Hypoallergenic Dogs

The bichon frise is a small non-sporting dog breed with long, curly white hair that makes their dark eyes and nose pop. Many say bichons are fluffy like a cotton ball and resemble a “living stuffed animal.” These are peppy, people-oriented dogs that don’t like being left alone. One of their favorite spots will probably be snuggling in your lap.

The miniature schnauzer is a small terrier dog from Germany who was bred as a farm dog meant to exterminate vermin. Today, these hardy, feisty little dogs—bred down from the larger standard schnauzer—are favorites of allergy sufferers and apartment dwellers.

The West Highland white terrier, or Westie, is a small terrier dog breed from Scotland with a medium-length coat that’s typically pure white. Their dark, almond-shaped eyes and black nose pop against their white coat. This dog also has a muscular build with a deep chest, and their tail is fairly short and thick.

The Yorkshire terrier is a small toy dog breed from England, recognizable by its long, silky coat, often black and tan. Known as Yorkies, these dogs have tenacious yet affectionate personalities.

The Maltese is a small and affectionate toy dog breed that hails from the Mediterranean region and is known for its trademark silky, white fur that accentuates big, dark eyes. This can make for a charming lapdog, though they still need daily exercise.

Toy poodles, along with standard poodles and miniature poodles, are famously known for their proven excellence in dog shows. Their curly and voluminous coat in combination with a confident strut always seem to steal the show. The poodle originated in Germany but is the national dog of France.

The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee), also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, is a small, lively breed from Mexico with either a short-haired or hairless body in dark colors. The breed name is sometimes spelled Xoloitzcuintle. The Xolo (show-low), as it's affectionately known, comes in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Although the hairless variety is the most famous, the Xolo also exists in a coated variety. Coated Xoloitzcuintlis have a short, smooth coat covering their entire body. Hairless Xolos are completely bare-skinned, although they might have tufts of hair on their head, feet, and the end of the tail. Breeders may focus on one size or coat variety, but all sizes and coat types can appear in the same litter.

The poodle is an extremely smart, energetic, and friendly dog known for their signature curly coat and three size varieties: toy, miniature, and standard. Under the poodle's frilly, low-shedding coat is a powerful athlete and an overall wonderful companion. These dogs typically get along with people very well and can be trained in a variety of tasks, including work as service and therapy dogs.

The Lhasa apso is a small non-sporting dog breed from Tibet that has a long, silky coat, which is touted for being low-shedding. Some pet parents trim the coat short in what’s called a “puppy cut” for easier maintenance. The Lhasa apso’s eyes are typically dark and oval, and their tail curls over their back.

The Bedlington terrier is a small-sized and unique English dog breed that looks like a lamb with a touch of poodle. This dog is known for their lamb-like tufted face, pear-shaped head, curly coat, and gracefully arched back. Though unique and endearing, this is a rare breed, in part because of an inherited liver disease which impacted many of these dogs in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Scottish terrier is a small dog breed from Scotland distinguished by its medium-length, wiry coat with a signature beard and longer hair around its legs and lower body. They have a sturdy build and short legs, making them excellent at exterminating vermin. Scotties are often spunky, confident, and somewhat independent, yet remain loyal to their favorite humans.

The American hairless terrier, sometimes known as AHT, is a small- to medium-sized dog breed that's grown in popularity since its development in the 1970s. The dog is recognized for their usually hairless body, but they have eyebrows and whiskers, along with their signature erect, alert ears.

Maltese mixes are hybrid dogs that result from crossing a Maltese with another dog breed—like a Yorkshire terrier (morkie) or a dachshund (mauxie). Since designer dogs can inherit a mix of traits from both parents, they can be a bit of a wild card, both in terms of appearance and temperament. But, one thing is for certain: All Maltese mix dogs are adorable, good boys and girls who are guaranteed to enrich your life.

The Polish Lowland sheepdog—or PON, short for its Polish breed name Polski Owczarek Nizinny—is a popular Polish watchdog and livestock herder with a stocky build and thick, shaggy double-coat. Tenacious, lively, and confident, the PON needs a dedicated owner willing to deal with their stubborn training temperament and high-maintenance fur. Still, if you power through and give them the training, exercise, and grooming they need, they’ll be a fantastic companion and reliable worker suitable for many different homes.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized ancient working dog breed from Northern Italy with wooly, curly fur. They are prized for truffle hunting skills, but they can also make relatively laid-back and affectionate companions around the home.

The shih tzu–poodle mix, often referred to as a shih-poo, is a hybrid breed created by crossing the shih tzu with a poodle. The two smaller poodle varieties—toy and miniature poodles—are used to cross with the shih tzu, which is also a small breed. Standard poodles are not crossbred with shih tzu because mixing very large breeds with small breeds is a risky practice that can result in complications with the mother or puppies. With any crossbreed or mixed breed, physical traits and personality are highly variable, and each puppy or dog is an individual. Shih tzu–poodle mixes are generally small, weighing between 7 and 20 pounds on average, but other physical characteristics may vary wildly.

The Portuguese water dog is a medium-sized breed from Portugal known for its floppy ears and curly fur. These intelligent, energetic dogs have low-allergen coats, making them excellent pets for active owners with allergies. Portuguese Water Dogs are working dogs that quickly acquire training and obedience skills, making them great family pets and loving, friendly companions.

The Chinese crested is a small breed in the toy group that somewhat resembles the well-known Chihuahua, however, these native Chinese dogs have mostly hairless bodies with large poufs of hair on their heads, paws, and tails. Not many breeds turn more heads than this one thanks to its eye-catching appearance. About half of Chinese crested dogs are actually “powderpuffs," a variation of the breed that has fur throughout their bodies.

The Havanese is a toy breed and the national dog of Cuba. Their playful, affectionate personalities accompany good-natured temperaments and intelligence, making them lovely family dogs. Plus, they're quite cute, with round faces and floppy ears.

Miniature poodles are small, non-sporting dogs with curly hair that originated in Germany. They’re one of three sizes of poodles, along with standard (the largest) and toy (the smallest).