3 of The Best Dog Breeds For People With Allergies

Do the words, “Here Fido!” cause you to start sneezing, wheezing and coughing, while your throat and nose start itching and your eyes become red, puffy, and watery? 

Dog allergies are typically either a form of allergic rhinitis (commonly known as hay fever) or allergy-related asthma, and both conditions are way more common than you may think, with an estimated 800 million people worldwide suffering from some kind of dog allergy.

Does this mean that you’re destined to never be a dog owner because of your allergies?  What about your family and others living in your household?  The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to choose between owning a dog or living an allergy free life.  Some dog breeds do not cause the same type of allergic reactions than others, making your ability to own a dog a matter of choosing the right breed.

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Bichon: Best Dog Breeds For People With Allergies

What Are You Actually Allergic To?

Despite popular opinion to the contrary, people with dog allergies are not actually allergic to the dog’s hair.  The reactions are caused by allergens in the urine, saliva, and dead skin flakes (known as dander).  When dogs shed their hair, dander is attached to the hair follicles, and that’s actually what you’re allergic to, not the hair itself.  That’s why allergy sufferers can still have reactions to hairless dogs or dogs with very short coats.

If you think of dander like human dandruff, it all makes more sense.  Dogs that are prone to shedding their hair will also be shedding tiny particles of dead skin cells at the same time, and when these make their way over an entire house, it can spell disaster for an allergy sufferer.

Rather than looking for a hairless or shorthaired dog, it makes more sense to concentrate on dogs that do not shed their hair.  As you’ll soon learn, some dog breeds famous for their thick, fluffy coats can nevertheless be an excellent choice for allergy sufferers, as they don’t shed their hair as other dog breeds do. 

Regular grooming sessions outside the home will safely and properly remove the dead skin cells, leaving your home dander free, and leaving you allergy free.

Here are 3 of the best dog breeds for people with allergies…

 

Top 3 Low-Allergy Dog Breeds

At first glance it may seem like your best bet for a low allergy dog is a shorthaired breed and that you should stay away from shaggier dogs at all costs.  But now that you understand what it is you’re actually allergic to it – and it’s not the dog’s hair per se – it’s time to rethink everything you thought you knew about hypoallergenic dogs.

The good news is that there are several dog breeds of all shapes and sizes that people with allergies tend to be able to tolerate.  However, the following three low allergy dog breeds come up time and again as the most popular dog breeds least likely to aggravate a person’s allergies.

Bichon Frise

If you’re looking for a cute, fluffy lapdog, you can’t go past the Bichon Frise.  Most people with allergies, however, would run a mile from that white fluffy coat, fearing that it will only aggravate their allergies.  The good news is that the Bichon Frise’s curly coat doesn’t shed and produces very little dander.

Regular grooming will remove dead hairs and dander, and your Bichon Frise will stay relatively shed-free the rest of the time.  This is all good news for allergy sufferers who would still love a fluffy, cuddly lapdog but without all the sneezing and itchy eyes.

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Schnauzer: Best Dog Breeds For People With Allergies

Schnauzer

If loyalty and headstrong devotion and what you’re looking for in a dog, the Schnauzer could be the perfect solution.  Energetic and strong-willed, a Schnauzer becomes deeply connected to their owner and aims to never let them out of their sight.

Intelligent, affectionate, and highly devoted, Schnauzers are also an excellent choice for allergy sufferers as they produce significantly less dander than other dog breeds.  Schnauzers come in a variety of different sizes, making them a firm favorite for people who like small dogs, large dogs, and those in-between.

Labradoodle

Technically speaking, a Labradoodle is not actually a distinct dog breed.  Instead, they are a designer dog that has been specifically and carefully bred to suit the needs of people with severe allergies.  Considered by people all over the world as the best dog for those with allergies, the Labradoodle is a cross between the standard Poodle and the Labrador Retriever. 

In general, Labradoodles combine the best traits of both breeds, with the intelligence of a Poodle and the gentle, sweet disposition all of the Labrador Retriever.

Most Labradoodles do not shed at all, have no odor, and require only occasional bathing.  However, it’s important to understand that crossbreeds like the Labradoodle can vary significantly, with a single litter producing some pups with allergy-friendly wool or fleece and other pups with hair like the Labrador Retriever. 

Labradoodles with hair like a Labrador Retriever are not going to be any more allergy friendly than a standard Labrador Retriever.  That’s why it’s so important to inspect a puppy before you commit to buy, or ideally spend a few days with the Labradoodle before you commit to purchase.

Poodle
Poodle: Best Dog Breeds For People With Allergies

Quick Tips To Reduce The Symptoms Of Dog Allergies

Protect Your Furniture

Even if your dog sheds very minimally, the dander and dead hair can quickly accumulate on your furniture – especially soft furnishings like fabric chairs and couches.  Covering your chairs and couches with washable throw rugs will not only protect your furniture in general but will allow you to wash and replace the covers regularly and easily.

A Clean Dog Is An Allergy-Friendly Dog

When you wash and groom your dog – or, better yet, have this task performed by a professional or someone in your home who doesn’t suffer from allergies – you will be removing all the dead skin cells and dead hair, making it much less likely for any shedding to occur inside your home.

Train Your Dog Not To Lick

Remember, allergies are flared up not just by dander, but by saliva and urine too.  Being licked by a dog can cause your allergies to flare up, so it’s worth training your dog from the outset not to lick. Here’s more information on why pets lick.

Not In The Bedroom

This tip can be a deal breaker for some people, but if your allergies are severe it can be worth making your bedroom a dog-free zone so you can get a good night’s sleep without dealing with sneezing, coughing, and itchy red eyes.

If you’re an allergy sufferer, the good news is that you don’t have to abstain from owning a dog just to keep your allergy symptoms at bay.  While your symptoms will probably flare up after a cuddle with the neighbor’s super fluffy Golden Retriever, you can still have your own pet dog by understanding what it is you’re really allergic to and then choosing your dog breed very carefully. 

Of course, dogs are individuals, and their hair type and propensity to shed can differ from one dog to the next, even within a single litter.  When you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog, choose your breed first, find one, and then try to spend a little time with the dog before committing to buying or adopting, just to see how well you, the dog, and your allergies get along.

About The Author: James Waller
James Woller is a long-time dog enthusiast, and co-owner of Release the Hounds and Jet Pet Resort, professional dog walking and boarding companies in Vancouver, Canada. On his days off from running his companies, he enjoys learning and writing about topics that are of interest to caring pet owners. James is also the executive director of Thrive For Good (previously Organics for Orphans), a non-profit movement to secure organic food and natural medicine in poor countries.

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