Low-shedding and non-moulting coated dogs

About low-shedding and non-moulting coated dogs

Search for non shedding dogs UK or hypoallergenic dogs UK and you will find plenty of adverts promising a dog that will not trigger allergies. That promise cannot honestly be made. This page explains what low-shedding coats really are, what the evidence says about allergy, and how to find breeders of dogs that don’t moult.

What this work involves

Most dogs moult, shedding hair seasonally or all year round. Low shedding dog breeds have coats that either grow continuously, like the Poodle and Bichon Frise, or hold loose hair in tight curls or a wiry texture until it is brushed or stripped out. Less hair ends up on floors and furniture, but the work moves from the hoover to the grooming table.

A non-moulting coat needs brushing through to the skin several times a week and a professional clip or trim every few weeks. Wire coats such as the Schnauzer’s are hand-stripped or clipped. Neglected coats mat quickly, and mats pull on the skin, trap moisture and hide sores, so grooming is a welfare need rather than a cosmetic extra.

Who trains and supplies these dogs in the UK

These are companion dogs bred by private breeders, from hobby breeders to licensed breeding businesses, and trained by their owners. No organisation certifies any dog or breed as hypoallergenic. The Royal Kennel Club publishes breed standards describing each breed’s correct coat texture and length, the most reliable guide to what an adult coat will be like.

The evidence on allergy is consistent. A 2012 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Vredegoor and colleagues) measured the main dog allergen, Can f 1, in coats and homes. It found higher levels in the hair and coat samples of so-called hypoallergenic breeds than in other breeds, and concluded there was no evidence for classing any breed as hypoallergenic. Allergy UK says there is no such thing as a truly non-allergic dog, and that dander (shed skin flakes), rather than the hair itself, is mainly responsible for reactions. A clipped, low-shedding coat may leave less loose hair around the home, which some owners find helpful, but it is not a guarantee for dogs for allergy sufferers.

Poodle crosses deserve a particular note: coat type in a crossbreed litter is unpredictable, and some puppies will moult like the non-poodle parent. Canine Breeder lists breeders; it does not supply or train dogs.

Breeds and lines

• Poodle (Standard), Poodle (Miniature) and Poodle (Toy): one breed in three sizes, with a dense curly coat that grows continuously. The Standard is an athletic dog descended from water retrievers.
• Bichon Frise: small and sociable, with a soft corkscrew coat that needs frequent grooming.
• Lagotto Romagnolo: an Italian water dog best known today for truffle hunting, with a woolly curled coat.
• Portuguese Water Dog: a strong, energetic working breed with a curly or wavy coat.
• Schnauzer: a wire-coated breed that is hand-stripped or clipped; the Miniature and Giant Schnauzer are separate breeds with similar coats.
• Bedlington Terrier: a lively terrier with a distinctive lamb-like, linty coat.
• Irish Water Spaniel: an energetic gundog with tight ringlets and a smooth “rat tail”.

What to ask a breeder

1. How would you describe this coat, and do you ever call your dogs hypoallergenic? A breeder who does is making a claim the evidence does not support.
2. Can I spend time with the adult dogs, ideally more than once, before committing to a puppy?
3. What grooming will this dog need as an adult, and when should its first professional groom be?
4. Which health tests have both parents had, and how do the results compare with the Royal Kennel Club Health Standard for the breed?
5. If someone in my household reacts badly to the dog, will you take it back?

Legal and welfare notes

Describing a dog as hypoallergenic or allergy-free is an unsupported claim, and Canine Breeder does not allow it on listings. Breeders may describe coat type factually, for example “low-shedding” or “non-moulting coat that needs regular clipping”. Licensed breeders in England must include their licence number and issuing council in adverts. In England and Wales, keeping a coat free of painful mats is part of an owner’s duty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to protect a dog from pain, suffering, injury and disease; Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent laws.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any hypoallergenic dogs in the UK?

No. Research has found no evidence that any breed is hypoallergenic, and Allergy UK says no dog is truly non-allergic. Individual dogs and individual people vary, so spend time with the dogs before you buy.

Which dogs don’t moult?

Breeds with continuously growing or tightly curled coats, such as the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog, shed very little hair around the home. They need regular professional grooming in return.

Are low-shedding breeds a good choice for allergy sufferers?

They may help some people, because less loose hair is spread around the home, but allergens are also carried on skin flakes and saliva. Talk to your GP or an allergy specialist, and test your reaction to the adult dogs, before committing to a puppy.

Breeders of low-shedding breeds who describe their dogs’ coats honestly are welcome to list on Canine Breeder.