Just to put it out there, there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. What exists are a lot of breeds that are less likely to cause problems for kids who suffer from allergies. According to the statistics around 10% to 15% of kids are allergic to dogs, however, most of them have problems caused by dog dander, not by dog hair. As the dog dander is usually stuck to the dog’s hair, dogs that do not shed much are the least likely to cause allergic reactions in kids.
Six Hypoallergic Kid-Friendly Dogs
If you happen to be on the search for all possible hypoallergenic dog breeds, look no further. This article has information about six breeds that are both great for kids as well as perfect for people who suffer from allergies. These dogs are cute, allergy-friendly, and will not be shedding hair around the house:
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Bichon Frise
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Havanese
- West Highland White Terrier
- Shih Tzu
1. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is probably one of the most famous dogs in America now, despite being an uncommon breed. These dogs do not shed much and are good with kids, so they are the all-around package.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama decided to buy one of these dogs for his daughter who also happens to suffer from allergies. Thanks to the near to no shedding of the Portuguese Water Dog, the girl is able to breathe normally around the dog. The former President has become a spokesman for the great qualities of the breed.
Details and Breed Specifics
The Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) used to be found mostly along the coast of Portugal, where these dogs used to help fishermen retrieve nets, herd fish, and sometimes swim to shore.
They weigh about 20 to 25 kilos (anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds), for a medium-sized dog. A few of the dogs are curly-haired, while some dogs have wavy hair, thankfully, none of them shed much.
Despite being hypoallergic, they need to be groomed, and they are expensive, like a Standard Poodle.
Health
Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, so if you find a puppy then make sure the puppy’s parents were X-rayed and certified before reproducing.
A minority of them will have eyelid problems and develop cataracts or retinal atrophy (PRA). Any other health problems they might encounter are uncommon.
Life Expectancy
PWDs live for around 12 years. If you train them properly, keep bathed and clipped, provide obedience training, and provide them with a job or plenty of activity, they will make great pets.
2. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is the dog most likely to be suggested when someone says that they are looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed that is good with kids.
Details and Breed Specifics
The Bichon is a tiny dog, it weighs less than 10 kilos or about 20 pounds, is white in color, happy, and cute. If you do not care for that like the Bichon Frise haircut, the hair can also be clipped short about every six weeks into a “puppy cut.”
These dogs are usually happy to go anywhere and be part of the activities. They have lots of energy to play with you as well as the kids.
Health
There are a few health issues you need to be aware of, however, generally, these dogs tend to have a good life expectancy. A few Bichons are prone to liver shunts, while a few of them develop autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). When these dogs get older, they are prone to several different forms of cancer.
Life Expectancy
If your dog does not develop any of the diseases, it will live a long time, approximately to about 15 years. You need to keep them bathed, brushed, and clipped. That will allow them to be very clean, reducing the dander in your house.
3. Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzers happen to be one of the most popular breeds in the world as they do not shed much. They also get along great with kids, these even make excellent watchdogs, while being cute.
Details and Breed Specifics
Miniature Schnauzers typically weigh around 5 to 8 kilos (10 to 18 pounds). These guys look impressive with their wiry beards and mustache, short ears, combined with their spirited watchdog attitude. They will bark at strangers, but when push comes to shove, they usually step back and will not bite.
Health
Miniature Schnauzers will face health problems if they are fed a diet that contains a lot of fat. They also suffer from a problem called hyperlipidemia (high fat in the blood) which makes them prone to pancreatitis. Miniature Schnauzers might also develop eye problems, bladder stones, as well as diabetes.
Life Expectancy
If Miniature Schnauzers stay healthy, they will live about 12 years, and in a few instances a lot longer. Their hair must be plucked or clipped short. However, if they are bathed and their beards are kept clean, they will not be spreading a lot of allergens.
4. Havanese
If you already have other pets at home, these little dogs will be almost as good as a Maltese, however, they do much better with children than other breeds
Details and Breed Specifics
Havanese dogs are petite enough for an apartment lifestyle, they weigh around 10 to 15 pounds, however, they are sturdy enough to play with kids. Havanese dogs tend to bark a lot, more than some neighbors might be willing to tolerate. Some of the dogs do have housebreaking issues, these dogs do not do well if left alone all day.
Health
Havanese dogs’ health problems are similar to those that afflict most other small dog breeds: dental problems, luxating patellas, as well as allergies. A few have also inherited problems such as liver disease, deafness, and prolapsed nictitating membrane (cherry eye).
Life Expectancy
Healthy Havanese dogs will live for around 15 years. They will likely live a lot longer if fed correctly and provided with dental care along with good grooming.
5. West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terriers is a great dog for a lot of reasons, part of their popularity is that they do not shed a lot, and these dogs are as hypoallergenic as a dog can be. West Highland White Terriers are good with kids that treat them with respect and are a lot of fun to have around the house.
Details and Breed Specifics
These dogs are small in stature, they usually weigh about seven or eight kilos (15 to 20 pounds), playful, and protective like all terriers.
Health
Similar to all purebred dogs, West Highland White Terriers do have to suffer from a few health problems. A few dogs develop a disease called the “Westie jaw,” where the jaw thickens, which hinders their ability to swallow. While, others suffer from allergies, and a few will have a skin disease that looks like an allergy. Excluding these, other problems are uncommon amongst the West Highland White Terriers.
Life Expectancy
If a West Highland White Terrier does not have any of the above-mentioned problems, it can usually live up to 14 or 15 years.
You need to bathe them, and their outer coat must be clipped. If these dogs are well-trained and socialized, they will be nice-looking dogs that do not spread much dander.
6. Shih Tzu
The hypoallergenic dog breed Shih Tzu is one of the best because they are sweet dogs that don’t shed too much and appreciate interactions with kids.
Details and Breed Specifics
Shih Tzu dogs are small in size, they weigh only about four to seven kilos (about 8 to 16 pounds) and have long silky hair when not cut like a puppy. These dogs always have an underbite. They are more closely related to wolves than most breeds of dogs, however, they do suffer from very un-wolf-like health issues.
Health
A few of them are prone to back diseases as well as breathing problems because of their unusual bodies and short noses. While other dogs may suffer from hypothyroidism and weight gain and skin diseases associated with this disease.
Life Expectancy
If Shih Tzus are healthy, they usually live about 13 or 14 years. You need to keep their coat long and brushed and clip them short like a puppy. You need to bathe them frequently, to make them good dogs with less potential for causing allergies.
On top of that, playing with kids is natural for Shih Tzus.
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