Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds November 28, 2016 – Posted in: Dogs

There are a few factors that come into play when people are choosing a dog breed; temperament, size and for some people, allergies. While no dog breed is 100% allergen free, there are breeds that are better options for people with allergies. Hypoallergenic dogs generally shed significantly less and have less dander than other dog breeds making them much easier for people with allergies to be around. So if being allergic to dogs is what’s holding you back from making a life-long friend, check out our favourite hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Poodle
The poodle breed groups together standard poodles, miniature poodles and toy poodles. As well as being friendly and intelligent, poodles have a single layer coat that sheds very little so they are considered to be hypoallergenic. Their coats do however require lots of grooming and brushing to avoid matting of the fur.

Labradoodle
A labradoodle is a mix between a poodle and a Labrador. Originally bred to be service dogs; the labradoodle is a loving, patient dog great for families. Part of the reason that this mix exists was the desire for a dog that had the temperament of a lab, but the hypoallergenic coat of a poodle. However, some labradoodles may shed than others because as the labradoodle is a relatively new hybrid, the coat can be different from dog to dog, therefore you can’t guarantee that a labradoodle is hypoallergenic.

Goldendoodle
Golden doodles are a crossbreed of poodles and golden retrievers. Like labradoodles, they are known for being social, friendly dogs that develop strong bonds with their humans. They are considered to shed lightly or not at all, but again like the labradoodle, there is variation from dog to dog.

Schnauzer
Schnauzers are known as loyal and protective dogs that don’t shed. They are devoted to their family and can be great with kids (if they are properly socialized). These dogs do require a bit of discipline though as they can be stubborn. There are three different sizes of schnauzer: giant, standard and miniature.

Portuguese Water Dog
Like poodles, the Portuguese water dog has a single layer coat that sheds very little making them hypoallergenic. They are energetic, friendly, easy to train dogs who, as their name suggests, love to swim. Keep in mind, Portuguese water dogs are working dogs, meaning that they need lots of stimulation. Also like poodles, their coats require lots of grooming.

Allergy prone people rejoice! There are breed of dogs that shed less and will be easier for you to be around. But remember, if you are thinking about getting a dog and you have allergies, it is probably a good idea to spend some time with the dog before bringing it home to make sure that you aren’t allergic to him.