5 dogs you can own even if you suffer from allergies often

Getting a dog is a commitment for the next 10 years or more. Thus, it is recommended that if you suffer from allergies, test out living with a dog first to see how you cope.

Poodles don't shed much. (Source: Freepik)

3 min readNew DelhiOct 29, 2025 11:30 AM IST First published on: Oct 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM IST

Want to bring a furry friend home, but suffer from allergies often? Yes, allergies may not always be seasonal; sometimes they can result from coming into close contact with dogs. Does that mean your hopes of being a dog mom or dad are dashed forever?

Chin up, there’s a bunch of hypoallergenic dogs that can bring joy into your life. However, Anjali Kalachand, Pet Nutritionist & Co-Founder, A Petter Life, shared that before choosing a so-called hypoallergenic dog, it is important to identify what you are allergic to and how severe the symptoms are, as they can vary from person to person.

“Many suffer from allergies when they handle or come into close contact with dogs – some sneeze incessantly, others break out in hives or get itchy due to saliva or dander. Always remember that dogs labelled as ‘hypoallergenic’ can also produce saliva, dander and other not-so-apparent allergens,” she told indianexpress.com.

“Getting a dog is a commitment for the next 10 years or more. Thus, we recommend that if you suffer from allergies, test out living with a dog first to see how you cope,” said Kalachand. It may not be for everyone, and that’s completely okay. Better safe than sorry.

Dog breeds safe for allergics to own

Generally, when it comes to “hypoallergenic” breeds, please note that no dog is truly hypoallergenic – here are some low-shedding and low-dander breeds:

1. Poodles (they come in various sizes: standard, miniature and toy) – Low shedding and Low dander

2. Poodle mixes (Cavapoo, Labradoodle, Cockapoo) – Low shedding or low dander, depending on how much poodle traits they inherit.

3. Bichon Frise – They have a white curly coat that traps loose hair and are recommended for people with allergies.

4. Yorkshire Terriers – Low shedding, low dander and small in size.

5. Havanese – Once again, low shedding, low dander and small in size.

Dogs labelled as “hypoallergenic” can also produce saliva, dander and other not-so-apparent allergens (Source: Freepik)

To be noted..

As a word of caution, Kalachand said that the above-mentioned breeds can primarily be bought from a breeder.

“One of the dangers associated with this is that these breeds are generally in high demand. To meet the demand, overbreeding can happen, leading to genetic health issues — which is unfair to the dog and takes away from their quality of life in the long run,” she explained.

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According to her, the best bet would be to adopt. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind in that case:

Adopt an indie. They are low-maintenance and generally come with short fur.
Brush them often to de-shed. You can do this whilst on walks or on your balcony to avoid fur in the house.
Invest in a powerful vacuum cleaner.
Get rid of rugs and things that could accumulate dust.
Train your dog not to allow them on sofas and beds to avoid accumulating fur or dander on the fabric in your home.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.