Hypoallergenic Hunting Dogs That Don`t Shed (Best Breeds)
When it comes to finding the perfect hunting dog there are many factors to consider, especially if you or your family suffer from allergies. There are plenty of hypoallergenic hunting dogs that don’t shed, and there is sure to be one that fits your lifestyle and hunting needs.
All dogs shed hair, but some are much lower shedding and this is important because it means there will be less dander in the air, and less opportunity for you or your loved ones to have an allergic reaction.
I’m going to show you ten of the best hypoallergenic hunting dogs that don`t shed, in both small and large dog categories. This list consists of highly energetic, friendly dogs with instincts for tracking and hunting prey.
More importantly they are low shedding breeds such as the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (a great pointer and retriever), and the Irish Water Spaniel (a fantastic gun dog made for hunting waterfowl and upland prey).
Why a Hypoallergenic Hunting Dog is Right for You
Hunting dogs have been bred for centuries to work alongside humans in the field. They are intelligent, trainable, and make loyal friends. But if you’re allergic to dogs, finding the right breed can be a challenge.
People with allergies to dogs typically have an allergy to the proteins found in a dog’s saliva or dander. These proteins can be transferred to you through direct contact or exposure to the air, and the more a dog sheds the more dander you are exposed to.
While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, there are a few breeds that come close, and their hunting instincts make them ideal companions for outdoor enthusiasts.
There are a number of hypoallergenic hunting dogs that don’t shed, including the poodle, Bichon Frise, Maltese, and Kerry Blue Terrier. These breeds are all low-shedding and produce less dander, the main cause of allergic reactions in people.
5 Small Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Don`t Shed
1. Border Terrier
Work hard play hard that’s the Border Terrier mantra.
The Border Terrier was bred to protect the farm stock along the border of England and Scotland.
Alongside farm protection, the Border Terrier was bred to hunt foxes, therefore running and digging comes pre-wired.
The Border Terrier is a persistent worker with remarkable agility and endurance.
Equally, it`s fiercely intelligent, and an admirable hunter that learns quickly and responds positively to commands and obedience.
With their instinctual prey drive, however, the Border Terrier comes with a high list of demands.
These dogs will in most cases pull on the leash with everything they have once they spot other pets and animals including birds, squirrels, and rabbits.
Not to mention that digging is among their favorite pastimes!
2. Cirneco dell’Etna
The Cirneco dell’Etna draws its name from Mount Etna located in Sicily`s east coast, and the Cirneco dell’Etna are found throughout Sicily.
This hypoallergenic ancient breed originated 2,500 years ago as a hardy hunting dog in Egypt before getting transported across the Mediterranean to the West by the Phoenicians.
The Etna is friendly and affectionate, at the very least, and makes for a great family companion.
However, its intelligence and inquisitive nature make daily physical exercise and mental stimulation a must.
Sporting a sleek hypoallergenic coat, the Cirneco dell’Etna is a low maintenance dog that does not shed and only requires occasional grooming.
3. Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is a strong, intelligent, dual-purpose hunting dog with an instinct to please.
And like you have guessed, the Spaniel was bred to specialize in water. More specifically, it`s adept in hunting and retrieving birds over bodies of water.
To excel in water, the Spaniel is an excellent swimmer, which is not only pleasing to the owners but equally makes for a good companion.
The shedless Irish Water Spaniels are the class clowns- their boundless energy, machoism, and playfulness make this hypoallergenic dog types hilarious.
Once they settle down, however, they are always ready to learn because they are highly receptive to training.
Nonetheless, their wonderfully thick curls will not maintain themselves, daily brushing is required and so are the regular visits to professional groomers.
Go for the low shedding Irish Water Spaniel if you`re particularly interested in retrieving birds from water.
And if you are into Duck shooting, you’ll never have any better companion than this dog.
4. Lagotto Romagnolo
Of all the low shedding dogs on our list, the Lagotto is the closest as you can get to a true hunting dog.
The Lagotto or Romagna Water Dog is believed to be an ancestor of the water dogs, and here, we see it as a smaller version of the Water Spaniel.
A major highlight of the Lagotto, however, it`s the only dog breed recognized as a specialized truffle searcher.
Unlike other dogs, the Lagotto is less likely to eat the truffles.
Additionally, the game scent does not easily distract the Lagotto while hunting truffles.
Hunting instincts aside, the Lagotto is highly energetic, active, and affectionate. They`re equally loyal making them awesome companions.
Nonetheless, a bored Lagotto is destructive and will engage in destructive behavior such as barking and digging.
5. Portuguese Water Dog
Like the Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese water dogs were equally born for water.
Originally from ancient Portugal, these low maintenance dogs were bred to assist fishermen at sea to heard fish, dive, retrieve lost gear, lost fishing nets, and even swim from the boat to boat to deliver messages.
The breed`s webbed feet, robust body, and hypoallergenic, waterproof coat makes the Portuguese Water Dog an excellent swimmer.
These dogs are loyal with a mission, and they still carry their sharp focus today.
Besides their loyalty and swimming capabilities, their athleticism, intelligence, and friendliness are just on another level.
Also known as the “Porties”, these dogs are wonderful companions that love being around people as well as other pets, but more importantly love being in water.
5 Large Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Don`t Shed
1. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is a large sighthound beast known for its glamorous tresses and graceful agility.
This exotic and beautiful diva comes with a regal appearance that necessitates high maintenance.
Despite, its regal appearance, the Afghan hound is silly and playful. Nonetheless, they are incredibly intelligent and independent hypoallergenic dogs that carry on almost mysterious personality.
On the downside, their indifference results in difficulty in training them as they will choose to ignore commands.
Originally, the Afghan hound was bred to hunt, and they still carry their prey instincts up to date.
Though intensely loyal to their family, showing affection and love is not always at the top of their priorities.
2. Curly Coated Retriever
The Curly Coated Retriever is yet another awesome hunting companion.
Like the Lagotto, this hypoallergenic dog is believed to have descended from the water dog ancestors such as the English Water Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, and Retrieving Setter in the 16th century.
More like its ancestors, it enjoys swimming, field trials, and hunting.
Again, like many hunting dogs, the Curly Coated Retriever is obedient, follows commands to the letter, and is easy to conform depending on your needs.
More importantly, it has a gentle temperament, and this makes it the ideal family dog. It loves kids and always eager to please them.
Their short coat is low maintenance and does not require regular grooming apart from minimal brushing and occasional baths.
3. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Griffon is a large hypoallergenic dog that was developed in France to find and retrieve birds.
Sporting a double coat, the Griffon is just as much as at home in the water as it is on dry land.
The coat on the Griffon feels like bristles, but it does not easily shed, therefore protecting the undercoat, and keeping the dog warm.
Like many hunting dogs, the Griffon is intelligent and easy to train, making it perfect especially for families with young kids.
They`re highly energetic, thus requiring a lot of space and running room to stay happy.
4. Italian Greyhound
Hounds are infamous for their hunting prowess, and the Italian Greyhound is no different.
Though it`s the smallest of the sighthound breeds, the Italian Greyhound is a true hound that enjoys outdoor exercise just as much as indoor luxury and comfort.
This elegant toy breed will fit into the smallest accommodations granted its small stature.
Additionally, the slender and graceful body makes for a devoted pet that requires little to no grooming.
However, due to their small stature, they can be easily injured, and are therefore suited to families with adults or older kids.
5. Welsh Terrier
Welsh Terrier temperament is described as friendly and smart, with the desire to please.
A true working terrier, the Welsh Terrier, was established for hunts in North Wales.
The Welsh Terrier was higher on the leg and were, therefore, able to keep up with the hounds.
This hypoallergenic hunting dog was bred to hunt badgers, foxes, otters, as well as rats and other vermin.
The Welsh Terrier sports a dense hard and wiry waterproof outer coat that plays a blanket role over the soft, insulating undercoat.
The Welsh are a sensible, intelligent, and quiet dog that make a great pet for kids with a similar temperament. Older Welsh Terriers, however, are excellent companions for seniors.
5 Reasons Why You Need a Hunting Dog
If you own a hunting dog, you already have plenty of reasons to be an advocate for owning one.
If you`re still deliberating on whether to get one, we have compiled 5 reasons why you should adopt a non-shedding hunting dog.
Hunting
This is an obvious benefit of hunting dogs – they do all the muscle work. For instance chasing prey, sniffing and following trails accurately, catching, and more grueling tasks.
It can never get any better than hitting the woods, or fields with a loyal companion by your side.
Community
It`s great to see how hunting dog owners appreciate their own loyal companion. Hunters love their dogs, and as a proud owner there is no such thing as a stranger.
In fact, a dog to a hunter is a comrade. Together they work as a communion built on the solid grounds of trust and devotion.
Challenge
Training and maintaining a healthy robust hunting dog that you`ll feel good about is a challenge.
It`s quite demanding to train a dog, but are you up for the task? You`ll never know until you get out for the hunt and see how well you have prepared you dog physically.
Companionship
One of the interesting fact across all breeds of dogs is the crave for human attention.
To hunting dogs, it’s about loyalty and obedience.
Fetching the prey and delivering safely to their master. To many hunters, this is love, affection, and irreplaceable company.
Health
Have you heard the expression ‘if your dog is out of shape, you`re not exercising enough’? Numerous studies indicate that active dog owners tend to stay in better physical shape, and are less likely to develop medical conditions such as diabetes and HBP.
These benefits double for hunting dogs as they will always keep you on your toes for walks, playing, training, and most importantly …hunting!
Top 3 Summertime Hazards for Your Hunting Dog
Though summer is the perfect season to hunt, it also comes with its set of challenges. Let`s look at the major hazards you should look out for.
1. Hydration
The warmer weather means that you increase the risk of heat exhaustion for you and your dog.
Dogs need to drink a fair amount just like us, particularly when hunting on a hot day. Therefore, it`s advisable that you always carry with you a bottle of water for you and your dog.
2. Allergen Alert
Typical signs of allergies in people include stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
For dogs, on the other hand, allergies are manifested through wheezing, coughing, runny discharge, and itchy skin either all over or isolated locations.
If you suspect your dog has an allergy, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
3. Heat Stroke
Dogs, like humans, are greatly affected by heat. And if you are sure your dog is going to be exposed to sunlight for extended periods, be sure there is an available shade for rest.
Final Thought
It`s evident that hunting dogs play a major role in our lives, and it`s also clear that hunting dogs are more than just hunting companions, but can as well double up as family pets as in the case of Border Terrier and Italian Greyhound.
- Besides their prey instincts, a common highlight among all the dogs listed above is that they are all hypoallergenic.
- Though they can drop a few hairs here and there, the nugget is that they are low shedding as well as low maintenance hunting dogs.
This means a reduced allergen-load in you home, and a lower need for cleaning up pet hair from floors and furniture.
Nonetheless, it does not rule out the need for regular cleaning. Equally, adopting any of the above hypoallergenic breeds means signing an unwritten rule of regular grooming.
Another key rule you to remember, hunting dogs need more care with their nutrition and treatment. You don’t want to go out with a under-performing dog during a top hunting season.
So make sure you take care of your dog’s health needs on a regular basis, and remember – the more exercise you give your dog, the healthier you’ll be too!
