As allergies become more common, more pet owners are looking for dogs that don’t shed. These hypoallergenic pups may be able to help you with any allergies that you have. However, before we get to the list there is something to take into consideration:
There is no such thing as a dog that does not shed.
That are dogs that don’t seem to shed and there are dogs that shed so little and shed such fine hair that you won’t see it. However, they still shed and as a result you allergies may still be triggered. Certainly not as much as they would with heavy-shedding dogs, but it is still an issue. So, keep that in mind as you take a look at our list of dogs that don’t shed.
Terriers (Maltese; Tibetan)
There are many terriers that don’t shed a great deal. That doesn’t apply to all of them and some will shed more than others. But for the most part, dogs like Tibetan Terriers and Maltese Terriers are considered to be hypoallergenic friendly dogs.
These dogs tend to be small, playful and full of energy. They have white, silky fur and are incredibly cute. They aren’t perfect dogs and they won’t make it onto our list of quiet dog breeds anytime soon, but if it’s hypoallergenic puppies that you are looking for then they fit the bill.
As well as the Maltese Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier, you should also considered the Wheaten Terrier, also known as the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier; the West Highland Terrier, also known as a “Westie”; the Kerry Blue Terrier; the Scottish Terrier; the Cairn Terrier; and a few others.
All of these are classed as dogs that don’t shed and while often very different in looks, they have similar fur and similar temperaments.
Shih Tau
You will struggle to find a cuter dog than the Shih Tzu, which translates from Chinese into “Lion Dog”. Not only are they cute, but they don’t shed much and are considered hypoallergenic. Many owners of this breed report that the hair never falls out of its own accord and only comes out when the dog is brushed. That makes it very easy to control, which is great if you have someone in the home who has an allergy.
Of course, if you have that allergy yourself then you should probably ask someone else to brush the dog.
Poodle and Poodle Breeds (Such as the Labradoodle)
The Poodle has always been considered to be one of the “best” dogs that don’t shed. It was bred for its beauty and its hypoallergenic nature and it is prized for its calmness as well. It is considered to be a show dog and is often primed and groomed to within an inch of its life by its owners.
Once you start focusing on Poodle cross breeds then they tend to be a little less prim and proper. The Labradoodle is a great example of this. This is a cross between the Poodle and the Labrador and it has some rather worrying genetic predispositions that have caused many owners some severe heartbreak.
However, they are beautiful big dogs. They are full of energy, they are incredibly playful and they like to throw their rather substantial weight around. They can be a little clumsy because of this, but they are definitely deserving of a place on this list of hypoallergenic dogs and they have also made a few other top lists here on Can Pets Eat.
Bouvier Des Flandres
With fur similar to a Labradoodle, this beast of a dog looks more like a bear than a Poodle at times. It was bred for herding and working and not for any kind of hypoallergenic traits, but it has them nonetheless and is one of the best dogs that don’t shed.
As for its name, it actually means “Cow-Herder of Flandres” which tells you all you need to know. And if you are struggling to picture a dog capable of herding cows, then wait until you clamp you eyes on the Bouvier Des Flandres.
Portuguese Water Dog
This is a beautiful hypoallergenic dog that doesn’t shed as much as other breeds. It is also very playful and very fun to have. However, before you start racing off to your nearest breeder to see if they have one available, you should know that this breed of dog is incredibly rare. So, hypoallergenic pup or not, it might not be on the cards for you unless you are prepare to look high and wide and to pay a substantial fee to get your hands on one (see our list of Most Expensive Dog Breeds).
To learn more about this particular hypoallergenic breed, just click onto our Portuguese Water Dog page.
Schnauzer
Whether you get the standard or miniature Schnauzer, this is a dog breed that is perfectly hypoallergenic. They are also great dog breeds for families and for single men and women because they make for fantastic companions. Just make sure you are prepared to give them a lot of exercise, playing with them every day and taking them outdoors every morning, because they have a lot of energy to expel.
Schnauzers are also very hard working dogs and they have a lot of skills. That’s why they have been used as everything from drug dogs to rescue dogs and more in the past, and why they are still used for many of these purposes to this day.
Basenji
Prim, proper and beautiful, this hypoallergenic dog breed hails from Central Africa but looks like it has been bred for socialites and dog show lovers. It is an alert, active and playful breed that was actually bred to hunt, but currently spends most of its time being pruned for shows.
As well as being deserving of a place on any list of dogs that don’t shed, this hypoallergenic pup also has another rather unusual trait in that it doesn’t really bark. Before you get your hopes up and start thinking that this is a silent dog, it’s not. It just makes a very low, rumbling growl noise instead of a bark. Not only that, but it has many mannerisms that you would expect to see more in cats than in dogs.
Intrigued yet? Well, make sure this hypoallergenic dog breed is at the top of your list.