
If you're allergic to dogs but still want a furry friend, there are many hypoallergenic breeds to consider.
These breeds produce fewer allergens than others, making them a great option for those with allergies.
Some of the most common allergens are proteins found in the saliva and urine of dogs, as well as the dander that falls off their coats.
Hypoallergenic breeds like the Poodle and Bichon Frise have a low-shedding coat, which reduces the amount of dander they produce.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Hypoallergenic dog breeds are perfect for those who suffer from allergies but still want to bring a furry friend into their home. These breeds are relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, making them a great choice for pet owners with sensitivities.
Petfinder is a great resource for finding hypoallergenic dog breeds, with over 200,000 adoptable dogs of all sizes, colors, and coats. You can start your search on Petfinder and find breeds that are perfect for you.
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The Affenpinscher, Basenji, and Bichon Frise are just a few examples of hypoallergenic dog breeds that are available for adoption. These breeds have low-shedding coats that make them ideal for people with allergies.
The Hairless Chinese Crested is another breed that sheds very little, making it a great choice for those with allergies. This breed has almost no hair, which means it sheds very little depending on how often it's groomed.
The Havanese breed has a fluffy coat that's deceptively thick-looking, making it a great choice for people with allergies. Their coat type is similar to the Bichon Frise, which is also hypoallergenic.
Poodles are a great choice for people with light allergy sensitivities, as their curly, light-shedding coat holds onto dead hair and dander. Regular grooming and brushing can help maintain their coat and keep it dander-free.
The Shih Tzu breed has the same type of hair that humans do, making it less likely to cause a severe allergic reaction. Grooming and regular brushing are required to keep their coat at its most effective, low-shedding level.
Here are some hypoallergenic dog breeds that are available for adoption on Petfinder:
- Affenpinscher (147 available)
- Basenji (112 available)
- Bedlington (1 available)
- Bichon Frise (111 available)
- Hairless Chinese Crested (26 available)
- Havanese (55 available)
- Poodle (738 available)
- Shih Tzu (607 available)
- Wire Fox Terrier (32 available)
- Yorkie (462 available)
Understanding Dog Allergies
Up to 10% of Americans have an allergy to dogs, and it's not the dog hair that's the main culprit, but rather the dander attached to the end of the hairs.
Dander is essentially dead skin, similar to human dandruff, and it's what triggers symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Dogs shed their top layer of skin, which happens roughly every 21 days, releasing dander into the air.
To make matters worse, dander can stick to just about anything in your home, including furniture, wall coverings, and even your clothes. This is why it's essential to take steps to manage pet allergies and prevent the spread of dander.
Here are some key statistics about dog allergies:
If you're allergic to dogs, it's not impossible to own one, but you'll need to take steps to manage your allergies and prevent the spread of dander.
Are Dogs Allergen-Free?
Dogs are not completely allergen-free, and there's no such thing as a 100% allergy-free dog.
The best way to determine if a dog will cause allergies is to spend some time with the dog.
Hypoallergenic dogs are relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, but it's essential to understand that this label doesn't mean they're completely allergen-free.
Some breeds, like the Puli, have heavy coats, but they're single-layered, which means they shed less and produce less dander.
Dander is a common allergen that attaches to furniture and floats around in your home, making it a significant concern for people with allergies.
Spending time with a dog is the best way to gauge your reaction to them, as it's the most reliable way to determine if you'll experience allergic symptoms.
Here's an interesting read: Can Hypoallergenic Dogs Still Cause Allergies
Causes of Dog Allergy
Up to 10% of Americans have an allergy to dogs, and it's not the hair that triggers the allergy, but rather the pet's dander attached to the end of the hairs.
Dander is dead skin, similar to human dandruff, and it's the culprit behind itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and more. It circulates in the air and attaches to furniture, wall coverings, linen, and pretty much everything in your home.
Dogs shed their hair and renew their top layer of skin roughly every 21 days, releasing the dander into the air. This means that even if you have a dog that doesn't shed much, you may still have a problem with dander.
One-third of homes without dogs will still have the allergen Canis familiaris allergen 1 (Can f 1), which is found primarily in dander, not fur or hair. This means that even if you don't have a dog, you may still be exposed to this allergen.
The protein Can f 1 is responsible for causing symptoms in people with pet allergies, and it's found in the dander of every dog, regardless of whether they shed or not.
Suggestion: Havanese Long Hair
Pet Allergy Considerations
Up to 10% of Americans have an allergy to dogs.
Dander, the main culprit behind dog allergies, is dead skin that's similar to human dandruff.
Dogs shed their hair and renew their top layer of skin roughly every 21 days, releasing dander into the air.
Dogs that don't shed, or shed very little, make it easier to keep living spaces mostly dander-free.
The Portuguese Water Dog is a good choice for people with mild allergies to pets, as it tends to shed less than other breeds.
Regular grooming and daily brushing can help control the amount of shedding in breeds like the Giant Schnauzer and Shih Tzu.
A dense, crinkly, or wavy coat like the Wire Fox Terrier's can limit shedding and dead hair.
Yorkies have a human-hair-like coat that's less likely to cause a severe allergic reaction.
Dogs labeled as hypoallergenic are "relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction", but it's essential to remember that there are no completely allergen-free dogs.
Spending time with a dog can help determine whether it will cause allergies, even if it's labeled as hypoallergenic.
For more insights, see: Chinese Shar Pei Shedding
Adoptable Hypoallergenic Dogs
If you're looking for an adoptable hypoallergenic dog, Petfinder is a great place to start your search. Home to more than 200,000 adoptable dogs of all sizes, colors, and coats, it's easy to adopt non-allergy dogs that won't set off your sensitivity to dander.
Some breeds, like the Affenpinscher, have wiry coats that only need occasional removal of old, dead hairs, making them a great choice for people with allergies. With 147 available for adoption, you're sure to find one that suits your needs.
You can also consider breeds like the Bichon Frise, which has a soft, fluffy coat that's tightly curled, keeping dead hairs with dander restrained. There are 111 available for adoption, so take a look!
Here are some popular hypoallergenic dog breeds available on Petfinder:
- Affenpinscher (147 available)
- Basenji (112 available)
- Bichon Frise (111 available)
- Chinese Crested (26 available)
- Havanese (55 available)
- Poodle (738 available)
- Shih Tzu (607 available)
- Wire Fox Terrier (32 available)
- Yorkie (462 available)
Adoptable Dogs
Petfinder is a great place to start your search for adoptable hypoallergenic dogs, with over 200,000 dogs available for adoption. You can find dogs of all sizes, colors, and coats, making it easy to find a non-allergy dog that suits your needs.
Affenpinscher's wiry coat only needs occasional grooming, making it a great choice for people with allergies. With 147 available for adoption, you can find an Affenpinscher that fits your lifestyle.
A unique perspective: Affenpinscher Hypoallergenic
Basenjis are another great option, with their low-shedding coat resulting in less dander and less effect on sensitive immune systems. They're practically self-cleaning, like a cat, and are available for adoption in 112 different listings.
For a dog with a unique look, consider a Puli, which grows corded, dreadlock-like coats that trap lost hairs and reduce allergic reactions. With only 1 available for adoption, be quick to snatch this opportunity.
If you're looking for a dog with a human-hair-like coat, consider a Shih Tzu or a Yorkie, both of which are available in large numbers. The Shih Tzu has 607 available for adoption, while the Yorkie has 462.
Here are some of the top hypoallergenic dog breeds available for adoption, along with the number of listings:
- Affenpinscher: 147
- Basenji: 112
- Bichon Frise: 111
- Havanese: 55
- Poodle: 738
- Hypoallergenic Shih Tzu: 607
- Wire Fox Terrier: 32
- Yorkie: 462
Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is a great choice for people with mild allergies to pets. Its single-coated breed tends to shed less, but not entirely, making it easier to keep living spaces mostly dander-free.
Keeping its coat well-groomed will definitely help lessen the chance of allergy symptoms. Regular grooming and daily brushing will help remove dead hair and prevent matting.
This breed is a good choice for people who have mild allergies to pets, as it produces less dander than dogs with undercoats. Its single-layered coat means there's no undercoat to shed, leaving less dander attached to furniture and floating around in your home.
By adopting a Portuguese Water Dog, you can enjoy the companionship of a dog without the severe allergic reactions that come with it.
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Sources
- https://mobilitydog.org/blog-about-mobility-service-dogs-and-their-ada-handlers/2021/8/6/hypoallergenic-dogs-what-does-that-mean-by-petfindercom
- https://www.petfinder.com/dogs-and-puppies/breeds/hypoallergenic-dogs/
- https://www.petfinder.com/dogs-and-puppies/breeds/low-shedding-dogs/
- https://www.petfinder.com/dogs-and-puppies/breeds/apartment-dog-breeds/
- https://www.benadryl.com/allergies/hypoallergenic-dogs-cats-facts
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