Research have shown that pets can play a significant role in the social and emotional health of individuals, particularly among children. But what if you have allergies?

If you're thinking of getting a dog for a pet, you can minimize your allergic reactions by choosing the right breed. This article enumerates five small dog breeds you might want to consider:

• bichon frise


• Chinese Crested


• Maltese


• Toy Poodle


• Miniature Schnauzer

What's common among these breeds? These dogs do not shed much hair, and produce far less dander than many other dog breeds. Note that they may not be totally allergen-free, so if you have severe sensitivities, they still might trigger reactions. If you want to know more about these dogs to help you make your choice, check out Small Dog Breeds.

You might also want to see some tips for day-to-day living with your pets (applicable whether you have allergies or not!), or check out Allergic to Pets?: The Breakthrough Guide to Living with the Animals You Love, a book that has gotten excellent reviews so far from Amazon customers.