Hypoallergenic Dogs

Who doesn’t love the attention and love from our four legged family members? Can you imagine not seeing that wagging tail and nose pressed to the window when you pull into the driveway? Well, unfortunately, there are many people whom will never know that love due to allergies. The dander our dogs produce is highly irritating to a great number of people so today we are going to look at the top 5 breeds of hypoallergenic dogs. Whenever you are in the market for a new fury friend, always look for a reputable breeder or adoption establishment. You can always do your own research or talk to your veterinarian for a recommendation.

Firstly, what does it mean when we say hypoallergenic? Some people are allergic to the dander, saliva or urine a dog produces. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic. Obviously all dogs produce these things. Some breeds just produce less than others. So here are our top 5 breeds of hypoallergenic dogs for those who would love the companionship, without the sneezing. For a full list of hypoallergenic Dogs visit. https://hypoallergenicdog.net/

The Poodle is the first to make our list of hypoallergenic dogs. Along with being hypoallergenic, they have a very low shedding level. There are a few sub-breeds in the poodle family. The Standard Poodle grows to about 15” at the shoulder and weighs in from 40 – 55 pounds. This is the largest breed of poodle. The Miniature Poodle can grow between 10 – 15 inches at the shoulder and get to between 12 and 15 pounds. The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the breed staying under 10 inches and between 5 and 10 pounds. With these size differences, you can find a Poodle that fits your living arrangements.

The breed is also known for being playful, child friendly and very affectionate. This breed does require attention both socially and physically. They need to interact often on a social level. They can become destructive if they are left alone for long periods and become bored. Poodles also have to be groomed frequently, every 4 – 6 weeks to be exact. The coat can get out of hand quickly, so if you’re up to the work, they make a great hypoallergenic addition to the family. Poodles are highly intelligent and very trainable. Even though Poodles are somewhat territorial, they generally are well tempered and get along well with other dogs and cats.

Poodles have a natural sense of humor and love being the center of attention. They love to play fetch and run with children. The smaller breeds, the Toy and Miniature, need less room and exercise than their larger counterpart but still all of them require some form of outdoor activity to keep them happy. Poodles can be a lot of work in regards to grooming, but they make a great companion and are a wonderfully social animal. To get more Poodle information, visit http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/.

Next on our list is the Portuguese Water Dog or “Porties” as they are sometimes called. This breed of hypoallergenic dog is extremely energetic. They require a great deal of exercise. They will take all the running you allow them to get. They, too, are a very intelligent breed of dog. They are very compatible with other dogs and cats. The Porties also get along very well with children, making them a great family dog. The size of these dogs has a pretty big range. You can be looking at a size of between 17 and 23 inches to the shoulder. Their weight can range from 35 to 60 pounds. The males tend to be a bit larger than the females.

The Water Dog, as the name suggests, loves to play in the water. This was the breed that fishermen used to use to drive fish into their nets. Porties are highly trainable and quick to be house broken. These dogs make wonderful watch dogs, but do have a good stranger compatibility for when you have company over. The Portuguese Water Dog does is susceptible to some health issues. Hip dysplasia is one of the common problems with this breed. They are also known to have eye issues which can be diagnosed with a simple eye exam from your veterinarian. The grooming needs for these dogs is above average.

They have a curly coat that needs attention more often than other breeds, about every 6 – 8 weeks. They are a bit of a rarer breed in the dog community, but, being a hypoallergenic breed of dog, are becoming somewhat more popular. To find more information go to http://www.pwdca.org/.

And to the Terrier family we go. The Airedale Terrier is next on our hypoallergenic dogs list. This breed of dog is a little more independent than the last two on our list. They do not require as much social interaction, but their independence makes them a bit on the stubborn side. They are very intelligent and get along with children very well. They do not, however, get along well with other dogs and cats. They are territorial dogs which makes them great watch dogs but not very friendly toward strangers.

With the breed growing up to 23 inches at the shoulder and between 45 and 60 pounds, they need to be monitored when you are having guests to the house that are not regular visitors. These dogs are very trainable, due to being very smart. They are very playful and require a good amount of exercise. Be aware, if you let him or her out in a fenced yard, they love to dig holes. This Terrier also has a very strong prey drive and is likely to give chase to squirrels, rabbits and other animals that they may encounter.

They are a very loving breed and will protect their family circle should they need to. Hip Dysplasia is a health concern for this breed, but not a common occurrence. Weekly brushing with 8-10 week grooming is what is recommended for the upkeep of the coat. They are a short haired breed, but do shed. They made our hypoallergenic list because they have a very minimal dander production which makes them low on the allergen scale. For more information you can visit http://www.airedale.org/.

In keeping with the Terrier family I introduce you to the West Highland White Terrier. As one of our smaller breeds on the top 5 hypoallergenic dogs list, the West Highland White Terrier comes in at a height of around 11 inches and weight between 15 and 20 pounds. This little breed is a lot of pep in a small package. These pups need plenty of exercise, and are always up for it. They have a pretty good amount of energy, but are a great family dog. They are great with kids and adults alike. Loving dogs that get along with everyone, but will still make a great watch dog.

They are also good if you have a dog or cat already, they are compatible with other pets. The “Westie” also possesses a lot of brains. They are a very smart breed which makes them highly trainable. These guys do have a hunter mentality as they were bred for fox hunting originally. So they will give chase to smaller animals if not leashed. They are independent dogs which means they may be destructive if not cared for and socialized properly.

Unfortunately, Westies are prone to some health issues. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, is a hip disorder disease common to the breed. They also can suffer from atopic dermatitis, a skin infection, which is also common. Some other health concerns are aggression, dry eye, Addison’s Disease, juvenile cataracts and craniomandibular osteopathy which is a juvenile bone deformity. Grooming is a little more involved for the Westie too. Puppies under age 1 can be brushed once a week and be groomed every 4-6 weeks. Adults require daily brushing and more frequent grooming. This would be a good time to brush up on your grooming skills and do this yourself with some quality dog grooming tools to avoid a costly expense at a professional groomer. For more information on the Westie, visit http://www.westieclubamerica.com/.

Well, isn’t he a cute little ball of cotton? Rounding out the top five hypoallergenic dogs is the Bichon Frisé. The Bichon is bred to be a companion. They are intelligent dogs and moderately trainable. These little guys are great with other house pets like cats and dogs. They are ok with children but may need a little more watchful eye around tiny ones. They can be a bit nippy if they are irritated. Standing an impressive 10 – 15 inches and weighing in at around 15 pounds, they have a low need for exercise making them great for an elderly person or apartment living. Bichons are very affectionate but do require a lot of attention.

They are people pleasers, but expect the same love and attention in return. They do require a little more attention to training when it comes to nipping and yapping, but it must be done gently. You don’t want to turn the little guy into a mean little pup. Bichons are generally healthy but, like most dogs, can develop some health issues. Cataracts, hip dysplasia and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease are the most frequent but, again, not very common. Like most small breeds though, dental hygiene is important. Small breeds can develop dental problems more frequently than larger breeds.

If left untrimmed, the Bichon’s coat will grow long and white. Daily brushing with a pin brush from day one is recommended to get them used to being brushed. Be prepared to clean around the eyes daily as well. This will prevent the rust colored tear stains on that bright white coat. For more information please visit http://www.westieclubamerica.com/.