doesn’t shed as much as the coats of other dog breeds.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 8.5 to 11.5 inches
WEIGHT: 7 to 13 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: The coat can be silky straight or curly in many colors including black, silver, white, cream, tan, fawn, gold, sable, and red
The Scottish Terrier, affectionately called the Scottie, may be little, but it doesn’t lack in the personality department. These feisty dogs are often recognized for their distinct head shape and beard-like facial hair. The breed has a long history of hard work: They were originally farm dogs in the Scottish highlands.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Terrier
HEIGHT: 10 inches
WEIGHT: 19 to 22 pounds (males); 18 to 21 pounds (females)
COAT AND COLOR: Double coat with longer fur on the face, legs, and lower body in black, wheaten, or brindle
Both miniature and standard schnauzers are considered hypoallergenic. And like the Scottie, they are characterized by a distinct beard. They have a short, wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat that rarely sheds.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Terrier
HEIGHT: 12 to 14 inches
WEIGHT: 11 to 19 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Wiry coat in salt and pepper, black and silver, solid black
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an energetic and happy farm dog. The breed originated in Ireland some 200 years ago where it guarded chicken coops and herded sheep on the farm.
Also known as the Monkey Terrier, the affenpinscher is a tiny, toy dog breed that’s relatively rare throughout the world. They make great companion pets for those looking for an affectionate and playful lap dog.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 9 to 11.5 inches at the shoulder
WEIGHT: 7 to 10 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Wiry and shaggy coat in black, gray, silver, red, black and tan, or beige
The Barbet is a French water dog closely related to the poodle. These medium-sized fluffy pups have hair rather than fur, meaning they don’t shed in the same way other breeds do.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Miscellaneous
HEIGHT: 19 to 24.5 inches
WEIGHT: 35 to 65 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Long, dense, curly coat in black, grey, brown, or fawn, sometimes with white markings
The American Hairless Terrier is a non-shedding hypoallergenic dog breed that is relatively new to the world, first developed in the 1970s. Their energetic personalities and varying coat colors and patterns make them absolutely adorable.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Terrier
HEIGHT: 12 to 16 inches
WEIGHT: 12 to 16 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Hairless except for whiskers and guard hairs on the eyebrows and muzzle; coated variety has a soft, short and dense coat; patterned skin pigmentation varies
Mexican Hairless Dogs, called Xoloitzuintlis, come in two varieties—hairless and coated. The hairless variety is best for those who suffer from allergies.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Non-Sporting
HEIGHT: 14 to 23 inches
WEIGHT: 15 to 55 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Hairless: A small amount of short, coarse hair may appear on the top of the head, the feet, and the end of the tail. Coated: Short, smooth, and close-fitting coat; colors vary but can include black, grey, slate, red, brown, or bronze
Despite the small size of the Yorkshire Terrier, they actually make excellent and effective guard dogs thanks to their protective nature. Their coat is long, straight, and silky to the touch.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 8 to 9 inches
WEIGHT: 5 to 7 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Standard color combinations are black and gold, black and tan, blue and gold, and blue and tan in a long, straight coat
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a unique dog coming in both hairless and coated varieties, but they’re usually hairless. They make great companion pets for everyone and they come in a wide range of sizes.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Miscellaneous
HEIGHT: 9.75 to 25.75 inches
WEIGHT: 8.5 to 55 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Hairless with any skin color, including pink and black
The tallest of all spaniels, the Irish Water Spaniel is a hunting dog often used to retrieve waterfowl, quail, or pheasants. They’re also known as Rat Tail Spaniels because of their distinctive flat tail, which helps them swim.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Sporting
HEIGHT: 21 to 24 inches
WEIGHT: 45 to 68 pounds
COAT: Dense, tightly curled coat; colors include liver and white
The Bedlington Terrier is a medium-sized hypoallergenic dog named for the mining town in England where they were first developed. They’re unique-looking dogs with fleecy white coats that give them an almost sheep-like look.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Terrier
WEIGHT: 17 to 23 pounds
HEIGHT: 15.5 to 17.5 inches
COAT AND COLOR: Mixture of hard and soft hair, crisp but not wiry; blue, sandy, or liver coloring
Upon looking at the Bolognese dog breed, you can tell that they are indeed related to the bichon frise. In fact, this fluffy white breed is sometimes called the Bichon Bolognese. Calm and affectionate, the Bolognese is a wonderful, hypoallergenic furry friend.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Foundation Stock Service
HEIGHT: 10 to 12 inches at the shoulder
WEIGHT: 5.5 to 9 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Long, cotton-like coat, sometimes cut short to reduce grooming needs; all white
Shih Tzus have hair instead of fur and shed far less than other breeds. Thus, they’re generally less likely to affect people with allergies. However, those allergic to dog saliva and dander should be cautious and spend time with a Shih Tzu before getting their own.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 8 to 11 inches
WEIGHT: 9 to 16 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Long double coat in nearly any color, most commonly in black, white, blue, gold, liver, or combinations
This is not just another little, white dog breed. West Highland White Terriers, also known as Westies, have bright and spunky personalities. Because they are such lovable dogs that get along with practically everyone, they fit well into most households.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Terrier
HEIGHT: 10 to 11 inches
WEIGHT: 13 to 20 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: White, with a double coat of medium length
Named for the sacred city of Lhasa in Tibet, the Lhasa Apso is a small dog popularly used as an indoor guard dog. They have long, dense double hair coats that are heavy and coarse. The way they shed is said to result in fewer airborne dog allergens.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Non-sporting
HEIGHT: 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder
WEIGHT: 12 to 18 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Dense double coat can be nearly any color, including black, white, gold, gray, and cream
The French word for cotton is “cotton,” and appears in the name of the Coton de Tulear dog breed because of its signature cotton-like coat. They were originally bred as companion pets and are therefore very laid-back friendly pups. If you’re in the market for a small, affectionate hypoallergenic dog, this may be the breed for you.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Non-Sporting
HEIGHT: 10 to 11 inches (male); 9 to 10 inches (female)
WEIGHT: 9 to 15 pounds (male); 8 to 13 pounds (female)
Because they hardly shed or drool, Brussels griffons are considered to be hypoallergenic dogs. With human-like facial expressions and entertaining personalities, these dogs, commonly referred to as griffs, will steal your heart at first glance.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Toy
HEIGHT: 7 to 10 inches
WEIGHT: 6 to 12 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Smooth or rough coat in red, black and tan, solid black, or beige
Most Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic because the breed is a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle, which is another hypoallergenic breed. Goldendoodles generally retain the poodle coat type, giving them curly and bouncy locks.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Hybrid
HEIGHT: 13 to 26 inches
WEIGHT: Typically 45 to 100 pounds, but can weigh as little as 15 to 30 pounds
COAT AND COLOR: Shaggy and often curly coat with varying colors, including gold, cream, red, black, brown, white, gray, or a combination
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