Body + Mind is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through some of the links on our site.
When you have an allergy, the dream of pet ownership might seem too far out of reach. Everyone deserves to have man’s best friend by their side. More dogs are hypoallergenic than you might think. Several breeds have specific types of coats that prevent shedding, but as a result, they may need regular grooming. Here are some of the best dogs for people with allergies — and only a few have little or no hair!
When people picture the Chinese Crested Dog, they often think of the dog with tufts of hair on its head, but this breed also has a “powderpuff” variety with plenty of hair. If you want a great dog to reduce your allergies, pick the variation with little hair. This breed, regardless of hair amount, is playful and alert. It does best in a family with children who will treat it gently. The Chinese Crested Dog is small and loves to play, but it needs to be well cared for.
Many breeds you’ll see on this list are in the Terrier group. These dogs typically have different coat types and are some of the best hypoallergenic dogs you’ll find. The Bedlington Terrier is no different. Though it might look like a lamb, it’s a dog! Its curly coat makes it less likely to shed, meaning less hair and dander around your home. Even better is that it doesn’t have a ton of energy like a lot of Terrier breeds do — regular daily exercise will keep this pup happy!
These little guys are the perfect apartment dogs for people with allergies. Another breed in the Terrier group, its hairlessness actually results from a recessive trait in its genetics, but there are still some circumstances where individual dogs can have hair. This pup doesn’t require a lot of exercise, making it a great companion dog you can cuddle up on the couch with.
Standard Poodles are a bit larger than their counterparts, the Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle. While both of those variations of the breed are hypoallergenic as well, the Standard Poodle is great for individuals because of their high activity needs, and they’re intelligent dogs who need some sort of mental stimulation every day to keep them happy. They might be challenging to train for a first-time dog owner, but as they’re one of the smartest breeds out there, a Poodle will be well worth any trouble you have.
You’ll have to devote regular trips to the dog groomer if you want to keep your Poodle’s coat looking neat and tidy. This variation of Poodle definitely needs regular exercise, so it’s a great breed for an individual or family looking for a smart dog to kick them out of their couch potato habits.
This breed’s curly coat results in minimal shedding, making it one of the best dogs for people with allergies. It’s the tallest of all spaniels, and it’s majorly goofy. Still, even with its fun-loving personality, the Irish Water Spaniel is an intelligent breed that is always willing to learn and do what it takes to please its owner.
This breed has a lot of energy, so you may find yourself more active than ever trying to keep up with it. Just remember not to push yourself — having a rest day is essential to your body mending and preparing for more movement. A tired Irish Water Spaniel is a happy Irish Water Spaniel, but your pup will be content to just pass the days with you.
This breed’s major charm is its little mustache and beard, which you must regularly groom to take care of properly. The Schnauzer comes in three sizes: Giant, Standard and Miniature. Miniature Schnauzers are popular dogs today, though they were originally used for catching rats and herding sheep. Schnauzers can be protective, and they need lots of exercise. They may not be great apartment dogs, especially the larger variations, but as long as you can devote time to them every day, they’d do well with an active family or folks with a big backyard.
In the past, Yorkshire Terriers have been lapdogs of choice, but before that, they were chasing rats out of places they didn’t need to be. These little dogs love to be pampered, but they also have great energy that can be channeled into being the perfect watchdog over a smaller space, like an apartment or condo. This breed is luxury in an energetic package, and you’re sure to have adventures daily with this hypoallergenic breed by your side.
Many people think they have to feel limited to hairless dogs when they have an allergy. While there are plenty of cute hairless dogs for people with allergies, you shouldn’t feel limited to a certain look. Hairless, wiry and curly-coated dogs can offer you the same hypoallergenic experience with vastly different temperaments and exercise levels. All you must do is research which breed will work best for you, and you can find the cutest and best-suited breed for your household.
