Breeds of Hypoallergenic Dogs

Submitted by jared lansky
Sun, 23 Nov 2008



Hypoallergenic dogs are ideal for dog lovers who suffer from allergies. Although there are no dogs that are 100% non-allergenic, some dogs are more "low-allergy" than others. Though these kinds of dogs shed little to no hair and less dander than typical dogs, all dogs will still shed some dander, even includes hairless dogs. Generally, dogs without hair or with continuously growing hair tend to be the most hypoallergenic. However, a lot of these dogs will need to be kept on a high-maintenance grooming schedule.


There are certainly other alternatives to hairless dogs, and that includes hybrid dogs. Hybrid dogs are the result of controlled cross-breeding. Dogs such as labradoodles and goldendoodles, which are poodle mixes, tend to take on hypoallergenic qualities. Dogs that are mixed with known hypoallergenic breeds can sometimes be considered low-allergy, but it is nearly impossible to know the true makeup of a mutt and whether or not it is really low-allergy.


Jared Lansky recommends that if you suffer from allergies, but happen to find a mixed-breed dog that you think might be hypoallergenic, try spending some time with the dog to see how you react before committing to it. There would be nothing worse than taking home a dog you love and having to give it away because your allergies are affected and you didn’t realize it at first.


Depending on the severity of your allergies, you may still be able to live happily with dogs. The ultimate key is to minimize the amount of allergens in your home. Vacuum your rugs and upholstery frequently and wash your curtains and drapes often. Consider using some type of air purifier. You can also talk to your physician about medical therapies. It really just depends on your particular severity.


Those with very severe allergies may still not be able to tolerate hypoallergenic dogs. If you are allergic but love dogs, consider some of the hypoallergenic dog breeds listed below. If you decide one might be right for you, Jared Lansky suggests spending some time around the breed to see if you have an allergic reaction before you decide to get one of your own.


Some good breeds of hypoallergenic dogs include: Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, Chinese Crested, Coton de Tulear, Havanese, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Maltese, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Pail (Pulik), Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Xoloitzcuintli, and Yorkshire Terrier.


As you can see, it is not such a small list after all, and there really are a lot of choices. If you are allergic to dogs, hopefully you can still find one you love and that doesn’t cause too much of a reaction.