Best Emotional Support Dog Breeds That Are Hypoallergenic: Our Top Picks

If you’re dealing with conditions like anxiety, PTSD, or depression, having an emotional support dog by your side can offer comfort like nothing else. But what happens when your dream of snuggling up with a sweet puppy is interrupted by constant sneezing and itchy eyes? What if your roommate or loved one can’t be around dogs without breaking out in hives?

Choosing between the emotional support animal you need and the allergic reactions you’d rather avoid can feel like an impossible trade-off. Thankfully, certain dog breeds produce fewer allergens and are often better tolerated by allergy-prone individuals.

In this article, we’ll explore the best emotional support dog breeds that are hypoallergenic, explain how to reduce allergens in your space, and offer tips on how to make the most of your time with a hypoallergenic ESA.

What Are Hypoallergenic ESA Dogs?

When you hear the term hypoallergenic dog, it’s easy to assume it means allergy-free. But here’s the truth: no dog is 100% allergen-free. All dogs produce proteins that can trigger allergic reactions, usually found in their saliva, urine, and skin (dander). These allergens stick to a dog’s fur and become airborne when they shed or simply move around your home.

However, hypoallergenic dog breeds tend to produce fewer allergens due to several factors, such as: 

• Reduced shedding, which means less dander is released into the air
• Different skin oil compositions, which often carry fewer irritants
• Tighter, curlier coats that can trap dander instead of letting it spread
• Lower saliva production, or saliva with less of the specific protein that causes allergic reactions

These breeds are often recommended for people with mild to moderate dog allergies who still want the companionship of an emotional support dog. While hypoallergenic dogs won’t completely eliminate allergic reactions, they can significantly reduce the risk, especially when paired with good cleaning habits and allergen control. 

7 Best Hypoallergenic Emotional Support Dog Breeds

Based on research and consistent feedback from allergy-prone dog lovers, here are seven of the best hypoallergenic emotional support dogs:

1. Labradoodle
2. Bichon frise 
3. Maltese 
4. Poodle
5. Chinese crested 
6. Portuguese water dog
7. Wheaten Terrier

Labradoodle

Labradoodles are incredibly friendly, intelligent, and gentle dogs. Their naturally outgoing personality makes them eager to bond with humans. When you’re coping with stress and anxiety or just need a comforting presence nearby, their affectionate nature will provide the emotional support you need.

For allergy sufferers, labradoodles can be a great choice. Their low-shedding, low-dander coats make them less likely to spread allergens like dander and saliva proteins around the house.

Bichon Frise

If you’re looking for a steady, calming presence, a bichon frise could be a perfect emotional support companion. Bichons are known for forming strong family bonds and are always ready for a cuddle after you’ve had a stressful day.

Also, their signature coat is hypoallergenic, which is ideal for those struggling with allergies. Its unique double-layer structure traps loose hair and dander, making it a safer option for allergy-sensitive individuals.

Maltese 

Maltese dogs thrive on cuddles, kisses, and quality time with their humans. This trait can be incredibly comforting when you feel lonely or are dealing with intense emotional and physical stress. 

What makes Maltese even more special is their coat. These dogs don’t have an undercoat, so they shed very little. Plus, their silky fur tends to trap shed hairs, limiting dander from spreading.

Poodle

Poodles are small and sensitive dogs who always seem to pick up on their humans’ emotions. This means they’d know when you feel down and need quiet comfort, cuddles, or playful distractions to lift your mood. 

What’s more, poodles shed very little. Their tightly curled coat traps loose hair and dander, which is amazing if you want the joy of a dog companionship without dealing with severe allergic reactions.

Chinese Crested

Chinese cresteds love nothing more than curling up beside you, whatever it is that you’re doing. But don’t let their mellow demeanor fool you! They’re social and enjoy showing off playful tricks or engaging in gentle games with you. 

These dogs are also great for people with allergies. They produce minimal dander and shed very little, so you’ll sneeze less around them.

Portuguese Water Dog 

If you’re looking for a loyal hypoallergenic companion, the Portuguese water dog checks all the boxes. These dogs always want to be by your side, whether this means joining you for a walk, lounging at your feet after work, or just being there when you need emotional support the most.

They also have curly, non-shedding coats that keep allergens out of the air. With regular grooming and housekeeping, you can enjoy their company without getting teary-eyed the wrong way. 

Wheaten Terrier

Wheaten Terriers are full of personality. When you’re feeling moody, a Wheaten won’t just sit with you—they’ll practically dance into your lap, determined to lift your spirits. Since they form strong bonds with their humans, they would always be eager to cheer you up, be by your side, and offer unconditional love whenever you need it. 

The best part is that they’re great if you suffer from dog allergies. Wheaten Terriers have a single-layer, silky coat that sheds very little and produces less dander than most other dogs.

Living Comfortably With Your Emotional Support Dog: Allergy Management Tips

As previously stated, all dogs produce some level of dander, saliva, and other allergens, even hypoallergenic breeds. If you truly want to live comfortably with your furry best friend, you’ll have to put in a little extra effort into managing the allergies.

Before you bring home a hypoallergenic ESA, try spending some time around a few different breeds. Just because a breed is labeled hypoallergenic doesn’t mean it won’t trigger your allergies. Since everyone reacts differently and you can’t quite take another person’s experience at face value, it’s better to find out how you react before you adopt an ESA.

In addition to testing the waters, you can also make some changes in your lifestyle to keep sniffles and sneezes at bay (without giving up your dream dog):

Ready To Adopt a Hypoallergenic ESA Dog? Here’s What You Need To Know First 

Imagine this: you’ve finally found the perfect emotional support dog—loyal, hypoallergenic, and exactly what you need to feel better. You’re excited to bring them home until your landlord hits you with a hefty pet deposit or, worse, reminds you of a strict no-pet policy.

While it’s natural to feel disappointed in that situation, you shouldn’t. The law, more specifically the Fair Housing Act (FHA), has your back. 

This federal law protects individuals with emotional support animals by requiring landlords to make reasonable accommodations (no pet deposits and no denial based on pet policies) as long as you meet the following requirements:

• You have a mental health condition listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) that significantly affects your day-to-day life
• Your hypoallergenic emotional support dog’s presence helps alleviate symptoms of that condition

If both boxes are checked, your landlord can’t legally deny your ESA or charge you extra fees for bringing them home. Also, your ESA dog doesn’t need special training to qualify for housing rights. They only need to provide comfort for you. 

However, for the FHA protections to be upheld, you’ll need the right documentation, which doesn’t include an ESA certificate or ESA registration from some random sketchy website you found after a five-minute search on the internet.

What you actually need is an ESA letter, written and signed by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). This letter confirms that your emotional support dog is a part of your mental health treatment plan. Without an ESA letter, your landlord has no legal obligation to make accommodations for you and your furry companion.

Securing an ESA Letter—Here’s How To Make the Process Seamless

Getting an ESA letter can sometimes be a hassle, as it typically involves the following:

• Finding a licensed mental health professional in your state who is willing and able to write an ESA letter
• Booking an appointment with the professional 
• Taking time out of your day to undergo an evaluation and assess your mental health and the need for an ESA

The issue is that even if you do all of the above, there’s no guarantee the LMHP will approve your request for an emotional support dog. In that scenario, you would waste a lot of time, money, and energy and have no letter to show for it. 

Also, depending on where you live, things can get even trickier. For example, California law requires that you have a 30-day therapeutic relationship with the provider before they’re even allowed to issue an ESA letter.

Luckily, Your Service Animal can help you. The platform streamlines the process and makes it smoother by tackling the most common challenges:

How To Get an ESA Letter With Your Service Animal

If you need to present an ESA letter to your landlord for your hypoallergenic dog, here’s how you can get one via Your Service Animal:

1. Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA with our online quiz
2. Schedule an appointment with a licensed mental health professional in your state
3. Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
4. Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter