There's a lot of things that are horrible about having allergies. The sneezing, the sniffles and the burning all suck big time — but the cherry on top of our red little noses is the fact that it's hard to let pets into our lives. The good news is, though it's hard, it's not impossible.
Around 50 million Americans suffer from nasal allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. That's 50 million of us who have to cut out some of life's luxuries to keep our health in check — but that doesn't mean we all have to avoid adopting a dog. There are so many breeds that are low-dander, making them the perfect companion for allergy sufferers.
More: 15 Dog Breeds That Don't Bark Excessively and Will Keep Your Neighbors Happy
Please note: These dogs are known to be allergy-friendly, but that doesn't mean they still can't trigger a reaction.
1. Bichon frise
Don't let the puffy coat fool you. These little marshmallows are jolly, easy to train and don't shed. The bichon frise is great for a family wanting a small, cheerful dog as an easygoing companion.
Perfect for apartments, they tend to max out at a petite 12 inches tall and weigh only 7 to 12 pounds but can generally get plenty of exercise indoors. They also live a very long life, at 15 or more years.
Next Up: Schnauzer
Originally published March 2016. Updated June 2017.
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2. Schnauzer
These shed-less pups are great for the owner who loves to be the center of attention — or the kid who loves playing follow-the-leader. The schnauzer loves his owners so much that he won't let them out of his sight, so expect to have a buddy by your side at all times. He does need a firm hand, though, to balance his stubborn, energetic and protective temper. Schnauzers come in three sizes: standard, giant and miniature.
While you can pick your size, do know that the giant model, as a larger dog, may not live quite as long as smaller ones (though not by much).
Next Up: Yorkshire terrier
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3. Yorkshire terrier
Don't have a big yard? Then a Yorkie is perfect for you! They are content playing and cuddling with you indoors. This pup doesn't shed or have a lot of dander. She does require heavy grooming, however, so keep the brush in hand when she paws at your lap.
Most people love this breed for its adorably tiny size — at just about 7 pounds and 6 or 7 inches tall, she's for sure a purse-size pup.
Next Up: Bedlington terrier
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4. Bedlington terrier
Although at first glance he looks more like a lamb than a dog, the Bedlington terrier could be the perfect canine addition to a laid-back family. These do not shed and are very mild-mannered.
Maxing out at 17 inches and 23 pounds (with males and females being far closer in size than many other breeds), they do very well in apartments as long as there's plenty of room to play.
Next Up: Shih tzu
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5. Shih tzu
Despite those long, silky locks, this breed sheds very lightly. Although they need a lot of grooming, they are affectionate, kind and easygoing. But be wary: Shih tzus tend to become jealous of babies and toddlers, so protect your other little loved ones from their insecurity. Even though they're only up to 11 inches and 16 pounds, they may not be the best fit for families with small kids who don't know how to act around dogs (or if your dog isn't properly obedience-trained).
More: Top 14 Small Dog Breeds for People Who Prefer the Tinier Things in Life
These pups are also prone to a host of health problems that can add to the amount of maintenance they require (especially as they get older), but if you're like many dog lovers, showering your baby with affection is your favorite hobby anyway, right?
Next Up: Poodle
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6. Poodle
Like the schnauzer, the poodle comes in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy. They do not shed, but they do require a lot of grooming and care. They're easy to train, but the smaller ones can get a little yappy. That said, poodles of any size are remarkably intelligent and typically very strong at any size.
Poodles too prissy for your liking? Try a labradoodle. They have the hypoallergenic coat of a poodle, but on a Labrador's body.
Next Up: Cane Italiano!
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7. Italian greyhound
Perfecto! This little Italian has a thin coat, so he barely sheds, and it's easy to keep him clean of allergens. The breed is very playful and loyal and does not need a big yard. They're extremely sensitive to cold, though, so this isn't a good breed for a family living in a chilly climate. In many climates, they're the perfect dog if you need justification to dress your pet in cute sweaters.
Much smaller than the greyhounds that usually come to mind, this little cutie maxes out at about 15 inches high and 10 pounds.
Next Up: Basenji
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8. Basenji
No, not Benji from the movies, but even better. These pups don't shed or bark, they have very little dander, and they're darling, so they're a great choice. They do sometimes make an odd yodeling noise, and they can be hard to train (like most hounds). But this stubborn demeanor comes packed with a lot of lovable personality.
I don't recommend getting a basenji if you live in tight quarters, as he's pretty active indoors, but it's great if you have a large apartment conducive to activity or a backyard. He may be only as big as 17 inches and 26 pounds, but it's not a good idea to trust him around non-canine animals or kids who aren't well versed in showing dogs they're the alpha.
Next Up: Chinese crested
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9. Chinese crested
The most efficient way to avoid dog-induced allergies is to get a dog without any, or with very little, hair. You can't go wrong with the Chinese crested; they barely shed at all. They do produce dander and can be a little clingy, but they're very good with children.
When you're searching for one, be advised that there's actually a powderpuff variety that does have hair, but they're almost equally allergy-friendly. They're just harder to care for because their fur can mat if you don't brush it properly. Both varieties need to wear sweaters in cold weather, but they're excellent apartment dogs, at 12 inches high and about 10 pounds on average, and need only frequent exercise rather than a backyard to frolic in.
Next Up: Smile like Sam
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10. Samoyed
The Samoyed is a sneezing owner's dream come true. This breed does shed, but you'll find no doggy odor or dander, making these dogs the perfect option for people with allergies. They're known for being laid-back, gentle and "smiley," so they're great around kids.
They're usually around 21 inches tall and about 40 pounds, and they're very active indoors. Apartment life is OK as long as they get plenty of exercise, but make note that unlike many of the other dogs on this list, Samoyeds have a nice, thick coat of fur, so they love cold weather (and cuddling... in fact, they're bred to do it!).
Next Up: Maltese
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11. Maltese
What do Britney Spears, Halle Berry, Eva Longoria and Elizabeth Taylor all have in common? These mega-celebs have all owned at least one adorable Maltese in their lives.
The Maltese may be small in stature, but don't let their size fool you — these pups come with a whole lot of lovable personality. Known to have a calm and gentle nature, Maltese pups make excellent family dogs. They have long, silky hair that does require a bit of extra attention, but running a brush through their luxurious locks once a day will prevent any grooming issues.
If space is an issue, this breed may be for you. Maltese generally weigh about seven pounds and don't require a huge yard to run around in. They do need a few brisk, daily walks, but they prefer to spend the rest of their time cuddled up next to their favorite human.
Up next: Coton de Tulear
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12. Coton de Tulear
The AKC describes the Coton de Tulear (pronounced "cotawn day two-lee are") as "bright, happy-go-lucky, endlessly charming; born to love and to be loved." They're a fairly new breed (the AKC just recognized them in 2014), but quickly gaining popularity.
Despite their long, thick white coats, Coton de Tulears are allergy friendly for the most part.
Up next: Xoloitzcuintli
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13. Xoloitzcuintli
Don't let the crazy name fool you, the Xoloitzcuintli (sometimes referred to as "Xolo") is often described as loyal, alert, calm and trainable. Because they are wary of strangers, they make for excellent watchdogs. Xolos do enjoy long walks and upbeat play, but they're also known to be super calm indoors. Many Xolos are hairless, while others have a short, flat coat.
Allergies are different for everyone, so do your research. Check out WebMD for details on the causes of dog allergies. Also check out the official AKC-approved list of hypoallergenic breeds, or visit the Breeder Retriever for tons of breed information and puppy-parenting tips.
