5 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds for all Lifestyles

Do you or a member of your family get the sniffles every time you go to a pet a dog? You’re not alone. According to aafa.org, as many as 3 in 10 Americans experience dog and cat allergies. Luckily, there are many dog breeds that were bred solely to be hypoallergenic. Today, I’m sharing with you 5 of the most popular, allergen free, dog breeds. 

1. Bichon Frise

The Bichon was bred to be hypoallergenic. Their fluffy white coat will draw you in while their friendly personality will have you falling in love. Bichon’s have a life expectancy of 14-15 years, making them a perfect, long time companion. The Bichon Frise is typically under a foot tall and weighs between 12 and 18 pounds, making them ideal pets for city or apartment living. They don’t shed, but will need frequent professional grooming to keep their coat looking fluffy and mat free. 

2. Yorkshire Terrier

Another, hypoallergenic, toy breed dog is a Yorkshire terrier. The Yorkie is a popular breed for those looking for a dog they can take everywhere as they typically don’t grow to be more than 7 or 8 pounds. Yorkies have longer, fine hair that is more similar in texture to human hair than dog fur. Their coat will require a bit of upkeep to keep it looking nice. Yorkshire terriers are known to be a feisty breed with tons of personality making them a fun companion to add to the family. 

3. Portuguese Water Dog

If you’re looking for a medium breed dog to add to your family, but still want to avoid sneezing every time you go for a snuggle, the Portuguese Water Dog (often abbreviated as “PWD”), may be for you. These dogs first rose to fame when President Obama adopted two into his family during his time in the White House. The PWD is a very friendly and easy to train breed making them a great family dog as well. 

4. Basenji

The Basenji is a smaller breed, weighing in at around 20 pounds. They have a short coat which does shed minimally and they groom themselves, much like cats. Basenjis are a hunting breed, but unlike a hound dog, they don’t bark or yap. With their almond shaped eyes and wrinkled forehead, they are a perfect companion for someone looking for a hypoallergenic pet.

5. Schnauzer 

Coming in a giant, standard, and miniature size, the schnauzer makes the perfect allergen free pet for any household. They have a wiry coat and don’t shed very much at all meaning you can put the vacuum and lint rollers away. They are social dogs and great with kids but can also be an alert watchdog when needed.