Try These Medium Size Hypoallergenic Dogs
Hypoallergenic dogs are a good choice for people with pet allergies. They shed very little, which means there is less dander in the house to stir up allergies. These medium-size hypoallergenic dogs make great additions to any family. They’re not too big and not too small, and they’re easy on your allergies. So if you’re looking for medium dogs that don’t shed, take a look at these wonderful canines.
Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier stands about 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weighs about 25 to 27 pounds. It has a life expectancy of about 12 to 16 years. This is an active, energetic, spunky dog. This breed of terrier is easy to train and makes a good watchdog. They may become excessive barkers if not trained from an early age. The goal of this fearless dog is to protect their loved ones. This is a great family dog that is wonderful with children, however, they do not do well with other dogs. They will not back down from a challenge and are known to take on much larger dogs. The Irish Terrier can get along with cats if raised with them from puppyhood, but because of their strong hunting drive, they are not good with small animals like hamsters. This is an intelligent dog, but the Irish Terrier tends to be independent and a bit stubborn. This athletic breed requires daily exercise and a job to keep them occupied so they do not bark or become destructive. The Irish Terrier has a tight, wiry coat that requires regular grooming. To learn more about the Irish Terrier, go to Choosing an Irish Terrier.
Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier stands between 17 and 19 inches high at the shoulder and weighs between 33 and 40 pounds. This working breed comes from Ireland and has a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years. This terrier breed has soft, thick, wavy hair with little to no shedding, however, it does require daily brushing to avoid mats. The unique coloring of this breed is a blue-gray, although puppies start out black transitioning to their blue-gray coat at about 18 months of age. The Kerry Blue Terrier is a very good watchdog. They are smart and do very well with training. However, this breed can be strong-willed, so it will take a firm hand at training. Because of this, the breed may not be the best choice for the first-time dog owner. This is a good family dog that bonds with all members of the family, and they are great with children. Energetic and playful, the Kerry Blue Terrier needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation. They do best when they have a job to occupy them, so they won’t resort to barking or destructive behavior. Like all terriers, he loves to dig and chase and has a high prey drive. This breed has a tendency to chase smaller animals. They are not especially good with other dogs. They can become aggressive with other dogs and are not known to back down from a fight. To learn more about the Kerry Blue Terrier, go to Choosing a Kerry Blue Terrier.
Lakeland Terrier
The Lakeland Terrier stands about 13 to 14 inches high at the shoulder and weighs about 15 to 17 pounds. It has an average life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years. The Lakeland Terrier is friendly and affectionate, making it a great companion. They are very intelligent but a bit stubborn when it comes to training. This breed gets along well with people, children, and other dogs but is reserved around strangers. The Lakeland Terrier can be stubborn, independent and difficult to housetrain. Like any terrier, the Lakie is prone to chasing small animals. They should be socialized to cats and other small animals from a young age. This can be an excitable dog with lots of energy. This breed is active and requires a lot of daily exercise to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive. They can also be very possessive about their food and toys. The Lakie excels as a watchdog, but excessive barking can be a problem. Originally bred to hunt foxes and to protect livestock in England, the Lakeland Terrier is energetic and agile with a high prey drive. This breed needs to be brushed several times a week and periodically stripped.
Puli
The Puli stands about 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 23 and 38 pounds. This breed has a life expectancy of about 10 to 15 years. The Puli has a unique corded coat that looks like a giant mop. But the Puli is not born with his dreadlocks. Rather, the adult coat grows in at about one year of age. The fluffy coat must be separated by hand into cords. His corded coat makes the Puli look much bigger than he actually is. The coat comes in solid colors including black, gray, white and rusty black. The Puli is originally from the country of Hungary, though its exact ancestry is not known. This affectionate companion dog is very loyal to its family but wary of strangers. With an instinct to protect and herd, they act as guardians of children and other family pets. They are also very sensitive to the needs of the sick and elderly, making them great therapy dogs. This playful dog enjoys the company of children and gets along with other dogs and family pets. Self-confident and highly intelligent, this dog can also be a bit stubborn. This breed requires lots of exercise and mental stimulation to avoid anxiety and destructive behaviors. They are very vocal and tend to bark. This breed enjoys playing well into their adult years. For more information about the Puli, go to Choosing a Puli.
Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer stands about 17 to 20 inches high at the shoulder and weighs between 30 and 45 pounds. This breed has an average life expectancy of about 13 to 16 years. Native to Germany, the Schnauzer is a good hunter and herder. He makes a wonderful companion dog that will follow you wherever you go. This is an extremely intelligent and active dog that is especially good with children. These dogs insist on being part of the family activities. They are outstanding companions known for their loyalty and love of family. The Schnauzer is not a one-person – it is a true family member. This breed learns quickly and is eager to please, making them very good therapy dogs; but they are known to be stubborn making them a little difficult to housetrain. This affectionate and energetic breed needs daily exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. He is a high energy dog. They love to please their owners and they love to be the center of attention. The outer coat is tight and wiry with a soft undercoat. The wiry coat can be either pure black or salt-and-pepper gray (a mix of black and white) in color, and requires daily brushing. The Standard Schnauzer makes a good watch dog and will alert you to the presence of strangers. They will share their homes with other dogs and cats if they have been socialized to do so at a young age, but they are not to be trusted with small pets such as hamsters. They may be aggressive toward unknown dogs.
Tibetan Terrier
The Tibetan Terrier stands about 14 to 16 inches high at the shoulder and weighs about 20 to 28 pounds. Its average life expectancy is about 12 to 15 years. Although this breed is called a “terrier”, it actually is not related to a terrier. The breed originated in Tibet where it was regarded as a good luck charm. This dog can easily adapt to many different types of household. The Tibetan Terrier is affectionate and loves being with people. They are best suited to homes with school-age children who understand how to properly handle a dog. They do best in homes where they will receive a lot of attention and will not be left alone for long periods of time. Lively and fun-loving, this dog has a very sweet nature. This breed makes a very good therapy dog. The Tibetan Terrier does well with other dogs and pets, especially when they have been raised together. With a lot of energy to burn, these dogs require daily exercise to keep them from becoming bored and resorting to barking or destructive behaviors. This smart breed is easily trained. The Tibetan Terrier’s thick shaggy coat needs to be brushed every day. The Tibetan Terrier is known to bark and makes a good watchdog.
To learn more about hypoallergenic dog breeds, go to Looking for a Hypoallergenic Dog? Here’s What You Need to Know.