Best Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Don't Shed

No. Every dog makes allergens in its skin, saliva and urine, hairless breeds included. A 2012 Utrecht University study measured the main dog allergen, Can f 1, on 196 dogs and in their homes and concluded that no breed can fairly be called hypoallergenic. What a low-shedding coat changes is how much hair and dander ends up on floors and furniture, which can make life with a dog easier for people with mild allergies.

On this list the Havanese, Bichon Frise, Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Portuguese Water Dog and Goldendoodle all score 5 out of 5 for being good with children in our data. The first three are small, 25 lbs (11 kg) or less, and rate a moderate 3 out of 5 for energy. The Labradoodle, Portuguese Water Dog and Goldendoodle are bigger and rate 4 out of 5 for energy. Let the child with the allergy meet the dog before you decide.

Some do. In our data the Labradoodle scores 1 out of 5 for shedding and the Goldendoodle and Bernedoodle 2, but a cross does not always pass on the Poodle coat. Curly coats tend to shed least, while straight, flat coats take after the Golden Retriever or Bernese side and shed noticeably. If allergies are the reason you want a Doodle, ask the breeder about coat type and meet adult dogs from the same lines.

The large breeds on this list are the Giant Schnauzer, Bouvier des Flandres, Black Russian Terrier, Afghan Hound, Irish Water Spaniel and Bernedoodle. The Standard Poodle, which we class as medium at 40 to 70 lbs (18 to 32 kg), is the usual pick for people who want a bigger dog with a low-shedding coat. All of them need regular clipping, and the Giant Schnauzer scores the full 5 out of 5 for energy.

Spend time with that exact dog indoors, for a few hours and on more than one visit, because allergen output differs between individual dogs. An allergist can also run a component blood test. Some people react only to Can f 5, a protein made by the prostate of intact male dogs, and they may tolerate a female or a neutered male. Keeping the dog out of the bedroom lowers exposure where you sleep.

Often, mostly because of the coat. Puppy prices in our data run from $1,000-$2,500 for a Poodle to $2,000-$4,000 for a Goldendoodle, and yearly costs from about $800 for the small breeds to $2,000-$3,500 for the Doodles. Coats that do not shed keep growing, so most need a professional groom every 4 to 8 weeks. Hairless breeds skip the groomer but need sunscreen in strong sun and regular baths for their skin.