10 Worst Dog Breeds for Allergies: Avoid These Triggers Explore Allergy-Inducing Breeds and Find Allergy-Friendly Options By Gemma Johnstone Gemma Johnstone Gemma Johnstone is a dog expert and writer with over 15 years of experience in the pet industry and as an animal welfare advocate. She has worked for the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and fundraises and volunteers for local dog rescues. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 05/28/25 Reviewed by Nancy Turner Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Key Takeaways The primary cause of allergies is not dog hair but the proteins found in their dander, saliva, and urine.Breeds that drool a lot or have heavy shedding coats are more likely to trigger allergies.Even hypoallergenic dog breeds can sometimes cause allergic reactions. Certain dog breeds are more prone to trigger allergic reactions in people. On the other hand, some breeds are considered hypoallergenic and may be a better choice for those with allergies. Let's explore why certain dogs should be avoided by allergy sufferers. Many people think that less hair on a dog means fewer allergies. However, it's not the hair that's the problem but the proteins in their dander, saliva, and urine. All dogs produce dander, which is dead skin that flakes off. Dander attaches to dog hair, so heavily shedding breeds leave more dander in the home. Breeds that drool a lot can also spread more saliva, causing issues for allergy sufferers. The following 10 popular dog breeds are most likely to trigger allergic reactions in people. Tip Even hypoallergenic dogs can cause allergic reactions, so there are no guarantees. Some dog lovers with allergies manage their symptoms by visiting an allergist, using air filters at home, and removing carpets. Find Out Which Big Dog Breeds Don't Shed (Some Are Hypoallergenic!) 01 of 10 Basset Hound Credit: Eric Ybarra / Getty Images Basset hounds are sweet, lovable, and mild-mannered but have a stubborn streak. While they are popular, they aren't ideal for allergy sufferers. They have large jowls and skin folds and drool a lot, increasing saliva exposure on furniture and skin. Additionally, despite their short coats, bassets shed heavily, leaving more hair and dander in the home. Breed Overview Group: Hound (AKC)Height: Less than 15 inchesWeight: 40 to 65 poundsCoat and Color: Short, smooth coat; coat color includes combinations of black, white, brown, tan, lemon, mahogany, and redLife Expectancy: 10 to 12 years 02 of 10 Doberman Pinscher Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee If you are a big dog lover looking for a smart and trainable protector, a Doberman would be a perfect choice—as long as you don't have allergies. This breed frequently triggers flare-ups. These dogs have a thin, single coat, and their shedding is moderate rather than excessive, but they're big dogs with more hair and dander. Dobies are also prone to allergies and skin sensitivities, more than your average breed. Dog skin allergies mean dry and flaky skin and larger amounts of dander deposits around the house. Breed Overview Group: Working (AKC)Height: 24 to 28 inchesWeight: 65 to 100 poundsCoat and Color: Short, smooth coat in black, red, blue, or fawn with rust markingsLife Expectancy: 10 to 12 years 03 of 10 German Shepherd Credit: Bigandt_Photography / Getty Images German shepherds are one of the most enduringly popular breeds. They're smart, eager to please, devoted, and brave. Unfortunately, this dog has been known to trigger bad allergic reactions. They're one of the most excessive shedders, regardless of whether you get a long- or a short-haired one. Their hairs get everywhere, especially when they drop their coat twice a year. This big dog sheds masses of hair, which inevitably results in a lot of dander in the environment. Breed Overview Group: Herding (AKC)Height: 22 to 26 inchesWeight: 60 to 100 poundsCoat and Color: Thick undercoat and a dense, slightly wavy, or straight outer coat with tan and black or red and black coloringLife Expectancy: 9 to 13 years 04 of 10 Siberian Husky Credit: Ryan Stenzel / Getty Images Huskies are another prevalent breed. Strikingly beautiful, athletic, and friendly, they are well-suited to very active households but can be problematic if there is a person with allergies in the home. Huskies and other double-coated breeds are known for depositing masses of hair around the home. Their thick layers of fur keep them warm in their native Arctic homelands. These dogs often top the list of excessive shedders. Breed Overview Group: Working (AKC)Height: 20 to 23 inchesWeight: 45 to 60 pounds for males; 35 to 50 pounds for femalesCoat and Color: Thick double coat that comes in a variety of colors, including combinations of black, gray, white, and tanLife Expectancy: 12 to 15 years Continue to 5 of 10 below 05 of 10 Labrador Retriever Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee The Labrador retriever tops the American Kennel Club's list of most popular breeds almost every year. These dogs are smart, loyal, wonderful family pets. Sadly, however, they are known for frequently triggering human allergies. Their double coat may be relatively short, but it's dense and sheds profusely. They're also known for often suffering from dry, flaky skin. The silver lining is that if you let your water-loving Lab swim frequently, it may reduce the dander concentration level in the home's air, potentially decreasing the frequency of allergy flare-ups. Breed Overview Group: Sporting (AKC) Height: 21 to 24 inches Weight: 55 to 80 pounds Coat and Color: Smooth, water-resistant coats; black, chocolate, or yellow Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years 06 of 10 Pekingese Credit: Alan Shapiro / Getty Images Pekingese fans love this breed for their affectionate, loyal, and spirited personalities. Their long shedding coat presents a problem for people with allergies, though, and the breed is known for being rather stubborn when it comes to housetraining. Dander and saliva aren't the only allergy triggers; dog urine is, too. If your Peke is marking around the house, this behavior increases the chances of allergy flare-ups. A good enzymatic stain and odor remover will be necessary for your cleaning arsenal to neutralize traces of urine. Breed Overview Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 6 to 9 inchesWeight: Up to 14 poundsCoat and Color: Long, thick double coat that is gold, sable, red, gray, black, tan, or creamLife Expectancy: 12 to 14 years 07 of 10 Pug Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Pugs are small, short-coated dogs that shed year-round. Their wrinkled, flat snout is prone to gathering a lot of slobber around their jowls. Pugs are also prone to having sensitive skin and are susceptible to allergies, resulting in dry skin and more dander. Their skin folds can contribute to the development of bacterial infections, too. If your pug is itchy and uncomfortable, they are more likely to rub up against soft furnishings and carpets. Breed Overview Group: Toy (AKC)Height: 10 to 13 inchesWeight: 14 to 18 poundsCoat and Color: Short, smooth coat that typically comes in fawn or blackLife Expectancy: 12 to 15 years 08 of 10 Saint Bernard Credit: mauro_grigollo / Getty Images Saint Bernards are sometimes called nanny dogs because of their gentle and loyal temperament, especially with families. Still, they are the triple whammy when it comes to potentially triggering allergies. They're a giant breed. The bigger the dog, the more dander produced. This breed sheds a lot, circulating dander all over the home. And, when it comes to dog drool, few dogs will beat Saint Bernards in this department. Saliva gets everywhere with this breed. Breed Overview Group: Working (AKC)Height: 26 to 30 inchesWeight: 120 to 180 poundsCoat and Color: Short and smooth or long and silky coat white with red, brown, or brindle markings; a black "mask" is typically seenLife Expectancy: 8 to 10 years Continue to 9 of 10 below 09 of 10 Cocker Spaniel Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Cocker spaniels (and other spaniel breeds) were bred as bird-hunting dogs. Over time, they evolved into the perfect mid-sized family dog, except if you have allergies. These dogs have stunning, long-haired coats that shed dander from their fur, and they tend to drool, too. This breed is also prone to skin allergies, which can ultimately lead to even more dander getting spread into the air. Breed Overview Group: Sporting (AKC)Height: 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulderWeight: 20 to 30 poundsCoat and Color: Silky and flat or slightly wavy; short and fine on the head, medium length on the body, and well-feathered on the ears, chest, belly, and legs; black, ASCOB (any solid color other than black), or parti-color (black and white, brown and white, red and white, and tri-color)Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years 10 of 10 Boxer Credit: The Spruce / Kristie Lee Boxers are energetic and well-matched for families with playful, young children. They drool a lot and lick their fur and skin often, leaving dried-on saliva on their coat. Boxers shed their dander-laden, short-haired hair year-round. These are all red flags for allergy sufferers. Breed Overview Group: Working (AKC)Height: 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch at the shoulderWeight: 55 to 70 poundsCoat and Color: Short coat; fawn and brindle are the standard colors; standard markings include a black mask, a black mask with white markings, and white markingsLife Expectancy: 10 to 12 years Breeds to Consider You know the dogs you should avoid if you have allergies, but what if you have mild allergies and wish to consider less problematic dogs? Before you get a dog, look into curly-haired breeds or visit the home of a poodle, bichon frise, or Portuguese water dog; these breeds do not drool much, if at all, and shed less than others. The Most Common Dog and Puppy Allergies, Explained Explore more: Dogs Dog Breeds