Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Is a Papillon Hypoallergenic? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

Beautiful red and white papillon portrait on the spring grass

Named for their butterfly-like features, Papillons are adorable little pocket rockets that make fantastic pets thanks to their outgoing, playful nature and lapdog energy. However, you might wonder if this is the right dog for you if you have allergies. While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, some breeds are better suited for allergy sufferers.

Unfortunately, the Papillon is not hypoallergenic. Read on to learn why other breeds could be a better fit for dog owners with allergies.

divider dog faces oct 2024

Why Aren’t Papillons Hypoallergenic?

The Papillon has a long, gorgeous single coat that, unfortunately, sheds quite a bit. Though they don’t have an undercoat, Papillons shed year-round and experience heavier shedding twice a year. You can expect a Papillon to shed quite a bit more during spring and fall as they prepare their coats for the changing weather.

Papillon-lying-on-a-couch
Image Credit: Fayzulin Serg, Shutterstock

What Causes Pet Allergies?

It’s a common misconception that pet allergies are triggered by an animal’s hair, fur, or feathers. It’s a protein in your pet’s dander that causes most allergies. Dander is the microscopic dead flakes of skin cells your pet naturally sheds, which are infused with natural secretions and microscopic particles from their saliva, urine, and feces. It clings to your pet’s fur, which can then carry other allergens, such as pollen and mold. When the proteins in the dander get into your airways or on your skin, it can trigger an allergic reaction.

What Breeds Are Better Suited for Allergy Sufferers?

As mentioned earlier, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, regardless of breed. However, less allergenic breeds may be better suited for dog owners with allergies. These dogs typically have non-shedding coats that naturally produce less dander.

The following is a short list of some of the best breeds for people with allergies.

What If I Want a Papillon?

If you have your heart set on a Papillon, you may still be able to adopt one. However, you need to consider the severity of your allergies. Can you be in the same room as an animal and not have a severe reaction? Or are you sniffling, sneezing, and coughing just in the vicinity of someone with pets in their home?

If your allergies aren’t as severe, there are several things you can do once you bring your Papillon home to reduce your symptoms.

Reduce Your Exposure to the Allergens on Your Pet

  • Keep your dog out of your bedroom. You spend 8+ hours a day there, so the less time you breathe in the allergens, the better.
  • Keep them off your furniture.
  • Brush them outside to keep stray hairs at bay. If your allergies are too severe, you may need someone without allergies to handle this task. Better yet, make a regular appointment with a groomer to have their fluff tended to away from home.

Although no dog is completely hypoallergenic, regular bathing can help reduce the amount of dander and other allergens in their fur and the air. We highly recommend Hepper's Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for this job!

Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs, Cats and Other...
  • Only Natural Pet Shampoo - Our vegan, plant-based formulation is made with safe and natural...
  • No Soap - A cat and dog wash free from soaps, glutens, dyes, DEA, sulfates and phthalates means it's...
  • Colloidal Oatmeal - Formula soothes and nourishes dry, irritated skin, providing itchy skin relief...

At Dogster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

Reduce Allergen Levels In Your Home

  • Wear a mask and gloves whenever you clean.
  • When dusting, use a damp, microfiber cloth to catch the allergens to prevent them from returning to the air.
  • Wipe down surfaces, baseboards, and walls every week.
  • Invest in a high-quality vacuum that can tackle pet fur with ease.
  • Choose hardwood or laminate flooring over carpet. Allergens will cling to carpet fibers and make them impossible to remove.
  • Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce airborne allergens.
Papillon sitting in the windowsill next to a plant
Image Credit: Sergey Lavrentev, Shutterstock

Talk to Your Doctor

  • There are allergy tests available to narrow down which proteins you are specifically reactive to and injections to help your immune system learn to cope with them.
  • Prescription-strength antihistamines or other medications may be able to help you as well.
  • Some people with mild allergies find that they decrease over time as they are exposed to the trigger, i.e. your Papillon.

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

Conclusion

Unfortunately, Papillons are not hypoallergenic. If your allergies are severe, you may want to choose one of the other breeds we mentioned above. While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, some can be better suited to allergy sufferers than others. Of course, if you have your heart set on adopting a Papillon and your allergies are not too severe, you can live harmoniously with them if you’re willing to reduce the allergens in your home.

See also: 


Featured Image Credit: Mariya Kuzema, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Is a Boston Terrier Hypoallergenic? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

The Boston Terrier is a much-loved family companion in many homes. This is especially true in the US where, according to the AKC’s...

Boston terrier with a happy face and parched tongue posing

Is a Pug Hypoallergenic? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

With their adorably curled tails and constantly “smiling” faces, Pugs are one of the world’s most well-known and easily recognized dogs. Many dog...

brushing a pug

Are Corgis Hypoallergenic? Vet-Verified Facts & Tips to Reduce Allergens

When it comes to pet allergies, dog owners are often in search of the “Holy Grail.” Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, there is...

woman sitting on sofa and giving treat to the pembroke welsh corgi dog

Are Border Collies Hypoallergenic? Vet-Verified Breed & Allergy Facts

Border Collies are extremely active and fun dogs that often become beloved companion animals for many individuals and families. While these dogs can...

lilac border collie dog lying down on the grass at the park

More related

doberman pinscher dog sitting with owner on the living room floor

Are Dobermans Hypoallergenic? Vet-Verified Facts & Allergy Tips

While Dobermans might have shorter fur, that doesn’t mean they’re hypoallergenic. But why is this the case, and what causes pet allergies in...

Goldendoodle

Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic? Vet-Verified Facts & Tips to Reduce Allergens

If you are one of the millions who suffer from dog allergies, you might believe you are doomed to a life without a...

close up of white shih tzu

Is a Shih Tzu Hypoallergenic? Everything You Want to Know

Shih Tzus are relatively healthy canines, and most live 10 to 18 years. Shih Tzus often do well in apartments and smaller homes...

Yorkshire Terrier

Do Yorkshire Terriers Shed? Vet-Verified Health Facts & Care Tips

Yorkies are pleasantly easy to own for a broad assortment of pet lovers, partly due to their size and personality and partly because...

Keep reading

Can a Human Eat Dog Food? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

If you’re thinking about eating dog food because you’re out of options, we have some bad news for you. Dog food is not meant for human consumption. It’s made with different ingredients and in different proportions than what we need...

Can a Human Eat Dog Food

Do Dogs Need Vitamin E? Vet-Verified Benefits & Risks

Dogs need vitamin E, as it’s an essential nutrient that provides antioxidants that protect against free radical damage. Free radicals are negatively charged atoms released during your dog’s normal metabolic processes. But when dogs or humans are ill or under...

Vitamin E capsules

11 Best Dog Foods for Golden Retrievers in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Golden Retrievers are one of the most beloved dogs in the United States. These friendly and lovable dogs can be prone to specific health conditions and diseases, so it’s important to make sure that they’re eating the right kinds of...

golden retriever dog eating healthy dry food from bowl at home

Can Dogs Eat Coleslaw? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

Coleslaw is a tasty side dish that typically makes appearances at cookouts and BBQ restaurants. If your dog likes to hang around when you’re cooking or eating, then they may want a taste of the foods on your plate, including...

Can Dogs Eat Coleslaw

What Is Lamb Meal in Dog Food? Is It Good for Dogs? Vet-Verified Facts

Do you know what’s in your dog’s food? Like, what’s really in there? If you’ve never put much thought into what you feed your pup, the nutritional labels on dog food might seem like jargon-loaded headaches. Fortunately, if you’ve ever...

Lamb meal in a black container

10 Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

These days, it’s pretty easy to know that your dog’s diet is one of the primary deciding factors in overall lifelong health. We recently had the opportunity to review all of Blue Buffalo’s recipe lines to see what they offer...

dog eating dog food

Can Dogs Eat Sesame Oil? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Sesame oil is a flavorful oil that has multiple uses. It’s one of the first crop-based oils that humans developed, but it is one of the more expensive oils due to the inefficiencies surrounding the manual harvesting and processing of...

Can Dogs Eat_sesame oil

Can Dogs Eat Cheetos? Vet-Approved Reasons, Risks, & FAQ

If you’re a dog owner, the chances are high that you’ve experienced something similar to the following situation. You finally get a chance to sit down and relax after a long day, and you take the opportunity to open a...

Can Dogs Eat Cheetos