Low-shedding dogs: the breeds recommended for people with allergies
No dog is truly hypoallergenic: allergies come from proteins found in saliva and dander. Breeds whose coat keeps growing (poodles, bichons, schnauzers…) shed very little and are often better tolerated. Spend time with the breed before you decide.
Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.
Refine with your own criteria-

Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire, England · Terriers
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Shih Tzu
Tibet / China · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Coton de Tulear
Madagascar · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Havanese
Cuba · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

West Highland White Terrier
Scotland · Terriers
Very small · high energy · high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Miniature Poodle
France · Companion and toy dogs
Small · high energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Bichon Frise
Belgium / France · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Maltese
Malta, Mediterranean basin · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Cairn Terrier
Scotland · Terriers
Small · high energy · low coat care
Likes to bark -

Lagotto Romagnolo
Romagna region, Italy · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · high energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Lhasa Apso
Tibet · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Miniature Schnauzer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Small · moderate energy · high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Border Terrier
Border regions between England and Scotland · Terriers
Small · high energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Wire Fox Terrier
England · Terriers
Small · boundless energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Toy Poodle
France · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Scottish Terrier
Scotland · Terriers
Very small · moderate energy · high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Basenji
Central Africa · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Chinese Crested
China · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Standard Poodle
France · Companion and toy dogs
Large · high energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Airedale Terrier
Yorkshire, England · Terriers
Medium · high energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Tibetan Terrier
Tibet · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Bouvier des Flandres
Belgium / France · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Large · moderate energy · high coat care
Not suited to apartment living -

Giant Schnauzer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Large · boundless energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Standard Schnauzer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · high energy · high coat care
High-maintenance coat