While no dog is truly hypoallergenic, numerous breeds have appeared over the centuries that have provided some sensitive individuals an opportunity for irritation-free pet ownership. Today, “hypoallergenic” breeds come in all sizes and from every walk of life; so you will likely be able to find a breed that suits your preferences and lifestyle. However, as discussed below, a hypoallergenic breed does not provide any guarantees to allergy sufferers and we recommend speaking with a doctor, or at least spending some time with the breed, before making the commitment to dog ownership.
Understanding Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Hypoallergenic dogs are generally low-shedding, though that doesn’t mean they’re allergen-free. While most allergy sufferers experience fewer signs with a “hypoallergenic” dog, they still produce the main proteins, or “antigens”, responsible for allergies, Can f 1 and Can f 2. Hypoallergenic dogs cause fewer allergy symptoms because although they produce the same number of allergens, they don’t release them in shed fur. Allergens primarily appear in dog dander, hair, and saliva. As dogs shed, skin and hair float around the room, irritating anyone with a sensitivity that comes into contact with them.
The 22 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
1. Poodle
| Origin | ~1400s–1500s, Germany |
| Lifespan | 10–18 years |
| Height | <10 – >15 inches (depending on size) |
The Poodle comes in three sizes; toy, miniature, and standard. They are prominent among hypoallergenic breeds and the foundation for the designer dog craze involving fashionable, often low-shedding crosses like Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, and Cavapoos. Although their curly coats and fancy show cuts get most of the attention, they also bring intelligence and athleticism that make their hybrids more irresistible.
2. Afghan Hound
| Origin | ~4000 B.C., Middle East |
| Lifespan | 12–18 years |
| Height | 25–27 inches |
The elegant look that makes the silky-haired Afghan Hound a showstopper in conformation also puts them among the top choices for allergy sufferers. They originated as hunting dogs and status symbols in the ancient Middle-East. The Afghan Hound is an independent, high-energy, and aloof dog that requires a highly experienced owner to be obedient and socially well-mannered.
3. Airedale Terrier
| Origin | 1800s, England |
| Lifespan | 11–14 years |
| Height | 23 inches |
With all the Terrier scrappiness in an oversized body, the Airedale Terrier had much more to offer their blue-collar owners when they first appeared in the 19th century. The versatile workers made suitable guardians, hunters, companions, and, of course, vermin exterminators.
4. Portuguese Water Dog
| Origin | ~700 B.C.–400 A.D., Portugal |
| Lifespan | 11–13 years |
| Height | 17–23 inches |
The Portuguese Water Dog’s origin story and journey to Iberia are mysterious, but what is certain is their affinity for swimming. The double-coated waterproof dog was traditionally a fisherman’s aide, helping to corral fish and retrieve stock and equipment from the water.
5. Bergamasco
| Origin | ~3000 B.C.–0 A.D., Italy |
| Lifespan | 13–15 years |
| Height | 22–23.5 inches |
The Bergamasco has a long lineage dating thousands of years to ancient Iran (called Persia at the time). As nomadic populations expanded and settled across Europe, the dogs found a new role as sheep tenders in the Italian Alps, where the modern breed took shape.
6. Kerry Blue Terrier
| Origin | ~1500s–1600s, Ireland |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Height | 17.5–19.5 inches |
There is a legend that the Kerry Blue Terrier originated from the Spanish Armada of the 1500s. Many believe shipwrecks off the Irish coasts brought several new dogs to the Emerald Isle. They mated with the pre-existing Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, resulting in the ancestor of modern Kerry Blue Terriers.
7. Lagotto Romagnolo
| Origin | ~1600s, Italy |
| Lifespan | 15–17 years |
| Height | 16–19 inches |
The Lagotto Romagnolo likely evolved from small Etruscan dogs dating to roughly the 7th century B.C. The curly-haired water dog was originally a hunter’s helper, a marshland retriever, before transitioning to the unexpected role of truffle-hunter, using their sharp nose to sniff out valuable mushrooms.
8. Brussels Griffon (Wire-Haired)
| Origin | 1800s, Belgium |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Height | 7–10 inches |
The Brussels Griffon emerged in Brussels, Belgium, in the early 1800s from crosses of Pugs and English Toy Spaniels. Originally a ratter, the toy breed became a chic accessory for nobles and elites by the end of the 19th century.
9. Coton de Tulear
| Origin | ~1400s, Madagascar |
| Lifespan | 15–19 years |
| Height | 9–11 inches |
Bichon-type dogs were well-traveled bartering aides and companions for centuries around the Mediterranean. New breeds would appear all over, each named for the isolated region where they took shape.
10. Lhasa Apso
| Origin | ~800 B.C., Tibet |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Height | 10–11 inches |
The Lhasa Apso is thought to have existed since 800 B.C. Though small, Tibetan monks relied on them for protection and companionship. They gave the dogs a spiritual significance, believing Lhasa Apsos to be vessels for human souls and reincarnations of mighty snow lions.
11. Maltese
| Origin | ~2000–1000 B.C., Malta |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Height | 7–9 inches |
The Maltese is one of the oldest Bichon-type dogs. The snow-white dog arose in Malta with the Phoenician empire, likely around 1500 B.C.
12. Puli
| Origin | ~800 A.D., Hungary |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years |
| Height | 16–17 inches |
The Puli is a cord-haired, hypoallergenic dog. Their thick, heavy coat was crucial for the compact sheepdogs to bear the intense cold in their native Hungary.
13. Chinese Crested
| Origin | ~4000 B.C.–0 A.D., Africa |
| Lifespan | 13–18 years |
| Height | 11–13 inches |
The exact origins are unknown, but despite the name, many believe the Chinese Crested dog appeared in Africa before arriving in China with the country’s globe-trotting traders. The undersized breed became a sea-faring ratter that hunted disease-carrying vermin and became globally distributed.
14. American Hairless Terrier
| Origin | 1970s, America |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years |
| Height | 12–16 inches |
With no hair to speak of, the American Hairless Terrier is a perfect choice for someone looking for a supremely hypoallergenic dog. The American Hairless is one of the newest purebreds, originating in Louisiana in 1972.
15. Basenji
| Origin | ~3000 B.C., Egypt |
| Lifespan | 13–14 years |
| Height | 16–17 inches |
As an ancient dog of African origin, which was then brought over to Egypt the Basenji is a breed unlike any other in looks and temperament.
16. Irish Water Spaniel
| Origin | ~1000 AD |
| Lifespan | 12–13 years |
| Height | 21–24 inches |
The Irish Water Spaniel has a curly coat and was primarily a water retriever. Developed in the 1830s, with ancestors that were water retrievers in Southern Ireland for quite some time before that.
17. Cesky Terrier
| Origin | 1940s, Czechoslovakia |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Height | 10–13 inches |
One of the least popular Terriers is also one of the finest representatives of their class. The allergy-friendly Cesky Terrier, a cross between the Scottish Terrier and Sealyham Terrier, first appeared in the 1940s.
18. Miniature Schnauzer
| Origin | 1800s, Germany |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Height | 12–14 inches |
The Miniature Schnauzer is a German breed that earned distinction in the late 1800s. They were initially farm dogs bred for ratting, likely through combinations of Standard Schnauzers and Affenpinschers.
19. Barbet
| Origin | ~1500s, France |
| Lifespan | 12–14 years |
| Height | 19–24.5 inches |
The curly and wavy fluff that makes a Barbet hypoallergenic also makes them high-maintenance, but you might forgive that when you experience their playful and sweet personalities.
20. Scottish Terrier
| Origin | 1800s, Scotland |
| Lifespan | 12 years |
| Height | 10 inches |
The modern Scottish Terrier took shape in the 1870s and was developed from the Scotch Terriers of varying types that worked as vermin exterminators for hundreds of years.
21. Bedlington Terrier
| Origin | 1800s, England |
| Lifespan | 11–16 years |
| Height | 15–17.5 inches |
The lamb-coated Bedlington Terrier marries several breeds to give them one-of-a-kind looks. Originally favored by working-class miners and nail manufacturers, the Bedlington had speed, smarts, and tenacity to make them excel in vermin-killing and dogfighting.
22. Löwchen
| Origin | ~1400s, Germany |
| Lifespan | 13–15 years |
| Height | 12–14 inches |
The exact birthplace and date are up for debate, but the Löwchen’s desirability has never been in doubt. Known as the little lion dog, these popular pups look the part due to their unique mane defining the hypoallergenic coat.
Although no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, several breeds are gentle enough to make ownership possible for some pet-loving allergy sufferers. After evaluating your home, lifestyle, and your own reaction to the breed, you can choose the perfect fit for your family among these low-shedding dog breeds.
