best hypoallergenic dogs for therapy

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.

11 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Make Fantastic Service Dogs

11 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Make Fantastic Service Dogs

May 27, 2016 By Ben B. 19 Comments

Hypoallergenic service dogs are in high demand these days. It makes sense when you think about it. What happens when a person who is allergic to dogs actually needs a service dog? Most service dog breeds are NOT hypoallergenic, the Lab and Golden Retriever being the most common. So what is a person with dog allergies to do?

Well, more and more, hypoallergenic service dogs are being trained to help people who need it but who just cant be around the common service dog breeds. And the two breeds that are being used the most are the Poodle and Labradoodle.

Hypoallergenic Service Dogs The Best of Both Worlds

The Poodle and the Labradoodle are the two major players in the world of service dogs for people with allergies. They picked these breeds for two major reasons. They are incredibly smart, and they are incredibly friendly. Both of these hypoallergenic dog breeds are shed-free, making them hypoallergenic, and both of these breeds are highly intelligent and eager to please, which puts them in prime service dog real estate.

Poodle

The Poodle has long been recognized as one of the smartest dogs on the planet. In addition to their impressive intelligence, they are extremely friendly, eager to please, and a quite hardy breed. All of that together makes them an excellent breed for service dog work. Their intelligence, friendliness, and size make them as capable of doing the work that any other Lab or Golden would do.

Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is another top pick for hypoallergenic service dogs. Labradoodles are cross breeds of Labrador Retrievers and Poodles. This gives them a unique personality that is well suited to service dog work. Their Poodle side gives them excellent intelligence and training potential while their Labrador side gives them an exuberant personality that is a joy to be around.

Other Hypoallergenic Service Dogs

Due to their larger size, the Poodle and Labradoodle are the most common hypoallergenic service dogs, doing the same work that Labs and Retrievers do. I would, however, be remiss if I didnt include at least a run down of the other hypoallergenic dog breeds used for some form of service work. Some of these dogs do similar work to their larger counterparts while others are more in the companion category.

Hypoallergenic Service Dogs Helping Without Hurting

There are people out there who need a service dog but dont have one because of their allergies. Luckily, this has become more and more at the forefront of animal service thinking, and hypoallergenic service dogs are becoming more and more common. The Labradoodle and the Poodle are the most common, because their intelligence, friendliness, size, and lack of shedding give them the ability to do all the work of more common service dogs without exposing people to allergens.

Do you have any of these hypoallergenic service dogs? Share your experiences below?

• A former Veterinary Assistant at Southwest Animal Care Hospital, Ben is an animal lover, blogger, and all-around geek. Along with writing for DogVills, Ben runs his own virtual assistant company, BizzyBim.

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How to pick a service dog - Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

• What is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
• How to Choose the Right Hypoallergenic DogforYou
• How much do Hypoallergenic Dogs cost?
• What are the worst dog breeds for people with allergies?
• The best hypoallergenic dog breeds
  • 1. BichonFrise- these will make a great, friendly companion dog. They dont shedunless it is stick in their undercoat. Therefore, they should be brushed and groomed regularly.
  • 2. Basenji these dogs are known as the Bark-lessDogs, which of course makesthem great Hypoallergenic Dogs.They also have short hair, causing them to shed less.
  • 3.Bedlington Terrier- these dogs have a unique, curly coat that doesnt shed.But it does grow fast, so it requires grooming regularly.
  • 4. Affenpinscher-these adorable, toy-sized dogs have low-maintenance coatswhichdont shed regularly.
  • 5.Chinese Crested-only some of these dogs have hair, and the coats they have dont shed. Therefore, they of course make good hypoallergenic dogs.
  • 6.Labradoodle- these dogs' coats produce very little dander, making it a great hypoallergenic dog. They're also supercute!
  • 7.Irish Water Spaniel- these are some of the largest hypoallergenic dog breeds there is, which could be ideal for some people(Peoplein need of a Service Dog for mobilityassistance).
  • 8. Xoloitzcuintli-this dog breed may be hard to pronounce, but they can make great hypoallergenic dogs. They come in different sizes and can be hairless or coated. The hairless ones, of course, dont shed and the coated ones shed very little. The hairless ones do require special skincare though.
  • 9. Poodles- these are excellent hypoallergenic dogs as they dont shed much at all. They are a great size and great companion or Service Dog.
• What are the Best Hypoallergenic Service Dog Breeds?

You may think because of allergies that you will never be able to have a pet dog or a Service Dog, but thats not always the case.No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but there is a large amount of dog breeds that are suitable for people withallergies.Here are some things you should know when thinking about buying a hypoallergic dog!

What is a Hypoallergenic Dog?

Dogs secrete a protein in their saliva, urine, and skinthat some people are sensitive to.All dogs will have this protein, but the hypoallergenic dogs are just less allergenic to people.Therefore, they dont shed or shed very little, which makes it less likely for allergies to be triggered.Depending on the severity of your allergies, even some hypoallergenic breeds could cause an allergy attack.This is whyit is important to do research about each breed before deciding on a breed.

How to Choose the Right Hypoallergenic DogforYou

There are a few things you should take into considerationwhen deciding.

There are breeds that shed a lot less than others, likeBichonFriseorLhasaApso.Mainly, smaller, short-haired dogs are going to shed a lot lessand be the best hypoallergenic dog breeds.Always keep this in mind.

You should try your best to get a pure breed dog. With mixed breeds, one breed could be less hypoallergenic than the other and could shed more, therefore you arent certain about what you will get. With a pure breed, you will know ifthis dog is going to shed a lot or not. Always do a lot of research about the specific breedyou'rethinking about.

Aim for a calm dog breed, as dogs that bark a lot will secrete a lot of saliva into the air which contains the protein that can be sensitive to some people.

Do you have a suitable living space for your dog to live in? Do you have the time to take care of a dog? Do you have the time to look after and train a dog, or a Service Dog? These are all things you must take into consideration.

It is also recommended you discuss with your doctor which breed would be best for you, or if you should even get a dog.

It can be a good idea to spend time with a dog that you considering buying before you take it home. If you can stay with this dog for longer than 30 minutes if being in contact, thats a good sign that this dog could be for you!

Again, every dog contains thisprotein,and every dog could cause an allergy for someone, but there is always a chance that you will find a hypoallergenic dog suitable for you and your allergies.

How much do Hypoallergenic Dogs cost?

The cost of your hypoallergenic dog will depend on the breed. Some can cost as little as $500, whereas others can be as expensive as $5000.

You should always shop around before deciding, as some breeders will up their prices for no reason.

What are the worst dog breeds for people with allergies?

If your allergic to dogs, your allergic to their saliva or their dander, or even both. Some dogs drool or bark more than others, spreading more saliva.

Dogs that drool a lot include:

Bulldogs

Saint Bernards

Bloodhound

Newfoundland

Bull Mastiff

Boxer

Great Danes

And many more.

Dogs that shed a lot include:

Shiba Inu

Siberian Husky

GermanShepherds

ChowChow

Corgi

Labrador Retriever

Bernese Mountain Dog

Alaskan Husky

Akita

And many more.

The dogs listed above may not be suitable for people with dog allergies.

The best hypoallergenic dog breeds

1. BichonFrise- these will make a great, friendly companion dog. They dont shedunless it is stick in their undercoat. Therefore, they should be brushed and groomed regularly.

2. Basenji these dogs are known as the Bark-lessDogs, which of course makesthem great Hypoallergenic Dogs.They also have short hair, causing them to shed less.

3.Bedlington Terrier- these dogs have a unique, curly coat that doesnt shed.But it does grow fast, so it requires grooming regularly.

4. Affenpinscher-these adorable, toy-sized dogs have low-maintenance coatswhichdont shed regularly.

5.Chinese Crested-only some of these dogs have hair, and the coats they have dont shed. Therefore, they of course make good hypoallergenic dogs.

6.Labradoodle- these dogs' coats produce very little dander, making it a great hypoallergenic dog. They're also supercute!

7.Irish Water Spaniel- these are some of the largest hypoallergenic dog breeds there is, which could be ideal for some people(Peoplein need of a Service Dog for mobilityassistance).

8. Xoloitzcuintli-this dog breed may be hard to pronounce, but they can make great hypoallergenic dogs. They come in different sizes and can be hairless or coated. The hairless ones, of course, dont shed and the coated ones shed very little. The hairless ones do require special skincare though.

9. Poodles- these are excellent hypoallergenic dogs as they dont shed much at all. They are a great size and great companion or Service Dog.

What are the Best Hypoallergenic Service Dog Breeds?

The most common hypoallergenic service dogs arePoodles!They are known as one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world!They will make especially greatD.A.Ds (Diabetic Alert Dog)and for people thatstruggle with vision/hearing impairments.Same withLabradoodles.These are the most recommended service dogs for people with allergies!