Just How Much is a Hypoallergenic Dog?

How much is a hypoallergenic dog?

If you have dog allergies but have always wanted a furry companion, you’ve probably often wondered about that very question.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, depending on how you look at it) there’s no easy “put aside exactly this much money” answer.

Read on to learn why that’s both the good news and the bad!

How Much is a Hypoallergenic Dog?

There’s actually quite a big spread when it comes to hypoallergenic dog cost, and it varies by breed.

That’s both good and bad news.

It’s good news because some breeds can cost as little as $500 (or perhaps even less if you adopt through a rescue).

It’s bad news because hypoallergenic puppies can cost up to $5,000 or more.

So let’s dive into what you need to know about hypoallergenic dogs first.

Then we’ll answer the question: how much is a hypoallergenic dog.

What to Know Before Buying a Hypoallergenic Dog

There are some things you should be aware of before you rush out and buy or adopt a hypoallergenic dog.

You have to do a little homework so you don’t end up with the wrong breed or in a situation you aren’t fully prepared for.

Luckily, we’ve done the majority of that homework for you.

No Dog is Truly Allergen-Free

If anyone tries to tell you that a specific breed is allergen-free, they’re either lying to you, or they just don’t know any better.

The truth is that hypoallergenic dogs are less likely to cause allergic reactions, but they are not allergen-free.

You can read more about what a hypoallergenic dog is here, but essentially, the term applies to dogs that don’t shed.

The hair that dogs shed is what carries allergens throughout the home.

You’ll Still Have to Keep Allergens Under Control

So now that you know there is no such thing as a truly allergen-free dog, that leads us to our next important point.

You’ll have to clean regularly. Even hypoallergenic dogs that don’t shed can still leave traces of their allergen-inducing proteins around the house.

If you have allergies, be prepared to vacuum, dust, and change your sheets regularly to help prevent an excess of allergens floating around your home.

You’ll also need to give your dog regular baths.

Grooming

Speaking of keeping allergens under control and regular baths, your dog will need regular grooming.

This helps reduce allergens on your dog and in your home.

You can have a professional groomer do it for you, or you can save some money and do it yourself.

If you decide to go the do-it-yourself route, this guide to the best grooming tools will help you get started.

Choosing the Right Hypoallergenic Dog

There are a lot of hypoallergenic dog breeds out there, so if you’re asking “how much is a hypoallergenic dog?”, consider asking “which hypoallergenic dog is right for me?” first.

Luckily, you can find a complete list of hypoallergenic dogs here.

There are more than you’d think – 45, in fact – so there’s bound to be one that fits your lifestyle.

If you’re looking for a bigger guy, you can find large hypoallergenic dogs here.

If little guys are more your speed, we also have a complete list of toy breed hypoallergenic dogs, as well.

How Much is a Hypoallergenic Dog?

Now that you know a little more about hypoallergenic dogs, it’s time to discuss hypoallergenic dog prices.

As I said earlier, prices vary greatly depending on breed, so depending on the type of dog you want, you could pay anywhere from $500 to over $3,000.

Let’s take a look at the costs for some of the most popular hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Then, I’ll share some tips and more great resources for price research.

How much do the most popular hypoallergenic dogs cost?

These are the average price ranges for the some of the most popular hypoallergenic dog breeds.

As you can see, prices range astronomically even within a single breed.

I looked at several different sources, including HowMuchIsIt, AKC marketplace listings, and others to find the low and high price for each.

I eliminated the absurd “high end prices, like one that claimed a Yorkie can go for $25,000!

While breeders are free to charge whatever they want, you won’t find many people actually paying that much.

So, I stuck with more rational price ranges.

If you don’t see the dog you want on that list, you’ll find an excellent table on average hypoallergenic dog prices here that will be a big help to you.

Honestly, your best bet is to shop around.

Compare breeder prices to find the best deal, but NEVER sacrifice ethical breeding practices for a cheaper price and never buy from a puppy mill.

Not only do puppy mills produce dogs that generally have health issues due to poor breeding practices, but they are also very cruel.

Puppy mills keep their breeding dogs confined, most often in filthy conditions. It’s no way for animals to live.

How to Save Money on a Hypoallergenic Dog

So we’ve seen the prices on hypoallergenic puppies can range from fairly cheap at $300 to astronomically high at over $5,000.

That’s a lot of money. Surely there must be ways to save, right?

That’s correct. Strictly speaking, there are really two distinct ways to save, so let’s talk about them.

Shop Around

Shopping around is one method.

While there tends to be an average price for every kind of dog breed, as we saw above, different breeders will have different pricing.

You can compare prices between reputable breeders to find one that more closely fits your budget. Again, never opt for a puppy mill.

You’ll end up with a dog full of health issues, both mental and physical, and you’ll be promoting the abuse of animals.

Adopt

What is the cheapest hypoallergenic dog breed? Why, that would be the one you adopt!

Seriously, one of the best ways to save money on a hypoallergenic dog is to adopt one.

You’d be surprised at how easy it can be to find a hypoallergenic dog to adopt.

And what’s more, the adoption fee is always less than buying a puppy.

While you won’t get papers,  you will get a dog that won’t kill your allergies and the good feeling of knowing you gave a dog in need a loving home.

Begin by visiting your local shelters.

Often, you’ll find hypoallergenic dog breeds like Poodles, Shih-Tzus, Maltese, and mixes of those breeds, along with other hypoallergenic breeds, just waiting to be adopted.

There are also tons of breed-specific websites online where you can look for certain hypoallergenic breeds that you may be interested in.

Petfinder has an excellent hypoallergenic dog page featuring many hypoallergenic breeds along with how many of them are available for adoption.

Do you have anything to add about the cost of a hypoallergenic dog? Share below!