12 Best Hypoallergenic Family Dogs

When a child in the house reacts to dander, the shortlist narrows fast — and many low-allergen breeds are too delicate or too sharp for young kids. These clear both bars.

12 Best Hypoallergenic Family Dogs — our top picks

1

Bichon Frise

Cheerful white powder-puff with hypoallergenic coat. Playful and adaptable companion with minimal shedding.

2

Standard Poodle

Intelligent, athletic, and hypoallergenic. The original Poodle size, bred for water retrieval with exceptional trainability.

3

Miniature Poodle

Medium-sized Poodle with all the intelligence and athleticism in a more manageable size. Excellent family companion.

4

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Irish terrier with silky wheaten coat. Happy, friendly, and less aggressive than most terriers.

5

Barbet

French water dog with long, curly coat. Ancient breed that excels in water work and makes devoted companion.

6

Havanese

Cuban toy breed with silky coat and cheerful disposition. Adaptable and social companion dog.

7

Goldendoodle

Golden Retriever and Poodle cross combining best traits of both breeds. Popular family companion.

8

Cavapoo

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle cross. Gentle and friendly with reduced shedding.

9

Cockapoo

Cocker Spaniel and Poodle cross, one of the first designer dogs. Friendly and adaptable family companion.

10

Bernedoodle

Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle cross combining gentle nature with intelligence. Popular family pet.

11

Irish Doodle

Irish Setter and Poodle cross combining beauty with intelligence. Athletic and friendly family companion.

12

Boxerdoodle

Boxer and Poodle cross combining playfulness with intelligence. Energetic family companion with reduced shedding.

How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that matter most for this lifestyle — energy, size, temperament, grooming and trainability — using our vet-reviewed breed database. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking personalised to you.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best hypoallergenic dog for a family?
Based on temperament and care needs, the Bichon Frise ranks as the top choice for families with allergies, followed by the Standard Poodle and Miniature Poodle.
How was this list of dogs for families with allergies chosen?
Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for families with allergies — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.

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