Best hypoallergenic dog breeds for people with allergies

This fluffy white dog is charming, bright, and happy-go-lucky. It’s also silly and naturally clownish, known to make unique sounds and walk around on its hind legs. The bond between Cotons and their people is often very strong. In terms of being a hypoallergenic dog, the Coton barely sheds and rarely aggravates allergies. That said, its long coat does require daily care.

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Havanese sport a silky coat, which comes in a variety of colours. You can leave this dog’s coat as is and most people do, but some owners prefer to cord it (fashioning it into doggy dreadlocks), similar to a Puli. Still, others clip it short to reduce grooming time. Whatever your preference, it’s all good: The breed doesn’t shed much. Havanese are adaptable, intelligent, outgoing and social, and they make particularly good city pets.

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A typical sporting dog, the Irish Water Spaniel is an active, high-energy companion. The breed is eager to please and relatively easy to train, but these pups need lots of daily exercise. They’re best for an active owner or family. But they’re pretty low-maintenance when it comes to grooming: You only have to brush their hypoallergenic, water-repellent coats every few weeks and trim them every two months.

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The Kerry Blue Terrier is an alert, adaptable, and animated watchdog and family companion. Most Kerries just want to be with their owners – and will happily join you in whatever you’re doing. Their non-shedding coats are hypoallergenic, but they still need to be brushed thoroughly once a week and trimmed every four to six weeks. Beyond regular weekly grooming, an occasional bath will keep them clean and looking their best.

Experts recommend brushing these hypoallergenic dogs daily, as well as grooming them often to prevent mats from forming in their long, white coats. The Maltese is a very adaptable breed, and they make great alert dogs that are surprisingly fearless. They are also excellent athletes on an agility course, so you can have a ton of fun with them. Although sometimes stubborn and wilful, they respond well to rewards-based training. Pet MD cautions: “Do not let the innocent appearance of this little dog fool you. It is feisty, bold, and not afraid to challenge larger dogs.”

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Poodles are often thought of as the gold standard when it comes to hypoallergenic dogs. In fact, you’ve probably heard about the allure of choosing a poodle mix for this reason. But in terms of straight-up poodles, you have your choice of standard, miniature and toy – and all of their non-shedding coats are ideal for people with allergies. The dogs also make wonderful pets: They are eager, athletic, extremely intelligent, and remarkably versatile. They can also be easily trained, which can make life a lot easier in other respects.

With a reputation for being affectionate and adventurous, the Portuguese Water Dog is an eager and athletic companion built for families with active lifestyles. Soft, thick and non-shedding, its coat can be either wavy or curly. While this breed’s coat is considered hypoallergenic, it’s important to regularly maintain it so that it stays that way and doesn’t collect other allergens along the way.

Bred to work closely with humans, Pulis are agile, faithful and quick learners who do best with active families. If the Puli is on your shortlist, make sure that you have ample time for training and grooming. Dreadlocks are arguably the most recognisable feature of the Puli, and these naturally occurring cords are woolly, dense, and weatherproof. Although the Puli isn’t much of a shedder, whether corded or brushed out, its coat requires a lot of attention.

If you’re interested in this bearded pooch, you’ve got three options to choose from – miniature, standard and giant – and they’re all hypoallergenic. Schnauzers have a double coat: The bottom one is soft and dense, while the top is wiry. Daily brushing prevents mats from forming, especially in their beards and on their legs. Plus, the body coat should be “stripped” (loose, dead hair is plucked out) at least twice a year. This will also help reduce the potential for allergies. These dogs are sociable, smart, alert and great with kids.

Loyal and playful, this small breed tends to be especially affectionate with children. They were originally bred to spend most of their days lounging around inside royal palaces, so they make great pets, whether you live in an apartment or have a big backyard. Shih Tzus have hair that doesn’t shed much, so allergy sufferers usually do well with them. This dog’s double coat does require frequent brushing, but you can clip it short for ease.

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