2. Bichon Frise

If you suffer from seasonal allergies or want a clean, low-dander home, the cheerful Bichon Frise represents an outstanding choice. Standing under a foot tall and weighing between 12 and 18 pounds, this sturdy toy breed boasts a plush, hypoallergenic coat that sheds minimally. Bichons enjoy an average lifespan of 14 to 15 years, maintaining a sunny, polite disposition well into their golden years.

Bichons are famous for their gentle manners indoors. They love perching on footstools or resting against your leg while you watch television. Because breeders originally developed them strictly for companionship, they lack the strong prey drive or stubborn independence found in hunting terriers. They learn basic house rules rapidly and adapt comfortably to apartment living, provided you arrange professional grooming every four to six weeks to keep their curly coat clipped and tangle-free.