best hypoallergenic dog for seniors
Best Dog Breeds for People With Allergies
So, you want a dog but you seem to have an allergy attack whenever youre around one? Youre not alone! Its estimated that 10 and 20% of people are allergic to cats and dogs, causing many prospective puppy owners to wonder which dogs are hypoallergenic. Spoiler alert: none of them are.
Thats right: no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. No, really. Well say it one more time for the people in the back: There is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog. No mixed-breed dog, no purebred dog, and most definitely not any so-called designer dog, is truly hypoallergenic, no matter what people claim or try to sell you.
That said, it is possible to find less-allergenic dog breeds that are better suited for people with allergies. These purebred dogs have a predictable, non-shedding coat that produces less dander. Dander, which clings to pet hair, is what causes most pet allergies in people. Even though dogs that are hypoallergenic dont truly exist, many breeds make it possible to enjoy the companionship of a dog, even if you suffer from allergies. That predictable coat of a purebred dog is key: you know what kind of coat these breeds will have, and there wont be surprises that end up making you sneeze.
There are also ways to prepare your home to help keep allergens at bay when you have a dog. Be sure to launder your pets bed often, keep up with their grooming, and consider not letting your dog sleep on your bed. Its also helpful to remove heavy carpets and drapes that can trap dander. Vacuum cleaners for pet hair and pet air purifiers also help remove allergens, and some can even groom the hair and dander right from your dog.
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is known for being aloof and dignified. They require regular exercise and grooming. They should be bathed and brushed twice a week.
American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier is a lively, friendly, and intelligent companion. The breed does well with children and is also good for city dwellers due to their minimal exercise needsregular walks and indoor playtime will do. They also need regular bathing and nail trimming.
Bedlington Terrier
The gentle, loveable Bedlington Terrier is known for its curly, wooly coat that resembles a lambs. The breed doesnt need intense exerciseregular playtime and daily walks will do.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a naturally gentle, happy, playful dog that loves activity. The Bichons hair continually grows and doesnt shed, so regular grooming is important to prevent mats.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is an alert, playful dog that thrives on human companionship. They are small and do well in families with gentle children. Cresteds shed little to no hair.
Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a small, hardy dog that is happy, eager to please, and loyal. The breed gets along well with other dogs and children. Their long coat requires daily grooming.
Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is intelligent and can be territorial, naturally feeling protective of their family. The breed needs a lot of exercise and loves having a job to do. They require regular grooming.
Irish Water Spaniel
This strong, intelligent breed is the clown of the spaniel family. Irish Water Spaniels are active and energetic, needing daily exercise. Their water-repellant double coat requires brushing every few weeks.
Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier is energetic and fun-loving. The breed enjoys being part of an active family that can provide daily exercise. Their coats need regular brushing and trimming.
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolois a happy dog with tons of energy, needing plenty of activity. They are affectionate and devoted to their owners. Their thick curly coat is similar to that of a Poodle. They require trimming and regular brushing to prevent mats.
Maltese
Though small, the Maltese is known for being brave, playful, and fearless. They have long, silky white hair that needs to be brushed daily to prevent mats.
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer has a natural protective nature that makes them a great watchdog. The breed is smart and cheerful. They adapt well to different living environments, and their double coat requires clipping.
Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)
The Peruvian Inca Orchid can be hairless or coated (the hairless variety does well with allergy sufferers). They also come in three different sizes (small, medium, and large). The breed is loyal and protective of its family. They also have a great deal of energy, needing regular activity. They have minimal grooming needs.
Poodle
The Poodle comes in three size varieties (Standard, Miniature, and Toy).The breed is exceptionally smart and active, needing daily exercise. Their trademark coat requires regular professional grooming.
Portuguese Water Dog
An athletic breed, the Portuguese Water Dogneeds vigorous daily exercise and would do best with a very active family. PWDs are intelligent, loyal workers. Their waterproof coat requires regular maintenance.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
This happy dog is active and needs plenty of exercise daily. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier adapts well to city, country, or suburban living, and does well with children. They have a silky, soft coat that needs regular grooming to prevent mats.
Spanish Water Dog
The Spanish Water Dog is a lively, hardworking dog with natural protective instincts. They are a high-energy breed that does best with an active family. They require little grooming for their curly, wooly coat. No brushing is needed, but at least once a year, they should be shaved down.
Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is a sociable, affectionate breed that has a fondness for kids. They are athletic dogs that need daily exercise. Their beard and leg hair should be brushed often to prevent mats.
Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli comes in three sizes (Toy, Miniature, and Standard). They also come in two varieties, hairless and coated. The hairless has smooth, tough, protective skin and the coated has a short, flat coat. Theyre calm, tranquil, and attentive, and can also be aloof. They have moderate exercise and grooming needs.
Choosing a Purebred Dog for People With Allergies
With all of these purebred dogs with predictable coat types, shedding, and dander levels to choose from, theres no reason for people with allergies to avoid getting a dog that works for their lifestyle (and their immune system). You can learn more about the activity levels, size, sociability, trainability, and types of sports these breeds may excel at by visiting our AKC.org breed pages, or using our Dog Breed Selector to see which of these less-allergenic dog breeds might be the perfect choice for you.
5 Best Hypoallergenic Breeds for Seniors
If you are looking for the best hypoallergenic dog breeds for seniors, youre in luck.
I weeded through all the hypoallergenic dogs out there to pick out only the best!
All of these breeds would make ideal pets for our older generations.
Read on to find out why theyre such awesome choices!
Related:Choosing the Best Dog Breeds for the Elderly
Hypoallergenic Breeds for Seniors
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1. Poodle
When it comes to the Poodle, you have a few options in size; toy, mini, medium and standard. The range in sizes is from about 9.5 inches up to 24 inches.
- No matter the size, the Poodle is playful and smart!
- He has a lot of energy, so if you are an active senior, he is a good fit for you. Or maybe he can help to make you a little more active.
- He can get bored easily, and then will find fun for himself, which isnt always a good thing.
- The toy breed is good with some outdoor exercise and then will gladly snuggle with you inside.
Related: Worst Dog Breeds For Seniors
2. Mini Schnauzer
This bearded guy is very alert and loyal.
- Once fully grown, he is going to weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and stand about 12-14 inches tall.
- The mini Schnauzer will be great with your grandkids! As long as they dont bring about anything smaller than he is (like mice, or hamsters).
- His wiry coat will have to be stripped from time to time.
3. Maltese
He is a great fit the older generations because he tends to get separation anxiety when left for too long.
- He would love to be the companion of a retiree!
- Also, he sheds very little, so not much in the way of dog hair laying around. However, he still needs to be brushed and groomed, but that is just good quality time spent with his owner.
- Your Maltese might be a good candidate for using puppy pads
, he is kind of notorious for difficulty in housebreaking.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
I knew someone with a Yorkie once! She was the cutest little thing too, but she thought she was bigger than she really was.
- Active during the day, she loves to curl up and cuddle too. He will definitely announce visitors!
- You can get a hold on his voice early on, no one wants a barker, but it is not horrible for him to do so, especially if your elder lives alone.
- He doesnt require lots of exercise, a walk will do him good.
Related:Small Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds Terriers
5. Bolognese
Super cute, he looks just like a stuffed animal! I promise you he is real.
- He is a quiet and low energy dog, perfect for a senior master! If there is a dog that almost never sheds, he is the one, and for the icing on the cake, he is easy to train.
- All of that great stuff being said about the Bolo, he can be hard to find. He is part of the Bichon family (which also includes the Maltese).
- He will love his quality time with you while you brush him (he needs it often, so he doesnt matte).
- Some say he even comes off as telepathic because he has such a skill at reading body language.
Now that you know which five breeds are our top picks, lets talk a bit about a few more things you need to know before bringing home a dog for a senior.
What to consider when adopting a hypoallergenic dog for seniors
1. Make sure dogs are allowed!
First and foremost, youll want to make sure that your seniors housing facility allows dogs! This usually isnt an issue for seniors who live in their own homes, but even then, if theyre living in a retirement community there could be HOA rules against certain breeds.
If theyre living in a retirement home or assisted living facility, the rules are even more strict. A nursing home is unlikely to allow dogs, but facilities where seniors have their own apartments may be a bit more lax on that rule.
2. Consider an older dog
Consider adopting an older dog rather than puppy for your senior. There are two reasons for this:
- An older dog is usually calmer and easier to manage than a puppy. Theyve most likely received at least some basic training.
- Seniors and older dogs can relate to each other better. I saw a wonderful news story about a rescue that only takes in older dogs, and they bring them to visit with seniors regularly. They form such amazing bonds!
- While we dont want to think about our grandparents or parents passing on, it can be brutal on a dog to lose their person. I know it seems morbid to say, but an older dog wont have to spend as much time without their beloved human than a puppy would.
3. Choose a budget-friendly dog
Im not talking about the cost of the dog, but rather the dogs maintenance. One of the reasons that smaller breeds make great hypoallergenic dogs for seniors is that they arent as expensive to own. Many seniors are on a tight budget and cant really afford thousands of dollars a year to own a dog.
You still need to buy high-quality kibble and healthy dog treats, but chances are you wont be going through 60-pounds of food a month! As the owner of two large dog breeds, I can tell you that I spend about $100 a month, give or take, on dog food alone.
By comparison, the average cost to feed a poodle is about $125 a year, according to the Poodle Forum. That seems a bit low to me, but maybe its because Im used to feeding big dogs! Still, I would say it costs at least half as much to feed a smaller dog than a large breed.
Small breed beds and accessories also cost a lot less! When I shop for toys, Im always excited to see low pricesuntil I realize that its for a teeny toy
I have found that small dogs love to cuddle. Well, I guess all dogs do, but it is just easier for the smaller ones to curl up in your lap. The bonus of these hypoallergenic breeds for seniors is when they are in your lap, you wont start having an allergy attack!
While these are our top picks for seniors, there are other great hypoallergenic breeds out there as well. If you want to keep it small, check out our list of small breed hypoallergenic dogs.
Can you think of any other greathypoallergenic dog breeds for seniors? Share them in the comment section below!
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Tabatha started her freelance content writing career well over a decade ago, years before joining the DogVills team. She loves writing about dogs (currently a beautiful Shepherd and a newly rescued pit bull) and sharing her experience with new owners. Tabatha also owns her own boudoir photography business and works as a school nurse. In her downtime, she loves hanging out with her children and husband in their Florida home.
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