Vet Blog

What is a Hypoallergenic Dog?

May 05, 2021

People who have allergies sometimes think that they can't have a pet.

There are many breeds that might impact these people's allergies negatively, but there are some hypoallergenic dogs that people with allergies can have without risk of allergic reaction. There are more breeds that are hypoallergenic than you might think and you can actually choose from a list of wonderful pets if you have allergies that would otherwise prevent you from getting a dog as a pet.

If you have been wondering what a hypoallergenic dog is, that is a fair question. A hypoallergenic dog is a dog breed that has a non-shedding coat that generates far less dander. This means that you will have a much better time with your allergies if you choose from these dogs to live in your home if you are allergic to dogs.

How Can a Dog Be Hypoallergenic?

This is the question that many people ask and it is a reasonable question. It seems impossible to consider that a dog could really be hypoallergenic. This is actually true in the sense that no dog is entirely 100% hypoallergenic. However, the breeds that are considered hypoallergenic are actually very unlikely to cause allergies for those who are allergic to dogs for some key reasons.

Hypoallergenic dogs have a coat that does not shed seasonally, which means that they will not create a lot of dander. This is true of dogs that are hairless as well since they will not be shedding out their coats during different parts of the year. Having a dog that does not shed its coat means that the dog will also not groom its hair as frequently, which prevents saliva from the dog from being attached to the hair and adds to the allergen levels to do with the animal.

While you might still experience slight allergies when coming into contact with your hypoallergenic dog, you can manage their slight dander production by bathing and making sure to vacuum frequently, and washing your hands before you touch your face or eyes.

The protein levels that are expressed by dogs who shed are much, much higher than the proteins expressed by dogs that are hypoallergenic.

What Are Some Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds?

There are some breeds that are well-known for being hypoallergenic.

Long Coated Dog Breeds

You will find that some of these dogs are actually long-coated dogs which can surprise some people. In the long-haired category are dogs like the Afghan Hound and Affenpinscher. These dogs will require grooming to prevent mats and other issues with their coats but they are beautiful dogs and you can have a dog with long hair and prevent allergies from impacting your health on a daily basis.

Hairless Dog Breeds

There are some great hairless options out there like the American Hairless Terrier and the Chinese Crested dog. These are cute dogs that are perfect if you don't want to deal with any kind of hair at all. These dogs will still need to be washed but they do not need to be brushed and you will not have hair anywhere in your house.

Medium Coated Dog Breeds

Some medium-coated dogs that are hypoallergenic are the Barbado da Terceira, and the Bedlington terrier. The Bichon Frise and the Bolognese are also in this group. These are dogs that are smaller in size and fluffy and very cute. They are also soft and they do not shed much at all. These are great dogs if you want to have a smaller dog that has a medium-length coat.

Terrier Dog Breeds

There are some terrier breeds that are also known to be hypoallergenic like the Giant Schnauzer, the Irish Water Spaniel, and the Kerry Blue Terrier. These are all fun dogs with lots of energy that are really good family dogs.

Can Crossbreeds Be Hypoallergenic?

These crossbreeds can be more inclined to be hypoallergenic but there is not as much of a guarantee that these dogs will be as easy on your allergies as purebred dogs that are known to be hypoallergenic. You might find that your designer crossbreed will be less tough on your allergies than a dog that is not bred at all to be hypoallergenic. However, there is always a risk that your crossbreed will end up with the wrong coat type to be hypoallergenic.

Crossbreeds can create really cute and fun dogs, but you can't count on them being hypoallergenic due to a part of their stated breeding. Even dogs that are partially related to dogs that are known to be hypoallergenic might not get the right coat type from their parents to be easy on those with allergies.

This is a risk that you should take with care if you are not sure about the coat of the dog that you are getting. Even a coat that looks like a hypoallergenic coat might still shed and you might end up allergic to your new pet.

Hypoallergenic Dogs Can Be a Great Addition to Your Family

If you have been struggling with the idea that you will never be able to have a dog due to your allergies, this list of dogs can actually fit right into your home. You will be able to have a pet in your home that does not irritate your allergies when you pick from the list of dogs in this article and you can trust that you will be able to keep your allergies under control if you vacuum each day and bathe your dog regularly.

Being able to have a dog in your home even if you have allergies can be a really exciting possibility for people who did not know that there were hypoallergenic breeds. These dog breeds are some of the best family dogs around as well, which makes them a great fit for any kind of home. You will love that there are so many dog breeds that you can have in your home despite being allergic to dogs that are not in the hypoallergenic category.

Top