best hypoallergenic dogs for apartments
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.
The Best Hypoallergenic Apartment Dogs: All Shapes and Sizes
Before we look at the best hypoallergenic dogs for apartments, there are some fantastic benefits to having these furry friends around.
Cleaning
You might assume welcoming a dog into your home means also welcoming in the extra mess. However, when you choose the best hypoallergenic dog for apartment living, you wont have to worry about cleaning up fur and dander all the time.
Hypoallergenic dogs are both low drooling and low shedding. So, youll be spending less time wiping up slobber,, and the vacuum wont be working overtime as it would with other breeds.
Companionship
Living in an apartment can get lonely if you have no one else to talk to, and dogs are great company for an emotional and physical connection. They provide endless entertainment and love that can brighten anyones day!
They provide health benefits too, by bringing positive energy into your home, which can alleviate feelings of depression. Knowing your furry best friend is waiting for you each day is the best way to feel the love.
You can also make new friends with your canine companion, in the dog park, or even during walkies! Youll find you have something new to talk about with people, which could start a new friendship over shared interests.
Protection
Even if you have one of the smallest apartment hypoallergenic dogs, their presence alone is enough to deter unwanted visitors to your home. In fact, some say dogs are better than hi-tech security alarm systems. With their amazing sense of hearing, they will bark if they think something isnt right, which can help ward off any potential danger. Burglars are much less likely to break into a home that has a dog, so whats stopping you?
22 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds in 2021
Hypoallergenic dogs are great for dog lovers that need a dog that doesnt shed as often. People think that hypoallergenic dogs will completely end allergic reactions. But, they actually limit them with a low to non-shedding coat found on specific dogs.
What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?
A hypoallergenic dog is a breed of dog that is less likely to trigger a allergies.
Typically a hypoallergenic dog has a low to non-shedding coat that produces less dander and stops hair from shedding off them and into your home.
It is worth saying that these dogs still have some dander in their coat that causes allergic reactions.
Dander is one of the primary causes of allergies, however, saliva and urine are also none triggers that can cause sensitive people to get sneezing.
Although these dogs may be better for people with allergies if you have severe allergies there may not be any breed that you are compatible with.
Before deciding on any dog you should talk to your doctor to get more information on this subject.
Even if you are able to, you should still spend time with the breed you want to get before bringing one home.
How Do I Find The Right Dog For Me?
This depends on your living situation and what you want in a dog. When deciding which dog you should get you should consider these things. Where you live, if you have young children, and how active you want to be.
Families
If you have young children you might want to get a bigger/more confident dog. This is because many small dogs get frightened when with young children. This can then cause aggression in the dog out of protection of themself.
Activity
If you want a dog that you can run with or play around with, you should look for a more energetic dog. If you want a dog that you can cuddle with, you should get a smaller, calmer dog
Living Situation
If you live in an apartment a smaller dog might be a better option. In small living spaces like apartments can be hard for a big active dog and can also lead to destruction.
If you live in a house a larger dog makes sense because the dog has room to run around and be active. Also, in a home, the dogs have a yard to play in and burn some of their extra energy.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SMALL HYPOALLERGENIC DOGS
Before we get into our list if you are interested in specifically small hypoallergenic dogs check out our video!
What Are The Best Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Poodle
Poodles are a French breed that are recurring winners in dog contests all over the world. They are often seen as graceful, smart, and also quite easy to train.
They are also very trainable and have a reputation for being easy to house train. The Poodle is also friendly with all other animals and humans, including strangers.
They are very athletic and can compete on a professional level very well, yet they can also be very calm. Due to their ability to learn things easily and adapt, if you want to, you could train your poodle to be more of a house pet.
These dogs also make great pets for first time dog owners.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are English dogs that are part of the Toy breed. They dont play nice with other animals. This terrier is also not good for families with young children. Though they are small, they are still very energetic and active.
Also, this type of hypoallergenic dog tends to keep to themself. This independence is what makes them perfect for apartment living. They can manage on their own and they are small enough that they cant cause much damage.
Miniature Schnauzer
This German Terrier Breed dog is a small obedient dog that has a beautiful coat of fur. They are very alert dogs and are ideal for families. These terriers are good with other pets and dont get too aggressive.
As well as, being good with children. But, you should not leave them unsupervised due to their high energy levels.
This Schnauzer is often described as alert, fearless dogs, but they are very obedient. Also, these are great dogs for apartments. But, they will bark a lot which could be disruptive to any neighbors.
Shih Tzu
This Chinese Toy Breed Dog is very lively, even with its size they are very outgoing and energetic. Yet, they still prefer being held in your lap over getting crazy outside.
Be careful when feeding a Shih Tzu. If you dont make them eat the right food, they will become picky eaters
They need much attention and have a very high barking tendency as many dogs do. This is not due to a lack of intelligence. Shih Tzus are known to be some of the smartest dogs and are also very adaptable to new environments.
This hypoallergenic dog is also a great apartment dog.
Havanese
This Cuban Toy Breed Dog is a small loving companion that is perfect for people that live in apartments. The Havanese dogs have the smoothest fur if you groom them often. Havanese dogs also dont bark as much as some of the other mentioned breeds.
These dogs are very friendly with other dogs and children making it an ideal family dog. This is a result of their very affectionate and playful personality.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier dog is a medium-sized smart terrier and a very capable watchdog. They have a high tendency to bark which is good if you are looking for a hypoallergenic watchdog.
As the name would suggest, this dog has a super smooth coat that feels like silk to the touch.
This dog is good with children and other dogs, yet, they do not get along well with cats. They need lots of activity and should always be walked with caution on a leash.
Due to its playful nature and its disliking of cats, this dog will charge at other cats if it sees one.
Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is part of the Working breed group and has always been an active dog. They are friendly with children, other dogs, cats, but they are suspicious of strangers.
Be careful of this dog playing with toddlers, they can sometimes get too playful.
These dogs dont tend to bark much, but they do need attention from other people and pets. These dogs are very adaptable and open to doing any activity to get outside or have fun with their owners.
Bichon Frise
This Spanish-French Non-Sporting hypoallergenic dog is very affectionate and great to cuddle with. This dog is small and loves cuddling with their owners. These dogs are also great with strangers.
But, with children, they can get scared and it might turn into aggression.
The Bichon is lively and playful, but they dont tend to get angry or scared with other animals. These dogs can be calm, but its all in the training. You must walk them a lot and teach them not to bite or bark too much.
West Highland White Terrier
These Scottish Terriers are lively animals that dont do well in small environments. These dogs love running around and getting messy playing around outside.
Unlike most other small dogs, this Terrier doesnt want you to spend too much time holding them. Also, these dogs have a unique coat that mud brushes off of easy.
Although, these dogs have a need to run around and enjoy the outdoors. They love being a part of a family and living indoors with the company of many other people. Without interaction with others, these dogs get quite sad and lonely.
Maltese
This Toy breed dog from Malt is the opposite of the former dog on this list. This dog loves when you cuddle with it and hold it in your lap. Although it loves you to hold them, you must let this dog express itself and teach it how to do fun tricks.
The Maltese have the same issue with young children as many other small dogs on this list. When this dog is playing with a young child it might get frightened and snap.
But, they are super friendly with other dogs and cats. This dog is perfect for single people or couples living in an apartment.
Airedale Terrier
This English Terrier is one of the most intelligent terriers. And, this is the biggest dog of the terrier breed. Yet, with their intelligence and size they dislike other dogs and cats.
They get very aggressive with other animals, especially if they are of the same gender. On the flip side, these dogs love humans and do great in a family environment.
This dog loves playing games and getting rambunctious. They need much exercise and can cause trouble around the house if they dont get that.
These dogs are also great watchdogs. This could be because of their high energy levels and their territorial mindset.
Basenji
Basenjis are fantastic little hypoallergenic dogs. They are incredibly unique for a few different things.
First of all, they dont bark at all; they occasionally make a quiet sound that could only best be described as a squeak; in that way, they are perfect apartment dogs.
They are on the smaller side and are super active; if you arent prepared to take a dog on a walk or a run every day, you probably should look into a less active breed.
They are quite mischievous and act a lot like cats; be prepared for a fun, active, energetic lifestyle with your new pup!
Border Terrier
Border Terriers are small dogs that dont shed. They only stand a foot tall on average, and only weigh around 15 pounds.
They are known for having an otter head, said because of the shape of their head. They come in all different colors; there are some that are grey, red, blue, tan, or black.
Even though they are small, they are known to be extremely hard workers and will tackle any task that is asked of them.
They are intelligent and can learn tricks from their youth. They do well in a city or in an apartment but also need a fair amount of exercise.
Chinese Crested Dogs
Chinese Crested Dogs are best known for being hairless hypoallergenic dogs except for their heads; however, there are different varieties of this dog that can have hair. Either way, they do not shed.
They are also extremely small; this dog averages nine pounds and stands only one foot tall on average. They do have long lives; many of them live for more than 18 years.
The hairless variety has smooth skin; though many people dont prefer this type of dog, there are others who love a hairless dog since they are easy to care for.
They also are practically odorless and dont make a mess with their fur.
Irish Water Spaniel
The closest comparison that can be made to an Irish Water Spaniel is a Poodle. This breed of dog stands around 24 inches tall and usually weighs around 60 pounds.
Their curly hair makes them incredibly adorable and desirable as it doesnt ever shed. They are fluffy and look like a teddy bear, much like a Goldendoodle.
They are also known for their strong ability to swim; they are champions among dogs. Their coat is completely waterproof, so upon exiting the water, they remain nearly dry. They are ideal companions for someone with the time to exercise with them.
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest breeds of the modern dog that exists. They are known for being extremely loyal dogs, and for being incredibly obedient to their owners. They can get up to 50 pounds and stand tall at 26 inches on average.
They have a thick, flowing coat of hair thats known both for its beauty and for its usefulness; these dogs used to live primarily in mountains with harsh climates.
The hypoallergenic dog is built for a long days hunt; they are strong and can last all day working hard and doing whatever their owner asks of them.
Affenpinscher
These cute, small dogs are known for being fearless and being willing to take on any dog that comes their way. They are short and small; they average only nine inches tall and weigh between seven and ten pounds.
They are known for being stubborn and for doing what they want; some people say that they are impossible to really train and that as their owner the most you can do is be their friend and let them do what they want.
Even so, they are friendly dogs and are not able to get into too much trouble because of their size.
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is similar to the Irish Water Spaniel in the sense that they both look similar to poodles and are often compared to teddy bears. However, they do differ in some key respects.
The biggest difference between the two dogs is size; a Lagotto Romagnolo will not get bigger than 30 pounds. They are covered in thick, wooly hair that doesnt shed at all. The hair on them acts more like human hair than like fur.
Even though they are cute and cuddly looking, they are extremely hard workers and can work an entire day without getting tired.
Bolognese
Not to be confused with the food, the Bolognese is a tiny, fluffy hypoallergenic dog known for being a fantastic apartment dog. This dog is usually somewhere between 5 and 8 pounds; they remain tiny for their entire lives.
They are very calm and dont need to get too much exercise; they are great for someone seeking companionship without too much responsibility.
They are very devoted to their owners and generally get along great with strangers. They are not difficult to care for, but they do suffer from separation anxiety and should not be left alone for long periods of time.
Barbet
The Barbet is a rustic, ancient breed of water dog from France. They are extremely athletic and were used in the past to help find and track birds during hunting season. They are covered in curly hair and have a very distinct beard.
They are known for being cheerful dogs and are generally friendly to everyone they meet.
They are calm and easy to live with, but they do need to have their exercise needs met. They do well in apartments and do well just staying at home, despite the fact that they can exercise all day when they need to.
Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier is one of the largest terrier dogs that exist. They are famous for their incredible blue coat, which is hypoallergenic and extremely soft. They stand around 20 inches tall and generally weigh 30 to 35 pounds.
They were once known for being farm dogs; they did whatever needed to be done and would even work as sheepdogs if necessary. Now, they make great family pets and watchdogs; they are very alert.
They look fluffy because of their fur but actually have strong, muscular bodies that need to get exercise daily. They make beautiful, loyal companions and friends.
7 More Hypoallergenic Poodle Mixes
One thing that you must know about mixes before we begin listing them off is that you need to get a puppy that inherits the right traits.
Poodles are hypoallergenic, but many of the breeds they get crossed with are not. If your mixed breed gets the genetics of a Poodle, they may be hypoallergenic.
Beware of breeders that say their dogs are 100% hypoallergenic because no-one can guarantee this information!
These dogs are pretty new to the scene, as many mixes are, and therefore it is hard to predict how some of these breeds are as they dont have much history to judge from.
This breed is the mix of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, two great parents. Bernedoodles are energetic, affectionate dogs that are known to be gentle.
They are also known to be a bit stubborn as puppies which can make them a bit difficult to train.
Take your time with them and over time this usually fades out of their personality.
Just because they are a bit stubborn as a puppy that doesnt mean they arent smart. These dogs are actually quite intelligent!
These dogs are not suited to be left alone for long periods of time. They need attention and should be included in the activities with you and your family.
This breed is a mix between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle, creating an adorable, playful mix.
These dogs are also highly athletic and energetic thanks to their Old English Sheepdog Herding parent. With that, there might be a herding tendency that you will have to train out of your dog.
Thankfully, these dogs are very intelligent because they have two intelligent parents. This makes them easy to train which is always nice to have when they are puppies.
These dogs are also very affectionate and loyal with an amazing ability to make connections with their owners.
But this level of affection and loyalty means they arent great dogs to leave alone for long and want to spend tons of time with you.
They are kind to people, other dogs, and even kids. Of course, make sure that you are getting them socialization at a young age to ensure this remains true.
This breed is a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. They are also a very popular family dog.
They arent a good guard dog though as their friendly nature means they are likely to meet everyone with a smile looking for pets!
These dogs are playful and affectionate to the point of getting separation anxiety if they dont see you for a long time.
Dont let into their velcro nature too much, make sure your train them on how to be alone. If you dont you may come home to a torn up couch!
Fortunately, they have the intelligence to learn anything you want to teach them and they are pretty easy to train as well.
Maltipoo
This Maltipoo is a cross between two hypoallergenic breeds the Maltese and Poodle. Specifically the Toy or Miniature Poodle variations.
Although they have a coat that sheds very little they still need daily brushing to keep it look great and of course, untangled.
They have lots of love to go around and are typically gentle with adults, but if you have young children this breed isnt recommended.
Small dogs are difficult to have with young children as they are very delicate and might snap if they get hurt.
They are without a doubt going to bark a lot, which makes them a good watch dog, but maybe not the best apartment dog.
Thankfully, they are intelligent like their parents and are easy to train so reducing their barking is possible.
These dogs typically have a light colored coat, cream, silver, or white. But they are known to have a variety of colors
Schnoodle
This forever happy dog breed is a mix of the Poodle and the Schnauzer!
Typically, they are bred with the Toy or Miniature Schnauzer, but some have been known to breed them with larger Schnauzers.
The smaller Schnoodles are known to be happy-go-lucky dogs that are extremely loyal and independent. With that comes a bit of stubbornness, but they are still quite smart.
Although Schnoodles have plenty of love for the whole family they are known to pick a favorite and love them the most!
They will need plenty of exercise and they are companion dogs so you should prepare for lots of play time! Playing fun games with toys and exercising outdoors are exciting activities for the Schnoodle, and they need them too.
One thing you should know about Large Schnoodles is that they have a different temperament than the small Schnoodles.
Large Schnoodles are much more feisty than the smaller Schnoodles and are definitely not for first-time dog owners. They will require a veteran dog owner that can tame their wild temperament.
This breed is a mix of the majestic red-coated Irish Setter and the Poodle.
Two very friendly and intelligent dogs, mixed together to make a, well, friendly and intelligent mixed dog!
In a common display of behavior for Poodle mixes, this breed is quite calm, provided you are getting them enough exercise.
The Irish Doodle has a high level of intelligence which makes this breed easier to train, and they have a desire to please their owners.
These dogs dont do well when left alone, whether it is destructive behavior or making an escape from the house you are both better off spending time together.
What really sets this mixed breed apart from the others is their ability to inherit the red color from the Irish Setter with the Poodles curly coat.
Labradoodle
You cant mention Poodle mixes without mentioning the Labradoodle! This breed is a mix of the very popular Labrador Retriever and the Poodle.
These are smart dogs that need a lot of mental stimulation to stay happy. This means play time, training and other outdoor exercise.
These dogs are also very loving and have a good relationship with other dogs, pets, and people. This is of course a breed generalization and good socialization/training at a young age is still vital to them acting kind towards others.
In addition to their intelligence, they are quite playful and will enjoy playing games with the family.
All in all, this breed tends to have a lot of love in their heart that they will try to spread to whoever is near them.
Altogether, these dogs can be great for first-time dog owners because of their good nature, intelligence, and other factors.
Final Thoughts
If you want to have a furry companion, but cant stop sneezing when you are around dog fur than these are the dogs for you.
These dogs will not stop the allergies you have when around dogs. They will only limit the frequency of your allergies because they dont shed as much as other dogs.
Resources:
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/hypoallergenic-dogs/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-choose-the-right-dog-1117320
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/what-does-hypoallergenic-mean
