Small Hypoallergenic Dogs

Nothing is more pleasing than having a dog or puppy at home. Many dog lovers will agree to it that these loving and faithful pets add so much compassion and love to our lives that we can't imagine to live even a day without them. But along with the loyalty and affection that they bring in to our lives, dogs have some peculiar characteristics to which many people are allergic to. Especially people who suffer respiratory problems, like asthma, are quite allergic to the allergens present in the dog's saliva and skin cells. These allergen are also called pet pollens, which doesn't just come from the fur but are also found in the dog skin, urine and saliva. Hence, for such people keeping a dog at home, irrespective of the fact that how much they love it, can be a big problem, by resulting in severe health complications.

If you are one of those, there is no longer any need to be sad and depressed as there are different small hypoallergenic dogs that you can consider keeping at home. Hypoallergenic dogs are dogs that are produce small amount of dander (pet pollens), and cause minimal allergic reactions. It won't be fair to say that these dog breeds don't shed any fur, but in comparison to other breeds they produce less pet pollens and require minimum maintenance.

Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a small hypoallergenic dog having a soft dense inner coat and a smooth, silky outer coat. The dog sheds no fur and does not require much of grooming. It looks like puff ball and get along really well with kids, strangers as well as other pets.

Cairn Terrier
Being one of the smallest working terrier dog breeds, the Cairn Terrier is a small dog with short legs and a sturdy compact body. It has a thick, harsh and weather resistant outer coat and a short, soft and furry undercoat. The dog is bold, active and inquisitive, hence, can be a great watch dog. It sheds very little fur if groomed properly, and can be a great pet for people with allergies.

Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a small dog that belongs to the toy dog breed. The dog has a fine grained smooth skin, with a crest of hair over its head, tufted feet and feathery tail. It is an active and inquisitive dog that does well with any novice dog owner. Also it is a very light shedding dog and needs regular brushing, trimming and bathing.

Havanese
The Havanese is a cheerful, intelligent hypoallergenic dog that comes from the sturdy toy dog breed. The breed has a soft long-haired coat of varying colors like white, brown, gold, and gray. The dog needs little grooming and is known to shed very little hair.

Italian Greyhound
The Italian greyhound is a slim and fragile toy dog that has a sturdy compact body. The dog has a smooth and short coat, found in colors like fawn, blue, black and red with some white on the chest and feet. It is a quiet, cheerful and affectionate dog that will do fine with any first time dog owner. The dog sheds very little hair and needs little grooming to make its coat shine.

Maltese
The Maltese is an active, intelligent and affectionate dog that has a shiny long-haired white coat without any undercoat. The dog is quite cautious with strangers and so can be a great watch dog. Though it sheds very less hair, the dog needs lot of grooming, like regular combing and bathing.

Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk terrier is a dog that has a wide, slightly rounded skull, with expressive eyes and ears dropped forward on to the cheeks. It is a fearless, friendly, energetic dog that has small, compact sturdy legs and hard, smooth coat. It is another non shedding dog breed that needs to be brushed and bathed once or twice a week.

Norwich Terrier
Like the Norfolk terrier, Norwich terrier is another hypoallergenic dog that has a wide, slightly rounded skull, with expressive eyes but small erect ears. It is non shedding dog, having hard, close lying coat which is shorter at the head and ears, and longer at the neck shoulders and face. It is a social, active, friendly dog with a good hearing ability and hence, can be a good watch dog.

Poodle (Toy & Miniature)
Considered to be the best retrievers and hunting dogs, the Poodle is a good and intelligent family dog that can be a great watchdog. It is another non shedding dog that shed very little fur and can be a good pet for people with allergies.

Schnauzer (Miniature)
The Miniature Schnauzer is a slightly large dog that has a rough wiry outer coat and a thick undercoat. It is an active and playful dog with a pleasing personality. It is another hypoallergenic dog that does not shed much hair and needs to be brushed and groomed a few times a week.

Tibetan Terrier
The Tibetan terrier is a small to medium-sized dog that has a profuse coat with hair nearly falling over its eyes. It has a double coat with a wavy or straight long, thick outer coat, and a dense and woolly undercoat. It is an active and affectionate dog who loves to be in company of the owner all the time. The dog shed very little hair but need regular grooming, brushing and bathing.

Welsh Terrier
The Welsh terrier is a small, square dog breed that has flat head, straight legs and erect ears. It is a non shedding dog, having a wiry, hard and thick coat. It is a sociable, fun loving dog who likes to be in company of its owner all the time.

West Highland White Terrier
Commonly known as Westie, the West Highland white terrier is a sturdy small dog, that has a compact and strong body. Its most unique feature is its ears which are small, pointed and erect, covered with hair. It has a straight or wavy outer coat and short and soft undercoat. It is another hypoallergenic dog which is quite cautions about strangers and so can be a good watch dog.

Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire terrier is a rugged dog which is small or medium in size. It is a toy dog breed, having a compact sturdy body with a long shinny coat. This active, intelligent and friendly dog does not shed much hair and can be a good pet for people with allergies.

These were some of the best hypoallergenic dogs that hardly shed hair or fur and are good for people with allergies. However, before opting for any of these dogs, research well about their characteristics, behavior, eating habits, grooming, etc. and as per your requirements make a wise decision.