Are Bichon Frises hypoallergenic? The best-odds truth

A small white curly-coated Bichon Frise sitting calmly on a cushion with a few flakes of dander lifting from its coat

The Bichon Frise is the small breed I get asked about by people who have already done some homework, and it is a fair question to land on. So here is the direct answer: are Bichon Frises hypoallergenic? No, but they are one of the best small-breed bets you can pick. No dog is truly … Read more

Small hypoallergenic dogs: the honest low-dander guide

A calm row of small low-shedding dogs sitting together, a white bichon, a silky white maltese, and an apricot toy poodle

The pitch for a small hypoallergenic dog almost sells itself: a lap-sized companion, and less dog in the house to react to. I went through the evidence and kept hitting the same wall. No small dog is truly hypoallergenic, and being small is not the part that protects you. Small and hypoallergenic are two different … Read more

Best dogs for allergies: an honest shortlist

A small curly-coated dog sitting calmly beside a person on a sofa in a bright living room

I’ll give you the honest answer before I give you the list: the best dog for dog allergies is the individual dog you spent real time with and did not react to. Breed is a filter, not a guarantee. That said, some breeds give better odds than others, and if you are starting from scratch … Read more

Hypoallergenic dogs: what the science actually says

A calm row of curly and wiry coated dogs sitting together, poodle, bichon, and schnauzer types

I went looking for the most hypoallergenic dog, and I came back with the part the breeders leave off: no dog is truly hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic is a marketing word. It means a breed that sheds less and is sold as easier on people with allergies. Thintk poodles, bichons, schnauzers, and the doodle crosses. Here is … Read more