Anywhere from 10% to 20% of the world’s population suffers from some form of pet allergy. Having an allergy can make enjoying cuddle time with your favorite four-legged friend a much more intensive situation. Puffy skin reactions, sensitive sinuses, and other issues crop up, meaning if you want to find a new pet, you will have to do some research.
The best hypoallergenic dog breeds help you avoid any unwanted reactions. Instead of worrying over dander, saliva, and shedding fur, you get a pet with far fewer irritants. To be clear, no dog is 100% allergy-free, but our list of low-shedding dogs is a great start.
What Makes a Dog Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic can be a bit confusing to some. It means the dog is less likely to trigger a reaction in your body, not that it is without risk. It all depends on your sensitivity levels and the skin chemistry, coat type, and cleanliness of the best non-shedding dogs. Look for:
- Low-Shedding Coats: Start with allergy-friendly dog breeds having low-shedding fur. That will reduce the amount of dander in your home, especially if you have a smaller apartment or living situation.
- Dander & Saliva Production: Dogs for allergy sufferers tend to produce only a small amount of dander and saliva proteins. They may simply have a different chemical makeup or grow fur that doesn’t release as many irritants.
- Coat Types & Allergy Resistance: A good place to start is focusing on breeds with wool-like, wavy, or curly fur/hair. That will trap in dander, preventing it from falling around your living space as they play, cuddle, and sleep.
The Best Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Let’s get to our hypoallergenic dog breeds list. These are the pups we know offer the best advantages to anyone with even a mild reaction to owning a dog, taking it for walks, grooming, and sleeping next to a furry family member.
Poodle (Mini & Standard)
Standard Poodle
Mini Poodle
The Poodle is the “gold standard” in allergy-friendly dog breeds. The typical curled coat helps prevent loose fur and dander from clogging your bedrolls and blankets. Even with the standard-sized Poodle, you can keep a home allergy-free easier.
Beyond their fur, Poodles are incredibly playful and loving. They enjoy engaging in smart play like puzzles, making them much easier to train than other breeds. With multiple sizes of Poodles, they are appropriate for homes in urban and rural settings.
Browse available Mini Poodle companions!
Goldendoodle
It shouldn’t be any surprise that Goldendoodles are next on our list of dogs that don’t shed much. They are the result of a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. This breeding creates a pet with a lot of personality and a low shedding coat perfect for those with allergies.
Goldendoodles are extremely affectionate. They socialize well with your friends and neighbors only require a bit of brushing and routine grooming to reduce dander release further. You get a retriever’s loyalty and affection mixed with a Poodle’s intelligence and personality.
Check available Goldendoodle puppies now!
Labradoodle
Yes, we’re still in the “Poodle family” for a reason. The Labradoodle is a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. That results in far less shedding from the Poodle ancestry and an extremely family-friendly pet in the most popular breed – the Lab.
The difference is you’ll need to get outdoors a bit more. Labradoodles are intelligent and need daily activity. They want your attention and will push you to exercise with them at the park, on the trail, and in the woods.
See which Labradoodle puppies are available now!
Bernedoodle
Staying with our “Poodle theming,” we have the hypoallergenic features of the Bernedoodle. They cross a mixture between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a . . . you guessed it . . . Poodle. However, you still get the typical cuddly bear-like appearance of the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Bernedoodles are the best hypoallergenic dog breeds for families with kids. They offer just enough playable entertainment and a protective nature to ensure your kids don’t pull on something heavy from the kitchen table that could fall off on top of them.
Your Bernedoodle buddy could be waiting — check now!
Maltipoo
Our final low-shedding dog is a Maltipoo. That is what you get when you cross a Maltese with a Poodle. Maltipoos tend to be on the smaller side, making them the “go-to” choice for those traveling a lot or living in urban settings.
You will have to do some regular grooming for the Maltipoo, but the effort creates a clean, cute, and cuddly dog that won’t make your eyes water or nose sneeze. We also recommend the Maltipoo for those living alone or older dog owners looking for a good mix of gentle nature and playful curiosity.
View sweet, fluffy Maltipoo puppies today!
How to Care for a Hypoallergenic Dog
Finding dogs for allergy sufferers does require you to develop a routine. You want to ensure you have grooming and cleaning well in hand so allergens are low and not in control around your home area.
- Grooming & Coat Maintenance: The best non-shedding dogs still require brushing. You want to prevent loose hairs or dander and dirt from spreading further. In most cases, that means brushing 3-4 times a week, but if your allergy sensitivity is higher, go for once per day and schedule professional grooming for every 4-8 weeks.
- Bathing Tips: A good bathing schedule for any options on our hypoallergenic dog breeds list would be every two to four weeks. That will reduce dander levels without risking the health of your pup’s skin. Just be sure to wash the bedding, clothes, and any fabric accessories as well.
- Home Cleaning Strategies: There are items you can put around the house to help with allergens. Vacuum up your carpets and rugs often. Use a HEPA air filter to trap microscopic allergens before they float around your house. You should also designate a “dog-free” zone where you can get some relief if a reaction acts up.
- Diet & Health Maintenance: Another good recommendation for the best pet dogs for allergies is to keep their coat as healthy as possible through a well-balanced diet. Increase the Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and make sure they get good hydration to reduce shedding or skin irritants.
Do yourself (and your nose and eyes) a big favor, and contact your veterinarian once you take ownership. They will likely have breed-specific dietary recommendations and supplements to help lower dander, saliva, and hair follicle production.
Final Thoughts
The best hypoallergenic dog breeds ensure you get all the joys of pet ownership with little to no irritants that will leave you wishing you had a year’s supply of tissues handy. From enjoying all the benefits of a highly intelligent Poodle to curling up next to your Maltipoo at night, our list should give you plenty of room for discovering your own best-match puppy.
Take your time to consider all the factors around a low-shedding dog. If you can, schedule a playdate with a friend or coworker who already owns one of these dogs on our list. That will give you a “test run” if you have any allergic reactions.
Your new best friend could be waiting — check all available puppies now!
