1. Maltese
- Size: 4–7 lbs
- Coat: Long, silky hair (needs daily brushing)
- Shedding: Very low
- Temperament: Gentle, affectionate
- Why It’s Great: Maltese dogs are sweet, cuddly, and love apartment living.
Quick Tip: Trim hair around the eyes to prevent tear staining.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
- Size: 4–7 lbs
- Coat: Fine hair, similar to human hair
- Shedding: Minimal
- Temperament: Bold, energetic
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for those who want a stylish dog with minimal allergens.
3. Shih Tzu
- Size: 9–16 lbs
- Coat: Dense double coat, grows like hair
- Shedding: Low (but needs grooming)
- Temperament: Loving, loyal
- Why It’s Great: Excellent family pet with a beautiful coat.
Grooming Tip: A puppy cut keeps maintenance easy.
4. Bichon Frisé
- Size: 12–18 lbs
- Coat: Curly, fluffy, and non-shedding
- Temperament: Cheerful, playful
- Why It’s Great: One of the best hypoallergenic breeds—great for allergy sufferers.
5. Toy Poodle
- Size: 4–6 lbs
- Coat: Tight curls, minimal shedding
- Temperament: Intelligent, trainable
- Why It’s Great: Hypoallergenic and incredibly smart.
Medium Hypoallergenic Dogs
6. Miniature Schnauzer
7. Portuguese Water Dog
- Size: 35–60 lbs
- Coat: Curly or wavy, waterproof
- Temperament: Energetic, loyal
- Why It’s Great: Loved by the Obamas for a reason—great for active families.
8. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Size: 30–40 lbs
- Coat: Silky, single-layer coat
- Temperament: Happy, affectionate
- Why It’s Great: Great for families and less allergenic than most terriers.
Large Hypoallergenic Dogs
9. Standard Poodle
- Size: 45–70 lbs
- Coat: Dense curls, non-shedding
- Temperament: Smart, elegant
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for allergy sufferers who want a large breed.
10. Giant Schnauzer
- Size: 55–85 lbs
- Coat: Harsh, wiry coat
- Temperament: Protective, intelligent
- Why It’s Great: Strong, loyal, and low allergen.
11. Irish Water Spaniel
- Size: 55–65 lbs
- Coat: Curly, water-resistant
- Temperament: Energetic, playful
- Why It’s Great: Great for active owners who want a unique hypoallergenic dog.
Rare Hypoallergenic Breeds (Stand Out From the Crowd)
- Lagotto Romagnolo – Italian truffle dog, curly coat.
- Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless) – Minimal dander, great for allergies.
- Bedlington Terrier – Lamb-like coat, non-shedding.
Quick Breed Comparison Table
| Breed | Size | Shedding | Grooming | Allergy Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maltese | Small | Low | High | Excellent |
| Standard Poodle | Large | Low | Medium | Excellent |
| Schnauzer | Medium | Low | Medium | Excellent |
Common Myths About Hypoallergenic Dogs
❌ Myth: Hypoallergenic means no allergies.
✔ Fact: All dogs produce allergens—these breeds just produce less.
❌ Myth: Short-haired dogs are always better.
✔ Fact: Some short-haired breeds shed more and cause more allergies.
Pros & Cons of Hypoallergenic Breeds
✔ Pros:
- Less shedding
- Great for allergy sufferers
- Many stylish grooming options
✘ Cons:
- Some require frequent grooming
- Can be expensive to buy and maintain
How to Reduce Allergies at Home
- Invest in a HEPA vacuum and air purifier.
- Wash dog bedding weekly.
- Use hypoallergenic grooming products.
- Keep your dog out of your bedroom for better air quality.
More Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds You’ll Love
12. Havanese
- Size: 7–13 lbs
- Coat: Silky, wavy, non-shedding
- Temperament: Friendly, affectionate
- Why It’s Great: Cuba’s national dog, perfect for allergy sufferers and families.
13. Lhasa Apso
- Size: 12–18 lbs
- Coat: Long, dense, hair-like coat
- Temperament: Independent yet loyal
- Why It’s Great: Low-shedding but needs regular grooming to keep allergens minimal.
14. Coton de Tulear
- Size: 8–15 lbs
- Coat: Soft, cotton-like texture
- Temperament: Playful, charming
- Why It’s Great: Known as the “Royal Dog of Madagascar,” great for allergy sufferers.
15. Basenji
- Size: 22–24 lbs
- Coat: Short, fine hair
- Temperament: Independent, intelligent
- Why It’s Great: Minimal grooming and very low dander. Plus, it’s a barkless dog!
16. American Hairless Terrier
- Size: 12–16 lbs
- Coat: Hairless or short coat
- Temperament: Curious, energetic
- Why It’s Great: No shedding and almost no dander, perfect for allergy-sensitive homes.
17. Chinese Crested
- Size: 8–12 lbs
- Coat: Hairless (with a silky crest) or powderpuff
- Temperament: Sweet, affectionate
- Why It’s Great: One of the most allergy-friendly dogs due to its minimal coat.
18. Kerry Blue Terrier
- Size: 33–40 lbs
- Coat: Soft, wavy coat
- Temperament: Confident, lively
- Why It’s Great: Non-shedding, great for active families who want a medium-sized dog.
19. Lagotto Romagnolo
- Size: 24–35 lbs
- Coat: Curly, wool-like coat
- Temperament: Intelligent, energetic
- Why It’s Great: A truffle-hunting Italian breed that barely sheds.
20. Afghan Hound
- Size: 50–60 lbs
- Coat: Long, silky, and elegant
- Temperament: Aloof, independent
- Why It’s Great: Minimal dander, but needs regular brushing to stay allergen-free.
21. Bolognese
- Size: 5–9 lbs
- Coat: Soft, fluffy, and white
- Temperament: Calm, loyal
- Why It’s Great: Non-shedding and adorable, perfect lap dog.
22. Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)
- Size: 8–55 lbs (varies)
- Coat: Hairless with smooth skin
- Temperament: Elegant, affectionate
- Why It’s Great: Virtually no shedding and very low allergen exposure.
23. Spanish Water Dog
- Size: 30–50 lbs
- Coat: Curly, woolly
- Temperament: Hardworking, loyal
- Why It’s Great: Similar to the Poodle in coat texture, hypoallergenic, and active.
24. Bedlington Terrier
- Size: 17–23 lbs
- Coat: Soft and curly, lamb-like appearance
- Temperament: Affectionate, spirited
- Why It’s Great: Rare, stylish, and perfect for allergy sufferers.
25. Wire Fox Terrier
- Size: 15–18 lbs
- Coat: Dense, wiry
- Temperament: Bold, lively
- Why It’s Great: Low shedding, minimal dander, and full of personality.
26. Puli
- Size: 25–35 lbs
- Coat: Corded coat (dreadlock-style)
- Temperament: Protective, loyal
- Why It’s Great: Non-shedding and unique, but needs careful coat maintenance.
27. Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless)
- Size: 10–55 lbs (comes in 3 sizes)
- Coat: Hairless or coated
- Temperament: Calm, affectionate
- Why It’s Great: Ancient breed, almost allergen-free due to lack of hair.
28. Italian Greyhound
- Size: 7–14 lbs
- Coat: Short, smooth coat
- Temperament: Elegant, affectionate
- Why It’s Great: Minimal grooming needs and very low shedding.
29. Löwchen (Little Lion Dog)
- Size: 10–18 lbs
- Coat: Long, wavy coat
- Temperament: Friendly, lively
- Why It’s Great: Non-shedding and perfect for allergy sufferers who love unique looks.
30. Pumi
- Size: 22–29 lbs
- Coat: Curly, low-shedding
- Temperament: Energetic, intelligent
- Why It’s Great: Rare and excellent for active families with mild allergies.
Final Thoughts
Owning a dog with allergies is possible—and incredibly rewarding—with the right breed and proper care. This list of 29+ hypoallergenic dog breeds gives you plenty of options for every lifestyle. Whether you want a tiny lap dog, a medium-sized family companion, or a large, active breed, there’s a hypoallergenic option for you.
