Which Dog Breeds are Hypoallergenic
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Hypoallergenic means that it (referring to clothes, cosmetics, or animal) has less likely chance to induce allergic reactions to a human being. The operative words are “less likely”, which means that a hypoallergenic dog does not equate to 100% allergic-free reactions. It only means that the dog has fewer allergens than others of its kind.
What makes a human allergic to some dog breeds?
There are a lot of factors that need to consider in assessing whether you are allergic to a particular thing or not. Firstly, it depends on the degree of sensitivity you have against certain allergens. In the case of dogs, allergens are not only limited to their fur; the higher the presence of dander, a protein that is in their saliva and skin oils, the higher the chance of allergies it can give.
But again, the degree of allergies depends on the human and the dog—not everyone has the same sensitivities, and each dog has different levels of dander in them (Yes, even different dogs of the same breed).
Regardless of the factors involved, choosing a hypoallergenic dog breed is a far better option than opting not to have a dog at all, especially if you do not want to miss out on the kind of love and affection only this furry animals can give. We outlined the ten most popular dog breeds (indicated by the ranking next to their name) that are considered hypoallergenic by American Kennel Club, a recognized registry of dog breeds in the United States.
Note: Ironically, most of these hypoallergenic dog breeds have relatively long hair or fur that requires grooming to keep it short and clean. Thus, the long-hair-means-highly-allergic idea about dog breeds is simply not true. As mentioned earlier, only the presence of dander can determine the allergen levels of a dog.
Poodle (7th)
Whether you get a toy, miniature, or standard size one, this dog breed would surely make your allergies less of a headache—even celebrities says so!
Yorkshire Terrier (9th)
Another type considered as a toy breed, Yorkies have very lively disposition despite their floor-length hair which must frequently be groomed to avoid allergens and bacteria to thrive. Do not fret about their hair—it has less dander than other dog breeds, making it a safe choice for allergen-sensitive humans.
Miniature Schnauzer (17th)
An extrovert through and through, Schnauzers are great companions for people who want to be entertained after a long day (without suffering from allergic reactions in the process).
Shih Tzu (20th)
Popular because of its Barbie dog-type appearance, Shih Tzu is a known companion of humans for as early as AD 624. Thus, their body features can adapt even to the most allergen-prone masters.
Havanese (23rd)
This Cuban native sheds so infrequently that humans are more likely to experience hair fall than them. If you don’t prefer cleaning a lot of dog fur, this breed is an excellent choice.
Maltese (33rd)
Because of their silky white color, this breed may require more frequent grooming attention. Luckily, Maltese sheds less than other breeds, so feel free to brush their milky white fur.
West Highland White Terrier (41st)
Because they were bred to become hunters, their fur should be hard and springy to the touch, making it almost impossible to shed off despite many strokes–a handy characteristic during hunting season where fur coats can easily get entangled in loose plant stems and branches.
Bichon Frise (45th)
Despite its soft and fluffy white fur that looks easy to pluck out, Bichon Frise is bred to be hypoallergenic for French royalties who were their first masters before Americans.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (50th)
Don’t let the term “soft coated” fool you. It may look like they shed a lot, but in reality, they DO NOT. This breed is a perfect choice for humans who do not appreciate seeing loose hair on their carpets and couches all the time.
Portuguese Water Dog (51st)
The only dog breed with webbed feet, this dog breed sheds fur only seasonally, so you can take preventive actions early on once sloughing time comes.
To check out the full list of hypoallergenic dog breeds, click here.
But despite their genetics that makes them included in the list, nothing beats the necessary precautions involved to make sure that your home is as allergen-free as possible. Grooming and bathing your dog regularly, washing linens and blankets your pet has used as frequently as possible, avoiding certain types of fabrics and textile that could trap dander, and cleaning shed and loose hair all over the house are just one of the many things you can do to make your home a haven for pets and humans alike.
