Best Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds: Low-Shedding Dogs for Allergy Sufferers

The Poodle is widely considered the gold standard for hypoallergenic breeds. Available in three sizes, Poodles have a dense, curly coat that grows continuously rather than shedding. The tight curls trap dander close to the skin, keeping it out of the air and off furniture.

Coat care: Poodles need professional grooming every 4–6 weeks and daily brushing between appointments to prevent matting. Their coats can be kept in a variety of clips, from the low-maintenance puppy clip to the elaborate Continental.

The Bichon Frise has a plush, velvety white coat with a soft, dense undercoat and a coarser outer coat that creates its signature puffy appearance. Loose hairs get caught in the undercoat rather than falling to the floor, making Bichons one of the most allergy-friendly breeds available.

Coat care: Daily brushing is essential to prevent mats from forming in the dense double coat. Professional grooming every 4–6 weeks keeps the coat in proper shape. Bichons are prone to tear staining, so face cleaning should be part of the daily routine.

The Maltese has a single-layer coat of long, silky white hair that lacks an undercoat entirely. This means virtually no shedding and very low dander production. Their fine, straight hair is more similar to human hair than typical dog fur.

Coat care: If kept long, the Maltese coat requires daily brushing and regular conditioning to prevent tangles. Many owners choose a shorter puppy cut for easier maintenance, which still needs professional trimming every 6–8 weeks.

Made famous as the breed of choice for former President Obama due to his family's allergies, the Portuguese Water Dog has a thick, waterproof coat that comes in two varieties: curly or wavy. Both types shed minimally and produce less dander than most medium-sized breeds.

Coat care: The coat needs brushing several times per week to prevent matting, especially behind the ears and under the legs. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks is recommended. The traditional lion clip or the retriever clip are the most common styles.

Schnauzers have a distinctive wiry double coat that sheds very little when properly maintained. The coarse outer coat and soft undercoat work together to trap loose hairs, and the breed produces less dander than many dogs of similar size.

Coat care: The wiry coat can be hand-stripped (for show dogs) or clipped (for pets). Hand-stripping removes dead hair from the root and encourages proper coat texture. Clipping is easier but softens the coat over time. Either method should be done every 6–8 weeks.

The Shih Tzu has a long, flowing double coat that sheds very little. While they do have an undercoat, loose hairs tend to get caught within the coat rather than dispersing into the environment. They produce moderate levels of dander compared to other hypoallergenic breeds.

Coat care: The full Shih Tzu coat requires daily brushing and regular bathing to stay tangle-free. Most pet owners keep their Shih Tzu in a shorter teddy bear or puppy clip, which still needs professional grooming every 4–6 weeks but is far easier to maintain day-to-day.

Yorkies have a single coat of fine, silky hair that is very similar in texture to human hair. They lack an undercoat entirely, which means minimal shedding and low dander production. Their small size also means less surface area producing allergens overall.

Coat care: The long show coat requires daily brushing and wrapping. Most pet Yorkies wear a shorter cut that is easier to manage. Professional grooming every 4–6 weeks keeps the coat neat and healthy. Regular ear cleaning is important to prevent infections.

Cuba's national dog has a long, silky double coat that is surprisingly lightweight. The Havanese sheds very little, and the hair that does come loose tends to stay trapped in the outer coat. They are an excellent choice for families with mild to moderate allergies.

Coat care: Havanese can be kept in a full coat (which needs daily brushing) or a shorter puppy clip. Some owners cord the coat, which resembles dreadlocks and requires less brushing but more specialized care. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks is typical.

The tallest of the spaniel breeds, the Irish Water Spaniel has a dense coat of tight, crisp curls covering the body with a smooth face and a distinctive rat tail. The curly coat sheds very little and traps dander effectively, making this an excellent hypoallergenic choice for active families who want a larger dog.

Coat care: The coat needs brushing two to three times per week and professional trimming every 6–8 weeks. The natural oils in the coat give it a water-repelling quality but also mean baths should use a gentle shampoo to avoid stripping the protective layer.

The Wheaten Terrier has a single-layer, silky coat with a distinctive warm wheat color. Unlike many terriers, the Wheaten lacks an undercoat, which reduces shedding substantially. The soft, wavy coat does collect debris easily, so regular cleaning is important.

Coat care: Daily brushing with a pin brush or slicker brush prevents mats from forming. The coat should be combed all the way to the skin, as mats often start close to the body. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks maintains the proper outline.

Originally bred as a truffle-hunting dog in Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a thick, curly, wool-like double coat that sheds minimally. The curls form tight ringlets that trap dander and loose hair extremely well. This breed is gaining popularity specifically for its hypoallergenic qualities.

Coat care: The coat should be kept at a moderate length and brushed weekly to prevent felting. Unlike Poodles, the Lagotto coat should look rustic rather than sculpted. Professional grooming every 8–12 weeks usually involves trimming to about one inch all over.

The Afghan Hound's long, flowing coat may seem like it would shed everywhere, but this breed actually sheds very little. The single-layer coat is similar in texture to human hair and produces less dander than many other large breeds. Afghans are one of the few large hypoallergenic options.

Coat care: The long coat requires extensive grooming: bathing once or twice per week, thorough blow-drying, and daily brushing with a pin brush. Many pet owners keep the coat shorter for easier maintenance, which still needs professional attention every 4–6 weeks.