Pugs are a very popular breed of dog. In the United Kingdom, the number of pugs registered every year increased until 2017, where it was just under 11,000. In the United States, the American Kennel Club reported that the pug is the 28th most registered dog breed out of 196.

That really says a lot about how much we love them. And probably one of the reasons is a common belief that pugs are hypoallergenic dogs. As that makes them a great choice of breed for people who have allergies to dog fur. However, how correct is that? Are pugs hypoallergenic dogs? 

Worry not. This article will provide you with all the answers you want to know about pugs and allergies.

Do you have a specific question about the subject? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page. 

Can dogs be hypoallergenic?

First of all, it is essential to note that no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic. However, those that are considered to be so are the ones that have a non-shedding coat. Dander, similar to dandruff in humans, are the flakes of dead skin cells that also shed off your dog’s body. These cling to the dog’s hair, and when it sheds, the dander on these hairs is mostly implicated in causing allergies.

Are pugs hypoallergenic dogs?

The short answer to this is no! A hypoallergenic pug is not a thing. Unlike dogs, which are less likely to trigger allergies, pugs shed a lot of fur, and when we are talking about pugs with double coats, they shed even more. This can trigger allergies relatively easily. Pugs and allergies are not a good mix.

Which dog breeds are hypoallergenic?

As earlier mentioned, no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic. However, many dog breeds do not shed a lot. These will be a lot less likely to trigger allergies in anyone who has them. The following dog breeds are some of those which are less likely to trigger allergies:

1. Afghan Hound
2. American Hairless Terrier
3. Bichon Frise
4. Chinese Crested
5. Giant Schnauzer
6. Maltese
7. Poodle
8. Portuguese Water Dog
9. Spanish Water Dog
10. Standard Schnauzer

Suppose you are looking for big hypoallergenic dogs. In that case, breeds like the Afghan Hound, Giant Schnauzer, Poodle, and Portuguese Water Dog are good choices. But as you can see, the pug is not on the list of the most hypoallergenic dogs. 

How to make pugs trigger allergies less?

Maybe you’ve wanted a specific breed of dog all your life, such as a pug, and you are not about to let allergies stop you. Well, fortunately for you, there are some steps you can take to make pugs trigger allergies a lot less. These steps can apply to so many other dog breeds as well.

1. Brush your pug regularly: No matter what, your pug will shed. To avoid pug allergies, make sure that you brush your pug at least once every week. Yes, this will cause the shedding hair and dander to fly around, which can trigger allergies, so this step should be done outdoors. This will regularly knock dead hair loose to prevent it from causing allergies indoors.
2. Clean the folds of your pug: Pugs have many skin folds on them, and these locations can provide a good spot for dander to rest. If you want to make your pug hypoallergenic, it is vital to clean these thoroughly.
3. Bathe it regularly: Every dog needs to take baths regularly, so for your pug, it is no different. To aim for that hypoallergenic pug, you should try to give the pet a good bath at least once every three months, but it is better if it is more regular than that.
4. Clean with a vacuum cleaner: Avoid using brooms to clean the house, as these will knock up dust, dander, and pet hair into the air. A good vacuum cleaner, such as one with a HEPA filter (HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, by the way), will help suck up these in minutes.

Credits: thanks for the cover photo to Canva.

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