These Hypoallergenic Dog Mixes Could Keep Your Sneezes at Bay

Designer dogs or hybrid dogs are becoming more and more popular. If you are an allergy sufferer, consider these hypoallergenic dog mixes. They have little to no shedding, which means less dander to trigger your allergy symptoms.

Labradoodle

A cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle breeds, the Labradoodle was originally developed to be a hypoallergenic guide dog. The Labradoodle comes in three different sizes, depending on the size of the Poodle used for the first generation breeding. The Standard Labradoodle stands 22 to 24 inches high and weighs 50 to 65 pounds. The Medium Labradoodle stands 17 to 20 inches high and weighs 30 to 45 pounds. The Miniature Labradoodle stands 14 to 16 inches and weighs about 15 to 25 pounds. This widely popular dog takes after both of its parents. It is friendly, playful and intelligent. Its shaggy curly coat does not shed. This loving family dog is happiest when she is with her human companions. Intelligent and eager to please, the Labradoodle is easy to train. This is an excellent dog for first-time dog owners. This breed is good with children and other pets. This high-energy breed requires regular daily exercise. This is an intelligent dog that also needs mental stimulation to keep them from becoming destructive. The Labradoodle comes in a wide variety of colors. The Labradoodle was designed to be hypoallergenic, but it really depends on the coat type of the particular dog. If your Labradoodle’s coat is more like a Lab, it is likely to be high shedding, so be careful in choosing the right Labradoodle for you. If this is an issue for you, ask your breeder to help select a puppy that is less likely to shed. Expect to brush your Labradoodle once or twice a week.

Schnoodle

Developed in the 1980s, the Schnoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Schnauzer. It was bred to be a low shedding family dog. Since both the Poodle and the Schnauzer come in three different sizes, the size of the Schnoodle can vary greatly, but the average Schnoodle is small, weighing about 20 pounds. This breed can stand from 10 to 26 inches tall and can weigh from 6 to 75 pounds. Schnoodles have no to low shedding, so this is a very good breed for people with allergies. This is a smart, cheerful, active breed that is eager to please. This wonderful family pet is playful and fun-loving. This dog loves to play with children and to be the center of attention. He is a loyal watchdog like the Schnauzer, and he is smart and affectionate like a Poodle. They get along well with other family pets. The Schnoodle will like the entire family but often will bond with one member more than the others. They love being around their people and can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. This high-energy breed requires plenty of daily exercise. And because the dog is so intelligent, it also requires plenty of mental stimulation to avoid destructive behaviors. An apartment can be a good home for a small Schnoodle, but a large Schnoodle needs a home with a fenced yard. They make very good watchdogs because they are protective of their families. You will need to brush your Schnoodle once or twice a week.

Yorkipoo

This fun-loving designer dog is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. It stands between 7 and 15 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 3 and 14 pounds. The life expectancy for this breed is 10 to 15 years. This is an excellent companion dog – loving and fun, he loves being in the company of his family. This is also a good dog for allergy sufferers because it has low dander and is low shedding. This breed is intelligent, making Yorkipoos quick learners – although they do have a stubborn streak. With a gentle and loving disposition, Yorkipoos are good with the elderly and make good therapy dogs. And while they do well with older children, this breed is not recommended for homes with small children. They may suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. The Yorkipoo makes a good watchdog. Active and energetic, this breed requires daily exercise. The Yorkipoo is known to bark a lot, although he can be trained to bark less. They usually do well with other pets. The silky coat requires daily brushing and comes in a variety of colors.

Maltipoo

A cross between the Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, the Maltipoo stands about 8 to 14 inches high and weighs between 5 and 20 pounds. The life expectancy for this breed is about 10 to 13 years. This designer dog is gentle and very affectionate, making it a good therapy dog. They are great with the elderly and with older children who know how to handle them carefully. The Maltipoo is among the more popular of the designer breeds and prized by celebrities. Maltipoos can get along with other dogs and pets. Since both the Maltese and the Poodle are hypoallergenic dogs, the Maltipoo sheds very little and is a good choice for people who suffer from allergies. The intelligent Maltipoo is easy to train and is a good dog for first-time dog owners. These fun-loving dogs love being with people and are not a good choice for homes where they will be left alone for long periods of time. A good lap dog, the Maltipoo can be a little barker, so he makes a good watchdog, but he may not be a good choice for apartments or housing where there are noise restrictions. They are active and energetic, needing daily exercise. The Maltipoo’s fluffy coat is low shedding and low dander. It comes in a variety of colors with the most common being cream and white. This dog requires daily brushing.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo comes in a variety of sizes. The Teacup size stands under 10 inches tall and weighs about 6 pounds. The Toy Cockapoo stands about 10 inches tall and can weigh up to 12 pounds. The Miniature Cockapoo stands between 11 and 14 inches high and weighs 13 to 18 pounds. The Standard Cockapoo stands at least 15 inches high and weighs more than 19 pounds. A cross between the Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel, this dog loves people, children, other dogs, and pets. This happy-go-lucky dog is the first designer dog, dating back to the 1960s. A real companion dog, the Cockapoo is very affectionate and will follow you around. He loves being around his family and is known to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time, which can lead to excessive barking and destructive behaviors. He is very outgoing and gets along with everyone. This lapdog makes a good therapy dog. The Cockapoo is intelligent and easy to train. This breed hardly sheds at all, making it a good choice for people who suffer from allergies; however, the Cockapoo requires daily brushing. The breed has moderate energy levels and requires daily exercise.

To learn more about hypoallergenic dog breeds, go to Looking for a Hypoallergenic Dog? Here’s What You Need to Know.