Portuguese Water Dog

They might not look it but Portuguese Water Dogs are a hypoallergenic breed.

All dogs shed, even when it is impossible to detect. Though no dog is completely hypoallergenic, certain breeds make better live-in buddies than heavy shedding pups and frequent scratchers. Even hairless pooches will release allergens, but dogs with dense, low-shedding hypoallergenic coats seem to minimize the symptoms significantly.  As long as you keep your living space clean, and learn the tips about how to reduce pet allergens in your home, according to the American Kennel Club, any of the breeds below should prove to be problem free!

List of Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

  • Bedlington Terrier
  • Bichon Frise
  • Chinese Crested
  • Coton de Tulear
  • Irish Water Spaniel
  • Kerry Blue Terrier
  • Maltese
  • Poodle: (This includes all Poodle hybrids.) 
  • Portuguese Water Dog
  • Schnauzers: (This includes Mini, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers)
  • Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
  • Xoloitzcuintli: (This includes Toy, Mini, and Standard)
  • American Hairless Terrier
  • Lagotto Romagnolo
  • Spanish Water Dog
  • Afghan Hound
  • Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)
  • Yorkshire Terriers:  (Though not confirmed by the American Kennel Club to be hypoallergenic, many pet-parents find them to have tolerable coats.)

Allergies may manifest differently for every person, causing some to react more strongly to certain dog breeds than others. One of the best ways to assess the effect a particular dog breed has on you, is to find a friend or acquaintance with that breed, and offer to dog-sit for a few hours, or visit a shelter or nearby breeder to assess the effect. Note the physical reaction you have to the dog to determine if it will be a suitable fit for you or not.

If you happen to fall in love with a breed that may still give you the sniffles, studies have found that keeping a clean house, with few linens, rugs, drapes, etc.,  vacuuming, combined with daily brushing, and washing your dog (1-2 times per week) will significantly reduce the amount of agitating allergens in the environment. If this doesn’t seem to work, there are always allergy shots and medications you can take to make life with your pet more bearable. But if you are looking for bit more variety and are not opposed to owning a feline, then you may want to also consider hypoallergenic cat breeds.