ACHOO! Bless these sniffle-saving hypoallergenic dogs.
You love dogs, but hate the allergies that can come along this one. Your doggy dreams are dashed! But not all is lost. There are hypoallergenic dogs that will stop your eyes from watering and won’t make you sneeze yourself silly. Here’s out list of the Top 10 hypoallergenic dogs that will have you saying “Bless you!”
What Makes You Go “AHCCHOO!”?
What exactly is it about dogs that will make a person with allergies have a hard time? The truth is, it is different for different people.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 30% of Americans or more have some kind of pet allergy. And the weird thing is that some people may be just fine with their Golden Retriever but when your German Shepherd comes around for a play date, it’s like they entered hay fever hell.
Why is that? The main reason is that people who are allergic to dogs have oversensitive immune systems that react aggressively when they come in contact with something harmless like dog dander. Dog dander is just flakes of your dog’s dead skin that drop (sort of like dandruff, really). Immune systems also overreact to dog saliva and even dog urine. Someone who is allergic to dogs will consider those substances like a bacteria or virus, and their immune system will try to flush it out of existence. This is why you may see violent sneezing, itchy and watery eyes and even chest tightening and difficulty breathing if you are allergic to dogs.
But the truth is–it’s those substances, and not really the dog’s hair or fur that’s the issue. Your dog’s fur or hair is just a messenger, in effect, carrying the ‘INTRUDER’ alert to your immune system as it carries your dog’s saliva, dander or urine (eww, we know) around and comes in contact with you.
That’s why when you’re allergic to dogs but can’t live without them (we don’t blame you), it’s all about the dog fur/hair and management of said dog fur/hair.
Luckily, there are several breeds known to be fabulous companions for even the most suffering of allergy sufferers. Read on and find yours!
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Poodle: Take your pick – Standard, Mini, and Toy. They are all hypoallergenic. This breed doesn’t shed, but they do require a lot of coat maintainence. This means brushing and grooming on a regular basis. But on the plus side, Poodles are super smart and are often cross-bred with other breeds for hypoallergenic designer dogs (such as the Labradoodle and the Maltipoo).
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Chinese Crested: When you have this little hair, there’s a big chance you won’t cause any outbursts of sneezes. The Chinese Crested is pretty much bald, so there’s little dander or shedding. This little lap dog will not only keep you allergy free, but he’ll want to cuddle with you every chance he gets.
Photo credit: Eric Isselee/Shutterstock
Shih Tzu: Regal and poised, a Shih Tzu would never do something as uncivilized as to make you sneeze. His long, luxurious hair gives off little dander, which is great news for your allergies… but it also means his high-maintenance coat will require lots of care to keep it looking its best.
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Basenji: Maybe not as well-known as some of the other breeds mentioned here, but the Basenji keeps your allergies in check. His short coat means there’s not a lot of grooming involved. More pluses: This dog doesn’t bark and he loves to run and hunt.
Photo credit: Marina Jay/Shutterstock
Yorkshire Terrier: This bonnie dog isn’t just hypoallergenic, he’s also full of energy and love that knows no bounds. Of course, that long hair requires a good amount of grooming, but he’s so loveable, you won’t even mind the trouble.
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Airedale Terrier: This authentic English terrier is a great addition to an allergy-prone family. A smart dog that loves children, he’s a quick learner and likes to be kept busy. His coat isn’t that soft to the touch, but at least it won’t make your eyes itch.
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Samoyed: Feel free to bury your face into this puffy white fur ball. You can breathe easy knowing that the Samoyed is a hypoallergenic dog. Sure, that’s a lot of hair to brush, but there’s little dander or odor to be concerned about. On top of that, this breed loves kids and always looks like he’s smiling.
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Bouviers des Flandres: If you like big dogs but don’t want to aggravate your allergies, the Bouviers des Flandres is for you. Loyal, friendly, and wonderful with kids, this breed is also popular with allergy sufferers. His coat will require weekly brushings, which gets rid of dead hair and prevents matting.
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Schnauzer: Just like the Poodle, the Schnauzer comes in three sizes: Giant, Standard and Miniature. No matter which size you pick, you’ll get a hypoallergenic dog. He’ll be your constant companion through thick and thin, and protect your family with all he’s got.
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Maltese: Cute, cuddly, and oh-so-adorable, the Maltese rounds out our list of hypoallergenic dogs. You can keep their fur long or short, depending on how long you want to spend on grooming. And he doesn’t shed, so you don’t have to worry about constantly cleaning fur tumbleweeds from under furniture.
Photo credit: Eric Isselee/Shutterstock
