Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Kick the sneeze. Kiss the dog
Totally allergy free Hypoallergenic dog breeds do not exist, if they did we would mean without urine, dander or saliva.
Most allergy sufferers are also sensitive to dust, dust mites, mold, pollen, and a thousand other pollutants in the air.
This does not mean that you are doomed never to own a dog
or that you can't love and pet your existing dog. This also does not mean locking your dog away in the backyard 24/7. Grooming your dog regularly is one way to help with the allergens. Choosing one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds helps, and maintaining the furniture and materials in your home will go a long way to
ensuring a reduced allergic reaction.
Think small. All things being equal, small dog breeds naturally have less hair and less
dander than large dog breeds. Therefore small dog breeds may be a better option for you.
You may want to consider single coated, non shedding dog breeds from our list of Hypo-allergenic dog breeds.
Over 15 percent of the population suffer from allergies,
and most allergy prone people suffer from more than one allergen and "getting
rid of the dog" is no longer the solution.
Allergens are sticky and are likely to be on every surface you come into contact with, not just doggy stuff. We suggest a number of useful tips to help make you less allergy sensitive and your home environment allergy friendly.
Ensure that your dog has a healthy skin and coat. It
stands to reason that if your dog is scratching or biting at his skin and coat, he will release more dander.
Provide a healthy diet, keep your dog well groomed by regular bathing, brushing and clipping. Hypoallergenic dog breeds do shed, brushing outdoors on a regular (maybe daily) basis will go a long way to ensuring less allergens in your home.
Other related articles:
Minimize your exposure to other allergens, to keep below your "allergy
threshold". All reactions become cumulative which will increase the
likelihood of a flare-up. Do not only "blame the dog".
Go from Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds to About Small Dog Breeds Home Page
Human allergy to dogs - The Dog Health Handbook has more information on dog allergies and owner reactions to their pets.
