Best Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers - Live With Dogs Despite Allergies

Understanding Dog Allergies

For those who suffer from allergies, living with a dog can seem nearly impossible. However, with an estimated 10-30% of people reporting allergies to dogs, there are still many dog lovers out there looking for ways to make it work.

People are usually allergic to the dander, saliva, and urine of dogs. These allergens can stick to fabrics and float easily through the air. For people with dog allergies, exposure causes uncomfortable symptoms like sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, runny nose, and itchy skin.

What Causes Dogs to Be Allergenic?

All dogs produce allergens, but some individual dogs and certain breeds tend to be less allergenic than others. There are a few factors that determine how allergy-causing a particular dog may be:

• Size - larger dogs produce more dander
• Coat length - long-haired dogs shed more than short-haired dogs
• Coat type - curly coats like Poodles trap more allergens close to the skin
• Saliva - some proteins are more allergenic than others
• Shedding amount - frequent shedders spread more allergens in the environment

Tips for Managing Dog Allergies

While no dog is completely non-allergenic, there are things allergy sufferers can do to manage living with a dog:

• Brush and bathe your dog frequently
• Vacuum often with a HEPA filter
• Wash bedding and fabrics regularly
• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter
• Consider allergy shots or medications

Even with allergy management, choosing the right dog breed is still key for allergy sufferers. Let's take a look at some of the best and worst breeds when it comes to allergies.

Best Dogs for People With Allergies

Poodle

Poodles have a tight, curly coat that traps dander and allergens near the skin rather than releasing them into the air. They also produce less of the allergy-causing proteins in saliva and urine than other breeds.

Standard Poodles and Miniature Poodles tend to be better for allergies than Toy Poodles since they shed slightly less. Make sure to have them brushed and clipped often to minimize any shedding.

Portuguese Water Dog

Like Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs have curly, hypoallergenic coats that don't shed much. Their single-layer coat also doesn't trap as much dander against the skin. They do still produce allergens in their saliva, but overall cause fewer reactions than other breeds.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

With a long, silky, single layer coat, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers shed very little and produce less dander. Their coat requires frequent brushing and trimming to prevent matting, which helps remove any loose hairs or allergens.

Lagotto Romagnolo

Originally bred as a water retriever in Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a dense curly coat like a Poodle. Their coat is constantly growing rather than shedding seasons, so loose hair and dander doesn't build up. Regular grooming keeps their coat neat and allergen-free.

Schnauzer

Standard Schnauzers, Giant Schnauzers, and Miniature Schnauzers all have wiry coats that shed minimally, produce little dander, and trap allergens close to the skin. Their beard and leg furnishings should be brushed frequently and keep the coat neat with regular grooming.

Australian Silky Terrier

With a fine, straight silky coat, Australian Silky Terriers hardly shed at all. Their single coat layer also doesn't trap much dander or allergens. Combining minimal shedding with low dander makes them one of the more hypoallergenic terrier breeds.

Irish Water Spaniel

As another curly-coated water dog like the Portuguese Water Dog and Poodle, the Irish Water Spaniel sheds very little and has a coat designed to protect in the water rather than trap dander and allergens. Their tight curls keep dead hair locked in place requiring grooming to remove.

Chinese Crested

An mostly hairless breed, the Chinese Crested only has small tufts of hair on the head, tail, and feet. Less hair means less shedding and dander production. Their skin still produces allergens when touched, so they may not be best for severe allergy cases.

Bichon Frise

With an adorable fluffy white coat, the Bichon Frise is a non-shedding bundle of fur. Their fur continues growing but doesn't shed out typical of other breeds. Frequent grooming keeps their coat healthy and allergen-free. They still produce saliva allergens though.

Spanish Water Dog

Another curly-coated water dog, the Spanish Water Dog hardly sheds with hair that continues growing. Daily brushing removes dead hairs before they can become dander or allergens. Their single coat layer doesn't hold onto much dander next to the skin either.

Airedale Terrier

Largest of the terrier breeds, the Airedale has a neat, wiry coat rather than a fluffy soft one prone to shedding and releasing dander. Their harder coat doesn't produce as much dander and needs less washing and brushing. Infrequent shedding also helps.

Worst Dogs for People With Allergies

Labrador Retriever

America's most popular dog breed sheds....a lot! Labrador Retrievers have a dense double-coat designed for retrieving in cold water. All that coat sheds heavily during seasonal changes. They also produce more of the allergy-causing proteins in skin and saliva.

Siberian Husky

Active, playful Siberian Huskies thrive in cold weather thanks to their thick double-coat. During spring and fall seasonal coat changes, all that hair sheds everywhere. Constant grooming can help, but you'll be vacuuming constantly.

Boxer

Boxers make wonderful pets, but less so for allergy sufferers. Their short, shiny coat sheds consistently year-round rather than seasonally. They also produce more allergy-causing proteins in skin and saliva than other short-haired breeds.

German Shepherd

Intelligent working dogs, German Shepherds have a double-layer coat designed for spending long hours outdoors. Undercoat hairs release year-round and stick tenaciously to fabrics and flooring. Constant shedding combines with moderate saliva allergens.

Saint Bernard

As giant mountain rescue dogs, Saint Bernards have a long thick coat to withstand cold snowy weather. All that hair tends to end up shed on the floor though. Bernard drool and dander also gets distributed rapidly through the house during play.

Cocker Spaniel

Those sweet, floppy ears and flowing fur make Cocker Spaniels seem like the perfect pet. Sadly, they shed constantly and produce more allergy-causing proteins than many breeds. Frequent grooming and vacuuming is a must for owners.

Dachshund

Clever Dachshunds love to burrow into bedding and laps, spreading their shedding fur everywhere in the process. For allergy sufferers, regular brushing only slightly diminishes their prodigious year-round shed. They also sport beards prone to trapping allergens.

Beagle

Friendly pack dogs, Beagles shed moderately but constantly. Their short, dense coat releases hair and dander year-round rather than seasonally. As scenthounds, Beagles also carry allergen particles far and wide across the house.

Bloodhound

Known for their keen sense of smell, Bloodhounds also have a lot of loose skin and long droopy ears where allergens can accumulate. They also shed frequently and produce larger than average amounts of dander compared to other breeds.

English Bulldog

Breed to have less hair due to their folds and wrinkles, English Bulldogs still manage to spread shed fur and dander easily. All those skin folds also trap saliva, urine, and other allergens in addition to high saliva allergens.

Finding the Right Breed

While no dog is 100% non-allergenic, some individual dogs and certain breeds are less likely to cause reactions than others. Work closely with your allergist and breeders to meet potential pups before bringing one home. Proper grooming, bathing, and cleaning can allow most allergy sufferers to still keep a happy, healthy dog in their lives!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.