Most persons who call themselves allergic to dogs are actually allergic to the dander that is attached to shed hair. For those who consider dogs to be an allergen that must be avoided at all costs, perhaps the following insight into hypoallergenic dogs will allow you to rethink your dog-less state.
What about the Neighbor’s Dog are you Allergic To?
Why is it that every time Barney, the Saint Bernard from next door, gets near you that you tear up and start sneezing? Most likely it is not Barney as an individual dog that you are allergic to but rather the dust, pollen, dander and saliva on his coat. Barney has a very thick coat with a heavy undercoat that traps all these things as he wanders around outdoors. As his skin cells shed they become stuck to his hair as dander. When he washes himself as part of his cleaning ritual, saliva dries on his hair. When Barney comes near you it is what is on his coat that sets your allergies off.
What is Hypoallergenic Fur?
Dogs with hypoallergenic fur have either very little hair (think Hairless Chihuahua), they shed very little or retain the dander. Poodles shed very little naturally and the skin cells they shed are retained by their very curly hair; Poodles and many Poodle cross-breeds are considered to be hypoallergenic. Non-hypoallergenic dogs shed in copious amounts and are very likely to have an undercoat that nature provides for winter warmth. Essentially hypoallergenic dogs are most commonly breeds that are single coated (no undercoat), low or non-shedders, possibly hairless, commonly smaller statured dogs and also those breeds of dogs that do not shed but do retain dander (Poodles for instance).
Short or Long Coat?
Hypoallergenic dogs can be either. Goldendoodles (Golden Retriever x Poodle hybrid) that are F1 hybrids have a medium length coat that is most likely wavy to curly but not as intensely curly as their Poodle parent. Long haired dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers are considered hypoallergenic since their hair is similar to human hair and sheds in very small amounts. Hairless dogs generally have hair between the pads on their feet and likely on their heads. There is no such thing as a completely 100% dander and shed free dog, but hypoallergenic dogs come as close to non-shedding as nature allows.
Reducing Risk of Allergic Reaction
Once you welcome a hypoallergenic dog into your home there are a few things you can do to help reduce the risk of allergic reaction. Keep the dog clean; a weekly bath helps to literally wash the allergens down the drain. If you select a long haired hypoallergenic breed, trimming the hair will help to limit the amount of allergens the dog will pick up and carry.
Look Online for Dogs with Hypoallergenic Fur
The Internet is a wonderful resource for information pertaining to hypoallergenic dogs. Not only that, you can easily locate breeders near you that will welcome you spending time at their facilities so you can determine whether you can live with a dog of their particular breeding focus.
