Are Beagles Hypoallergenic?

Beagles are easily identifiable with their striking brown eyes and their big ears.

The charming appearance of these members of the Hound Group make them one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

The American Kennel Club ranks the Beagle as the sixth most popular breed in the United States as of 2019.

Whether a dog sheds a lot can be an important question for prospective dog owners who are thinking about introducing a pet to the family home.

Furthermore, allergy sufferers will be eager to find a dog breed that is hypoallergenic to reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction.

In this article, we’re going to examine whether Beagles are hypoallergenic and their shedding patterns.

What does hypoallergenic mean?

If you’ve done any research into dogs that are good for allergy suffers, there’s a strong chance that you’ve encountered the word hypoallergenic.

For those who don’t suffer from allergies, this word could prove to be a new addition to your vocabulary.

However, if you’re one of the 33 million people in the United States who struggle with an allergy to our four-legged friends, you’ll know what this term means.

Hypoallergenic was a term first coined by the cosmetic industry in the 1950s to denote a product that was less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Hence the word means something that is less likely or unlikely to cause an allergic reaction or could cause fewer allergic reactions in sufferers.

What is a hypoallergenic dog?

As you can probably deduce, a hypoallergenic dog is one that is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

However, the AKC make it clear that there’s no such thing as a 100 per cent hypoallergenic dog.

So if you’re looking for a dog breed that is guaranteed not to cause an allergic reaction, you can stop. They don’t exist no matter what breeders might claim!

Of course, there are some types of dogs that are thought to be a better fit for would-be dog owners who have an allergy to canines.

Some experts believe that it can depend on each individual dog and individual person rather than a breed being considered “hypoallergenic” as a whole.

Both the AKC and the Kennel Club list a number of dogs that are considered potential options for those looking for a low-shedding dog.

What are the causes of allergic reaction to dogs?

Many dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic are low shedding.

While canines that shed a lot can be problematic for those with allergies, it’s not purely about dog hair being left on your clothes, furniture and around the home.

Dander are tiny microscopic pieces of dead skin that dogs secrete. They’re usually transported through the air unbeknownst to us, while they can enter our bodies through the mucous membranes (nose and lungs). Dander is one of the potential causes of an allergic reaction. Some dogs, such as the Poodle, can collect most of the dander in their coat, which can be washed out during bath time or at the groomer.

Even hairless dogs will produce dander and salvia!

Dog hair can also carry pollen that your pup picks up during a daily walk through fields, meadows, gardens or nature trails. Salvia is another potential trigger for those with an allergy to pooches.

Are Beagles hypoallergenic?

Beagles are not considered a hypoallergenic breed because they’re moderate shedders that produce both dander and salvia.

Neither the AKC nor the Kennel Club list the Beagles as one of the breeds that could potentially be a good fit for those with an allergy to dogs.

Beagle shedding

Beagles have a smooth but dense double coat coat that becomes thicker in the colder months to protect against the elements.

Given their coat grows in volume during the winter, Beagles will shed heavily during the spring months as their coat thins out ahead of the summer.

According to Certa-Pet, a Beagle’s seasonal shedding is dictated by light rather than temperature. Their coat will become more dense and thicker when there’s less light.

Aside from this seasonal shedding, Beagles tend to be moderate shedders all year round. So you can expect a reasonable amount of fur to be shed by these charming dogs.

The AKC recommend weekly brushing to remove dead or loose hair, while facilitating and promoting the growth of new hair.

You won’t need to bathe your Beagle regularly unless they’ve got a habit of rolling in something stinky during their daily walks.

Beagle cross breeds

While Beagles aren’t hypoallergenic, some cross breeds can often be described as more hypoallergenic that pure breeds. For example, the Goldendoodle is a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They were bred to act as service or therapy dogs for people with an allergy to dogs.

The Poogle (can also be called Poogle Hound, Beaglepoo, Beagledoodle, Beagapoo, Beapoo) is a mix between a Beagle and a Poodle.

With one Poodle parent, there’s a chance that a Poogle could be a low shedding dog that could be a potential fit for those with an allergy to dogs.

However, it’s not possible to say all Poogles are hypoallergenic as some of these dogs will take after their Beagle parent rather than their Poodle parent.

If you get a Poogle, their curly, wavy hair will still need regular grooming to prevent the fur from becoming tangled. With hairy ears, they may need more frequent baths than the Beagle in case their wavy hair has collected pollen or other allergens when outside.

Hypoallergenic dog breeds

Both the AKC and the Kennel Club recommend a number of pure breeds that they consider to be more hypoallergenic than other types of dogs.

The AKC recommends the following breeds:

Affenpinchser
Afghan Hound
American Hairless Terrier
Barbet
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frise
Bolognese
Chinese Crested
Coton de Tulear
Giant Schnauzer
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Lagotto Romagnolo
Maltese
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Poodle
Portuguese Water Dog
Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Schnauzer
Xoloitzcuintli

The Kennel Club list these 31 types of dogs:

• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Spanish Water Dog
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Giant Schnauzer
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russian Black Terrier
• Hungarian Puli
• Komondor
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Havanese
• Maltese
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Lhasa Apso
• Intermediate Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Mexican Hairless
• Standard Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Standard Poodle
• Toy Poodle
• Miniature Poodle
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Terrier
• Bedlington Terrier
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• Glen of Imaal Terrier
• Sealyham Terrier
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Anything else to consider?

If you’ve got an allergy to dogs but you want to adopt a pup, you should consult with your local health expert to discuss the matter.

While a dog may be described as more hypoallergenic, there’s no guarantee that it won’t cause an allergic reaction. It can depend on each individual dog and human.

You can also talk to the breeder of low shedding dogs and cross breeds to learn more about whether their pups are likely to be hypoallergenic.

Conclusion

Beagles are not hypoallergenic dogs because their considered to be moderate shedders.

These hound dogs will shed all year round, while they’ll blow out their coat once a year, usually around spring.

However, the Poogle – a mix between a Beagle and a Poodle – could be a potential alternative worth researching for Beagle lovers who are allergic to dogs.