For many dog lovers, the dream of pet ownership can be overshadowed by the challenge of allergies. While no dog is entirely “hypoallergenic,” certain breeds produce fewer allergens and, crucially, shed minimally, making them a more manageable choice for sensitive individuals. Finding a medium-sized canine companion that fits this description allows for a substantial presence without the constant upkeep of excessive shedding. These dogs offer a wonderful balance of playful energy, loyal companionship, and a reduced impact on allergy sufferers, making them highly sought after by families and individuals alike.
Navigating the world of dog breeds can be overwhelming, especially when specific criteria like size and shedding are paramount. This guide focuses specifically on those fantastic medium-sized breeds known for their low-shedding coats, providing detailed insights into their characteristics, temperaments, and grooming needs. If you’re looking for dog breeds that don t shed a lot, you’re in the right place to discover your next furry family member.
Understanding Hypoallergenic Dogs and Shedding
The term “hypoallergenic” can be a bit misleading, as it doesn’t mean “allergy-free.” All dogs produce dander (tiny flakes of skin), saliva, and urine, which contain proteins that trigger allergic reactions. However, dogs labeled as hypoallergenic tend to shed very little hair. Less shedding means less dander, hair, and saliva are distributed into the environment, significantly reducing the common triggers for allergies. For those with sensitivities, choosing a dog that produces fewer allergens and minimizes their spread through shedding can make a substantial difference in managing symptoms like sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.
Regular grooming and a clean living environment are still crucial when living with any dog, even those considered hypoallergenic. However, selecting a breed with a low-shedding coat is the first and most effective step towards a more comfortable coexistence for allergy sufferers. The medium-sized dogs discussed below generally fall into this category, offering a happy compromise for those desiring a dog larger than a toy breed but smaller than a giant.
Top Medium-Sized Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed Much
These breeds offer the perfect blend of a manageable size and a low-shedding coat, making them excellent choices for many households.
Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is a robust and intelligent breed known for its distinctive wiry coat and expressive eyebrows and beard. Weighing up to 45 pounds and standing around 18-20 inches tall, they fit perfectly into the medium-sized category. Their dense, wiry double coat sheds very little, making them a great option for allergy sufferers. Despite their low shedding, their coat requires regular maintenance, including brushing a few times a week and professional grooming or hand-stripping every few months to keep it in prime condition.
Standard Schnauzers are alert, spirited, and highly trainable, making them excellent companions for active families. They thrive on mental and physical stimulation, enjoying activities like long walks, playtime, and puzzle toys. Their protective nature also makes them good watchdogs, though early socialization is essential to ensure they are well-adjusted around strangers and other animals.
Gray Standard Schnauzer standing alertly in a grassy field
Portuguese Water Dog
Originally bred to assist fishermen, the Portuguese Water Dog is a highly intelligent and energetic medium-sized breed. Males typically weigh 40-60 pounds and stand 20-23 inches, while females are slightly smaller. Their defining characteristic is their thick, curly, single coat, which is virtually non-shedding. This makes them an outstanding choice for individuals with allergies, though their coat does require consistent grooming to prevent matting and tangles, including brushing several times a week and professional trims every 6-8 weeks.
Portuguese Water Dogs are known for their friendly and adventurous spirits. They are highly trainable and excel in various dog sports, including obedience, agility, and, naturally, swimming. These dogs need ample exercise and mental engagement to stay happy and well-behaved, making them ideal for active families or individuals who can provide consistent training and outdoor activities.
Labradoodle
The Labradoodle, a crossbreed of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, was originally developed to be a hypoallergenic service dog. While their size can vary depending on the Poodle parent, Standard Labradoodles typically fall into the medium to large range, often weighing between 50-65 pounds and standing 21-24 inches. Their coats can range from wavy to curly, and most tend to shed minimally, inheriting this trait from their Poodle lineage. This low-shedding quality has made them immensely popular among allergy sufferers.
Labradoodles are celebrated for their intelligent, friendly, and gentle nature, making them excellent family pets. They are highly trainable and thrive on companionship, requiring consistent exercise and early socialization to develop into well-adjusted adults. Regular brushing, at least a few times a week, and professional grooming every 6-12 weeks are necessary to maintain their beautiful coats and prevent matting.
Brown Standard Labradoodle walking on a paved path in a park
Goldendoodle
Similar to the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle is a charming crossbreed between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They often come in various sizes, with Standard Goldendoodles comfortably fitting into the medium to large category, typically weighing 50-75 pounds and standing 20-24 inches tall. Like Labradoodles, their coats are generally low-shedding, inheriting the Poodle’s advantageous trait, making them another fantastic option for allergy-prone households. Their wavy to curly coats come in a wide range of colors and require regular brushing to prevent tangles and professional grooming.
Goldendoodles are known for their incredibly friendly and outgoing personalities, combined with high intelligence and a playful nature. They are highly adaptable and devoted family dogs who thrive on interaction and activity. Consistent exercise, positive reinforcement training, and plenty of mental stimulation are key to ensuring a happy and well-behaved Goldendoodle.
Golden Goldendoodle resting on a comfortable couch with a person in the background
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient Italian breed, originally bred as a water retriever and later specialized in truffle hunting. These charming dogs are distinctly medium-sized, typically weighing 24-35 pounds and standing 16-19 inches tall. Their most defining feature is their dense, woolly, curly coat, which is virtually non-shedding and provides excellent protection in cold water. This characteristic makes them a prime choice for individuals seeking a low-allergy dog.
While low-shedding, the Lagotto’s coat requires regular care, including weekly brushing to prevent matting and periodic professional clipping. Lagotti Romagnoli are intelligent, eager to please, and generally good with children and other pets, making them wonderful family dogs. They possess a keen sense of smell and a love for “working,” so providing them with activities that engage their minds and bodies, such as scent work or puzzle games, is highly beneficial.
Irish Water Spaniel
A distinctive and elegant breed, the Irish Water Spaniel is a true medium-to-large dog, with males weighing 55-68 pounds and standing 22-24 inches. Known for their unique “rat tail” and tight, liver-colored curls, their thick, curly double coat is low-shedding and water-repellent, a testament to their heritage as retrieving game from water. This low-shedding trait positions them as a favorable option for those with allergies. Regular grooming, including brushing and occasional trimming, is essential to maintain their coat’s health and appearance.
Irish Water Spaniels are friendly, intelligent, and possess a lively disposition. They are highly trainable and energetic, requiring significant daily exercise and mental engagement to prevent boredom. Their playful and inquisitive nature makes them delightful companions for active families who can provide the stimulation and outdoor adventures they crave.
Brown Irish Water Spaniel in profile, looking alert in an outdoor setting
Aussiedoodle
An Aussiedoodle is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Standard or Miniature Poodle, resulting in a highly intelligent and energetic dog that can range from medium to large in size. A typical medium-sized Aussiedoodle might weigh between 35-50 pounds and stand 18-22 inches. Thanks to the Poodle influence, Aussiedoodles are known for their low-shedding coats, which can be wavy or curly. This makes them a great consideration for those concerned about allergies. Their coats need regular brushing and professional grooming to prevent matting.
Aussiedoodles are remarkably smart, eager to please, and highly trainable. They inherit the herding instincts of the Australian Shepherd and the intelligence of the Poodle, requiring significant physical activity and mental stimulation. If not properly exercised or engaged, they can become bored and potentially destructive. They thrive in active households that can dedicate time to training, play, and outdoor adventures.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a charming and spirited medium-sized dog that originated in Ireland. They typically weigh 30-40 pounds and stand 17-19 inches tall. As their name suggests, they boast a soft, silky, wavy coat that is unique and feels like “wheat.” This beautiful coat sheds minimally, making Wheatens a popular choice among allergy sufferers. However, their coat does require daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles, as well as regular professional grooming to maintain its shape and health.
Wheatens are known for their joyful “Wheaten Greetin’,” where they jump up to greet people. They are affectionate, playful, and energetic dogs that maintain a puppy-like enthusiasm throughout their lives. They require ample exercise and mental stimulation to keep their terrier instincts satisfied and ensure they are well-behaved family members.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier standing on a fallen log in an outdoor setting
Schnoodle
The Schnoodle is a delightful hybrid breed combining the intelligent Poodle with the sturdy Schnauzer, both of which are low-shedding breeds. This makes the Schnoodle an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. Their size can vary depending on the Poodle and Schnauzer parents used in the cross, but many fall into the medium category, often weighing 20-40 pounds. Their coat can be curly or wavy, and it is consistently low-shedding. Like their parent breeds, Schnoodles require regular grooming, including brushing several times a week and professional clipping every few months.
Schnoodles are known for their playful, affectionate, and intelligent personalities. They are generally eager to please and highly trainable, making them adaptable companions for various living situations, from apartments to larger homes. They enjoy daily walks and playtime, benefiting from consistent mental and physical exercise to channel their energy positively.
Whoodle
The Whoodle is a charming and friendly crossbreed resulting from a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle. This combination often produces a medium-sized dog, typically weighing between 30-50 pounds, with a soft, wavy to curly coat that is notably low-shedding. The Whoodle inherits the best traits from both parent breeds: the Poodle’s intelligence and the Wheaten’s affectionate, spirited nature. Their low-shedding coat makes them an attractive option for those with allergies, though it does require regular brushing to prevent matting.
Whoodles are known for their outgoing, playful, and devoted personalities. They are highly intelligent and trainable, thriving on companionship and interaction with their families. These active dogs need daily exercise, such as walks, fetch, or playing in a secure yard, to keep them happy and well-behaved. Early socialization and consistent training are beneficial for Whoodles to grow into well-adjusted and polite companions.
Peruvian Inca Orchid (Medium)
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is an ancient and unique breed that comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The medium-sized variant typically weighs 26-30 pounds and stands 15-20 inches tall. While they can have a short, sparse coat, the most common and recognized variety is hairless, making them inherently hypoallergenic and exceptionally low-shedding. Their hairless skin requires special care, including protection from sun exposure and cold weather, and regular moisturizing.
Peruvian Inca Orchids are elegant, alert, and affectionate dogs with their families, though they can be reserved with strangers. They are intelligent and generally eager to please, responding well to consistent, positive training. Despite their somewhat delicate appearance, they are active dogs that enjoy daily exercise and mental stimulation. Their unique look and gentle nature make them captivating and loyal companions for those seeking a truly low-shedding friend. You can also explore top dog breeds that don t shed for more excellent choices.
Living Happily with Your Low-Shedding Medium Dog
Bringing a low-shedding medium-sized dog into your home is a fantastic step towards reducing allergen exposure, but consistent care and attention are still essential for a harmonious household.
Keep Up With Grooming
Even low-shedding breeds require dedicated grooming. Their coats, whether curly, wavy, or wiry, can easily mat without regular attention. Weekly brushing, sometimes even daily for certain breeds, is crucial to prevent tangles and remove any loose hair or dander. Additionally, most of these breeds benefit from professional grooming every 6-12 weeks for trimming and shaping. Regular bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo can further help reduce dander and keep their skin healthy. Investing in quality grooming tools and establishing a routine early on will make the process enjoyable for both you and your dog.
Maintain a Clean House
While your chosen breed minimizes shedding, allergens can still accumulate. Regular cleaning of your home is vital to keep dander and other allergens at bay. Vacuuming frequently, especially carpets and upholstery, dusting surfaces, and washing bedding (both yours and your dog’s) regularly will significantly reduce the allergen load. Using air purifiers with HEPA filters and ensuring good ventilation can also help improve air quality, creating a more comfortable environment for allergy sufferers.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you have dog allergies, it’s always advisable to consult with your healthcare provider before bringing any dog home. They can offer personalized advice on managing your allergies, which might include medication, nasal sprays, or immunotherapy. While a low-shedding dog can greatly reduce triggers, it’s important to understand that no dog is 100% allergen-free. Your doctor can help you develop a comprehensive plan to minimize symptoms and ensure a healthy, happy life with your new companion.
Conclusion
Choosing a medium-sized dog that doesn’t shed much allows individuals with allergies to enjoy the profound companionship of a canine without significant discomfort. Breeds like the Standard Schnauzer, Portuguese Water Dog, Labradoodle, and Goldendoodle, among others, offer a wonderful balance of manageable size, engaging personality, and a low-shedding coat. With consistent grooming, a clean home environment, and mindful health management, these remarkable dogs can bring immense joy and affection into allergy-sensitive households. Embrace the journey of pet parenthood with a companion that truly fits your lifestyle, ensuring a happy and healthy life for everyone involved.
