Do you love dogs, but you sneeze, shed tears, and have itchy skin when you get close to them? If you are allergic, raising a dog may sound like an “impossible task”. But the good news is that some dogs shed less and hardly cause allergies, which is tailor-made for allergy sufferers! This super detailed 2000+ word article recommends 10 low-shedding dog breeds in plain language, analyzes their personality, body shape, and maintenance needs, and tells you how to choose and raise them, so that you and your furry children can live comfortably! Whether you are a novice or an experienced shit shoveler, this article can help you find your favorite “low-allergy partner”!
Why are some dogs suitable for people with allergies?
People with allergies usually react to dogs not because of the hair itself, but because of the proteins in the dog’s dander, saliva, and urine (the main allergen is Can f 1). These proteins will spread with hair loss and air, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and asthma. Dogs with low hair loss spread less dander, which can greatly reduce the risk of allergies.
Features of low-shedding dogs:
- Hair type: Curly or hairless, hair does not fall off easily, and dandruff does not float easily.
- Care requirements: Regular combing or trimming is required to keep the hair healthy.
- Mild personality: Dogs suitable for people with allergies are usually friendly and suitable for family raising.
Note: There is no 100% non-allergenic dog! Low shedding only reduces the risk. It is best to contact the dog for a few days before raising it to confirm that you are not allergic before deciding.
10 low-shedding dog breeds suitable for people with allergies
The following are 10 low-shedding dog breeds, covering small, medium, and hairless types, suitable for people with allergies in different lifestyles. Each one talks about personality, maintenance cost, advantages and disadvantages, to help you choose the most suitable one!
1. Poodle
Size: Mini (4-8 kg), Toy (2-4 kg), Standard (20-30 kg)
Personality: Smart, lively, friendly, and ranked second in the dog world in terms of IQ!
Why is it suitable: The curly hair of the Poodle is like a “vacuum cleaner”, and the hair is rolled up and not easy to float away. The hair is dense but not scattered, with less dandruff and low risk of allergies.
Maintenance requirements:
- Trim the hair monthly (100-200 yuan/time) to keep the curly hair neat.
- Comb it 2-3 times a week with a pin comb (50-100 yuan) to prevent tangling.
- Walk for 20-30 minutes every day, and playing with a ball indoors can also consume energy.
Advantages:
- Advantages: Smart and easy to train, suitable for apartments, and a variety of sizes are available.
- Disadvantages: High grooming costs, timid dogs need more socialization.
Cost: Dog food 200-400 yuan/month, grooming + vaccines 1000-2000 yuan/year.
2. Bichon Frise
Size: Small (4-8 kg) Personality: Gentle, like to act like a spoiled child, like a little marshmallow, super healing. Why is it suitable: Bichon Frise’s double-layer curly hair does not fall off, and there is very little dandruff, which is suitable for people with allergies. Gentle personality, not like to bark, apartment-friendly. Maintenance requirements:
- Monthly grooming (100-200 yuan), trimming into a round head shape is super cute.
- Comb 3 times a week, use detangling spray (30-50 yuan) to prevent hair balls.
- Walk for 20 minutes every day, suitable for lazy shit shovelers. Pros and cons:
- Pros: Friendly, not like to bark, suitable for families with children.
- Disadvantages: Long hair is easy to get dirty, need frequent bathing (pet shampoo 50 yuan). Cost: Dog food 200-300 yuan/month, grooming + vaccination 1000-2000 yuan/year.
3. Maltese
Size: Small (3-4 kg) Personality: Elegant, quiet, clingy, like a little princess. Why is it suitable: Maltese’s long straight hair does not fall off, there is less dandruff, and the risk of allergies is low. The quiet personality is suitable for apartments and does not disturb others. Maintenance requirements:
- Comb for 5 minutes every day (needle comb, 50 yuan) to prevent long hair from tangling.
- Monthly grooming (100-150 yuan), you can trim short hair for ease.
- Walk for 15-20 minutes every day, and it can also be satisfied by playing indoors. Advantages and Disadvantages:
- Advantages: Small size, simple maintenance, quiet and does not disturb others. – Disadvantages: Hair gets dirty easily, white hair needs to be cleaned frequently. Cost: Dog food 150-300 yuan/month, grooming + vaccines 800-1500 yuan/year.
4. Shih Tzu
Size: Small (4-8 kg) Personality: Gentle, independent, a bit “aristocratic”. Why is it suitable: Shih Tzu’s long hair does not fall off, and there is less dandruff, which is suitable for people with allergies. It has a stable personality and is not anxious when alone, which is suitable for office workers. Maintenance requirements:
- Comb 2-3 times a week (detangling comb, 50-100 yuan).
- Trim monthly (100-150 yuan), short hair is more worry-free.
- Walk for 20 minutes a day, low indoor activity. Advantages and Disadvantages:
- Advantages: Quiet, not clingy, suitable for small apartments.
- Disadvantages: Long facial hair, need to wipe tear marks (cleaning liquid 20 yuan). Cost: Dog food 200-300 yuan/month, grooming + vaccination 1000-1500 yuan/year.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
Size: Small (2-3 kg) Personality: Lively, brave, small body with big energy. Why suitable: Yorkshire’s silky long hair is similar to human hair, with very little hair loss and no dandruff. Maintenance requirements:
- Comb for 5 minutes every day to prevent hair knots (needle comb, 50 yuan).
- Monthly grooming (100-150 yuan), can tie small braids for super cuteness.
- Walk for 20-30 minutes every day, likes to run and jump. Advantages:
- Advantages: Mini size, strong adaptability, high appearance.
- Disadvantages: May be a barker, needs to be trained to “quiet” command. Cost: Dog food 150-250 yuan/month, grooming + vaccines 800-1500 yuan/year.
6. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Size: Medium (13-20 kg) Personality: Friendly, lively, a bit like a “happy fruit”. Why is it suitable: The soft curly hair of the soft-coated wheaten terrier does not fall off, and there is less dandruff, which is suitable for people with allergies who want a medium-sized dog. Maintenance requirements:
- Comb 2-3 times a week (depilatory comb, 100-200 yuan).
- Groom every 1-2 months (150-200 yuan) to keep the hair smooth.
- Walk 30-40 minutes a day, slightly more energy. Pros and cons:
- Pros: Cheerful personality, suitable for family, soft and beautiful hair.
- Disadvantages: slightly higher exercise requirements, more walking is required in apartments. Cost: dog food 300-500 yuan/month, grooming + vaccination 1500-2500 yuan/year.
7. Schnauzer
Size: Mini (4-8 kg), standard (15-20 kg) Personality: smart, loyal, a bit of an “old cadre” temperament. Why is it suitable: Schnauzer’s hard hair does not fall off, and there is less dandruff after regular trimming, and the risk of allergies is low. Maintenance requirements:
- Comb twice a week (hard-bristle comb, 50-100 yuan).
- Grooming every 1-2 months (150-200 yuan), trim the iconic beard shape.
- Walk for 30 minutes every day, the mini type is suitable for apartments. Pros and cons:
- Pros: smart and easy to train, protects the owner but not noisy.
- Disadvantages: may be wary of strangers and need more socialization. Cost: Dog food 200-400 yuan/month, grooming + vaccines 1000-2000 yuan/year.
8. Chinese Crested
Size: Small (3-5 kg) Personality: Gentle, clingy, a bit like a “warm baby”. Why is it suitable: Crested dogs are almost hairless (or only have a small amount of hair on the head), with very little dandruff, making them an excellent choice for people with allergies. Maintenance requirements:
- Hairless types need to be bathed weekly (pet shampoo 50 yuan) to keep the skin clean.
- Wear clothes to keep warm in winter (pet clothes 20-50 yuan).
- Walk for 15-20 minutes every day, mainly indoor activities. Advantages:
- Advantages: Almost no hair loss, quiet and friendly, suitable for small apartments.
- Disadvantages: Delicate skin, requires sun protection and warmth. Cost: Dog food 150-250 yuan/month, skin care + vaccines 800-1500 yuan/year.
9. Havanese
Size: Small (3-6 kg) Personality: Lively, gentle, and loves to make friends. Why is it suitable: Havanese’s silky long hair does not fall off, and there is less dandruff, which is suitable for people with allergies. Friendly personality, apartment-friendly. Maintenance requirements:
- Comb for 5 minutes every day (needle comb, 50 yuan).
- Monthly grooming (100-150 yuan), short hair can be trimmed.
- Walk for 20-30 minutes every day, and play indoors is also fun. Pros and cons:
- Pros: Friendly, not barking, suitable for family.
- Cons: Hair is easy to get dirty and needs to be cleaned frequently. Cost: Dog food 200-300 yuan/month, grooming + vaccines 1000-1500 yuan/year.
10. Basenji
Size: Small (9-11 kg) Personality: Independent, quiet, a bit “cat-like” temperament. Why is it suitable: Basenji’s short hair is close to the skin, almost never sheds, and has little dandruff. It does not bark (only makes a sound similar to “purring”), which is very suitable for apartments. Maintenance requirements:
- Use rubber gloves to wipe the hair every week (20-50 yuan) to remove dead hair.
- Bath once a month (pet shampoo 50 yuan).
- Walk for 30-40 minutes every day, slightly higher energy. Pros and cons:
- Pros: Quiet, no hair loss, suitable for people with allergies.
- Cons: Independent personality, slightly difficult to train. Cost: Dog food 200-400 yuan/month, vaccines + cleaning 1000-1500 yuan/year.
How to choose a low-shedding dog breed that suits you?
The choice of dog should be based on your lifestyle and allergy level:
- Apartment size:
- Small apartment (less than 50 square meters): choose a small dog (Bichon Frise, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier), which takes up less space.
- Large apartment: consider a medium-sized dog (soft-coated wheaten terrier, standard schnauzer).
- Time and energy:
- Busy office workers: choose Maltese and Shih Tzu, which have low exercise requirements.
- Sports lovers: choose soft-coated wheaten terrier and Basenji, who will be happy to run with you.
- Allergy severity:
- Mild allergies: Poodle and Bichon Frise are both fine.
- Severe allergies: Hairless (Chinese Crested Dog) or short-haired (Basenji) are preferred.
- Family situation:
- If you have children: Bichon Frise and Havanese are gentle and suitable for family.
- If you are single or a couple: Yorkshire Terrier and Schnauzer have personality and good looks.
Tip for testing allergies: Before raising a dog, go to a friend’s house or a rescue station to contact the target dog breed and stay there for 1-2 hours to see if there is sneezing or itchy skin. Those with severe allergies can consult a doctor and prepare anti-allergic drugs.
Practical suggestions for caring for low-shedding dog breeds
Low shedding does not mean “zero maintenance”, these dogs need special care:
- Regular grooming:
- Trim curly-haired dogs (Poodle, Bichon Frise) monthly to keep the hair 2-3 cm and reduce dandruff.
- Use detangling spray + pin comb for long-haired dogs (Maltese, Shih Tzu) to prevent hairballs.
- Bath hairless dogs (Crowned Dog) weekly and use pet moisturizing lotion (50 yuan).
- Clean environment:
- Vacuum 2-3 times a week (vacuum cleaner 1000 yuan +) to reduce dandruff.
- Use a lint roller (20 yuan) to clean clothes and sofas.
- Air purifier (1000-3000 yuan) to reduce allergens in the air.
- Diet management:
- Choose high-quality dog food (Royal, 200-400 yuan/month), supplement Omega-3 (fish oil, 50-100 yuan) to keep the skin healthy and reduce dandruff.
- Feed 1-2 times a week with cooked carrots or pumpkin to supplement vitamins.
- Train not to lick randomly:
- Dog saliva may cause allergies, teach “sit” or “don’t lick” commands to reduce contact.
- Use wet wipes (20 yuan/pack) to wipe the dog’s mouth to reduce the spread of saliva.
- Health check:
- Annual physical examination + vaccination (500-1000 yuan) to ensure that the skin is free of lesions.
- Deworming every month (Advocate, 100-200 yuan) to prevent fleas from causing skin problems.
FAQ
- Are low-shedding dog breeds really non-allergenic?
- There is no dog that is completely non-allergenic, but low-shedding dog breeds greatly reduce the risk. Test before contact, and consult a doctor for those with severe allergies.
- What to do if grooming costs are high?
- Learn simple trimming techniques (buy pet scissors, 100 yuan), trim short hair at home, and save grooming costs.
- Is a dog with a lot of dandruff not suitable for people with allergies?
- It may be a diet or skin problem. Switch to low-allergy dog food (Hill’s, 400 yuan/month), bathe weekly, and the dandruff will decrease.
- Is it reliable to adopt a low-shedding dog breed?
- The poodles and Bichon Frise mixed breeds at the rescue station may also shed low hair. Contact testing before adoption is low cost (100-500 yuan donation).
You can keep a dog even if you have allergies. Choosing the right breed is the key!
If you have allergies and want to keep a dog, choosing a low-shedding breed is the best choice! Poodles, Bichon Frise, Maltese and other “low-allergy stars” not only shed less hair, but also have good personalities and high looks. They can be kept by families living in apartments. When choosing a dog, consider your lifestyle and allergy level, and make a decision after a contact test. Spend more time on maintenance, regular grooming, scientific diet, and keep the environment clean, and you and your dog can live happily and healthily!
If you have any specific questions, such as wanting to know the allergy risk of a certain breed, or which dog is suitable for your home environment, feel free to ask me and I’ll give you some advice! I wish you and your future furry children a happy life without allergies!
