Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds: Is There Such A Thing
Ahh choo!! Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny noseit must be allergy season. Or is it? Did you know that your inhalant allergies can last all year if you are allergic to your dog? According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, approximately 10% of people are allergic to mans best friend.
Pesky allergies can interfere with the fun of owning a dog. How can you enjoy walking your dog if you cant see the path through teary eyes? How can you play a game of fetch if you are fetching a tissue every 60 seconds? Although there is no magic wand to make your allergies disappear, there are a few tricks that may minimize your problems.
What Can You Do If You Have Allergies And Want A Rottweiler
If you have allergies, the best thing you can do is choose a more hypoallergenic dog. We’ll cover some of the options for hypoallergeniclarge dog breeds below. But, if your heart is set on a Rottweiler, there are some steps you can take to make sure you’re making the best choice for you and your future best friend.
West Highland White Terrier
Weighing from 16 to 20 pounds, the Westie is cheerful, comical, and friendly. Its also independent and self-confident, which can make training a bit challenging. Some are good with kids, and some are not. Minimal shedding.
Best for: Dog owners with some experience to deal with their independence. Those who enjoy small dogs with lots of personality. Some individuals are best for families without small children.
Cost estimate: $900 to $1200
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Discuss Allergy Medications And Immunotherapy With Your Doctor
Keeping your allergies well-controlled will also help keep your asthma well controlled. Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, actually help stop the allergic reaction from happening. Allergy shots require a financial and serious time commitment. Shots are administered once to twice a week in your allergist’s office over several years and may require an insurance co-payment for each doctor visit/injection. After you receive the injection you need to stay at the doctors for 30 minutes to make sure you dont have an anaphylactic reaction. You may find your symptoms reduce quickly, but it normally takes up to 12 months of shots before you feel the effects.
Allergies By Dog Breed
There are no extensive studies determining whether some dog breeds are more allergenic than others. In fact, one study found that homes with dog breeds considered hypoallergenic actually did not differ in the level of allergens from homes with other breeds.
However, some dog breeds have a reputation for triggering allergies. This may be due to certain traits like shedding more, having a thicker coat, and drooling. All can contribute to causing more frequent or intense reactions in a person who is allergic.
The dog breeds that have a reputation for being more likely to trigger an allergic reaction than others include:
- Dogs that drool: Such as Saint Bernards and bulldogs
- Dogs with dry skin: Such as German shepherds
- Dogs with allergies: Such as terriers
- Dogs with thicker coats: Such as cocker spaniels and border collies
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Best: The Xloloitzcuintli Is A Good Fit For Families
Have you ever heard of the Xloloitzcuintli? Can you even pronounce it? Well help you out. Say it with us, show-low-eats-queen-tlee. Or you could just say Xolo for short.
These hypoallergenic dogs could be a good fit for families with a dog allergy. Some are hairless, while others have a very short coat. Either way, they dont need a lot of grooming, making them lower-maintenance than other breeds of dogs. The Xloloitzcuintli also happens to be one of the oldest, rarest types of dogs in the world.
The Best Large Breed Dogs For Allergy Sufferers
If your allergies won’t allow you to get a Rottweiler, you can make room for a furry friend by choosing a no- or low-shedding dog. While there are no completely hypoallergenic dog breeds, curly and wiry-coated types of dogs don’t shed like traditional dog breeds, which means less dander around your home.
Whichever breed you choose, make sure to test the waters, like we described above, before you adopt so that you and your new friend will be able to live comfortably together.
Because the Rottweiler is a big dog, we’ve rounded up a list of medium and large dogs that are good for allergy sufferers. For comparison’s sake, the AKC standard for Rottweilers has them weighing in at 60-100 pounds. While most of the dogs on this list aren’t quite that big, we’ll let you know how they compare.
There are also several small breeds of dogs that are considered good for people with pet allergies, including bichon frises, Malteses, wire-haired fox terriers, West Highland white terriers, Scottish terriers, and border terriers.
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Where Do Dog Allergies Come From
When youre allergic to a dog, the symptoms can include things like watery eyes, an itchy, runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, and other hay fever-like symptoms. Some people even may develop a rash or hives. All of these symptoms come from our reaction to proteins that are produced by dogs. Some people are allergic to proteins in the saliva, the urine, or the dander of a dog.
Dander is the most common dog allergy trigger, or allergen. Dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by dogs and all animals with fur or feathers. These bits of skin can cause reactions in people who are specifically allergic to these triggers. Proteins found in dog saliva and waste can also cause allergic reactions. These allergens can easily become airborne due to the way that dogs shed.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, dog fur isnt actually an allergen. Instead, the fur traps other allergens. When your dog sheds, these are left wherever they leave fur. This means that a dog that doesnt shed will leave less of these allergens lying around.
Managing Asthma With Pets
We realize that for some people removing your pet may not be an option. If you are unable to remove the pet from the home, try these things to minimize exposure:
- If the animal is a cat or a dog, have someone else wash it twice a week.
- Remove carpeting throughout your home, as they trap allergens like fur and dander and can make allergies worse.
- Create no-pet zones: Keep your bedroom off limits to your pets, as well as any carpeted spaces. Try to keep your pets restricted to areas with hardwood floors and keep them off furniture and surfaces that could trap in allergens.
- Clean the house frequently using a vacuum equipped with a high-efficiency particular air filteror a central vacuum system with an outdoor exhaust.
- Encase your mattress and pillows in special allergen-proof covers. You can learn about our Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certified Products here.
- Use a HEPA air cleaner in the bedroom.
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The Worst Dog Breeds If You Have Allergies
There are so many people all across the world who have dogs and love them dearly. Dogs are truly mans best friend They are friendly, smart, and some of the funniest animals that we can be blessed with. However, there are many people who all suffer from mild to severe allergies due to dog dander, saliva, fur, and other toxins or allergens that can trigger reactions. This, of course, can make it sometimes impossible to even be around them entirely. This can, obviously, depend on the type of dog, or rather breed, that you are near the majority of the time. Often more than not, those pups that have coats that are more prone to shedding, or are more prone to losing dander, will be the dogs that trigger more of the allergic reactions in sufferers. It may seem like a confusing topic to process and figure out, deciding on which dogs dont cause as many reactions, but this is why we are here. We are counting down the top twenty worst dog breeds to have if you suffer from pet allergies.
Basset Hound
Dachshund
Siberian Husky
Springer Spaniel
Great Pyrenees
Akita
Boxer
Labrador Retriever
Pomeranian
Saint Bernard
German Shepherd
Doberman Pinscher
Pekingese
Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel
Bloodhound
Alaskan Malamute
Boston Terrier
Newfoundland Dog
English Bulldog
Worst: Saint Bernards And Bulldogs Are Known For Excessive Saliva
If youre allergic to dog saliva, steer clear of slobbery breeds of dogs like bulldogs and Saint Bernards. Both are known for excessive drooling. Regardless of the type of dog, it is best to refrain from letting the dog lick you if youre allergic. Also, soak slobbered-on chew toys in hot, soapy water at least once a week.
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Are Hypoallergenic Dogs Even A Real Thing
Many people seem to think so. But the American Kennel Club says that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. But dont get bummed out if youre a dog lover with pet allergies. There are actually dog breeds that are less allergenic. These breeds are considered as such because they have more predictable, non-shedding coats that produce less dander. And less dander could mean that you wont be a sniffling, sneezing, runny eyed mess on a regular basis.
However, hypoallergenic dogs can still cause problems for allergy sufferers because, according to Dr. Hong, theres still a chance that your allergies could be triggered.
Many people believe that exposure to other dogs will trigger their allergy symptoms, while exposure to a hypoallergenic dog will not. However, objective scientific studies dont support the idea that any dogs are hypoallergenic, says Dr. Hong.
Dr. Hong adds that a 2012 study measured dog allergens concentrations in samples taken from the hair and coats of so-called hypoallergenic and non-hypoallergenic dogs, and from their respective owners homes.
The study found that the allergen levels were actually higher in hair and coat samples from the dogs that were supposedly hypoallergenic. And the home allergen concentrations for both sets of dog owners were about the same for each group.
So, in a nutshell, there is no clear scientific evidence to support a hypoallergenic species of dog.
An Overview Of Dog Allergies
Pet allergies affect 10%20% of the world population. While people are twice as likely to be allergic to cats than dogs, dog allergies can sometimes be more serious than cat allergies.
While some dog breeds may be more likely to trigger allergies than others, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, meaning they don’t trigger allergic reactions at all.
Someone who is allergic to dogs may be able to reduce their symptoms by selecting a certain breed or type of dog with less of a reputation for inciting allergic reactions. This is not a guarantee, though.
Even if you get a less allergenic dog, you will still have to take a number of precautions to decrease or avoid the chances of allergic reactions.
An allergic reaction is an abnormal response of the immune system.
The immune system acts as the bodys main line of defense against foreign substances, but sometimes a persons immune system becomes overly sensitive to certain substances in that individual’s environment. The immune system will react as though they are dangerous or toxic rather than relatively harmless substances.
In the case of a dog allergy, a persons immune system is overreacting to the proteins in the dogs urine, saliva, or dander .
Contrary to popular belief, dog fur itself is not an allergen . Dog dander or dried saliva are often left behind on a dogs fur, though, and these are what actually cause the allergic reaction.
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What Does Hypoallergenic Have To Do With Dogs
Hypoallergenic dogs have fur that doesnt shed non-shedding. Dender is the leading cause of allergies found on the dogs coat. When the dogs coat sheds, the allergy-causing dander gets released into the air, on the floor and in furnishings. If you have ever been to someones house when they have a dog like a Jack Russell, you come away with dog fur on your clothing and hair and have probably breathed some of it in. Each one of those tiny hairs has allergy-causing dander. A dog that does not shred has less dander, and the dander it does have keeps within its coat, so it is easy to contain. Bathing regularly and trips to the groomers keep the fur and dander at bay.
What Is A Pet Allergy
Three out of five of all households in the U.S. have pets, with over 161 million of these pets being cats and dogs.
Animals without fur, like reptiles, amphibians and fish, do not shed dander so they have less of a chance of triggering an allergic reaction. But any mammal, like cats and dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters, etc. shed dead skin cells called dander which can trigger an allergy.
Besides dander, people with pet allergies can also be allergic to the proteins that are present in pet saliva, urine and feces.
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Even Allergy Sufferers Need A Furry Friend
So, are Rottweilers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, the answer is no. While Rotties aren’t the worst dog for allergy sufferers, they aren’t the best either. You’d be much better off with a non-shedding dog because it will spread less dander throughout your house.
Our top pick for allergy sufferers who love Rottweilers is the Giant Schnauzer because these two breeds have similar working-dog backgrounds. They’re both intelligent guard dogs who are easy to train and good with their families.
But, if you still have your heart set on a Rottie, you can talk to your allergist about allergy shots and other options. Whichever breed you choose, try fostering or pet sitting a dog of the same breed before you commit to adoption so you can make sure your new best friend won’t trigger allergy symptoms.
For more information on dog breeds, dog food, and your pet’s overall health and wellness, check out our Native Pet blog.
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Are French Bulldogs Ok For Allergy Sufferers
No, French Bulldog puppies are not hypoallergenic. Despite the fact that they are a short-haired breed, a Frenchie can shed a lot and be harmful to allergy sufferers. While there are no dog breeds that are 100% hypoallergenic, Frenchies have the potential to cause allergies in some people.
The French bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds on the market. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog breed. Animal allergies are caused by a protein in pet dander, not dog hair itself. A French bulldogs coat, which includes fur as well as a topcoat, is divided into two layers. Brushing your French bulldog every few days to keep the loose fur out can help reduce the risk of allergy flare-ups. Bathing not only keeps your dogs skin and coat looking fresh and smooth, but it also eliminates a lot of dander buildup. When one consumes a well-balanced diet that contains the right amount of vitamins and minerals, their overall shedding is reduced.
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Why Do People Develop Dog Allergies
Many people with dog allergies believe they’re allergic to dog fur, but according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, that’s not typically the case. Most people with pet allergies are actually allergic to a protein found in pet dander, saliva, and urine.
However, pet fur is full of dander and saliva, so when a dog sheds, it essentially spreads the allergens all over your house, clothes, and furniture. This is why heavy-shedding dogs can cause a worse allergic reaction than non-shedding dogs.
The most common allergy symptoms in people with pet allergies are sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. If a dog licks you or drools on you, you may also experience itchiness where your skin comes into contact with the dog’s saliva.
In severe cases, exposure to dogs can cause a person’s throat to itch, swell, and potentially close. If you ever have trouble breathing when you’re around pets, move to a pet-free environment and call your doctor immediately.
A Dog Is More Than Just A Pet
For most dog owners, a pup is more than just an animal who requires time and energy. A dog is a member of the family who brings happiness and unconditional love. Though finding and keeping the best breeds of dogs for your allergy will take extra effort, the prep work is worth it. Taking extra steps to minimize exposure to dander and other allergens allows people with allergies the chance to enjoy the unparalleled companionship of mans best friend.
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The Worst Dogs For Allergy Sufferers
Dog lovers who suffer from allergies are often relegated to admiring other people’s pets from a considerable distance. But thanks to scientific and veterinary research and experimentation, modern dog-allergy sufferers have a variety of choices for lifetime canine companions. The term “hypoallergenic” is not entirely accurate, but some dog breeds are innocuous to people who would otherwise have to avoid these beautiful animals altogether.
How To Alleviate Dog Allergies At Home
There are some steps that you can take to make life with a dog much easier. Here are some suggestions from Dr. Hong.
- Keep your dog out of your bedroom. This will help you breathe easier while youre resting or getting dressed. You can even use a HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom as an extra precaution.
- If you have carpet and arent in a position to remove it, steam clean it frequently. If you have hardwood floors and use throw rugs, wash them in hot water regularly. Use a damp cloth on hard floors to pick up pet allergens.
- If youve been around your dog or other dogs for an extended period of time, change your clothes right after to reduce the occurrence of an allergic reaction.
- Cover bedroom vents with a dense filtering material like cheesecloth since air conditioning and heating can spread dander and other allergens throughout your home.
- Use a HEPA filter for central heating and air conditioning units to contain pet allergens that might be floating around.
- If you havent discussed your allergies in-depth with your healthcare provider, talk to them about treatment options like medicine or immunotherapy.
- Bathe your dog regularly. Its possible to be allergic to the pollen on your dogs coat when they go outdoors.
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