Hypoallergenic Breeds: Low-Shedding Companions
↓ Skip directly to Recommended BreedsWhile no dog is completely allergen-free, certain breeds produce fewer allergens and may be better suited for allergy sufferers. These breeds typically have predictable coats that shed minimally, helping reduce airborne allergens in your home.
⚠️ Dogs considered to be hypoallergenic can still trigger an allergic reaction in people who are partcularly sensitive. It is very important to spend time with your chosen 'hypoallergenic' dog breed to ensure that you do not have an allergic reaction to them.
Understanding Canine Allergens
Allergic reactions are primarily caused by:
- Dander - Microscopic skin flakes all dogs produce
- Saliva proteins - Spread when dogs groom themselves
- Urine proteins - Can become airborne as dogs mark territory
Special Care Requirements
Hypoallergenic breeds need regular grooming to:
- Remove accumulated dander from their coats
- Prevent painful matting that traps allergens
- Wash away saliva proteins deposited during grooming
- Maintain healthy skin and coat condition
Choosing Your Companion
Important considerations:
- Individual reactions vary - always spend time with a breed before committing
- Regular home cleaning reduces allergen accumulation
- Smaller breeds generally produce fewer allergens than larger dogs
- Some mixed breeds may inherit low-shedding traits
Browse Low-Allergen Breeds By Breed Popularity:
*Breeds are presented in order of popularity by default, so that you may see how popular (available) that breed may be. Less popular (or rare) breeds may be more difficult to find, or there may be a significant wait time for your puppy to be born.
Size Range: The lower end of each height/weight range represents typical female measurements, while the higher end reflects male averages.
Standard Poodle
Height: Over 15"
Weight: 40-70 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #5
Why Hypoallergenic: Curly coat traps dander; minimal shedding
Best For: Families, singles, and allergy sufferers
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Miniature Poodle
Height: 10-15"
Weight: 10-15 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #5
Why Hypoallergenic: Curly coat traps dander; minimal shedding
Best For: Families, singles, and allergy sufferers
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Toy Poodle
Height: <10
Weight: 4-6 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #5
Why Hypoallergenic: Curly coat traps dander; minimal shedding
Best For: Families, singles, and allergy sufferers
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Yorkshire Terrier
Height: 7-8"
Weight: 4-7 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #11
Why Hypoallergenic: Human-like hair sheds very little
Best For: City dwellers
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Miniature Schnauzer
Height: 12-14"
Weight: 11-20 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 3/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #18
Why Hypoallergenic: Wiry coat traps dander
Best For: Active households
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Shih Tzu
Height: 9-11"
Weight: 9-16 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #20
Why Hypoallergenic: Hair-like coat with minimal shedding
Best For: Low-energy households
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Havanese
Height: 8.5-11.5"
Weight: 7-13 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #25
Why Hypoallergenic: Silky coat traps dander
Best For: Families, therapy work
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Maltese
Height: 7-9"
Weight: 4-7 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #37
Why Hypoallergenic: Silky hair sheds minimally
Best For: Lap dogs and small spaces
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Portuguese Water Dog
Height: 17-23"
Weight: 35-60 lbs
Energy: 5/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #45
Why Hypoallergenic: Non-shedding curly coat
Best For: Active families (popular with allergy sufferers)
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Bichon Frise
Height: 9-12"
Weight: 12-18 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #46
Why Hypoallergenic: Hair-like coat sheds minimally
Best For: Apartments and families with allergies
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Scottish Terrier
Height: 10"
Weight: 18-22 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #54
Why Hypoallergenic: Wiry coat traps dander
Best For: Confident owners, small homes
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Giant Schnauzer
Height: 24-28"
Weight: 55-95 lbs
Energy: 5/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #57
Why Hypoallergenic: Wiry coat traps dander
Best For: Active households
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Chinese Crested
Height: 11-13"
Weight: 8-12 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 1/5 (Hairless) / 2/5 (Powderpuff)
Grooming Needs: 3/5 (Hairless) / 4/5 (Powderpuff)
AKC Popularity: #68
Why Hypoallergenic: Little to no hair (Hairless variety)
Best For: Warm climates and allergy sufferers
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Cairn Terrier
Height: 9.5-10"
Weight: 13-14 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 2/5
AKC Popularity: #71
Why Hypoallergenic: Harsh double coat traps dander
Best For: Active families, yards
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Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Height: 17-19"
Weight: 30-40 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #75
Why Hypoallergenic: Silky single coat sheds minimally
Best For: Active families
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Lagotto Romagnolo
Height: 16-19"
Weight: 24-35 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 2/5
AKC Popularity: #78
Why Hypoallergenic: Tight curls trap dander
Best For: Truffle hunters and allergy sufferers
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Basenji
Height: 16-17"
Weight: 22-24 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 1/5
AKC Popularity: #80
Why Hypoallergenic: Short coat, minimal dander
Best For: Experienced owners, warm climates
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Standard Schnauzer
Height: 17-20"
Weight: 30-50 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #91
Why Hypoallergenic: Wiry coat traps dander
Best For: Active households
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Coton de Tulear
Height: 9-11"
Weight: 8-15 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #92
Why Hypoallergenic: Cotton-like coat sheds very little
Best For: Companionship, seniors
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Border Terrier
Height: 12-15"
Weight: 11.5-15.5 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 2/5
AKC Popularity: #98
Why Hypoallergenic: Low-shedding, wiry coat produces less dander
Best For: Active families, rural environments
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Norwich Terrier
Height: 9-10"
Weight: 11-12 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 3/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #104
Why Hypoallergenic: Hard, wiry coat traps dander
Best For: City living, active owners
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Afghan Hound
Height: 25-27"
Weight: 50-60 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #110
Why Hypoallergenic: Single coat produces less dander
Best For: Experienced owners
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Toy Xoloitzcuintli
Height: 10-14"
Weight: 10-15 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 1/5
AKC Popularity: #119
Why Hypoallergenic: Hairless variety has no shedding coat
Best For: Warm climates, allergy sufferers
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Miniature Xoloitzcuintli
Height: 14-18"
Weight: 15-30 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 1/5
AKC Popularity: #119
Why Hypoallergenic: Hairless variety has no shedding coat
Best For: Warm climates, allergy sufferers
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Standard Xoloitzcuintli
Height: 18-23"
Weight: 30-55 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 1/5
AKC Popularity: #119
Why Hypoallergenic: Hairless variety has no shedding coat
Best For: Warm climates, allergy sufferers
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Norfolk Terrier
Height: 9-10"
Weight: 11-12 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 3/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #130
Why Hypoallergenic: Wiry double coat sheds minimally
Best For: Active families, apartments
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Bedlington Terrier
Height: 15-17.5"
Weight: 17-23 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #134
Why Hypoallergenic: Unique lamb-like curls
Best For: Moderate-energy families
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Kerry Blue Terrier
Height: 17-19"
Weight: 33-40 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #135
Why Hypoallergenic: Soft, wavy coat sheds minimally
Best For: Active families, farm dogs
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Barbet
Height: 19-24.5"
Weight: 35-65 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 5/5
AKC Popularity: #142
Why Hypoallergenic: Curly, woolly coat is non-shedding
Best For: Active families, water activities
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Spanish Water Dog
Height: 16-20"
Weight: 30-50 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 4/5
AKC Popularity: #147
Why Hypoallergenic: Corded coat traps dander
Best For: Herding, agility training
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Löwchen
Height: 12-14"
Weight: 10-15 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 2/5
AKC Popularity: #154
Why Hypoallergenic: Non-shedding hair coat traps dander
Best For: Companionship, attentive owners
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Affenpinscher
Height: 9-11.5"
Weight: 7-10 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 3/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #162
Why Hypoallergenic: Wiry coat sheds minimally
Best For: Apartments, experienced owners
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Irish Water Spaniel
Height: 21-24"
Weight: 45-65 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #177
Why Hypoallergenic: Tight curls minimize dander
Best For: Active families, water activities
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Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Height: 8-11"
Weight: 18-24 lbs
Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5
Grooming Needs: 3/5
AKC Popularity: #180
Why Hypoallergenic: Unique, non-shedding coat with mix of hard and soft hair
Best For: Family companions, moderate activity homes
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Peruvian Inca Orchid
(Viringo) - Small
Height: 10-16"
Weight: 9-17 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 1/5
AKC Popularity: Rare
Why Hypoallergenic: Hairless or minimal coat produces little dander
Best For: Companionship, attentive owners
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Peruvian Inca Orchid
(Viringo) - Medium
Height: 16-20"
Weight: 17-26 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 1/5
AKC Popularity: Rare
Why Hypoallergenic: Hairless or minimal coat produces little dander
Best For: Companionship, attentive owners
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Peruvian Inca Orchid
(Viringo) - Large
Height: 20-26"
Weight: 26-55 lbs
Energy: 4/5
Shedding: 1/5
Grooming Needs: 1/5
AKC Popularity: Rare
Why Hypoallergenic: Hairless or minimal coat produces little dander
Best For: Companionship, attentive owners
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