Allergies Animal & Insect Allergies Dog Breeds for People With Dog Allergies Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds By Daniel More, MD Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and currently practices at Central Coast Allergy and Asthma in Salinas, California. Learn about our editorial process Daniel More, MD Medically reviewed by a board-certified physician Updated on November 01, 2019 Print Allergies Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping For some people, allergens present in dog saliva and dead skin cells (this is called dander) can cause allergies. While there is no totally non-allergenic dog or hypoallergenic dog, the good news is that some breeds do seem to cause fewer allergies than others. Typically, it's because these breeds don't shed as much fur, or they have a coat that requires frequent bathing. Smaller dogs also produce less saliva than bigger dogs. These dog breeds seem to cause the fewest allergies. 1 Poodle and Poodle Hybrids Allison Michael Orenstein Collection/The Image Bank/Getty Images Poodles come in various sizes, colors, and coat lengths. Recent cross-breeding with other breeds, such as cocker spaniels and Labrador retrievers, has been popular. Generally speaking, poodles shed less hair and dander, and therefore cause fewer allergy symptoms. 2 Schnauzer David Courtenay / Getty Images Schnauzers come in three sizes: MiniatureStandardGiant All types are good choices for people with dog allergies. 3 Portuguese Water Dog Cheryl Ertelt/Visuals Unlimited, Inc. / Getty Images The Portuguese Water Dog is a close relative of the poodle. 4 Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier @Hans Surfer / Getty Images All varieties of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier appear to be good choices for people who suffer from dog allergies. The various varieties include Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and American types. 5 Maltese Emilija Manevska / Getty Images The Maltese are part of the toy-size class of dogs, and it does not shed. It has been suggested that the fact that these dogs are frequently bathed and groomed helps to reduce their ability to cause allergies. 6 Lhasa Apso Roy Rochlin/Contributor/Getty Images Lhasa Apsos are another small breed of dog that does not shed its coat. The fact that these small dogs are frequently bathed may be one reason why people with dog allergies have few symptoms with owning this breed. 7 Yorkshire Terrier Clarissa Leahy / Getty Images Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, as they are frequently called, is another toy-sized breed of dog. Their reputation as a hypoallergenic breed may be in part due to their small size. 8 Shih Tzu Nick Ridley / Getty Images Shih Tzus are yet another small breed of dog that likely owe their hypoallergenic nature to their small size and need for frequent bathing and grooming by their owners. They also don't shed much. 9 Kerry Blue Terrier WireImage / Getty Images Kerry Blue Terriers are another breed recommended by the American Kennel Club as a good choice for people with dog allergies. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Kennel Club. Dogs that are hypoallergenic? These breeds come close. 2019. American Kennel Club. Poodle. American Kennel Club. Maltese. Burke A. Small dogs that don’t shed. American Kennel Club. 2016. American Kennel Club. Kerry Blue Terriers.