Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
While there is no 100% hypoallergenic breed, there are dogs that lose little or no hair compared to other breeds. These large dogs cause few allergic reactions, making them a wise choice for those with bad reactions to animals. If you wish to adopt one of these breeds, we recommend spending some time with the dog beforehand to ensure that it won’t cause any problems. Many large hypoallergenic dogs make great pets. These are some of the best choices if you’re looking for a large dog that won’t trigger your allergies.
What makes a large dog hypoallergenic?
Dander is a common allergen among large dog breeds, but some produce less dander than others. These dogs, known as hypoallergenic breeds, lose little or no hair and therefore create less floating dander that can trigger allergies.
Poodle(Standard)
- Weight: 50-70 pounds
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Life span:12–15 years
The Poodle is an elegant dog known for its intelligence and playful nature. Its dense, curly coat helps it to shed few hairs and dead cells, which makes it a perfect choice for people allergic to pet hair. Poodles also don’t experience seasonal shedding, though they must visit a groomer multiple times a year to keep their coat healthy and silky.
Portuguese Water Dog
- Weight: 35 to 60 pounds
- Height: 17 to 23 inches
- Life span:11 to 13 years
One of the most hypoallergenic dog breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog is also an excellent swimmer and working dog. President Barack Obama famously adopted one in 2009 after his daughter showed allergies to other dogs. The incredible ability of the Portuguese Water Dog to adapt has made it a popular choice for families across the globe.
Giant Schnauzer
- Weight: 55–85 pounds
- Height: 23.5–27.5 inches
- Life span:12–15 years
One of the largest hypoallergenic dogs that don’t shed. As a larger dog, the giant schnauzer is best for those with more energy and space to give them the right amount of exercise. They have a dense double coat with a soft undercoat and a hard outer layer. Their coats require weekly brushing and frequent trimmings.
Samoyed
- Weight: 35–65 pounds
- Height: 19–23.5 inches
- Life span:12–14 years
The Samoyed is the perfect large hypoallergenic dogs breed for those who suffer from allergies. Though they do shed their hair, it contains very little danders, making them a hypoallergenic breed. They are kind, gentle, relatively laid-back dogs, getting along well with everyone, even children.
Afghan Hound
- Weight: 50–60 pounds
- Height: 25–27 inches
- Life span:12–15 years
The Afghan Hound is a beautiful dog breed with long, silky hair. Afghan Hound dogs are known for not shedding much, as their hair grows slowly over time. When they are puppies, they have short, fluffy coats. However, once their hair starts to grow, they require regular grooming to keep their new coats looking beautiful.
Irish Water Spaniel
- Weight: 45–68 pounds
- Height: 21–24 inches
- Life span:12–13 years
The Irish Water Spaniel is a cross-descendant of the Portuguese Water Dog and shares many similarities with its ancestor. Like the Portuguese Water Dog, the Irish Water Spaniel is an excellent swimmer and is well-suited for hunting waterfowl or rescue missions at sea. However, the Irish Water Spaniel can sometimes be stubborn, so it is best suited for an experienced owner.
Labradoodle
- Weight: 50–75 pounds
- Height: 22–25 inches
- Life span:10–14 years
This popular dog breed is a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. It was created in the 80s at the request of a visually impaired person allergic to dog hair. This person was looking for a service dog that was also hypoallergenic. So, breeders tried to create this type of dog by crossing a Labrador (for its assistantship skills) with a Poodle (a hypoallergenic breed). Thus, the Labradoodle breed was born and is perfect for allergy sufferers.
Conclusion
There are a variety of large hypoallergenic dog breeds to choose from, depending on your preferences. Some popular options include the poodle and labradoodle. If you’re allergic to dogs but still want to adopt one, it’s essential to spend some time around the dog before committing. This will help you determine if you’re likely to have an allergic reaction. In addition, you should follow some hygiene rules to keep allergens to a minimum in your home, such as not letting the dog into certain rooms and vacuuming often.
