Defining Dog Breeds that do not shed their fur is important to anyone with dog-related allergies, not to mention anyone who wishes to have a perfect home with little or no traces of their pets’ hairs.

If there is one bitter pill that every dog owner has to swallow, it is the fact that all breeds shed, regardless of the amount. This guide pays special attention to low-shedding breeds and the facts about hypoallergenic dogs that new pet owners need to know.

What Does Hypoallergenic truly Mean?

Thus, the use of the term ”hypoallergenic” refers to breeds that are not likely to provoke allergy in those who are prone to this disease. In other words, it is crucial to recognize that while no breed of dog is completely hypoallergenic, there are specific qualities that serve to reduce allergen-provoking characteristics to the minimum.

These characteristics include low or infrequent shedding of hair, low dander production—skin flakes that can cause allergies—and small amounts of saliva, which has allergenic proteins.

It must be noted here that most people who are sensitive to dogs are usually affected by the dander, which is skin scrapings; the size may range from visible to infinitesimal to even invisible to the naked eye. Dander, which adheres to the hair, is easily suspended in the air and is likely to be ingested or inhaled, causing rashes and coughs.

These reactions are a result of proteins in the saliva, urine, and skin of the dog; hence, even breeds that are hairless have proteins that can trigger allergic reactions. This understanding has been the result of which some types of dogs are termed hypoallergenic and therefore suitable for allergy-affected persons, despite the fact that the reactions differ with different breeds of dogs.

Choosing a hypoallergenic breed of dog does significantly decrease the allergic response and allows people with allergies to own pets. This section explains why it is pertinent to choose a hypoallergenic breed and provides a light to people with allergies wanting to have a pet.

Small Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed

When it comes to a choice of a new quatrefoil, fur or no fur, the question of a perfect and clean companion without any fur on carpets or furniture is a blessing for allergy sufferers as well as those who do not like to see their lodgings covered in hair.

These tiny breeds provide all the affection and character of large breeds, with the additional advantage of very little shedding. In particular, small hypoallergenic dogs would be perfect for apartment living or for those who do not have much space in their house; they do not cause sneezing, and they are great friends for life.

• Bichon Frise
  These jovial, small-sized dogs have white, fluffy fur that needs to be well-trimmed from time to time. Little shedding and dander are in these small fellows, making them the best for people with skin complaints and allergies.

• Shih Tzu
  Whereas all that glitters is not gold, Shih Tzus had a very low shedding rate despite the thick coat. Friendly and socially oriented, they are perfect for keeping people with allergies company.

• Maltese
  Maltese are friendly and loving dogs with soft and smooth coats that do not shed much. They are walked often, so their coat remains very neat, and they are less likely to come into contact with allergens.

• Yorkshire Terrier
  YORKIES have human-like hair that does not fall off the dog’s body as much as one would expect. A great apartment breed, their playful nature and small stature mean that they thrive on exploration.

• Miniature Schnauzer
  These are intelligent and spirited dogs, and they have wiry coats that are almost hypoallergenic, so they shed very little. It is for this reason that they are friendly more often than not and are receptive to different conditions of living.

• Italian Greyhound
  Italian Greyhounds have a fairly thin body and a short length of hair that they let fall; therefore, they do not require much grooming and are perfect for those who live in tiny flats and who want an easily tamed dog that will shower affection.

• Cairn Terrier
  Originally bred for hunting, it has a compact size, a good physical constitution, and a short, harsh coat that does not shed much. They are energetic, and they are considered to be very good animals to have around.

• Havanese
  This Cuban native dog is a highly medium-sized dog that will have a long, silky coat that, when well maintained, will not shed much. It is with similar characteristics, like being affectionate, cheerful, and others, that they are known.

• Brussels Griffon
  They are smooth-coated with wet fur, just like the rough-coated variety, and they hardly shed. These dogs are characterized by their excellent facial features and strong qualities as loyal friends.

• Chinese Crested
  The hairless is nearly non-shedding, as is the powder puff, a breed that boasts a fine coat that does not shed much.

Medium Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed

For those who do not want a small dog but do not want a large one either, there are medium-sized dogs that do not shed. These breeds share many of the care and grooming factors of small hypoallergenic breeds with a little extra size and pep for the active families.

But if you want a fun partner for walks and hikes or just a buddy that fits your sofa nicely, medium-sized dogs are even more diverse without all that hair.

• Portuguese Water Dog
  Known for serving as pet dogs in classes, these dogs have curly fur that does not shed. They are active and should be taken for a walk or run often so that they stay playful and noisy.

• Whippet
  The short and fine coat of hair that the Whippet has is hardly shedding. They are friendly and easygoing, making them suitable for families.

• Basenji
  They are hence called the “barkless dog,”  and they have a short coat that does not shed much. They are free-roaming fowl and relatively wise creatures, with a unique washboard like cats to maintain hygiene.

• Standard Schnauzer
  Solid and tough, these dogs have a guard-like coat of fur that is harshly textured and does not shed much. They are loyal and perfect for clients with children or companies in the food industry.

• Kerry Blue Terrier
  This breed has a soft, wavy-to-curly coat that does not shed much but needs routine grooming to avoid matting of the coat. It is found that they are playful and like to be affectionate to their owners.

• Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
  Categorized under the lapsing coat breed, wheatens are low-shedding dogs with an incredibly soft and silky fur.

• Bedlington Terrier
  These dogs, having the appearance of lambs, have an exquisite, curly fur that they lose hardly at all and feel very smooth.

• Puli
  Pulis has a cabled coat, and when its cords are in tact, the breed is hardly known to shed. They are, in general, energetic, which creates a sense of full engagement in work, and loyal, which means they contribute to the positive outcomes of the organizations in which they work.

• Spanish Water Dog
  Like the Portuguese Water Dog, they have a curly, woolly coat that sheds very little and are versatile working dogs of considerable intelligence and trainability.

Large Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed

Large dogs that don’t shed are the gentle giants of the hypoallergenic world, proving that you can have the best of both worlds: an indication of a large friendly dog with non-hairy skin.

These breeds are perfect for families that want a protective and affectionate companion from a large breed but do not want to deal with dirt from a large breed. These huge, intelligently-bred hypoallergenic dogs—from home protection dogs to hiking buddies—are the guardians and friends that happy homeowners have more space and love to embrace.

• Afghan Hound
  Afghan Hounds are quite noble-looking, and they have a beautiful, flowing coat that, rather surprisingly, is rather low-shedding. They need to be groomed often to keep the beauty of their coats in check.

• Standard Poodle
  Conformationally sound, easily trained, and of high intellect, Standard Poodles possess curly, hypaallergenic hair. Again, they are social beings and adore being part of the family.

• Irish Water Spaniel
  Often depicted as ‘little clowns’, these dogs are characterized by having curly, low-shedding fur. They are lively and have to be taken for usual exercise.

• Komondor
  The Komondor also sheds minimally, but like the Puli, the fur on the Komondor is corded, thick, and heavily coated, and the dog demands constant grooming. They are security-conscious and have principles that enable them to be decisive.

• Bouvier des Flandres
  This breed has a rather tough-looking coat that is a bit wiry and very low-shedding. People consider them polite and defensive all at the same time.

• Irish Wolfhound
  Irish wolfhounds, though giant-sized and having a coarse coat, are actually low shedders as compared to many other breeds. Compliments their character, friendly, and kind they are, makes them ideal to be around.

• Giant Schnauzer
  They big among all the Schnauzer and the coat is wiry with dense undercoat that does not shed heavily. They are powerful and energetic, and once you gain their respect, they are loyal too.

• Airedale Terrier
  Sometimes also referred to as the ‘king of terriers,’ Airedales have a coarse, wiry, weather-resistant coat that does not shed much and are remarkable for their intelligence and adaptability.

• Labradoodle
  Even though labradoodles are not purebred, the first generation, especially with fleece or wool coats, has minimal shedding and is very popular for their friendly and hypoallergenic dispositions.

Care and Grooming for Low-Shedding Dog Breeds

The allergens present in the home should be reduced, and one way of achieving this is by grooming a low-shedding dog breed’s coat frequently. Careful hygiene in this regard cannot be overemphasized, so as to minimize the extent to which hypoallergenic dogs add to the general burden of allergies on the premises.

Brushing is an essential part of grooming as it removes loose undercoats or dead skin that may be shedding and helps spread natural skin oils in order to help skin health as well as decrease skin scaling.

Gently washing your dog with a mild dog-safe shampoo will help bring down the production of allergens in your dog even further. But over-bathing should be counteracted because this causes the skin to become dry, and in turn, the skin begins producing more dander.

Apart from home grooming, professional grooming services can clean and nurture the pet to a point that may be hard for the owners to accomplish. Expert groomers know how to deal with different types of coats and are capable of providing services that include hair cutting, which in turn will decrease the shedding and accumulation of allergen’ particles.

In addition to grooming, personal hygiene is also mandatory, as is general hygiene in the surrounding area. Washing of fabrics and covers of bedding and dog beds, coupled with cleaning often of the areas your dog spends most of his time in, will also help in alleviation of these symptoms.

By ensuring that your vacuum cleaner is of such quality that it comes with a HEPA filter or using simple air purifiers in your home, especially in areas that cause a lot of irritation, the amount of airborne allergens can be easily reduced.

Key Takeaways

The commonality of choosing non-shedding types will ensure that owners with allergies and people who actually want to maintain cleaner homes. Since all the sizes and personalities are offered, it can be said that there is a hypoallergenic dog suitable for almost any lifestyle.

Since such breeds are specially bred and have specific needs to cater for, anyone with a desire to keep pet animals can get one without having to worry about the discomforts it will bring on him or her.