People searching for small dogs that are hypoallergenic usually want a dog that sheds little and fits an apartment. Small, low-shedding breeds exist, and some of them are reasonable choices for allergic households. But no breed is genuinely hypoallergenic, because allergens come from proteins in dander, saliva, and skin as well as from hair. This guide sorts small breeds by coat and shedding, which is the part you can actually compare.
Part of the Hypoallergenic Dogs directory.
Breeds commonly suggested for lower shedding
The breeds most often recommended to allergy sufferers include Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, Havanese, Bichon Frise, and Schnauzers. They share a hair-like coat that sheds very little. Their lower shedding keeps less dander spread around the house, which can ease symptoms for some people, but it doesn’t mean they produce no allergen.
Yorkshire Terriers Hypoallergenic
Yorkies have a long, silky single coat that is much closer to human hair than to a typical dog coat. They shed very little, which is why they top many allergy lists. They still produce dander and saliva, and their coat needs regular brushing to prevent tangles.Contact Us
Dachshunds Hypoallergenic
Dachshunds (often called doxies or wiener dogs) come in smooth, long-haired, and wire-haired varieties, and shedding differs among them. Smooth coats shed moderately year-round, while wire-haired coats shed less. None of the three is hypoallergenic, and the “doxie” label doesn’t change the answer.
Shih Tzus Hypoallergenic
Shih Tzus have a long, hair-like coat that sheds little, but loose hair tends to stay trapped in the coat instead of falling out. That means regular brushing and professional grooming. They are low shedders, not allergen-free dogs.
Havanese Hypoallergenic
Havanese have a soft, silky coat that sheds little and is often recommended for allergy-prone homes. Like other long-coated breeds, they need frequent brushing to prevent mats. Puppies and adults carry the same caveat, and a low-shedding coat doesn’t remove dander or saliva proteins.
Maltese Hypoallergenic
Maltese have a single, silky white coat with minimal shedding, which is why they appear on nearly every low-shedding list. They need daily or near-daily brushing, and they still produce the proteins that cause allergic reactions.
Pomeranians Hypoallergenic
Pomeranians have a thick double coat and shed noticeably, especially during seasonal coat changes. Despite their size, they are not a good pick if shedding is a concern.
Chihuahuas Hypoallergenic
Chihuahuas come in smooth-coat and long-coat varieties and shed moderately, with the long-coated type shedding a bit more visibly. They are not a low-allergen breed.
French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic
French Bulldogs (Frenchies) have a short coat that sheds moderately and a facial structure prone to skin-fold irritation and drooling. They are not hypoallergenic.
Pugs Hypoallergenic
Pugs have a short coat, but they shed surprisingly heavily for their size, all year. They are a frequent mismatch for allergic households.
Boston Terriers Hypoallergenic
Boston Terriers have a short, fine coat that sheds lightly to moderately. They are often considered easier on housekeeping than many short-coated breeds, but they are still dogs that produce dander and saliva proteins.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Hypoallergenic
Cavaliers have a silky coat that sheds moderately and needs regular brushing, especially around the ears and feathering. They are not considered a hypoallergenic breed.
West Highland White Terriers Hypoallergenic
Westies have a double coat that sheds little, particularly when it’s maintained by professional grooming or hand-stripping. They are often grouped with low-shedding terriers, but they still produce allergens.
Schnauzers Hypoallergenic
Schnauzers, including the miniature size, have a wiry coat that sheds little and is a common suggestion for allergic families. The coat needs regular clipping or stripping. Wiry coats reduce loose hair but not the underlying allergen.
Terriers as a group
Terriers vary widely, so the group can’t be given one answer. Wire-coated types like Westies, Schnauzers, and Airedales shed relatively little, while smooth-coated types shed more. Notably, the Airedale Terrier was one of the dogs tested in the 2012 coat study, and its allergen levels were not lower than comparison breeds. Coat type predicts shedding, not allergy symptoms.
What drives the spread within this group
- Coat type: silky or wiry coats shed least, double coats shed most
- Grooming: long coats trap loose hair and need regular brushing
- Skin and drool: skin-fold and drooling breeds add other allergen sources
- The individual dog: reactions vary more between dogs than between breeds
This article is for general information only. Consult an allergist or your doctor before bringing a dog into a home with an allergy or asthma sufferer.
