Glossary

Hypoallergenic dog claim

The marketing claim that a breed will not trigger allergies; no dog is truly hypoallergenic, since allergens also come from saliva, skin and urine.

Also called: hypoallergenic, hypoallergenic dog, non-shedding dog, allergy-friendly dog, low allergen dog, Can f 1

A hypoallergenic dog is one said not to trigger allergies. No such dog exists. The main allergens come from proteins in dander, saliva and urine, such as the one called Can f 1, and they spread through the home on hair and in the air. A dog that sheds little may still carry them.

Breeds sold as hypoallergenic include the Poodle, the Bichon Frise and the Portuguese Water Dog, and many doodle crosses. Studies that measured allergen levels in homes found no clear difference between so-called hypoallergenic breeds and others. Individual dogs vary, and some allergic people tolerate a particular dog better than another.

A dog breeder who guarantees an allergy-free puppy cannot keep that promise. If someone in your family has allergies, spend time with the particular dog first and talk to an allergist before you commit.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Designer breed A dog deliberately bred from two chosen breeds, often with a catchy name such as Labradoodle or Cockapoo, that is not a recognised breed itself. Curly coat A coat of tight curls or waves, as on the Poodle, Bichon Frise and Curly-Coated Retriever, which sheds little but mats without regular grooming. Double coat A coat with two layers, a soft dense undercoat beneath longer, coarser guard hairs, that insulates a dog against cold and heat and sheds heavily in season. Dog breeder A person who plans and raises litters of puppies; a responsible breeder health tests the parents, follows a breed standard and stays involved with each puppy.