Are There Hypoallergenic Dogs that Don’t Shed?

A very popular and common request heard coming from people in search of their perfect canine companion is that they wish for a dog who does not shed! Heavy shedders and even dogs with a moderate shed can cause havoc on our vacuum cleaners and our sinuses as we breathe in their floating hair follicles in the air. So what are some hypoallergenic dogs that don’t shed? You might be surprised by your variety of options. Let’s take a look!

Hypoallergenic Dogs Come in All Shapes and Sizes

The non-shedding dog breeds are also considered “hypoallergenic” in nature. They truly come in an assortment of sizes, shapes, and even instinctual drives. As these breeds were created for a variety of tasks from hunting to companionship, each one will come with his very own personality and quirks. Don’t judge a dog based on his coat type alone, though, as the breed under that hair is also vital to your new relationship being successful.

One of the most common non-shedding dog breeds is the Poodle. This dog comes in four (4) different sizes; the standard, the moyen, the miniature, and the toy. While they are all technically the same breed, their size can play a role in the instincts and drives that they carry with them. Over the years the smaller Poodles were being bred for their size, health, temperament, and their work ability has been virtually bred out of them.

The standard Poodle, however, may still carry with him the instincts to hunt and retrieve as his ancestors were created to do. This breed can have a variety of hair styles from the working dog cut to the show style, and very rarely some owners will allow their Poodle’s fur to become corded, in which it looks like dreadlocks!

Other common non-shedding breeds are:

• Maltese dogs are small and commonly white. They were bred specifically to be constant and loving little companions, charming humans with their sweet and playful personalities.
• Lhasa Apso dogs are another small dog breed that was bred to be both watch dogs and pets. Their personalities are often reserved towards strangers as they remain loyal to their owners.
• Schnauzers have a more wire coat than the soft long or curly hair as other long hair breeds. They also come in 4 sizes; giant, standard, miniature and toy.
• Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs that can weigh between 4 and 15 pounds as adults. Their silky fur is very fine, soft, and must be brushed at least daily to prevent tangles.
• Italian Greyhounds are a smaller breed than the Greyhound but looks almost incidental. Their very short, very thin coat means they virtually do not shed.

As you can see, your options are virtually limitless when it comes to dogs that don’t shed!

Choosing a Mixed Breed Hypoallergenic Dog

Aside from purebred dogs, there are purposefully bred mixed breeds that can also fit the bill of a non-shedding dog. These are typically dogs that have been crossed with a Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, or Shih Tzu. These dogs include but are not limited to the:

• Labradoodle
• Aussiedoodle
• Yorkie Poo
• Teddy Bear

These dogs all have the constantly growing hair that must be cut or clipped at some point, but most do not need it as often as their purebred parents. For example, a purebred Poodle may need to be clipped every 6 weeks while the Labradoodle can be allowed to be clipped only every 4 months. These mixed breeds tend to have a look of their very own that allows the owner to decide how they can look; shaggy or neatly clipped.

Grooming Hypoallergenic Dogs

Even with the slack in how often they need to get a hair cut, hypoallergenic dogs still need to be brushed every day. Dogs with this hair type that are not brushed often develop hard to deal with tangles and mats. When not taken care of, a mat or tangle can grow large quickly, pull the hair on the dog and cause rips in the skin.

Aside from that, the matted fur allows bacteria to infect the skin tears as well as fungus from built-up moisture to grow. This leads to a very painful and very dangerous situation for a dog, so daily brushing is a much needed preventative measure for the health of your non-shedding pet.

Other Considerations with Dogs that Don’t Shed

If you are considering a non-shedding breed for your next canine companion, consider the work that may be needed in his grooming as well as the other requirements for any breed you wish to bring home. Mixed breeds can have their own special requirements in comparison to purebreds. Consider your lifestyle and ability to care for hypoallergentic dogs before you make one your next best friend!

Do you know of any other hypoallergenic dogs that don’t shed? Drop a line below and let us know!