What Is The Smallest Hypoallergenic Dog? Pick The Best!
If you want to bring a dog into your life but struggle with allergies, you will be delighted to know that there are a lot of hypoallergenic pups out there. Hypoallergenic dogs are the answer for allergy sufferers, and they come in a variety of different sizes in case you are looking for a smaller canine companion. However, there are different breeds that you should consider when picking out the right hypoallergenic dog for your household.
What Is The Smallest Hypoallergenic Dog?
The smallest hypoallergenic dogs are:
- Bichon Friese
- Toy Poodle
- Shih Tzu
- Toy Goldendoodles
A lot of people prefer to buy non-shedding dogs these days, as these pups have so many qualities to offer – regardless of whether you have allergies or not.
The key thing to keep in mind is that hypoallergenic dogs are known for having little to no shedding, which is why they are much less likely to trigger your allergies.
However, this also means that you will not have to clean up as much around the house.
Dogs that shed require a lot of household maintenance – with fur ending up on your floor, clothes, and furniture. Low shedding dogs, on the other hand, are much tidier, which is a plus for people with allergies, as well as anyone who does not want to make vacuuming a daily chore. With that being said, a lot of people prefer to get lap dog hypoallergenic breeds, as these dogs are more versatile for different households.
To help you pick out the perfect pup for your home, we are going to take a closer look at the smallest hypoallergenic dogs.
After extensively researching small dogs, I have been able to gather enough information to determine which breeds have hypoallergenic qualities. My research has indicated that people with severe allergies may still have a reaction to hypoallergenic dogs – especially if they are not groomed regularly.
What Are the Smallest Hypoallergenic Dogs?
If you are searching for a small, hypoallergenic dog, you will find that there are a number of different breeds to consider. These pups can vary in their personality traits, behavior, aesthetics, and of course – size.
Small, hypoallergenic dogs are particularly popular because they are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction and because their size makes them more versatile. These pups can nestle right into any household – regardless of whether it is a full-sized home or a small apartment. With that being said, you should ultimately decide which hypoallergenic dog you choose not only based on its size but also its personality, as each pup will be a bit different.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Friese is a go-to option for a lot of aspiring pet owners who want a small, hypoallergenic dog. These are gentle, affectionate, and playful pups that love to be around their owners.
The Bichon Frise has a hair coat, which means that they will hardly shed at all – making them perfect for anyone with severe dog allergies. Their coat does need to be maintained, however. A hair coat implies that your Bichon Frise is going to require regular hair cuts – with most needing to be groomed every 6 to 8 weeks.
In addition, they will need to be brushed every 2 to 3 days – making them high-maintenance dogs.
One of the best things about the Bichon Frise is that they pretty much look like puppies throughout their entire lives, as this is a small breed through and through. Depending on the gender of your Bichon Frise, it will stay around 12 to 18 pounds and will stand at roughly 10 to 12 inches tall – with males getting a bit bigger.
Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are irresistible, and they are great dogs for anyone who has allergies. Much like the Bichon Frise, Toy Poodles have hair coats that will hardly shed, which means your pup is not going to cause a sneezing fit every time you give them a cuddle.
Poodles are widely considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds. However, they are also known for their loyalty and affectionate personalities. Poodles are friendly dogs overall but they are particularly fond of their owners, which is very much the case for Poodles of all size variations.
Given the Toy Poodles hair coat, you should expect there to be a considerable amount of maintenance to keep it healthy and presentable. This breed needs routine brushing – usually at least twice per week. Otherwise, their coat will get matted and disorganized. In addition, they will need to be groomed every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the hairstyle that you want your Toy Poodle to have.
Suppose you neglect a Poodle’s necessary grooming. In that case, you will find that this breed’s hair will get very long, resulting in a poor appearance and potential shedding – making them less hypoallergenic.
The best thing about Toy Poodles is that they will stay puppy-sized for their entire lives. This adorable Poodle variation will never stand more than 10 inches tall, and they will generally weigh around 6 to 10 pounds, depending on the gender of the dog.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is an iconic breed that is easily recognizable by its adorable appearance and long flowing coat. These pups are tiny, to say the least, as they are one of the smallest breeds that you can buy – with most never getting to be bigger than 10.5 inches tall. They also only weigh between 10 and 17 pounds, depending on the gender of the Shih Tzu.
However, it is important to note that Shih Tzus are not as hypoallergenic as Poodles and Bichon Frise.
These dogs have a coat that is less likely to trigger an allergic response but people with severe allergies may want to consider this breed carefully. The reason for this is that Shih Tzus do shed a little bit.
A minimal amount of shedding is to be expected with a Shih Tzu, but the amount can vary depending on how well you look after their coat.
Shih Tzus shed more when they are not groomed routinely. If you want your pup to be as hypoallergenic as possible, you need to take them for haircuts every 4 to 6 weeks. You should also consider brushing them 2 to 3 times a week to mitigate the chances of them shedding – especially once their coat starts to grow.
In addition, Shih Tzus do not have a very good heat tolerance. Their hair grows fast, and it will get long, which can be a real nuisance for them in warmer climates. The heat will encourage your Shih Tzu to shed, which is why you should prioritize grooming in hotter regions – for both your allergies and their well-being.
Toy Goldendoodle
Mix-breed dogs like the Goldendoodle are particularly popular right now. This is a designer dog and is one of several doodle variations that you can buy. This dog is a mix between a Poodle and Golden Retriever – two amazing dogs that have great personality traits and of course – they are hypoallergenic.
Given the rise in popularity of hypoallergenic dogs, Poodles have been a very popular dog to mix with other breeds. With the right breeder, you can turn a large variety of dogs into hypoallergenic pups.
In addition, given the size variations that you can find Poodles in, this also implies that you can get smaller pups if desired.
That is exactly what breeders did when they made the Toy Goldendoodle – a tiny Poodle and Golden Retriever mix.
These pups are absolutely adorable, and they combine all of the best personality traits of the Poodle and Golden Retriever. Toy Goldendoodles are incredibly loving, loyal, and intelligent animals – with playful and friendly personalities.
If you want a Toy Goldendoodle specifically, you need to ensure that you are working with a reputable breeder. It can be hard to gauge a Goldendoodle’s exact size – even after they have been bred. A skilled and professional breeder that specializes in Toy Goldendoodles is going to be the way to get the size you are looking for.
Depending on the gender of your Goldendoodle, your pup will weigh between 10 and 20 pounds and stand at 10 to 16 inches. With that being said, if you are looking for a small dog, you will find that the Miniature Goldendoodle is also a great option, as these pups will only get to be 13 to 20 inches tall and should not weigh more than 30 to 35 pounds.