Are you one of those who love dogs but can’t pet them because you have pet allergies? Whenever you try to pet a dog, you either have trouble breathing or a stuffy nose with watery eyes? We understand your pain, and we are here to help you. Now you can enjoy being a pet parent even if you have pet allergies. All you need to do is to choose hypoallergenic dogs, or in simple words, dogs who shed less and produce less dander.
With little to no shedding, hypoallergenic dogs can be a perfect choice for people prone to allergies. Petting a dog is a huge responsibility, and you need to spend a lot of time with your furry friend to fulfill this responsibility. With pet allergies, however, it becomes challenging to cater adequately to their needs.
While it is said that small dogs are the best hypoallergenic dogs, in this article, we will provide you a mix of both. It’s just that small dog breeds are easy to handle as compared to the breeds that are larger and heavier in size. So, here are a few dogs that are less likely to cause allergic reactions to those with allergies and can be a perfect fit for you and your family.
1. Maltese
Our first pick for you is cute little Maltese. Maltese are super adorable dogs with silky hair. With fine-boned and compact yet sturdy bodies, Maltese are very hard to resist. They have deep chests with round skulls. They have a silky hair coat that is single-layered and comes in white or ivory variations. Most owners keep their hair short so that they are easy to maintain and take care of.
Maltese are low-shedding dogs, perfect for those with allergies. When compared to other dog breeds, Maltese are low-maintenance dogs who need regular brushing to keep their beautiful coat neat. They love walks and leisure and are an excellent pet for those living in apartments, as they remain active even indoors.
Maltese are lively, high-spirited, and playful dogs, always ready to please their owners. Besides, they are also intelligent, quick learners, and easy to train.
2. Portuguese Water Dog
If you are looking for large hypoallergenic dog breeds, Portuguese Water Dogs can be the perfect option for you. These dogs are muscular and medium to large-sized. They love to swim and have webbed feet. Portuguese Water Dogs have a thick single-layered coat that has a curly or wavy texture. They come in a variety of colors like black, white, browns, silver fox, grey, etc. Their coat sheds very little, which makes them perfect hypoallergenic dogs, though they require plenty of grooming from time to time.
Although these dogs will do fine in apartments, they still need a lot of exercise as they are high-energy dogs. A house with a small yard would be a suitable home for them. They are very friendly and loving in nature, and they love to stay close to their families. Portuguese Water Dogs have great stamina and need a lot of exertion to release their cooped-up energy.
They are excellent jogging companions and require a lot of mental stimulation too. If they are not exercised well or kept mentally engaged, they can display destructive behavior.
3. Toy Poodle
Toy poodles are cute little hypoallergenic dogs with curly or corded coats. They come in a variety of colors—black, blue, silver, gray, cream, etc. Highly intelligent and responsive, it is very easy to train a toy poodle. They love to socialize and are sweet and cheerful in nature.
They are good for both city and country life but need to be given enough exercise. They will do just fine without a yard. When they are well-exercised, toy poodles are calm and inactive indoors. They love to cuddle with their owners. At the same time, they equally enjoy their time outdoors, love to accompany you on walks, play games, and do other activities with their owners and families. Because of their non-shedding attributes, they can be a perfect little companion for those with allergies. Toy Poodles also require daily brushing to keep their coat sleek.
4. Spanish Water Dog
Spanish Water Dogs, elegant, rustic, and strong, are also large hypoallergenic dogs that can be great pets. They are well-muscled dogs with short necks and straight and sturdy forearms. Spanish Water Dogs have a curly coat, woolly in texture. The coat appears curly when it is short and their puppies are also born with curly hair. They are available in different colors like black, white, etc.
Spanish water dogs are very intelligent dogs that have well-balanced personalities. As you may have already guessed, water dogs do great with people who have allergies as they are hypoallergenic in nature. Spanish Water Dogs are also hunting and guardian dogs. They can prove themselves to be brilliant family members and great companions and give you their utmost devotion.
They can be easily trained and are quite versatile. But keep in mind, they can be protective, possessive, and territorial in nature. So, all you have to do is just to train them well. You need to keep a Spanish water dog busy with different mindful activities and make sure never to leave it alone with children unsupervised. They can adapt to all kinds of environments, but all they demand is exercise. As long as they are given sufficient exercise, they can survive well in extremely hot and cold weather.
5. Border Terrier
Border Terrier is another small cute little dog that is known to be sturdy. They have narrow shoulders and bodies with stunningly strong teeth. They have a dense, short double coat that seems to be wiry.
Border terriers are available in different colors like red, grizzle, blue and tan, or wheaten. Don’t go on their size because these cute little dogs need a lot of exercise as they have untiring stamina. Also, they are cute little hunters who are always alert and would try to capture anything that crosses their attention.
Border terriers are mild-mannered dogs who are great with kids. They are good bark dogs who are not aggressive or destructive in nature. Note, however, that border terriers love to dig and have strong instincts. These little fearless and intelligent creatures can be great for those with allergies as they are hypoallergenic in nature. They are obedient, outgoing, and active and enjoy socializing with everyone around. Lastly, they are low-maintenance dogs who don’t need frequent bathing or grooming. They will do great in apartments as long if they are taken out for walks daily.