Hypoallergenic Guard Dogs: The Best Breeds For Allergy-Prone Homes

If you are one of those people who want a guard dog too badly but are prone to allergies and think you can not have one? This article is dedicated to you.

What if I tell you one can still have a guard dog without worrying about allergies? YES, you are reading it right. A lot of Americans suffer from this issue every day. And now there is a solution to it.

Many hypoallergenic dogs are not that problematic for allergy sufferers and are good guarding companions.

Dogs who are allergen free and good at guarding homes and places are known as Hypoallergenic Guard Dogs.

However, it should be noted that no dog is 100% allergic-free or hypoallergenic. There are breeds that are considered hypoallergenic dogs or low allergy-causing dogs.

These dogs are relatively easy to have for allergic people as these breeds shed the bare minimum and require low grooming and maintenance needs.

We will discuss in detail about these hypoallergenic guard dogs and their characteristics.

List of 8 Hypoallergenic Guard Dogs

Hypoallergenic dogs are special; finding a guard dog amongst them is a good time-taking task.

But you need not worry; we have prepared just the list, which will provide all information regarding the best hypoallergenic guard dogs and make you think hard to choose from the best.

There you go.

1. Giant Schnauzer

Start the list with a Giant Schnauzer, a German breed known for its guarding traits and are very intelligent, easy to handle, and does not shed much, making it the first choice for allergic sufferers.

Giant Schnauzer is an aggressive breed that does not like a stranger approaching their territory. They won’t hesitate to tell you if they think something is off.

They are big and may weigh up to 70 to 90 lbs. Their voice and size are enough to intimidate any intruder.

They are very loving to their family and go along well with children, other dogs, and pets. Like all breeds, they, too, need socialization at an early age.

They are generally a healthy breed and require constant work to be engaged. They will accompany you for jogging and exercise as they’re very energetic.

2. Argentine Mastiff

Dogo Argentino, aka Argentine Mastiff, is our number two on the list. People highly demand this breed, and it is one of the best guard dogs around.

Argentine Mastiff is a powerful and muscular dog, and its hypoallergenic qualities make him even more desirable. They do not shed much and can be good around allergic sufferers.

They are not suitable for new owners. They were used as service dogs and guide dogs for blinds.

They are good family pets once they are given proper training. They have an instinct to protect their loved ones and are very vigilant.

3. Irish Terrier

Originally bred to chase rats, this loving, ultra-loyal, and playful Irish breed is now very reliable in keeping your home safe.

Nicknamed as ‘dare devil,’ Irish Terriers are very protective and intelligent. They are calm and playful but won’t hesitate to attack once they feel their family is in danger.

Irish Terriers are very energetic and loving with children. Their bravery is what makes them so special. They need minimal grooming and are generally well-behaved dogs.

They come in mostly red or reddish brown color, with a tight, wiry double coat. They are generally healthy, although they are prone to some health risks similar to other breeds.

4. Portuguese Water Dog

As the name indicates, this dog is from Portugal and is known as one of the oldest breeds in existence.

If you love water or live near them, this hypoallergenic dog may be the perfect option you were looking for.

Portuguese Water Dog is very intelligent and kid-friendly and does well with an active family. They love to be around people and indulge in activities that can cause havoc when bored.

Extremely loyal and brave, they are known as good guarding dogs. They look strong and fierce and are considered a healthy breed.

They are very adaptive, and their eager-to-please attitude makes them conveniently trainable. They are seen in 3 colors, black, brown, and white, with a long curly, wavy coat.

5. Bouvier Des Flandres

This breed is rare in America, and they are very loyal and intelligent dogs. Initially, they were bred to herd animals like cows but are now considered good guardian dogs.

This breed is not recommended for first-time owners as sometimes they can be strong-willed; apart from that, they are trainable and are generally reserved with strangers as their instinct is to be suspicious and protective.

They are good with children when socialized early and are a healthy breed with no major health issues often reported.

They have long and dense coats, and hence they are seen to carry dirt and debris to the home, so a bit of grooming may be required regularly.

6. Kerry Blue Terrier

This breed is a good hypoallergenic guardian dog and a good show dog, winning many names around some big kennel shows worldwide.

Many do not know that Kerry Blue Terrier was a mascot of Irish independence and now carries a proud history around their back.

They are very vocal and will make their presence known, adding to their guarding skills. They are intelligent, which makes them easily trainable.

They are playful and very affectionate with their owner. They need an experienced owner as they require firm leadership. They also need early socialization with a lot of activities.

As the name suggests, they mostly come in various shades of a blue coat, which is curly, long, and dense, and despite that, they do not have any odor-related issues or shedding, making them good hypoallergenic dogs.

They are considered healthy breeds with no known major health issues, but there may be some health-related problems, as with all other breeds.

7. Puli

A big pack of joy in a little shoe, this is what their owners often say when asked how do you find ‘Puli” as their partner.

A Hungarian breed of dog that people say resembles a mop-like appearance. They love to be around children and are considered very intelligent.

They are very alert and suspicious by nature, making them very good guarding dogs. They are brave and self-confident and are often called ‘babysitters’ for their skills in safeguarding children.

They are seen in many colors, but white, silver, and black are prominent. They require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. They need hiking and running if they are not working in a field or a farm.

They do not shed, making them hypoallergenic dogs; just regular baths and maintaining their cords is all the grooming it needs.

8. Komondor

Also known as Hungarian sheepdogs, they were initially bred to protect sheep flocks, and they are hailed as fearless shepherd dogs.

They are very big and heavy; they also have a white coat with cords, which should never be brushed. Owners separate the cords by hand to prevent matting.

Their owners say they are very easygoing, trainable, loyal, and intelligent. Their training and socializing should be done well to control their aggression toward strangers.

Their unique body coats make them stand out all over. They are vigilant at night and even go for a round to check for intruders, making them one of the finest guard dogs.

They come in only one color, white; they can be seen as goldish in the sun but are dominantly white. They are a very healthy breed with no major health risks reported.

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

Hypoallergenic refers to anything which is very less likely to cause an allergic reaction when in contact with a specific thing or a substance.

Hypoallergenic dogs will mean dogs less likely to trigger a reaction by touch, through their saliva or hair, or even by smell. Often major allergies are caused by the shedding of a dog’s hair.

The prefix ‘hypo’ technically means under or less than obvious, and when it comes to canines, hypoallergenic dogs will mean dogs with a lesser chance of causing a reaction.

No dogs are 100% hypoallergenic; it is said that dogs that produce less saliva, dander (dead skin cells), or shed less hair have a reduced impact on allergy sufferers and are termed hypoallergenic dogs.

If you are allergic to dogs and looking to get one hypoallergenic dog, try to spend time around them before bringing one home.

Only when you spend time around them will you understand whether their presence, smell, dander, or hair triggers your allergic reaction.

Sometimes people initially do not feel much allergic around a particular breed and bring them home. After a while, they start developing symptoms of allergy.

What Makes a Good Guard Dog?

Determining what makes a good guard dog can sometimes be tough. Guardian dogs are often confused with watchdogs, but they are different. Both have different traits and characteristics.

An ideal guard dog should be less aggressive and more intimidating by looks. Because the first thing you want is to keep intruders away, and a dog’s looks play a big part in that.

If you are looking for a guard dog, look for one who is bigger, is not very aggressive, is well-trained or responds well to training, and is friendly with family members.

A dog with these characteristics can be a very good guard dog. You want a dog who will alert you when they see danger and will attack when asked to (not of his own).

Can a Watchdog be a Good Guard dog?

Often people confuse themselves in thinking a good watchdog can be a good guard dog, but that is not the case.

A small dog can be a good watchdog. A watchdog must alert its owner if danger or something looks off.

A watchdog will bark or alert about the danger and wait for the owner to act. In comparison, a good guard dog will take the matter into its hand and will attack any possible threat if they feel necessary.

A well-trained guardian dog will not harm anyone until commanded but will attack any threat to protect the family. And hence, a large-sized dog is more suitable for being a good guard dog.

FAQ’s

Conclusion

Now you know these big dogs are not just a bundle of joy but are also great protectors. These dogs are hypoallergenic and are excellent guardian dogs. Let us know which one will you prefer. Will it be Giant Schnauzer or Puli or some other from the list?

To sum up, you can now opt for a dog even if you are allergic to some dogs. Happy petting.

[wpdatatable id=4 responsive= stack responsive_breakpoint=”phone”/]