# Are "Hypo-allergenic dog breeds" really hypoallergenic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 14, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hypo-allergenic-dog-breeds-really-hypoallergenic/326229 "2005-10-14T15:54:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BluePitbull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hypo-allergenic-dog-breeds-really-hypoallergenic/326229/1 "2005-10-14T15:54:04Z")
I know breeds like Kerry Blue Terriers, Poodles and schnauzers are known as “hypo-allergenic” but is it true they don’t shed at all? How is the coat maintained? ---
**Author:** ![auRa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@auRa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auRa)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hypo-allergenic-dog-breeds-really-hypoallergenic/326229/2 "2005-10-14T16:13:43Z")
I have a schnauzer, and it’s not exactly true they don’t shed. Hair comes off them, just like any other dog. However, I’ve noticed that Bea sheds much less _dandruff_ than the neighbor’s Labrador or the other neighbor’s pug and two mixed-breeds. I think it’s the skin flakes that cause most of the allergic reactions. Bea gets brushed thoroughly about once a week, and trimmed by a professional twice a year. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hypo-allergenic-dog-breeds-really-hypoallergenic/326229/3 "2005-10-14T16:38:01Z")
My father and brother had dog dander allergies, but we were able to have poodles with no problem. Their hair just grows, like human hair, and needs to be trimmed periodically. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hypo-allergenic-dog-breeds-really-hypoallergenic/326229/4 "2005-10-14T17:22:57Z")
Labradoodles also are claimed to have this feature; a friend has one and it would seem to be true. Although the damned things look far too much like muppets for my sensitive aesthetics. [![](https://www.allergyescape.com/images/labradoodle_two.gif) ](https://www.allergyescape.com/images/labradoodle_two.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hypo-allergenic-dog-breeds-really-hypoallergenic/326229/5 "2005-10-14T18:43:49Z")
It’s really a tossup with those “doodle” type dogs. First generation mixes can take after the non-poodle parent, and may cause allergic reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hypo-allergenic-dog-breeds-really-hypoallergenic/326229/6 "2005-10-14T20:45:52Z")
Our poodle does not “shed” although he loses a little hair now and then. We maintain his coat by brushing and grooming. I once had a Golden Retriever, if you want to talk about real shedding. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hypo-allergenic-dog-breeds-really-hypoallergenic/326229/7 "2005-10-17T14:27:32Z")
No dog breed is truly hypo-allergenic, but those that shed less will also lose less dander that would stick to the shed fur. I’ve got two Portuguese Water Dogs, another breed claimed to be hypoallergenic. They do lose some hair, much like **auRa** ’s Schnauzer, but it’s not quite shedding, where fur comes out in tufts and sticks to everything.