24 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, about 10% of the world's population is allergic to dogs. But this respiratory sensitivity doesn't deter dog lovers with allergies from finding possible alternatives.

While no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic, some non-shedding breeds are compatible with people who have mild allergies because they produce less saliva and less dander—the source of allergy-causing proteins in dogs. There are conflicting studies on whether less saliva and less dander actually mitigates allergy symptoms, but anecdotal evidence has suggested that the following breeds have not caused any problems for allergy sufferers.

If you are allergic to dogs, consult your doctor. If possible, spend an entire day with a dog you're planning on adopting before you make the final decision. The dogs on this list are compatible for most allergy sufferers, but some people are more sensitive than others.

Size:

• Toy: Under 10 inches tall
• Miniature: 10-15 inches
• Standard: Over 15 inches

Lifespan: 14-18 years

Shedding: No to minimal shedding

Grooming: Every 4-6 weeks

Personality: Smart, affectionate, loyal

No matter what size, the toy, the miniature, or the standard Poodle has a curly hypoallergenic coat and does not shed. Although Poodles are often portrayed as fancy, prissy dogs, they are actually quite athletic and family friendly. Their happy-go-lucky personalities and high intelligence make them easy to train and even easier to love.

Size: 13-15 inches

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Shedding: Barely any

Grooming: Occasional brushing

Personality: Clever, agile, can be stubborn

This small, slender dog is agile and alert. The Italian Greyhound loves to play, loves to cuddle, and doesn't require much grooming because it barely sheds. Just give it an occasional brushing and this dog is good to go.

Because Italian Greyhounds have very little hair, they adore sunbathing and can get really miserable in cold weather. I would recommend getting one of the furrier hypoallergenic dogs on this list if you live a region with snowy winters.

Size: 8-10 inches

Lifespan: 15-18 years

Shedding: Almost none

Grooming: Frequent haircuts and brushing, professional grooming

Personality: Playful, fiesty, energetic

It's impossible to talk about the Maltese without talking about its elegant, silky white coat. While the coat requires a lot of grooming to maintain its luster, the Maltese rarely ever sheds and allergy sufferers delight in its hypoallergenic coat and fun-loving personality.

Size: 15-17 inches

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Shedding: None

Grooming: Not necessary

Personality: Stubborn, independent, intelligent, inquisitive, cat-like

Known as the "barkless dog," this highly intelligent canine has a short coat and never sheds. Though he doesn't bark, he does yodel and howl. The Basenji is easy to care for because he doesn't require any grooming, but he is difficult to train due to his highly independent streak. If you plan on adopting this breed, make sure you have high fences. Basenjis have a reputation of being escape artists.

Size: 9-11 inches

Lifespan: 13-15 years

Shedding: Very little

Grooming: Daily brushing and professional grooming

Personality: Extremely affectionate, ready to please, playful

The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba and was bred to keep wealthy families company. His double coat requires frequent grooming, but because he rarely sheds, he makes a great companion for allergy sufferers. If you don't mind spending a little more each month on grooming, the Havanese is the perfect family dog and is very easy to train and obedient. This breed loves to play and gets along well with strangers, other dogs, and even cats.

Size: 18-20 inches

Lifespan: 10-16 years depending on size

Shedding: Hardly at all

Grooming: Brush twice a week to prevent mating

Personality: Great watch dog, highly intelligent, keen instincts

Described as having "human-like" intelligence, the Schnauzer is an all-around stellar companion and working dog. They have double coats—a wiry top coat and a smoother undercoat that catches fallen hair, so they don't shed very much nor do they produce odor. They are perfect for people with asthma or allergies.

This breed was historically bred to guard the house and hunt rodents, so they make great family dogs and farm dogs.

Size: 17-23 inches

Lifespan: 10-14 years depending on size

Shedding: Very little

Grooming: Brush every week

Personality: Affable, loves water, highly energetic, outgoing

This lovable breed became popular when the Obamas welcomed two of them into the White House. They love to be in water, so providing them with a place to swim is essential to their happiness. Like Poodles, they rarely shed and make great pets for people who are sensitive to dog dander. If you're thinking about adopting a Portuguese Water Dog—or Porty—as they're affectionately called, get ready to spend a lot of time outdoors running, swimming, and playing catch. They love to play!

Note: The Porty featured in the pictures above is Bo, the Obamas' camera-loving dog.

Size: 17-19 inches

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Shedding: Light

Grooming: Brush every week

Personality: Easygoing, fun-loving, spirited

This terrier possesses a soft, silky coat that requires a lot of grooming in order to prevent shedding. If you're willing to brush him daily and take him to the groomers on a regular basis, then you'll enjoy this lively terrier with an endearing tendency to bounce, spin, and give kisses.

Size: 8-11 inches

Lifespan: 10-16 years

Shedding: Light

Grooming: Brush every week

Personality: Affectionate, attention-craving, playful

This regal dog descends from Chinese royalty and his name means "little lion" in Mandarin, but he is anything but ferocious. This dainty dog wears an elegant, long, and silky coat and sheds little to no dander, so it makes a great choice for people who are allergic to dogs. The Shih Tzu retains puppy-like behavior well into old age and is happiest when it receives copious amounts of attention.

Size:

• Standard: 21-24
• Medium: 17-20

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Shedding: Barely

Grooming: Regular grooming

Personality: Intelligent, gentle, eager to please, active

The Labrador Retriever and Poodle hybrid was actually bred to be a hypoallergenic guard dog. This cute breed mix is the whole package: smart, friendly, adorable, and doesn't cause you to run for the kleenex box. The coat requires regular maintenance, but training this breed is quite easy because they are smart, obedient, and eager to please.

Size: 8-9 inches

Lifespan: 13-16 years

Shedding: Barely

Grooming: Daily brushing and regular professional grooming

Personality: Feisty, devoted, napoleon complex

Don't let this breed's small size and elegant coat full you. The Yorkshire Terrier is not afraid to stand its ground. While it may take some time to get this breed to warm up to strangers and other dogs, it is very devoted and sweet to its family. This non-shedding breed has hair instead of fur and requires regular grooming and brushing to maintain luster.

Size: 11-16 inches

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Shedding: Minimal

Grooming: Some occasional brushing

Personality: Inquisitive, friendly, alert, independent

The Border Terrier loves to play, run, hunt, and dig! He will chase birds and rats into the streets and jump fences if not supervised. His boundless energy and good nature may get him into trouble, but he is a lovable dog who can be obedient with proper training. Because he has a double coat, he sheds minimally, making him a great fit for terrier lovers with allergies.

Size: 9-12 inches

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Shedding: Barely

Grooming: Daily brushing, professional grooming once a month

Personality: Perky, mischievous, affectionate, playful

These cute balls of fluff have nothing but love to give. They require company and attention and suffer greatly from separation anxiety when left alone, but surrounded by people, they are cheerful, gentle, and playful. Because they don't really shed they're considered hypoallergenic dogs.

Size: 10 inches

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Shedding: Barely

Grooming: Twice weekly brushing

Personality: Alert, self-important, playful, clingy

The Brussels Griffon thinks he rules the house. He is not one to listen to commands but makes an excellent watchdog and an amusing companion if you can put up with his antics. One thing you won't have to deal with when owning this breed is allergies because he rarely sheds and grooming is easy.

Size: 14-18 inches

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Shedding: Barely

Grooming: Frequent brushing, washing, and professional grooming

Personality: Protective, strong, affectionate, loyal

This mop-like dog with long, corded locks may look a little funny, but under that thick coat is a hardworking and affectionate companion who does best living in the countryside with large spaces to play and roam. He makes a great guard dog and protector of the family, often acting as babysitters to younger children. Grooming takes quite a lot of effort, but luckily for people with allergies, the Puli's thick coat traps dander when it sheds.

Size: 9-12 inches

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Shedding: Very little

Grooming: Regular brushing and trimming

Personality: Clever, happy, friendly, high self-esteem, adaptable

The Westie is a happy-go-lucky dog that is friendly to all humans and animals, except rodents. Bred to hunt and chase, he requires daily activity to keep him entertained. Unlike other small breeds, this little guy loves to socialize and is not a lap dog nor a companion for just a single person. He is most ideal for a family.

Size: 16-19 inches

Lifespan: 15-17 years

Shedding: Very little

Grooming: Regular brushing and trimming

Personality: Active, playful, eager to please

This curly coated Italian water dog was bred to hunt truffles and is happiest when given plenty of activities to do outdoors, even if its just walking and sniffing. Besides being a total jock, the Lagotto Romagnolo is also a softie. He loves to give and receive affection and enjoys curling up on the couch with you after a full day of play.

Size: 10-11 inches

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Shedding: Very little

Grooming: Regular brushing and monthly clippings

Personality: Feisty, independent, cautious

This scrappy little dog is extremely affectionate to those he is familiar with but needs a bit of time to warm up to strangers and other dogs. He does best when raised by a single person or a couple and is extremely devoted but can be hard to train due to his independent-nature and self-importance.

Size: 9-10 inches

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Shedding: Barely

Grooming: Daily brushing and regular professional grooming

Personality: Friendly, curious, energetic, loving

This cheerful and elegant little dog is quite active for his size and requires plenty of activities and entertainment even if its just playing in the backyard or going on walks every day. Originally bred to hunt vermin, this breed is quite adventurous and craves discovery, so taking him for walks and allowing him to sniff makes him happiest. His coat needs regular maintenance to prevent mating and retain luster, but he doesn't shed, making him a great friend for those with dog allergies.

Size: 22-24 inches

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Shedding: Very little

Grooming: Brushing twice a week

Personality: Confident, active, loyal, hardworking

The Airedale Terrier is the largest breed of all terriers, and in some circles he is known as the "King of Terriers" for this reason. Bred to be both a sporting and hunting dog, this dog is an all around champion in obedience, agility, and work. He requires lots of exercise and mental stimulation, and makes an excellent guard dog.

Size:

• Toy: 10-14 inches
• Miniature: 14-18
• Standard: 18-23

Lifespan: 12-14 years

Shedding: Almost none

Grooming: Weekly baths and moisturizing to prevent dry skin

Personality: Intelligent, good-natured, protective

The Mexican Hairless dog, or Xolo, as he is affectionately called, is much gentler than he looks. While he makes a great watch dog, he is also very kind and affectionate. He loves staying close to his family and requires a lot of exercise. Because he is hairless, he is sensitive to cold temperatures and direct sunlight. His skin can burn easily, so don't let him sit out in the sun for too long.

Size: 9-10 inches

Lifespan: 12-16 years

Shedding: Almost none

Grooming: Regular clippings and brushing

Personality: Fun, spirited, sociable, clever

The Bolonka is a rare toy breed that originated in Russia. The name manes "colored lapdog" in Russian. This dog was bred for companionship and does well in obedience training. They have long coats with big waves/curls and come in a variety of beautiful colors. While they require regular grooming, like most longhaired dogs do, they don't shed.

Size: 9-13 inches

Lifespan: 13-15 years

Shedding: None

Grooming: Daily brushing if he has hair

Personality: Affectionate, sweet, loving, always cold

This exotic, pony-like toy dog comes in two varieties: hairless or with some hair on the crown, tail, and legs (known as Powderpuff). The Chinese Crested is the quintessential lap dog—he enjoys being held, cuddled, and being close his human for attention as well as for body heat. Because he barely has hair, he enjoys wearing sweaters and sunbathing. Be careful not to let him sun burn though.

Size: 16-20 inches

Lifespan: 11-12 years

Shedding: None

Grooming: Weekly baths and moisturizing to keep skin from getting dry

Personality: Intelligent, protective, obedient

The PIO comes in two varieties: coated and hairless with the coated variety having very short hair, so naturally, these dogs do not shed. They are loyal and affectionate to their families, easy to train, and make great companions.

• Get a smaller dog. Smaller dogs produce less dander and less saliva.
• Clean their bedding weekly or twice a month to get rid of fur.
• Vacuum areas where your dog spends a lot of time in, such as the family room carpet, the couch, or the kitchen.
• It's better to have carpet-free flooring to prevent fur and dander from collecting.
• Purchase a HEPA air purifier to remove germs and allergens in the air. You don't need an expensive one. I bought one for about $150, and it's highly effective.