25 Most Popular Hypoallergenic Dogs (2024 Update)

Before we investigate the world of dogs and human allergies, it’s important to understand that there’s no such thing as a genuinely “hypoallergenic dog”.

All dogs shed and produce dander to some degree. However, the breeds we’re listing for you today are less allergenic, and therefore, more suitable for people with allergies. So, if you have severe allergies but want a furry companion by your side, keep reading.

Hypoallergenic dogs don’t shed as much as regular dog coats. These dogs produce less dander, reducing many people’s allergic reactions toward common dogs. Let’s get started!

What’s The #1 Most Popular Hypoallergenic Dog?

1. Doodles

There’s no winner in this category, but the most popular hypoallergenic dogs come from the Doodle family, a mix of a Poodle and any other dog breed. People love Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, but there are several different breeds to choose from, like Havapoos, Bernedoodles, Maltipoos, Cockapoos, and Aussiedoodles.

The nice thing about Poodle mixes is that they come in many different sizes. If poodle mixes aren’t your thing, check out these other hypoallergenic breeds!

The 4 Most Popular Big Hypoallergenic Dogs

2. Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound catches many eyes with its long, silky coat. As you can imagine, the coat requires daily effort with grooming, but don’t let it fool you! This breed doesn’t produce as much dander as you think, making it a great hypoallergenic dog. This breed isn’t an easy dog to train, so first-time dog owners should steer clear of this breed.

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3. Samoyed

Samoyeds are large, fluffy sled dogs. Many people are surprised to hear that Samoyed dogs are hypoallergenic. Truthfully, they are less hypoallergenic than other breeds. If you have severe allergies, this may not be your breed. Samoyeds shed their fluffy coats twice a year, which could be a problem for sensitive dog owners. However, they produce less dander than most breeds and hardly drool!

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4. Schnauzer

Giant and Standard Schnauzers are separate from Mini Schnauzers because their temperament is different. Mini Schnauzers are in the terrier group, whereas Giant and Standard Schnauzers fall in the working group. But all three sizes of Schnauzers are hypoallergenic.

Schnauzers have coarse, wiry fur that doesn’t contain much dander like normal dog fur. Schnauzers are playful, energetic, and protective, making them the ideal family dog. They’re fiercely loyal to their owners but equally affectionate toward strangers.

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5. Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel is the tallest of all Spaniels. This breed helps retrieve waterfowl, quail, and pheasants, as the name suggests. This breed is hard-working in the field and a big love bug at home. Keep your vacuum in the closet because this breed hardly sheds! Their long coat does require weekly to biweekly brushing to remove any debris. The Irish Water Spaniel truly is one of the best hypoallergenic family dogs.

The 5 Most Popular Medium Hypoallergenic Dogs

6. Xoloitzcuintli (Hairless)

Xoloitzcuintli (shoh-loh-eats-QUEENT-ly) is a Mexican breed that can be hairless or coated. This breed comes in three sizes. All three sizes are hairless, hypoallergenic pups. This is a 3,000-year-old breed known as the Aztec dog of the gods. They are highly affectionate with their owners and are mildly protective. They like to get to know strangers first but quickly come around. The Xolo is an eager-to-please breed that’s equally thoughtful and intelligent.

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7. Poodle

Like Schnauzers, Poodles come in three different sizes. Poodles of all sizes don’t have an undercoat that sheds, making them ideal for dog lovers with allergies. Contrary to the belief that Poodles are snobby, the Poodle is a highly affectionate and playful creature. In addition, Poodles of all sizes are highly trainable and athletic. They are excellent around children and other animals and are vigilant of their owners. This breed is great for families.

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8. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a beautiful addition to a family with children. For 200 years, this breed has worked hard as an Irish farm dog, herding chickens, and guarding livestock. At night, the Wheaten Terrier looks forward to cuddles all evening. If you have children, that’s a bonus! Usually, terriers have coarse, wiry fur. But the Wheaten Terrier has soft, wavy locks. Their coat requires grooming and bathing weekly to avoid matting, but they hardly shed, making them a great hypoallergenic farm dog.

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9. Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog is a loving, high-energy, intelligent breed that loves to play. This breed trains well for fishermen and is easy to please. The Portuguese Water Dog is highly protective of its owner but accepts strangers and other dogs. The long, curly coat on this dog sheds some, but not enough to form dust bunnies around your house. Most of what you’ll cleanse from their coat is debris and dirt from a hard day’s work. Their coat does require weekly brushing and bathing, but the dander is minimum.

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10. Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)

Like the Xoloitzcuintli, the Peruvian Inca Orchid can be hairless or coated. The hairless ones are the hypoallergenic breeds. PIOs come in three sizes, so you have some variety with this breed. They are highly affectionate, energetic, and protective. They can be wary of strangers and are decent with children. The physical attributes of this breed resemble greyhounds and Whippets. Because they’re hairless, you don’t have to worry about grooming aside from bathing. Plus, no shedding!

The 15 Most Popular Small Hypoallergenic Dogs

11. Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffons, otherwise known as Griffs, have human-like eyes and facial expressions that melt anyone’s heart. Griffs are great for families with small children. This breed is mildly protective but is open to strangers and other dogs most of the time. Griffs have a smooth, wiry coat like a terrier. The downside to this breed is the double coat, so they will shed more than other hypoallergenic breeds. If you have severe allergies, this may not be your breed.

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12. West Highland Terrier

West Highland White Terriers, also known as Westies, love everyone, including children. Westies are one of the most popular terrier breeds. They love to play and enjoy the company of most dogs, perfect for their non-stop energetic and high-spirited personality. Their coats need grooming weekly or biweekly. Westies have a medium-length coat with a double underlayer, so expect some medium shedding with this breed. However, they have soft, wiry fur that hardly traps dander.

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13. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is a 1,000-year-old breed named after the city of Lhasa in Tibet. This breed is highly affectionate and vigilant, perfect as an indoor guard dog. Around their owners, they’re fluffy goofballs. Around strangers, they stand their guard but are still welcoming. Their coat is long and silky, but don’t let that fool you. They hardly ever shed! If you brush them once every week, your Lhasa Apso shouldn’t give you many problems with allergies.

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14. Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear is a laid-back and affectionate companion pet. This breed is excellent for families with children and other pets since they love amusing and entertaining their owners! This breed is mildly protective, but strangers quickly become their best friends. Coton de Tulears are eager to please and have medium amounts of energy. Their coat is double-coated and wavy, so expect some shedding but not much. Overall, this is a great hypoallergenic option for families.

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15. Bedlington Terrier

Bedlington, England is where this breed originates. This breed is a beautiful combination of a watchdog, athlete, and cuddle bug. They have a slight skip in their step, a physical trait they are well-known for. Bedlington Terriers closely resemble a Doodle because of their curly sheep-like coat. They never shed but do require the occasional bath and brush. This breed is a wonderful option for active families looking for a hypoallergenic dog.

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16. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are tiny dogs with big hearts. This breed loves affection and is wonderful with children. Other dogs are a hit or miss. This breed is highly protective and may become jealous of other dogs around. Despite their long, silky coat, Yorkies never shed, making them a great hypoallergenic breed option. They require daily brushing and frequent bathing, so expect to spend a lot of time in this area.

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17. Maltese

This breed has served humans for millennia, acting as an affectionate lap dog and protector of the house. The Maltese has beautiful straight, white fur that is long or short. You will need to brush the fur daily if you choose the long, silky coat. But whether you want your Maltese to have long or short fur, don’t worry about cleaning up tufts of hair around the house. This breed hardly sheds, making them a wonderful hypoallergenic lap dog.

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18. Chinese Crested (Hairless)

The Chinese Crested is well-known for its spotted skin and poofs of fur around the feet and ears. But you can find a coated version of this breed. For a hypoallergenic dog, it’s best to go with the hairless breed. The Chinese Crested is great for those looking for a no-shed breed that’s affectionate, good with children, and decent around other dogs. This breed has a medium amount of energy and is highly trainable. If over-the-top dog love isn’t for you, the Chinese Crested may be the one!

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19. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is one of the best options for families. After seeing the skip in their step, you may have to bring one home! They’re highly affectionate, love children, and are great around other dogs. This breed loves to play and sees any stranger as its best friend. Their curly, poofy coat is less likely to collect dander and dirt but does require daily grooming. They do have a double coat, but they never shed, making them one of the best options for hypoallergenic dogs.

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20. Basenji

The Basenji is a hunting dog from central Africa. This breed may be a good fit if you’re more of a cat person that wants a dog. Basenjis are independent and curious but have a unique calmness to their personality. They don’t bark either, although they produce some kind of vocalization when necessary. Basenjis have short, smooth, shiny coats that never shed and may need to be brushed monthly. If you don’t like the crazy dog energy and want a hypoallergenic pet, the Basenji is for you!

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21. Havanese

The Havanese is another breed that’s perfect for families with children. Havanese dogs are highly affectionate, love children, and love other dogs! This is great if you have another dog in the picture. The Havanese breed comes from Cuba and looks like a Maltese. They have long, silky coats with a double coat underneath. Their silky fur doesn’t collect as much dander as other breeds. You’ll have to groom this breed every week and may experience some light shedding, but this breed is a great hypoallergenic option.

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22. Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers are well-known as the dog from The Wizard of Oz, also known as Toto dogs! Cairn Terriers are affectionate dogs bred to hunt small game like foxes, squirrels, and rabbits. These sweet, loving, and playful pups have the typical terrier fur that’s coarse and wiry. They have a double-coat and may shed, but you won’t find tufts of fur lying about the house. They need to stay busy, but they only have medium energy and appreciate their alone time. The Cairn Terrier is a wonderful hypoallergenic option for families that like scruffy dogs and don’t want the crazy dog energy all the time.

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23. Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto Romagnolos look like a Doodle mixed with a teddy bear. They have a medium, curly, double coat like a Doodle. This breed is highly affectionate, great with children, and good around other dogs. The best part? They never shed! Lagotto Romagnolos don’t require much grooming except the occasional brush and bath. This breed is a great hypoallergenic option for single people or families.

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24. Bolognese

The Bolognese is similar to the Bichon Frise with its small size and fluffy white coat, except the Bolognese is a more laid-back version. This breed isn’t as affectionate or protective as other hypoallergenic breeds, but Bolognese dogs still love to cuddle and play. They are open to strangers and other dogs as well. These dogs have long, silky hair but they never shed, making them a great option for those who want a dog with a long coat.

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25. Shih Tzu

Most people have heard of the Shih Tzu. This breed is highly affectionate, playful, and loves children and other dogs. The Shih Tzu needs a moment to adapt to strangers but quickly comes around. They have medium levels of energy and are eager to please. This breed hardly sheds or drools despite its long, silky appearance. You have to groom them almost daily, so if you’re not looking for a high-maintenance dog, this may not be your breed.

Conclusion

Struggling with allergies is tough, especially if you’re a pet person. All you want to do is cuddle with your furry friend, and allergies get in the way of that beautiful experience. Luckily, there are dog breeds that give people with allergy sensitivities options.

Don’t give up on the search if you’re adamant about owning a dog. Hypoallergenic pups are here to save the day!

See also:

• Can You Build Up an Immunity to Dog Allergies? Vet-Approved Facts
• 11 Labradoodle Colors, Types & Patterns (With Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: imprentatotal1, Pixabay