Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman pinscher was originally developed in Germany by a tax collector named Louis Doberman. He needed a guard dog to protect him from the people who were trying to rob his house, so he started breeding rottweilers and German shepherds with other breeds to make the perfect canine protector. This breed does shed, but not much! They are very active dogs, do well with children, and are relatively easy to train.
Affenpinscher
This breed comes from Germany and is named for the German word “affen,” which means monkey. No, this does not mean that this dog has evolved to have a prehensile tail or looks like a chimpanzee- but instead, it originates from the common belief in 16th century Germany that these small dogs were clever enough to chase away monkeys! Affenpinschers are very affectionate towards their human companions and shed minimally.
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is perfect for people with asthma or allergies, thanks to its extremely low shedding fur, and they typically only shed once a year in the springtime! This small breed hails from Tibet, where it was initially a watchdog. Buddhist monks also favored them for their ability to suppress rodents and snakes, which threatened the crops at monasteries. These dogs are loyal and love to cuddle- plus, they’re intelligent and easy to train.
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound has a fascinating history as it was originally bred to hunt gazelle in Afghanistan. It still has those instincts, so the Afghans will likely chase them if you have small animals such as rodents or lizards! Still, the breed is excellent for people with allergies because its coat does not shed much- and it doesn’t need any professional grooming unless you want to spend time maintaining its long fur. They are also very great watchdogs.
English Bulldog
The English bulldog was initially called the “Bullenbeisser,” which means “bull biter” in German. This is because it primarily used biting as its method of defense instead of barking. Today, this breed is a family pet for guarding or companionship purposes. These dogs have short coats that don’t shed very much at all, making them great for people with allergies. English bulldogs are also really good cuddlers!
American Hairless Terrier
This is a very rare breed of dog developed in the 1960s by a man named Donald Lewis. He wanted to create a completely hairless terrier mix that would be hypoallergenic and perfect for people with allergies. These dogs don’t shed much at all, but they are still high maintenance- mainly because you must keep them thoroughly groomed to prevent skin conditions from popping up.
Conclusion
There are many ways to find the perfect dog for your family but looking at shedding levels of a breed is one great way to make sure you don’t have to worry about all the hair ending up on your furniture! If you or anyone in your household has allergies, some breeds are better for life with you. Always consider your lifestyle and personal preferences when choosing a dog- because, in the end, you know what will make you (and them) happiest!
