If you have dog allergies, it is still possible to live side by side with a furry friend. Hypoallergenic dogs rarely shed and are less likely to trigger allergy symptoms, but are they expensive?
Welcoming a dog into your home can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But if you’ve been wondering, how much is a hypoallergenic dog? — keep reading.
How Much Is a Hypoallergenic Dog Contents
Things To Consider Before Buying a Hypoallergenic Dog
How Much Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Saving Money on a Hypoallergenic Dog
Conclusion
Hypoallergenic Dog Prices FAQs
Things To Consider Before Buying a Hypoallergenic Dog
When you have dog allergies, you may be so set on finding an allergy-friendly breed you forget other important factors. So, before deciding, think about the following:
How Much Space Do You Have?
It may be possible to fit a Labradoodle into a small apartment, but this won’t be a comfortable living arrangement for you or your canine pal. Think about the size of your home and your outdoor garden space before committing to a breed.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Certain breeds need more human interaction and attention than others. Aloof breeds like the Afghan Hound may not chase you for attention, but a Maltese or Bichon Frise will follow you around, and want to be with you all the time.
Consider how much time you can devote to a dog and also if you’ll need to leave them home alone for several hours a day.
Do You Like Walking?
If long walks are not your jam, don’t get a breed that needs several hours of exercise a day. Research how much physical activity your desired breed needs and make sure you have the time in your daily schedule.
Temperament
It’s important to know the personality and temperament of a breed before you decide to bring a puppy home. There are several family-friendly breeds, dogs that make excellent guard dogs, and then there are the lap dogs who just want to cuddle all day.
Can I Afford a Dog?
Having a dog in your life is a long-term commitment, and that includes upkeep. It doesn’t stop at the initial outlay. Here are a few things you’ll need to budget for:
- Food.
- Vets bills/pet insurance.
- Grooming bills.
- Fleas or tick treatments.
- Vaccinations.
- Treats, toys, doggy sundries.
- Other expenses — e.g., boarding kennels, training, etc.
To give you an idea, statistics* suggest the average cost of owning a dog equates to around $1200 per year. So, bear this in mind.
*based on data taken from 2020
How Much Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?
What Affects the Hypoallergenic Dogs Price?
- Breed type popularity/demand — when there are more prospective pet parents seeking dogs, but supply isn’t enough. Trends in breeds lead to price hikes.
- Breeder reputation — all that high-class care and attention costs money, which reflects the puppy price tag.
- Bloodline — award-winning dogs will fetch a higher price.
- Breed rarity — people are willing to pay for exclusive/unique ‘exotic’ canines.
How Much Do Hypoallergenic Dogs Cost?
We’ve put together a list of some of the small, medium, and large hypoallergenic dog breeds and their average prices. Take a look:
| Breed | Average Price Range |
| Afghan Hound | $1300 – $2800 |
| Airedale Terrier | $900 – $2000 |
| Basenji | $700 – $1300 |
| Bichon Frise | $700 – $1000 |
| Havanese | $1000 – $1500 |
| Irish Terrier | $700 – $1500 |
| Italian Greyhound | $750 – $2000 |
| Maltese | $1000 – $2500 |
| Mini Schnauzer | $500 – $2000 |
| Portuguese Water Dog | $2000 – $3000 |
| Standard Poodle | $900 – $1500 |
| Samoyed | $1000 – $3000 |
| Scottish Terrier | $900 – $2900 |
| Shih Tzu | $900 – $2500 |
| West Highland White Terrier | $600 – $1500 |
Most Affordable Hypoallergenic Dogs
As you can see, there are several affordable hypoallergenic dogs available from breeders. We’ve picked three that we feel are more than just value for money.
A loyal and adaptable breed that makes a great family dog. Miniature Schnauzers have a decent lifespan of up to 15 years, and are relatively easy to train. This breed falls into AKC’s Terrier group — they’re lively and robust little canines that make great little playmates.
The Westie is a small dog with high energy levels, so needs lots of exercise. They’re also about average when it comes to trainability, but remember they were bred to be working dogs, so they aren’t dull.
A docile and gentle dog that’s content snoozing on the sofa, yet can quickly switch into ‘chase’ mode once outside — off-leash walkies aren’t a good idea. And, while they make fantastic family pets, they’re better off with children old enough to appreciate their fragile build.
Most Expensive Hypoallergenic Dogs
At the higher end of the scale, here are three of our favorites. These breeds may cost a pretty penny, but they’re worth it.
With a long, silky, flowing coat, the Afghan Hound is one elegant canine. However, to ensure their coat remains in prime condition — be prepared to offer plenty of TLC. Admittedly, this breed isn’t for everyone — first-time pet parents being one — but if you overcome that determined side, you’ll have a loyal companion for life.
Big, white, and fluffy, the loveable Samoyed is a pack dog at heart that adores being around others. They’re considered hypoallergenic because they don’t drool or produce much dander. But, these dogs do shed heavily seasonally, so bear that in mind. They’re also dogs that demand significant exercise.
The Portie is among the most expensive hypoallergenic dogs, but they make up for that in their character. These water-loving woof woofs are easy to train, ideal for outdoorsy humans, and super affectionate. And, while they’re awesome with kids, they may be a little too boisterous for tiny tots.
Saving Money on a Hypoallergenic Dog
Once you’ve settled on the perfect breed for you, it’s time to find some puppies for sale. Here are our top tips on how to save money when buying a hypoallergenic dog:
Consider Adoption
When you plan on introducing a dog into your family, adoption is always worthwhile thinking about. Not only will you be giving a dog in need a new home and loving family, but you can also save yourself a few dollars in the process.
Often hypoallergenic dogs end up in rescue centers, just like heavy-shedding breeds. Labradoodles, Shih Tzus, Poodles, Yorkies, and Maltese dogs often crop up in adoption centers, looking for their forever family.
To find out more, read our guide on Adopting a Hypoallergenic Dog.
Shop Around
As the prices in the table above show, the cost of puppies of the same breed can vary by hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
Hence, to find a dog within your budget, shop around and look at several different private breeders.
However, if you find a puppy listing that seems strangely ‘too good to be true,’ you should approach this with caution. Cheap hypoallergenic dogs may have been born and bred in a puppy mill and are more at risk of poor health and behavioral issues.
Breeders who run puppy mills put the priorities of profits before the welfare of the animals. The puppies and parents are subjected to substandard conditions, neglect and lead miserable lives.
Hence, while we all love a bargain, as far as dogs are concerned, a really low price can be a red flag.
Conclusion
The best way to find out how much a hypoallergenic breed costs is to do your research. Once you’ve found your perfect breed, get to work browsing puppy listings, and you’ll soon develop an understanding of the average price.
Remember, adoption can change a dog’s life, and there might just be an allergy-friendly dog in your local shelter right now. Adoption fees are generally a lot lower than the price of hypoallergenic puppies sold by private breeders.
So, in answer to ‘how much is a hypoallergenic dog?’ As we’ve seen, there are canines to fit all pet parent’s budgets. Yet remember, finding the breed that fits in with your family or lifestyle is equally, if not, more important.
Hypoallergenic Dog Prices FAQs
What Is The Cheapest Hypoallergenic Dog Breed?
The prices of hypoallergenic dog breeds vary considerably. Hence, there isn’t a specific breed that you would class as the cheapest overall. However, the Fox Terrier can cost as little as $300 and Mini Schnauzers start from $500.
Is Any Dog 100% Hypoallergenic?
No, there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog. All dogs shed dander — dead skin cells — and this is where the allergy-causing protein is found. However, as dander is often released with fur, low-shedding dogs are the best option for people looking for an allergy-free dog.
What Breed of Dog Is Hypoallergenic?
Many. Popular hypoallergenic dogs include
Are Hypoallergenic Pets Expensive?
Not all. In fact, some allergy-friendly breeds can cost considerably less than heavy-shedding dogs. Hypoallergenic dogs can cost just a few hundred dollars, depending on the breed of the pooch and the breeder you are buying from.
Is It Good To Have a Hypoallergenic Dog?
If you have dog allergies or want to keep your house free of fur — yes. Hypoallergenic breeds are also good for people who suffer from asthma, as well as for those allergic to dog dander.
