Is There Really A Hypoallergenic Dog?
Everywhere you look there’s another article about President-Elect Obama’s search for a hypoallergenic dog. So, is there any dog that truly fits the criteria?
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) tried Wednesday to correct misconceptions about the matter, with the announcement Wednesday that there is “no truly hypoallergenic dog.”
“It is a common misconception that people are allergic to a dog’s hair, and it is falsely believed that dogs that shed less will not cause a reaction,” the AAAAI said
“However, allergies to pets are caused by protein found in the animal’s saliva and skin glands which gets deposited on the hair. These proteins are carried on microscopic particles through the air as an invisible aerosol. When inhaled, they trigger reactions in allergic people. As all dogs secrete these proteins, there is no allergy-free dog.”
There are some dogs that are less likely to aggravate allergies than others, those that are low or no shedding. On Dogster we’re having our own poll to see what type of dog you would choose as the new first dog.
The choice is out of the following dogs; Tibetan Terrier, Bichon Frise, Standard Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, and Schnauzer. Run on over to the poll and select your choice, make your bark heard.
For those out there with allergies here are a few tips from the AAAAI:
*Keep pets out of the allergic person’s bedroom. Animal dander collects on pillows which can worsen symptoms during the night.
* Bathe animals weekly to reduce the amount of dander.
* Replace carpeting with hardwood or other solid surfaces for easier cleanups.
* Air filters (HEPA) may help clean the air.
* It may also be helpful to wash bedding and clothing in hot water.
Definitely good advice to keep in mind.
* So far the Schnauzer is first in the poll, so I chose Samson’s picture to post. That is one cute face!
I agree the Miniature Schnauzer or two would be a wonderful choice for the President-Elect!
I believe Standard Poodles and Goldendoodles are known to aggravate allergies less than some other breeds, however, whatever choice the Obama’s make, it should be either a shelter or a rescue dog.
Thanks for the great information on allergies and dogs, a topic obviously in the news a lot these days.
And my personal selection for the First Dog would be the Tibetan terrier. Just ’cause they’re so incredibly cute!
What a great list.
Having wheaten terrier mix, I get the hypoallergenic comment, and sometimes it’s a bit frustrating. Especially if they are wanting that kind of dog for that reason alone.
I think a Bichon would be the best breed choice, but above all the most perfect choice will come from a shelter or rescue.
I was kind of disheartened with a news story run by a local station in Milwaukee. The Breeder interviewed was talking about offering one of her new upcoming batch of puppies to the Obama family. Her final statement is what made me upset. She stated that not that many hypoallergenic dogs end up in shelters. I just searched Petfinder.com for the state of WI and there is actually quite a list. That is nice that you want to promote your little litter and all, but to deter people from even trying to find a hypoallergenic dog through a shelter is shameful. I do hope the Obama family does the right thing and searches the websites, rescues and shelters first before making their final descision. As the magnet on my car states, “My favorite breed is rescued.”
OMD — it’s so sad we now live in an age of hyper acceptance of allergies and behavioral problems.
If your child doesn’t have an allergy – then what sort of a parent are you?
Obama needs to come clean about just exactly what hypoallergenic disorder his kid suffers from, but then is this just his excuse NOT TO HAVE A DOG?
If your child doesn’t have an allergy in this day and age, then they should at least have a behavioral disorder or be so super intelligent their parents have behavioral problems with them to prove that their parents don’t have to discipline them and set boundaries so that one day they’ll just become average wholesome kids who have a dog as their best mate.
As a mother who has had both hyperallergic and xtremely (genius) intelligent children, maybe Obama needs to set up a special pilot project to investigate the causes of young childrens allergies and disorders leading the way by having a Standard Poodle striding into The White House.
I throw my vote for the Schnoodle in. But then again I am biased since that is what my Misha is.
We have a Border Collie mix and a Golden/basset hound mix. My husband is allergic to both, he sneezes, breaks out into a rash and itches like crazy, but he has not had any reaction what so ever to Sophie Bean our schnoodle. Sophie Bean does not shed. She can snuggle, wrestle and rub all over my Husband and nothing happens.
My sister is extremely allergic to every and anything with fur…except for Sophie Bean.
They shouldn’t have any dog if their daughter is allergic. Adopt the dog then have to get rid of it because his kid needs an inhaler?
Why “try” with a dog only to give it up?
Check out craigslist for a list of “my kid/husband/baby is allergic so our 8 yr old lab has to go.”
Or take a pill.
Pills work for me unless it’s a larger dog in a house that needs cleaning then I will start wheezing pill or not. I couldn’t live without my little pups and I don’t even need a pill usually but I would never give them up. I have the air purifiers, super filters, no carpet, clean beds and more just to make sure and keep the allergies at bay. Candyce, I don’t even know what to say about your post. Do you think allergies are a figment of the imagination???
I use a neti pot so my allergies have disappeared. YOU couldn’t live without your little pups please do not speak for everyone else. People give up dogs and cats daily because of allergies so to suggest someone get a dog when they KNOW they have allergies is irresponsible. So they try out the dog and then what? Their kid goes into an asthma attack and you want them to keep the dog? It’s one thing if someone gets a pet and doesn’t know they are allergic but if they clearly know stay away from the dogs and cats and get a fish.
Gina, OBVIOUSLY I said I couldn’t give them up NOT “one couldn’t live without”. I have a neti pot too and it made a difference but not a cure; however, there are ways to deal with allergies and one can attempt them before throwing up their hands and throwing out the dog. This is post dog advice not pre dog advice. Many people with allergies have had success with “hypoallergenic” dogs.
I am allergic to dogs. I have 2 rough collies and one sheltie. I’m also allergic to dust and know beyond a doubt there is dust in my house. I’ve had these long hair double coat dogs for 19 years. I find that I have more reactions to other peoples dogs than I do my own. Probably because I am getting a constant exposure to my own and building up a resistance to them. I started allergy shots 3 years ago and now can even bathe my dogs with bare arms and not break out at all. When we adpted our Murphy’s mother to live out her retirement years with us and became a 3 dog home, I did have to increase the amount of serum I receive in each injection but to me that is a small price to pay for the unconditional love I receive from my dogs.
Surprisingly, to me at least, he dogs I have a problem with are labs, shepards, schnauzers, terriers, and any short coated dog especially if it has a little oily coat.
I am even more highly allergic to cats. Was so bad I could only be in my mom’s super clean house for about 15 minutes before I was gasping for breath. After these years of shots, I can be exposed to cats for several hours. And if I want to make sure I don’t have a problem when I have to spend a lot of time in a house with cats, I use Intall-an antiallergic inhaler. You use it prior to exposure. It blocks reactions, works great!
I totally agree with Heather, there are thousands of these hypo-designer breeds available in shelters and rescues. I grew up with a schnauzer/poodle-then called a mutt instead of a hypo or designer we adopted from the humane society and that was 38 years ago! He lived to be 21 years old before dying of cancer.
So, I think Omabas should adopt a rescue mixed breed.
Then how about offering a tax deduction incentive for any one who adopts a rescue?