Got Allergies? Here Are Small Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
If you’ve got pet allergies but you still want to own a dog, you should look for a breed that does not shed or one that sheds very little. Dander gets trapped on a dog’s fur, so the less the dog sheds, the less dander there is to cause an allergic reaction. Shedding is also a big concern for allergy sufferers because shedded hair can collect other allergens like dust and pollen.
Small hypoallergenic dog breeds make great companions. If you’re looking for small breeds that don’t shed, then take a look at these small hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise descended from the Water Spaniel in the Mediterranean region and is beloved in that area. This small hypoallergenic breed is a truly non-shedding small dog, making it an ideal pet for people with allergies. It has a sweet disposition and is a very popular house dog. The Bichon Frise looks like a little white powder puff. It does not shed a lot but its fluffy white double coat requires regular brushing and trimming. This breed needs daily exercise. This is a playful, happy dog that is extremely affectionate and loving. The Bichon Frise craves attention from its human companions and they are good with children. They do not do well with being left alone for long periods of time. They are intelligent dogs that learn quickly. Because of its small size and nature, the Bichon Frise makes a good apartment dog. To learn more about the Bichon Frise, go to Choosing a Bichon Frise.
Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier stands 10 inches high and weighs about 13 to 14 pounds. The most famous Cairn Terrier is Toto from The Wizard of Oz. Their weather resistant double coat should be brushed regularly, and their coat can be any color except for white. This is a very active breed with lots of energy to burn. They need to run every day. This is an active and adventurous dog. It is important to provide enough daily exercise for your Cairn Terrier so that he will not get bored, which could lead to nuisance behaviors like barking, chewing and digging. This breed is brave and adventurous. They are very intelligent dogs that have a loving, playful nature. They make great companions for both adults and children. This breed is easy to train and they love to learn new tricks. Cairn Terriers are known to have a stubborn streak. They will chase and bark at small animals and they love to dig and swim.
Coton De Tulear
The Coton De Tulear originated in Madagascar. It is about 8 to 12 inches high and weighs between 8 to 13 pounds. This dog has a life expectancy of about 14 years. The Coton De Tulear is related to the Bichon Frise and the Maltese and it has a long fluffy coat. This breed is hypoallergenic. As a small dog that doesn’t shed, it is a good choice for allergy sufferers. This dog’s coat requires regular grooming. The Coton De Tulear has a gentle nature – it is sweet and cuddly. A real people pleaser, this dog enjoys spending time with his family and his favorite activity is to cuddle up on the couch with you. Cotons are good with older children and children who know how to be gentle. This is a smart dog that quickly learns what is expected of him. The Coton De Tulear requires daily walks and playtime. He is well socialized – he loves being with people and doesn’t like being separated from them. Although they prefer the company of humans, the Coton will get along with other pets.
Havanese
The Havanese stands about 8 to 12 inches high and weighs about 7 to 14 pounds. Its life expectancy is about 12 to 15 years. This small dog originated in Cuba and it is hypoallergenic. This is a loving lap dog that loves being with his family. He will follow you from room to room. But the Havanese does not like being alone and is known to bark and howl when you are gone. This breed gets along with people of all ages and all animals. The Havanese is intelligent and sensitive. They love attention and they closely bond with their human companions. This breed is smart, eager to please and very trainable. For a small breed, the Havanese has a lot of energy and needs a daily walk and playtime. Frequent brushing is recommended to keep your Havanese’s thick, soft coat free from mats.
Maltese
The Maltese stands about 8 to 10 inches high and weighs between 4 to 7 pounds, making it one of the smallest of the toy breeds. The life expectancy of the Maltese is about 12 to 15 years. Although the exact origin of this breed is unknown, it has been around for thousands of years. This is an elegant and energetic small dog. This breed can become very attached to its owners. They dislike being left alone and can suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead to barking and destruction. This dog has a protective nature, making it suspicious of strangers. In an attempt to protect their owners they are known to bark and bite. The Maltese also has an impatient nature, so children and other pets may annoy this breed. Also, because of their small size, they are not recommended for households with small children. This breed is highly intelligent and easily trained. They enjoy a daily walk and playtime and often remain playful even into old age. The Maltese has a long, soft, white coat and low shedding. It needs to be brushed regularly to avoid mats. To learn more about this breed, go to Choosing a Maltese.
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer stands about 12 to 14 inches high and weighs about 10 to 15 pounds. It was created in Germany using a cross between the Affenpinscher, the Poodle, and the Standard Schnauzer. With a long beard and bushy eyebrows, he is a very popular breed that truly enjoys the company of people. He wants to be next to you all the time. This active and intelligent breed loves to be the center of attention. They are affectionate and make wonderful companions. This is an energetic small dog that needs daily exercise and mental stimulation so they don’t become bored and destructive. They love being in the middle of the action. He is protective of his family and wary of strangers. The Miniature Schnauzer can be noisy, but he’s good with children and other dogs. This intelligent breed is a quick learner, but he can be very stubborn. Their wiry double coat requires regular grooming and many owners prefer a shortcut for easier maintenance.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu (which means “little lion”) stands about 9 to 11 inches high and weighs about 9 to 16 pounds. It has a life expectancy of about 10 to 16 years. This breed was developed in China and has a very recognizable appearance. This lovable dog is playful and loves to be the center of attention. These good-natured dogs will follow you around the house and make very good companions. They are good with people of all ages, children and other pets. The Shih Tzu is friendly, outgoing and affectionate. He is very loyal to his family and makes a great family pet. This small dog has a lot of energy and loves to play. The Shih Tzu may be difficult to housebreak. This is not an extremely active dog. Their soft, silky, long coat needs daily brushing. Many owners decide to keep their dogs in a short puppy cut to make grooming easier.
Toy Poodle
The Poodle is one of the most popular house pet breeds. The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the three sizes that Poodles come in. The Toy Poodle stands up to 10 inches tall and weighs about 6 to 9 pounds. Poodles rank as one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They are eager to please their owners and very easily trained. This athletic dog needs daily exercise so they do not become bored and resort to destructive behavior. The Toy Poodle is outgoing and friendly with plenty of energy. They enjoy being around people of all ages, including children, and they make great family pets. The Toy Poodle is protective of his home and family.This is a hypoallergenic dog with little to no shedding. Still, you’ll need to brush this dog every day and visit the groomer every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain that fluffy coat. The coat comes in many different colors and the hair is curly and dense.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier or “Yorkie” as it is also known is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. The Yorkie stands about 7 to 9 inches high and weighs about 4 to 7 pounds. This breed has a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years. This breed is smart and self-confident. The spunky Yorkie is often the center of attention. These small dogs are big on personality and they make loving companions. Their small size is great for apartment living. This lovable lap dog has lots of energy and loves to play. They do not do well being left alone for long periods of time. The Yorkie will form an extremely close bond with its primary caretaker and is often not good with strangers and other dogs, but they can get along well with other dogs and cats if they are socialized to them at a young age. The Yorkie is bold and fearless, often going after much larger dogs. Because of their small size and their tendency to be aggressive, they are not recommended for families with small children. The Yorkie’s silky coat should be brushed daily. Many owners will clip their Yorkshire Terriers to reduce the amount of grooming needed. This breed can be difficult to housebreak.
To learn more about hypoallergenic dog breeds, go to Looking for a Hypoallergenic Dog? Here’s What You Need to Know.