A pet dog can bring so much joy and fun to a family, but what do you do if you have children allergic to dogs?
The best hypoallergenic dogs for kids allow you and your youngsters to welcome a four-legged friend into your home — without the fear of allergies flaring up.
We’ve put together our favorites — looking closely at each breed to help you make the best choice for your family.
First, let’s clarify something.
There are no completely hypoallergenic dogs for children. This is because, contrary to popular belief, allergies are caused by a protein found in doggy saliva and dander (dead skin cells), not the dog hair itself. And, as all dogs have this bodily fluid and shed dander, no breed can ever be 100% hypoallergenic. But, some breeds are much better suited than others.
Although dog hair and fur aren’t the root cause of an allergic reaction, the more fur a dog sheds, the more dander it will shed — as it’s often attached to dog fur. The same applies to drool, the more a dog slobbers, the more allergens are released.
Hence, hypoallergenic dogs for children with allergies are those that don’t drool and shed very much. Plus, they need to bear qualities that make them a pawfect fit for families. As in, a great temperament, loyal, gentle, and loving. They should also be playful, inquisitive, and obviously, adore being around children
Take, for example, the Labrador. This breed is well-known for its family-friendly traits, but this pooch would be a terrible choice for kids allergic to dogs. Labradors are loyal, loving, and bundles of energy that your child will love, but they’re also prolific shedders. A Labrador can shed fur all year round and release copious amounts of dander into your home.
Don’t panic, you can still make your dreams of having a family dog a reality, even if there are allergies to contend with. Finding the perfect pooch may just take a little more effort, but there are several hypoallergenic dogs that don’t shed and are good with kids — keep reading to find out more.
Before we share the best dogs for kids with allergies, it’s important for you to know the signs and symptoms of a dog allergy in children. You may discover your child is reacting to a different allergen; their symptoms may not be linked to a dog allergy at all.
Have you noticed your youngster displaying any of the following child allergies to dogs symptoms after spending time with a tail-wagger? Skin and respiratory symptoms are possible, as well as any of the following:
- Stuffy nose.
- Watery eyes.
- Red eyes.
- Itchy nose and eyes.
- Frequent rubbing of the nose.
- Itchy skin.
- Eczema.
- Hives.
If your child suffers from asthma and is allergic to dogs, they may experience more severe respiratory symptoms. Keep a close eye for the following signs:
- Wheezing.
- Tight chest.
- Coughing.
- Shortness of breath.
An allergy diagnosis doesn’t mean a family dog isn’t a possibility, as we’re about to share — the best hypoallergenic dogs for kids could be the solution.
1. Bichon Frise
Your child is sure to love a Bichon Frise. These small dogs are adorable, they’re cute little balls of white fluff! Most importantly, the Bichon Frise is one of the best kid friendly hypoallergenic dogs.
Coat
This bow-wow has a long and curly double coat, meaning it sheds very little fur and releases minimal dander into the environment. It’s also a breed not known for excessive drool, so there is no need to worry about exposing your child to the allergens in dog saliva. When it comes to hypoallergenic dogs for kids, the Bichon Frise is a breed to consider.
Temperament
These sweet little dogs have playful and curious personalities, making them the perfect playmate for your youngster. They’re also considered fairly easy to train and proven to be well suited for family life. So, whether you have a toddler or a teenager, a Bichon Frise will make a great addition to your family.
Children of all ages will love the West Highland White Terrier, or Westie for short. This breed loves to play and explore, and your children will love their cute, soft-toy-like appearance. This terrier will only grow to around 10 to 11 inches tall, and they will slot in easily into your family home.
Coat
The West Highland White Terrier is just one of the many terrier breeds well suited for children allergic to dogs. With a medium-length double coat, made up of hard and strong hair, it won’t aggravate your child’s dog allergy. When the fur is shed, it gets trapped between the two layers of their coat. However, you’ll need to regularly groom your Westie, but this can be done outside and away from your child, to reduce their exposure to the released dander. You also don’t need to worry about excessive drooling.
Temperament
Westies are patient and playful with young children and are also an affectionate and loving breed. They’re often independent little souls and their strong-minded attitude may mean training takes a little longer than with other breeds — consider if you have the time in your busy family schedule for this. With patience and determination, you will be able to train up your pup and the whole family will be able to enjoy their furry friend’s playful and curious nature.
3. Schnauzer
When you’re looking for the best dog for kids with allergies, you can’t go wrong with a Schnauzer. Whether you have the space for a Giant Schnauzer or you want a miniature or standard version of the breed, you won’t need to worry about aggravating your child’s dog allergy. As well as being hypoallergenic, a Schnauzer has an interesting and quirky appearance that kids are sure to love.
Coat
The Schnauzer has a medium-length, wiry double coat, and they’re deemed a low-shedding canine. This is fur-tastic news for those family members with allergies, as the Schnauzer hardly sheds — meaning minimal allergy-inducing dander released into your home. It may be hard to believe a Schnauzer with its trademark long eyebrows could be hypoallergenic, but it’s true!
Temperament
Schnauzers were originally bred as farm dogs in Germany. They’re an intelligent breed and easy to train. The Schnauzer loves to play and is bursting with energy — ideal for hyper-active little people. Kids will love a pet Schnauzer and the feeling will be mutual, these dogs enjoy playing with children and possess a super protective nature.
The Irish Water Spaniel may not be the absolute best dog for a child with allergies, but it comes close. These pooches are known for being affectionate with their family members but may not be as interested in playing with children as other breeds on this list. That said, the Irish Water Spaniel is very loyal, loving and does have the energy to make a fun playmate.
Coat
This hypoallergenic dog for kids has a medium-length, tightly curled coat and a long thin tail. They’re a good choice for allergy sufferers as they’re low-shedding, and the dander that they do shed tends to get caught up in their curls. Providing you groom your dog outside, you don’t need to worry about dander contaminating your home.
Temperament
The long floppy ears on an Irish Water Spaniel are adorable and they aren’t too large either — around 24 inches tall — so they will fit perfectly into your family home. These tail-waggers are extremely eager to please and you shouldn’t have any trouble training them up.
5. Shih Tzu
The last breed on our list of the best dogs for kids and allergies is the Shih Tzu. These sweet little dogs were originally bred for royalty but they’re pawsome for family life. Shih Tzu dogs are tiny, they weigh between nine and 16 pounds and only grow to around 11 inches tall.
Coat
Your child will quickly fall in love with the teddy bear-like Shih Tzu, they have beautiful big puppy dog eyes and a hypoallergenic coat. Children can easily bond with their new puppy pal by grooming their long double coat.
Temperament
While cute, they’re also mischievous, these tiny balls of energy love to play. Don’t worry though, these dogs do enjoy playtime but they love nothing more than snuggling up on your lap and being their adorable little selves.
You won’t have much trouble training your Shih Tzu. And, they’re also very adaptable, so if a new baby joins the family or you decide to move house, your little bundle of fluff should cope just fine. The Shih Tzu is renowned for being good with children and making a great family pet.
Other Hypoallergenic Dogs Good With Kids
The above breeds are our top picks of the best hypoallergenic dogs for children with allergies. However, they aren’t the only four-legged friends suitable for children with dog allergies. If you don’t think any of the breeds we’ve discussed are a good fit for your family, here are a few more:
Conclusion
If your child has a dog allergy, you may think it isn’t possible to have a family pooch. But hypoallergenic dogs good with kids mean you can be both a pet parent and a parent to a child with dog allergies.
While it’s impossible to find a completely allergy-free dog, the breeds mentioned here are low-shedding and drooling, thus highly reducing the likelihood of causing an allergic reaction.
Allowing a furbaby into your family’s life can bring oodles of fun, joy, and treasured memories for your little ones. And, if you pick one of the best hypoallergenic dogs for kids, even children with allergies can experience the happiness of growing up with a furry best friend.
What Is a Good Small Hypoallergenic Dog for Kids?
Many small dog breeds are low-shedding and suitable for people with allergies. If you’re allergic to dogs and want a tiny pooch, breeds to consider include:
What Small Dogs Are Hypoallergenic and Easy To Train?
Not all dogs are easy to train — some breeds are much better listeners than others! The Shih Tzu, Irish Water Spaniel, and Bichon Frise are eager to please and easy to train. Mini Schnauzers can be trained with minimal effort and toy poodles are often described as being obedient and highly trainable too.
How Can I Help My Child With Dog Allergies?
If you have a child with dog allergies and a pet dog, you may be wondering what you can do to help your child without having to rehome your furry friend.
- Keep the dog confined to just a few rooms in the house.
- Your child’s room should be strictly out of bounds for your tail-wagger.
- Groom your pooch outside, so the dead skin is released out in the open air.
- Many people with dog allergies choose to use an air purifier.
Can You Live With a Dog if You Are Allergic?
Yes. A hypoallergenic dog reduces your risk of developing unpleasant allergy symptoms. Dogs that are low shedding and don’t excessively drool are considered hypoallergenic and shouldn’t cause an allergic reaction.
How Do You Tell if a Child’s Allergic to Dogs?
If your child is suffering from a dog allergy, they will display specific symptoms after spending time around a dog (or in a place where a dog has been). Common symptoms in children include:
- Watery eyes and nose.
- Itchy skin.
- Red/watery eyes.
- Sneezing.
- Hives.
Children with asthma may suffer more severe symptoms and could also experience respiratory difficulties during an allergic reaction.
