Do you sneeze or have a runny nose, watery eyes and/or cough while you are around dogs? You just might be allergic to dogs – and you’re not alone! Many Americans suffer from dog allergies.
However, if you are one of those animal lovers and just cannot live without a dog, there are breeds of dogs that are more hypoallergenic than others. The American Kennel Club states that there is no such thing as an allergy-free dog, but there are certain breeds of dogs that do not produce as many allergens, such as dander. Dander is the product that is attached to pet hair and causes humans to be allergic to dogs.
In addition to adopting a hypoallergenic dog, there are other preventive measures you can take to help reduce the amount of dander in your home. You should wash your dog’s bed often, keep up with their grooming and don’t allow them to sleep in your bed. You may also consider removing heavy carpets and drapes that can trap dander.
Here is a list of the most hypoallergenic breeds of dogs for allergy sufferers.
Best Breeds for Allergy Sufferers:
Bichon Frise
These dogs don’t shed but their coat continually grows. Grooming is a must to prevent mats.
Chinese Crested
They shed little to no hair – since they are almost hairless.
Irish Water Spaniel
Their double water resistant coat requires brushing every few weeks.
Italian Greyhound
These dogs have a short coat and don’t shed often.
Maltese
They have silky, long white hair that needs to be brushed daily to prevent matting.
Miniature Bull Terrier
This breed of dog has a short, rough coat and doesn’t shed much.
Poodle (Standard, Miniature and Toy)
Their curly coat needs to be groomed on a regular schedule.
Schnauzer (Giant, Standard and Miniature)
Their coats need grooming, brushing and clipping maintenance.
Scottish Terrier
They have a coarser, medium length coat. They require some grooming and brushing.
Shih Tzu
This breed of dog has very long hair. It requires frequent grooming and brushing.
West Highland White Terrier
They have long white hair and needs to be groomed frequently.
Xoloitzcuintli AKA Mexican Hairless (Standard, Miniature and Toy)
There are two varieties for this breed: hairless and coated. The hairless varieties have a tough, smooth protective skin whereas the coated varieties have a short, flat coat.
Yorkshire Terrier
They have a multicolored coat with long fur. This breed requires regular grooming and brushing.
These are just a few of the dog breeds that are hypoallergenic. The American Kennel Club offers a few more options as well as breed temperaments. Another good resource we have found is this website from DogBreedsList.com. They have three pages of choices!
