What You Need to Know About Hypoallergenic Dogs

Which dogs are hypoallergenic?

Dogs are fantastic animals that many people happily welcome into their homes. But for some it can be difficult to keep a dog because of allergies. Therefore, it has become very popular to acquire so-called hypoallergenic dogs because they are dogs that do not shed.

However, it is important to remember that you can never be completely sure that you will not have any allergic reactions if you acquire a hypoallergenic dog. It is not an exact science to find an allergy-friendly dog that you do not react to. But if you take the time to research the different dog breeds that do not shed, there is a high probability that you will avoid allergic reactions such as itchy eyes and stuffy noses.

How can dogs be hypoallergenic?

If you are one of the many who diligently Google "which dog suits me" only to find out that the recommended breeds do not cope with your allergy, you are not alone. There is not a single allergy-friendly dog breed.

As soon as an animal has fur, there is a risk that the animal may cause allergic reactions. All animals have allergens, which are the substances that cause allergic reactions. They are not only found in fur, but also in the animals' skin and saliva. This means that even if you find a list of small dog breeds that do not shed, you unfortunately cannot be sure that you will not have an allergic reaction.

At the same time, however, it is true that a dog that does not shed is more allergy-friendly than other dogs, because not as many allergens are thrown into the air. This means that when you talk about a dog that is allergy-friendly, you mean a dog that does not shed very much. An allergy-friendly dog that does not shed very much, however, still needs good coat care and should be brushed regularly with a good brush to remove loose hair.

In addition, it can be incredibly difficult to determine which dog breeds you get allergic reactions from and which you don't. Perhaps you cannot tolerate a large hypoallergenic dog like a Poodle, but instead tolerate a small hypoallergenic dog like a Coton de Tulear. It is therefore about finding a dog breed that does not trigger your allergies.

Can you keep a dog if you are allergic to cats?

There are many people who exhibit allergic reactions to cats, and who may therefore be worried about whether they can keep a dog at all. There is always a risk of developing an allergy to dogs if you are already allergic to cats, but many people can easily keep a dog even though they are allergic to cats.

A really good idea, however, is to get yourself tested for allergies to dogs before you get an allergy-friendly dog. It would be incredibly sad and hard for both dog and owner if you have to get rid of the dog because of allergies. There is, of course, the option of treating your allergy with medicine, so that you can live without discomfort with an allergy-friendly dog like the Maltese.

Dog breeds that do not shed

Because all dog breeds, large and small, shed and can therefore result in allergic reactions, it is important to find the dog breeds that shed as little as possible. If you look at different hypoallergenic dogs on lists, the same hypoallergenic dog breeds appear over and over again such as Coton de Tulear and Poodles.

If you are looking for a large hypoallergenic dog, you can take a closer look at the Poodle, which comes in several different sizes and is often crossed with other breeds for its hypoallergenic variant. The Poodle is incredibly intelligent and really good with children.

If you are looking for a small allergy-friendly dog, one of the most popular choices is a Coton de Tulear – an allergy-friendly dog that has become incredibly popular in the past few years. The little dog is smart, good with children and easy to take around town.

Good advice for keeping a dog when you have allergies

If, as an allergy sufferer, you choose to acquire an allergy-friendly dog breed, you must be prepared for the possibility of allergic reactions. These can be treated medically, but you can also help yourself.

It is about keeping the amount of allergens down to a level where allergic reactions are not triggered. This means that it is a really good idea to clean often, thoroughly and get fresh air daily. In addition, you can consider whether you really need carpets in your home because carpets are really good at holding on to allergens, and this is not desirable when you are trying to avoid allergic reactions.

Another solution could be to make sure to create an animal-free area in your house where your dog is not allowed to be - this could be the bedroom, for example. That way, you have a place to retreat to and give your body a break if you feel your nose starting to run and your eyes starting to water.