While no dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic, there are many breeds which the American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests people with allergies consider. Most of these breeds have non-shedding coats, which produce less dander. It’s the dander and saliva not the hair which causes most pet allergies.
For those who can’t do without the joy of a canine companion but want to keep their allergies at bay, the AKC suggests they consider the following breeds:
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Maltese
- Poodles (Toy, Miniature or Standard)
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Schnauzer (Miniature, Standard or Giant)
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Xoloitzcuintli
“These breeds may be just what the doctor ordered for people with allergies,” says Lisa Peterson, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club. “There are a variety of sizes, energy levels and temperaments, yet all are well-established in their coat type. Dogs that are AKC registered have pedigrees reaching back often hundreds of years and so the characteristics that make them better companions for allergy suffers are fixed through decades of breeding for consistent type.”
Pet owners should prep the home to be more allergy-friendly when it comes to keeping allergens at bay. Measures that help include removing carpets, heavy drapes and upholstered furniture that trap dander, washing pet beds often, and frequent grooming of the dog, according to Diane Morgan’s new book Sneeze-Free Breeds: Allergy Management & Breed Selection for the Allergic Dog Lover (t.f.h, 2006).
Before you buy any dog, research the breed to make sure its needs fit your lifestyle.
For more information on hypoallergenic breeds visit the AKC website at http://www.akc.org/about/faq_allergies.cfm
© 2007 The American Kennel Club, Inc.
