Choosing a Hypoallergenic Dog
A lot of people have been interested in hypoallergenic dog breeds, or those dogs that are non-allergenic. These are a great compromise for people who love dogs but also have terrible allergies. So what about these dog breeds is good for people that have allergies? Well, you should first start off by understanding what exactly it is that causes those itchy eyes, sneeze attacks, and terrible runny nose that makes allergy sufferers have before you make a decision on the best breed for you.
What Causes Allergies in Humans?
Many people have thought for ages that it is the fur of the dogs that causes the allergies, but that is not the case. It is actually the proteins in the skin of the dogs as well as sweat, saliva, urine, and of course dander. Since these proteins like to stick onto the coats of these dog breeds, it should be no surprise that many choose based on little to now shedding. This way, the allergens that cause sneeze attacks do not get released all over your house and clothing.
In theory, this means that any dog breed that does not shed could be a better choice than those that shed regularly. This might not be true though. There was a recent study done that says that a particular breed can not be guaranteed to have lesser amounts of allergens or prevent these awful symptoms from happening.
Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers
Keeping in mind what was mentioned above, these are some of the best hypoallergenic dog breeds that are popular today simply because they shed less. This should mean less dander. Remember not to select your next pet just based on some of these characteristics but to try and find out a little about their traits as well as personality and history.
Bichon Frise
If you take the proper steps of grooming, this is a great dog that will love you and have little dander. The reason this breed is such a good choice is that they have a double coat. The coat on the top gives the dog the look that everyone knows them for. The bottom coat is what makes this dog a good candidate for being hypoallergenic because it traps dander and other allergens. While this can mean less housework to keep it cleaned, you will need to take the time to groom this breed regularly.
Yorkshire Terrier
Another great choice for those with allergies, the Yorkshire Terrier has hair and not fur. It has a growth cycle which means that this breed will not shed as frequently as related dogs. Just like many others, you will need to groom them almost every day so that their hair does not become tangled. If you are looking for something that is a little lower maintenance, you can get a groomer to shave them into less hair.
Bedlington Terrier
This breed has been put into a category by the AKC to be good with people that have allergies. The Bedlington’s coat looks like that of a sheep and produces much less dander than other dogs. The coat is both soft and coarse to the touch and will require brushing and baths to be best suited for less dander.
Shih Tzu
This is one of my favorite hypoallergenic dogs because most people think that since this breed has such a long coat that it would not be a good candidate. However, it sheds hardly at all and you have the option to keep their coat very short or long. If kept long, you will need to brush them daily but they will look beautiful. Remember, these can be high maintenance, or low, it is your choice based on look you like.
Poodle
Allergy sufferers love the poodle and for good reason. The poodle as a breed does not have a coat that sheds. The tight locks that do not shed dander all over your house are great news for you. However, it does stay in there so make sure to give them frequent grooming! If you decide to get a poodle, then your allergies should be kept at bay as long as you take the proper care that is needed to get rid of the dander from their coats.
Portuguese Water Dog
This is the type of dog that is currently in the white house. The Obamas needed to find a breed that did not agitate allergies. The low shedding rate and little dander was a great choice for the white house as well as their furniture. This breed is very similar to the poodle in that it has curly hair that does not let the dander get out of their coat and onto the floor.
Chinese Crested
This breed has two different strains. One is completely hairless so you do not even have to worry about shedding. It does have a little hair around the head, tail, and feet, but other than that, nothing. While this is a great and obvious choice, some people that have allergies still have troubles. It is best to go visit a possible pet before bringing them home.
Airedale Terrier
This is one of the largest breeds in the terrier category. They are also incredibly friendly to those with allergies. Just like some of the other dogs, they have a coat that is very wiry and helps minimize the amount of dander that gets out. You do need to be careful when grooming, or you could always give them a clipping twice a year.
American Hairless Terrier
This breed basically exists for those looking to cut down on dander in their house. In 1972 there was a puppy born without hair. When that puppy was fully grown, they decided to breed the dog and the hairless trait stuck around. In 1998 they were recognized by the American Rare Breeds Association and allergy sufferers have done great with the American Hairless Terrier so far.
Maltese
When you look at this breed, you might think that it is not a dog that would be recommended. They have a very long coat that is silky smooth and could make more than one nose get some tickles by looking at it. Mentioned earlier, it is not the length of the coat that makes people sneeze, it is the dander. The Maltese does not shed much if at all but does require lots of grooming as most of the dogs in this list require.
How Are Mixed Breeds?
Some mixed breeds out there are said to be hypoallergenic. Classic examples of these is a mix between a labrador retriever and a poodle called the labradoodle. There is also a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle called the Goldendoodle. These all sound like great alternatives but when you breed these dogs together, you typically can find traits of both in each offspring. As always, if you are going to bring a dog home, spend some time with it first and see how your allergies react.
Living with Allergies
There are tons of things that you can do to make sure it works out for you and your dog. For one, keep your dog out of the bedroom. You can also use bedding that can cut down on allergens. Always make sure to do lots of vacuuming and shampoo your pet as well as the carpets in your house where dander could collect. If you have wood floors, this is an added benefit as allergens do not pile up on wood like they do carpet.
Managing your exposure inside is just half the battle. You are still going to be exposed to the dander coming from your animal. There are some medicines that you can take as well as allergy shots that I have personally taken and seen a great response from. You can also decide to keep your pet outside, which could eliminate your problem of getting hypoallergenic dogs in the first place.
As you can see, there are many hypoallergenic dogs that are a great choice! Always make sure to talk to a specialist before you make the final decision to bring your pet home. Hang out with the dog a few times before you bring them home as you may not notice any symptoms the first time you are around them.
Conclusion
Each year, thousands of dogs are let go because of people with allergies. This could have never happened if people simply did some research before hand.
Do the dogs a favor and educate people before they get their first or fifth pet. It is important!