Hypoallergenic dogs means dogs that cause little or no allergic reaction in people, especially those who are prone to pet allergies. These allergic reactions include sneezing, watery eyes, hives and rashes and a running nose.

There are many reasons as to why cats and dogs shed. Dogs mostly shed in response to weather changes. The following are the main factors that influence the rate of shedding in cats and dogs.

• Age - Older dogs and cats shed more than younger ones.
• Diet - You should feed your dogs and cats a balanced diet to ensure they maintain a healthy coat.
• Weather changes - dogs generally shed some of their coat when the weather becomes warmer. This helps them keep cool.
• Genetics - some dog and cat breeds are heavy shedders. These include Labrador Retriever, Akita Inu, Shiba Inu and German Shepherd.
• Parasites - Fleas and mange are leading causes of shedding in dogs and cats - when they scratch and bite themselves in order to reduce the itching. Internal parasites also increase the rate of shedding.
• Indoor vs outdoor - indoor dogs usually shed less. This is because they are protected against weather changes. This is one of the reasons why most hypoallergenic dogs are small, indoor dogs. But there are large hypoallergenic dogs as well.

The Sphynx. Sphynx cats don't shed

Can f 1 is produced by dogs while Fel d 1 is produced by cats. These two are the main compounds responsible for the allergic reactions in people. They are present in every dog and cat's saliva, dander (dead skin) and urine. But hypoallergenic breeds produce less of these protein.

• Poodle - The Poodle is the most popular non-shedding dog. This dog breed comes in three main categories: Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodle. There are many poodle cross breeds as well.
• Shih Tzu - This is a cute small dog who loves human companion. They were bred to be lap dogs for Chinese royals.
• Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintli (Xolo) - this is one of the hairless dog breeds. Xolo have a dominant gene that causes hairlessness.
• Bichon-Frise - Like most small dogs, Bichon-frise are friendly and active dogs. They have a silky, wool-like coat that doesn't shed much.
• Chinese Crested Dog - this is another small and hairless dog breed. You will need to dress up your Chinese Crested Dog in cold weather. This dog loves human companionship.

Yes, there are many medium sized hypoallergenic dogs. The following are some of the most popular medium non-shedding dog breeds.

A brindled Basenji. Basenji are hypoallergenic dogs

• Basenji - this medium sized hypoallergenic dog has a unique characteristic: Basenji don't bark. They are good hunting dogs that originated from Congo, in Africa.
• Goldendoodle (Groodle) - this is a popular Poodle mix. Goldendoodle are obtained by crossing a Golden Retriever with the Poodle. The puppies who inherit more genes from the Poodle parent will be hypoallergenic.
• Bernedoodle - Bernedoodles are a mix between a pure bred Poodle and the shedding Bernese mountain Dog.
• Labradoodle - the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed. Consequently, Labradoodle are a mix between two popular dogs: Poodles and Labrador Retriever.
• Tibetan Terrier - this non-shedding dog has his origins in Tibet. The good family dogs resemble terriers, but are really not in the terrier group. This dog is energetic and affectionate

There are big dogs that don't shed. These include:

• Samoyed - These dogs have their origins in Siberia, among the Samoyedic people. He is adapted to living in very cold environments. Samoyed are good sledge dogs. They are one of the big white dog breeds.
• Giant Schnauzer - there are three Schnauzer dog types: Miniature, Standard and Giant Schnauzer. This intelligent, brave and devoted dog is a great guard dog.
• Afghan Hound - the large hypoallergenic Afghan Hound is from Afghanistan. He has a unique look: tall with a thick and silky coat that needs regular brushing.
• Portuguese Water Dog - this water-loving dog was bred to assist Portuguese fishermen capture fish, guard fishing boats and send messages between themselves. The big non-shedding dog is intelligent and easy to train.
• Bergamasco Shepherd - this is a dog who was bred to assist in herding livestock along the Italian Alps. He is bold, intelligent and protective.

Few pet lovers would be willing to live without a pet due to allergies. Luckily, there are ways to reduce the chances of having an allergic reaction caused by cats or dogs. These are:

Have your dogs spend more time outdoors to reduce allergens in the house

• Female dogs and cats produce less allergens.
• Take your dog outdoors - spending time in a dog park reduces the time a dog spends indoors.
• Regular grooming helps - Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and ensures good blood circulation that is necessary for healthy skin and hair growth.
• Invest in a good air filtration system
• Ensure your cat/ dog eats a well-balanced diet
• Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dander and animal hair trapped in cracks and crevices
• Set boundaries for your pet - it is recommended that allergy sufferers keep their bedrooms pet-free.
• Encase your pillows and mattresses in covers that are easy to clean.
• Wash your hands regularly, and always after coming into contact with your pet.

You can find a hypoallergenic dogs list here.

The best place to find hypoallergenic dogs for sale includes registered breeders and adoption/ dog rescue websites. But avoid puppy mills who breed inferior breeds in unhygienic conditions just to make quick profit!

Are you looking for the cheapest hypoallergenic dogs? Hypoallergenic dogs' price depends on various factors. These include the pedigree, age, gender and whether the breeder is registered. Dog rescue centers have some of the cheapest hypoallergenic dogs.

Interesting question. Dog temperament varies even among the same breed. It is also easy to confuse gentleness with being lazy.