3 Hypoallergenic Dogs for Your Family

Do you have an allergy to pet dander? Or does someone in your family sneeze around dogs? Are you looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed to choose for your family?

If this description sounds like your situation, you’re not alone. Many households want to find allergy-friendly dog breeds for the health of everyone involved. Fortunately, there are several breeds that may work, and you have plenty of options to choose from when you need a hypoallergenic dog breed, too.

Read through the information in the article below to find out more about three of the most popular and best choices for allergen-friendly dogs.

1. Chinese Crested

The Chinese crested is a small dog that measures between 11 and 13 inches in height and between 8 and 12 pounds in weight. This dog is hairless throughout its body, but it has hair on its feet and head. The sparse hair on its body does not shed, since it is hair instead of fur, so these dogs are an excellent choice for a hypoallergenic household. Keep in mind, however, that a hairless dog requires a lot of upkeep in terms of skin health, so you should be ready to provide your dog with adequate skin care in place of grooming.

Chinese crested dogs are very loyal and protective, making them good alert dogs. They are also playful and friendly, and they tend to be affectionate. However, they may not get along with children or other dogs as well as some other hypoallergenic breeds, although they are not too standoffish or territorial, either. These dogs have moderate energy levels and moderate barking habits, so they need to be exercised but do not need as much regular activity as some others on our list. For the right household, the Chinese crested is sure to be the perfect—if somewhat unique—choice.

2. Poodle

The poodle comes in three sizes: toy, mini, and standard. The toy poodle is about 10 inches tall, while the miniature is about 15 inches tall. The standard poodle is over 15 inches in height and can weigh from 40 to 70 pounds. Poodles are highly affectionate and get along well with children, although they may not like other dogs, cats, or other types of animals in the household in some instances. They are very intelligent dogs and are easy to train, making them a good choice if you’re interested in working closely with your dog as a training team.

Poodles come in a wide variety of colors and can have a few types of markings as well. Their coat type is known as long and curly, which makes them excellent hypoallergenic dogs. However, they must be groomed professionally, and will probably need to see a groomer once a month.

Although “doodles” are popular mixed breed dogs that combine poodles with other breeds, they are not necessarily hypoallergenic. Many of the combination breeds—such as Labrador or golden retrievers—shed a lot, so it’s up to genetics to determine whether a specific doodle will be hypoallergenic.

3. Bichon Frise

The bichon frise is a popular small dog that tends to average between 9 and 12 inches in height and 12 to 18 pounds in weight. These dogs are almost always white, although they may rarely be apricot, cream, or buff in color. They have a coat that is known as a double curly style, which means they do not shed but do require a lot of grooming upkeep. You will likely need to take your bichon frise to a professional groomer every month or so to have their coat cleaned, dried, trimmed, and managed—unless you are willing and able to handle their grooming needs yourself.

The bichon frise is very loyal and gets along well with children as well as adult family members. This breed is also good with other dogs, and many get along with cats fairly well, too. These are high energy dogs, so keep in mind that you’ll need to have a backyard or take your bichon frise on regular walks to help keep their physical activity needs met. The bichon frise is also known to bark quite a lot, so be prepared for a lot of noise if you adopt one of these lively dogs into your family!

Choose the Best Hypoallergenic Dog for Your Family

Based on this information, you should be able to narrow down the options and pick the dog breed that is right for you and your household. Remember, however, that just because a breed tends to have certain qualities, this does not mean your specific dog will necessarily have those features too.

Each dog is an individual and should be treated as such. While it is certainly okay to choose a dog breed based on coat type and allergy friendliness, you should take your time looking for the perfect fit for your family.

Once you welcome a hypoallergenic dog into your family, be sure to book an appointment at any of our Heart + Paw locations to get your pet started on the right paw!