Sweet Lucy's American Hairless Terrier site:

Books about "low dander" dog breeds

~  with brief breed comparison ~

Dog breeds commonly recommended for allergy sufferers - "hypo-allergenic" dog breeds?

The following breed lists are mostly based on dog breeds that are either hairless or possess a single layer of coat and therefore usually produce less dander than double-coated breeds. I obtained the first two lists from the American Kennel Club (AKC). AKC only lists "low dander" dog breeds that are eligible for AKC or AKC Foundation Stock registration on their allergy page. "Low dander" non-AKC rare breeds are not included on their list. So, I added the two very rare hairless dog breeds, the American Hairless Terrier and the Peruvian Inca Orchid, to the list. They generally do well with allergic owners.

Read also the Allergic to Dogs? and Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers pages. They contain information about human pet allergies, tips on controlling animal dander in the house, allergy studies, pet allergy discussion board, and information about "low dander" dog breeds that generally do well with mild pet allergy sufferers. However, people's pet allergies vary greatly, and there is no dog breed that is truly non-allergenic! People with severe pet allergies may not tolerate any dog breed at all.

 

List 1 - Hairless Dog Breeds
American Hairless Terrier 10"-16" hairless the only hairless breed with recessive hairlessness is the least allergy causing of all low dander dog breeds based on owners' allergy trials AHT is often the last resort dog breed for pet allergic people light colored dogs sunburn good with considerate children standard AHT books AHTs & human pet allergies see also sitemap for lots of AHT pages	A Celebration of Rare Breeds 1986
Chinese Crested 11"-13" hairless and powderpuff dominant hairlessness light colored dogs sunburn good with considerate children standard Crested books Crested info page	The Complete  Chinese Crested 2000
Peruvian Inca Orchid, Peruvian Hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid: 17"-22" Peruvian Hairless: 9.75"-25.75" in three sizes hairless and coated dominant hairlessness light colored dogs sunburn good with older considerate children standard PIO books PIO info page	Hairless Dogs - The  Naked Truth 1999
Xoloitzcuintli, Mexican Hairless 9.75"- 23.75" in three sizes hairless and coated dominant hairlessness light colored dogs sunburn good with considerate children standard Xolo books Xolo info page	Hairless Dogs - The  Naked Truth 1999

 

List 2 - Other Dog Breeds
Basenji Hound group Africa Congo Dog, African Bush Dog 16"-17", 22-24 lbs coat is soft, short, and fine, low shedding intelligent, independent, affectionate, alert, active, fast, strong, high energy, require attention, strong chase instinct, cheerful, mischievous can be aloof with strangers, tend to scrap with other dogs, needs daily exercise, needs training, very destructive if bored, noisy, hard to train, escape artists, stubborn, obnoxious, disobedient not for small children, ok with older considerate children standard Basenji books	The Complete  Basenji  2002
Bedlington Terrier Terrier group Great Britain Rothbury or Northumberland Terrier 15.5"-16.5", 17-23 lbs soft coat, tendency to curl, non shedding, frequent grooming playful, alert, energetic, courageous, affectionate, personable, perky, watch dog, extroverted, easy to train stubborn, dynamic terrier good with considerate children standard Bedlington books	The Official Book of  the Bedlington Terrier  2000
Bichon Frisι Non-sporting group Mediterranean, France, Belgium Tenerife Dog 9.5"-11.5" undercoat is soft and dense, the outercoat of a coarser and curlier texture, non shedding, daily grooming cheerful, gentle, playful, affectionate, sensitive, active, loves attention, eager to please stubborn, may suffer from separation anxiety, may bark and chew, difficult to housebreak good with considerate children standard	The World of Bichon  Frise 1996
Irish Water Spaniel Sporting group Ireland 21"-24", 45-65 lbs tight double coat, dense short undercoat, longer outercoat, curls and waves, sheds lightly, face is entirely smooth-coated, frequent grooming intelligent, very alert, inquisitive, often reserved with strangers, bold, eager, lively, cheerful, courageous, wants to please, protective, watchdog needs vigorous exercise, needs early socialization and training good with children if raised with children standard Irish Water Spaniel books	Irish Water Spaniel Champions 1968-1999
Italian Greyhound Mediterranean 13"-15", about 10 lb hair is short, glossy like satin and soft to the touch, minimal grooming affectionate, trainable, loving, intelligent, discerning, gentle, curious, mischievous, energetic, shy with strangers independent, difficult to housebreak, may suffer from separation anxiety not listed by AKC anymore as a low dander breed toy dogs are fragile and not suitable for small children, good with older considerate children standard	Italian Greyhounds  Today 2002
Kerry Blue Terrier Terrier group Ireland Irish Blue Terrier 17.5"-19.5", 33-40 lbs coat is soft, dense and wavy, non shedding, no doggy odor, needs frequent grooming very intelligent, quick to learn, athletic, spunky, good-humored, typical terrier, watchdog, strong, people oriented, fun loving, playful, patient need firm handling and obedience training, may be dog aggressive good with considerate children standard	Kerry Blue Terrier 2002
Maltese Toy group Mediterranean, Malta 4-6 lbs coat is single without undercoat, it hangs long, flat, and silky, non shedding, needs frequent grooming very bright, seems to be without fear, affectionate, among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, lively, very playful, vigorous may suffer from separation anxiety, may bark and chew, difficult to housebreak good with older considerate children standard	The Maltese : Diminutive  Aristocrat 2000
Poodles Non-sporting and toy group Europe Standard: over 15" Miniature: over 10"- 15" Toy: 10" or under coat is curly, dense throughout, non shedding, needs frequent grooming Standard: noble, confident, good companions Miniature: very intelligent, ideal companion, lively, playful, easy to keep, excels in obedience and agility, sensitive to stress, need socialization, may bark, some may be high-strung Toy: delightful companion, gregarious, tends to favor one family member good with older considerate children standard	The Complete Poodle  1994 Poodles: Everything About Purchase, Care,  Nutrition, Breeding, Behavior, and Training 1997
Portuguese Water Dog Working group Portugal 17"-23", 35-60 lbs profuse, thickly planted coat, curly or wavy, do shed, needs frequent grooming spirited disposition, self-willed, brave, very resistant to fatigue, exceptional intelligence, loyal companion, athletic, agile, watchdog strong-willed, manipulative, willful, rowdy, needs vigorous exercise, may bark and chew if bored not recommend for allergy sufferers by some dog experts good with considerate children standard Portuguese Water Dog books	The Complete Portuguese  Water Dog 1997
Schnauzers Miniature: 12"-14", Terrier group Standard: 17.5"-19.5", Working group Giant: 23.5"-27.5", Working group Germany double coat, hard and wiry outer coat, soft undercoat, non shedding, odorless, requires frequent grooming most pet Minis are washed and clipped frequently and this will help keep the dander down if clipped, the hard outer coat will eventually disappear and only the softer undercoat will remain Mini: alert, spirited, feisty, yet obedient to command, friendly, intelligent, willing to please, robust, active, good with family pets, watchdog Mini: stubborn, likes to chase, may bark, needs socialization, may be aggressive toward other dogs good with children if raised with children standard	The World of Schnauzers:  Standard, Giant, Miniature 1996
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Terrier group Ireland 17"-19", 30-40 lbs abundant single coat, soft and silky with a gentle wave, a distinguishing characteristic of the breed which sets the dog apart from all other terriers happy, steady dog, air of self-confidence, alert, assertive, affectionate, athletic, energetic, steady, fun-loving, less scrappy than most other terriers, watchdog stubborn, headstrong, training requires time and dedication, need consistent discipline, will chase small animals good with considerate children standard Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier books	The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Coat of Honey - Heart of Gold 1999

 

Bichon Family Coton de Tulear is not on the AKC list, but it has been recommended by several allergic dog owners. Coton de Tulear is a relative to the Bichon-type dogs. Breeds in the Bichon family are Bichon Frisι (above), Bolognese, Havanese, Maltese (above), and Lφwchen.
Bolognese Bologna, Italy 10"-12", 5.9-9 lbs hair is tufty with no undercoat, sheds little to no hair, requires daily grooming to prevent matting vivacious, playful, happy, friendly, likes attention, serious, not very active, docile, bright, obedient, quick to learn, very attached to his master can be reserved with strangers, can suffer from separation anxiety, may bark and chew, difficult to housebreak good with older considerate children standard	The Bichon Frise Today 1999 (book includes some Bolognese info)
Coton de Tulear Tulear, southern Madagascar Royal Dog of Madagascar 10"-12", 12-15 lbs fluffy, cottony coat with no undercoat, hair is long, dry to the feel, very soft, oil free, no doggy-odor, minimal shedding, needs daily grooming happy, lively, very affectionate, playful, intelligent, easily trained, bonds strongly with owners, loyal, devoted, gets along well with children and animals, full of tricks, determined, untiring, calm, slow to anger, cautious with strangers needs early socialization, can suffer from separation anxiety, difficult to housebreak, may bark, can be stubborn good with considerate children standard	Coton De Tulear 2003
Havanese Western Mediterranean basin, development Cuba Havana Silk Dog 8"-11", 7-12 lbs profuse coat varies from wavy to curly, flowing, silky, double coated, needs daily grooming gentle, responsive, bond closely with their human family, natural affinity for children, active, lovable, intelligent, trainable, playful, clown, quick-witted, love attention can suffer from separation anxiety, may bark and be destructive, difficult to housebreak good with older considerate children standard	Havanese: A  Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog 2003
Löwchen Europe Little Lion Dog 10"-13", 8-18 lbs soft long silky coat, non-oily, can be wavy but never curly, no undercoat bright, lively, playful, polite with strangers and other pets, affectionate, gentle, happy, outgoing, spunky, strong minded may suffer from separation anxiety, may bark and be destructive, difficult to housebreak good with considerate children standard	Lowchen 2001

Multi-breed books
The Atlas of dog breeds of the World by Bonnie Wilcox, DVM & Chris Walkowicz TFH Publications1993, revised 5th edition 1995 huge, heavy book with 896 pages with color photos
The Complete Dog Book by American Kennel Club stuff Howell Book House, 1998 800 pages with b/w and color photos covers all AKC breeds
Mini-Atlas of Dog Breeds by Andrew De Prisco & James B. Johnson TFH Publications, 1990 small compact book with 573 pages and  color photos over 500 breeds from around the world
The New Encyclopedia of the Dog by Bruce Fogle, DVM Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc., 2000 416 pages
Your Purebred Puppy - A Buyer's Guide by Michele Lowell, Henry Holt & Company, 1990 by Michele Welton, Owlbooks, 2nd ed. 2000 2nd ed. has 319 pages and covers 300 breeds a good book for the price, has lots of advice for those planning to get their first dog also lets you compare the hairless breeds of American Hairless Terrier, Chinese Crested, and Xoloitzcuintli

Human pet allergy pages at Sweet Lucy's:
Allergic to dogs? | AHTs & allergic owners | Allergic to dogs? bb | Allergic to dogs bb archives
 Dog breeds & allergies | Books about "low dander"breeds | Allergy studies
Dog beds for allergic owners

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This page first published in 2005.
Last update Mar 2005.