what is the calmest hypoallergenic dog

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.

9 Calm Dog Breeds

The American Kennel Club recognizes many breeds, and each possesses a purpose-bred set of physical and behavioral characteristics. Purebred dogs within each of the seven AKC breed groups are expected to conform to a particular breed standard.One of the more identifiable elements of a canine breed standard istemperament. Temperament has been defined as an animals personality, makeup, disposition, or nature.

TheAKC Breed Temperament Guideexplains the standard for each breed, determined by dogs natural predispositions to react a certain way to stimuli such as smells, sounds, or objects. Calm dog breeds are expected to maintain composure in certain situations. Theyre able to react to stimuli in a measured way, often without growling, lunging, or showing signs of stress. These ten calm dog breeds thrive in environments with children, in medical environments as therapy dogs, or even working with other animals as herders or guardians.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Dating back to Renaissance times, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for their prestigious nobility and gentle demeanor. Bred through generations of royals like King Charles I and his son Charles II, their sweet expression and round eyes make them hard to resist. Their faces may even help Cavaliers communicate more effectively with their owners.

Due to their welcoming disposition, the Cavalier makes a great therapy dog. Enrolling your Cavalier in socialization and training classes will allow for a well-mannered companion that does well in a variety of social situations. This breed does well in a home with children or multiple family members. Cavaliers love being lap dogs, but they do enjoy exercise, owing in part to their shared heritage with Sporting spaniels.

Boerboel

The burlyBoerboel dates back to the Dutch, German, and Huguenot settlers of South Africa during the mid-1600s. Boer (Dutch for farmer) referred to migrants arriving in the southernmost country in Africa. Boers were originally dedicated to protecting the homestead and large guard dogs like bull and mastiff types often stood by their side.

Interbreeding of the two larger groups resulted in the Boerboel or farmers dog. These protectors had to establish friend versus foe and became known for their calm disposition with children. While this loyal and intelligent breed does well with younger individuals, its important to note that Boerboels arent recommended for newer dog owners.

Bergamasco Sheepdog

Bergamasco Sheepdogs can be traced back to the town of Bergamo, near Milan. Centuries ago, they were used to help expertly maneuver across rocky terrain in the Italian Alps. On these mountain excursions, the Bergamasco was bright, loyal, and protective. These traits still ring true, as this breed is among the more calm dog breeds. However, they may take some warming up around strangers.

They are extremely intelligent and want to understand why theyre instructed to perform a task. In their past on the rocky slopes of the Italian Alps, Bergamasco Sheepdogs helped protect their handlers from dangerous predators. The recognizable flocked coat of the Bergamasco requires surprisingly little grooming, making them a good low-maintenance breed.

Tibetan Spaniel

Tibetan Spaniels (Tibbies) were historic companions of Buddhist monks. The breed was a watchdog and worked atop Tibetan monasteries. Tibbies also provided warmth during frigid nights in the Himalayan Mountains.

From its origin, this calm dog breed was expected to portray a gentle demeanor. Through the centuries, standard traits grew to include easiness-to-please, independence, and intelligence. Tibbies gentle yet playful temperaments make them worthy competitors in dog sports like agility, AKC Rally, and obedience.

Irish Wolfhound

The enormousIrish Wolfhound was the result of breeding between larger dogs of Britain to Middle Eastern hounds. By the 15th century, the Irish countryside was overrun by wolves and Irish Wolfhounds hunted these predators almost to the point of extinction. Irish Wolfhounds even earned the honor of their own legend, a tale of loyalty called Gelert, the Faithful Hound.

Due to their incredible intelligence, Irish Wolfhounds learn quickly. They are both calm and sensitive to the emotions of humans, making them qualified for a wide range of therapy work.

Basset Hound

Standing no more than 14 inches, the Basset Hound originated in France and Belgium. The word basset is French for low. The breed came about when Franciscans of the Abbey of St. Hubert began breeding older French hounds to create the breed known today as the Basset Hound.

They have proven to be very independent and because of this, may be tricky to train. These hounds have been praised for following scents without any sense of distraction and remaining calm while doing so. This breed can develop a loyal partnership with their owners through training, but this will take persistence and patience. Once theyre trained, these lovable dogs will accomplish your needs and remain by your side, often content to snooze on the sofa.

Clumber Spaniel

Known for being great hunters and loyal companions, Clumber Spaniels are among the calmer breeds in the Sporting Group. In the 1700s in Nottinghamshire, England, a burly flushing spaniel was bred for the Clumber Park estate, and thus the Clumber was born.

Being members of the upper crest of society and originating through the aid of royals, Clumbers are esteemed housemates. This breed is reliable and loves to think thoroughly through any decisions. Like any breed, they would thrive from training, but they are very affectionate and have a strong sense of dedication to their work.

Pekingese

The regal Pekingese comes from China and is even said by some to have been created by Buddha. Outgoing and friendly, Pekes are extremely loving and have the personality to show it. Pekes build strong bonds with their owners, but can also be very independent. Its important to note that Pekes would do well in a home without children, as they will adapt to children, but may not prefer them. For those that earn the respect of this loyal breed, the Pekingese is one of the more calm, affectionate, and kind of all canine companions.

Saint Bernard

Dating back to the year 1050 in the snow-covered slopes of the Alps, Saint Bernards helped hospice monks locate dead or missing travelers. Though the breed is incredibly large in stature, they are genial in disposition. Though they may have never carried brandy barrels, Saints have been known to carry a friendly smile as a result of their wrinkled brows.

Saint Bernards benefit tremendously from training classes as these dogs can knock people over, especially children. Kind, with big hearts, Saints will learn quickly to respond to commands and obey their humans. These gentle giants would fit best with families that can devote a lot of time to them, as they love being with their owners.