Bo Obama, the 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog recently adopted by the First Family, was selected in part for his hypoallergenic coat. Adopting Bo created new interest in a group of dogs known for their non-shedding coats. Below is a list of nine other non-shedding dogs and their basic characteristics.
one. Maltese – The Maltese Bichon, a dog from the toy group, is a breed known for its long, white, fine fur. This coat is not characteristic of most dogs that do not shed and have curly hair. The Maltese coat requires regular grooming due to its tendency to matte.
two. bedlington terrier – Bedlington Terriers are bright, clownish characters who love their families and are the center of attention. His coat is soft and requires little maintenance.
3. irish spaniel – The Irish Water Spaniel (IWS) is considered the clown of the spaniel family. Bred to accompany bird hunters, the Irish Water Spaniel has a dense double coat. The undercoat consists of thick curls covered by the long, wavy outer coat. This coat requires brushing every 2-3 weeks and needs a thorough clipping every few months.
Four. chinese crested – The Chinese Crested comes in two varieties, the Powder Puff which has hair on the head, feet and tail and the Hairless which, as its name suggests, has no hair. The Crested has soft, smooth skin that is more prone to irritation and sunburn. They are recommended by the American Kennel Club for people with allergies to dogs. They are alert and good with children.
5. labradoodle – One of the most popular “designer breeds”, the Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. The coat of these hybrid animals varies from animal to animal, but generally the ones that most closely resemble poodles are safe for allergy sufferers.
6. Schnauzer (miniature, standard and giant) – Schnauzers are energetic and intelligent dogs of the Terrier group. Although the three size varieties are unique and separate breeds, they are all double coated with a wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat. The top layer can be maintained with regular clipper cuts or by a method called hand stripping which helps preserve the fibrous nature of the coat.
7. Poodle (Toy, Miniature, Standard) – Like Schnauzers, Poodles come in three size varieties. The dense, curly coat of all three sizes requires regular professional grooming. Poodles were originally bred to accompany hunters and still maintain that high level of activity. As such, they need rigorous daily exercise and intellectual stimulation.
8. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier – The Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier is prized for its soft, wavy, wheat-colored, non-allergenic coat. The Wheaton coat requires minimal but regular maintenance. Wheatons are less headstrong than most terrier breeds, but they do require daily exercise to maintain their role as an endearing family pet.
9. bichon frize – The Bichon Frisé is a cheerful and robust puppy. It has a thick double coat consisting of a curly outer coat and a silky undercoat. Bichons hair grows continuously and does not fall out, so it requires frequent brushing to prevent matting. While no dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic, all of the breeds listed above have coats that don’t shed, resulting in less dander on the skin, the cause of most allergy symptoms.
