If you love dogs but have allergies, you may be wondering if there is any possible way to live with them. You may be thinking there are specific breeds out there that won’t irritate your symptoms. Unfortunately, the “hypoallergenic” dog is nothing more than a myth.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re without hope. It is possible to find a dog that doesn’t irritate your allergies too much. Furthermore, there are many options for managing allergies that may make living with dogs tolerable.
Today, we will bust the myth of the hypoallergenic dog, offer some recommendations for large breeds that are worth looking into, and explain the different ways you can manage your symptoms to make it easier to live with dogs.
It’s important to understand that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Instead, the term is typically used to describe dogs that are low shedding and, therefore, are believed to be less likely to irritate allergies. However, it is still possible for people to be allergic to these so-called hypoallergenic breeds.
This is because people are not allergic to fur (though some allergens can be carried on fur). Pet allergens include things like dander, sweat, urine, and saliva.
Some dogs shed more pet dander than others, even if they hardly shed any fur. In fact, studies have shown that households with “hypoallergenic” breeds have just as many pet allergens floating around as households with non-hypoallergenic breeds.
The reality is that there is not a single dog breed on the planet that has been scientifically proven to produce fewer allergens than other breeds. A poodle is just as likely to cause itchy eyes and sneezing as a husky.
Knowing this, you may feel like there is no hope for you of being able to live with a dog if you have pet allergies. However, while there isn’t a specific breed that is hypoallergenic, there are individual dogs that shed fewer allergens than others. The problem, of course, is finding them.
If you have allergies but still want to live with a dog, don’t give up just yet, as we will be discussing other strategies that may make this possible for you.
It’s hard to know if a dog will bother your allergies or not without being able to spend time with them, first. Choosing a breed from a list online is no guarantee that you’ll end up with a dog that doesn’t trigger your symptoms. However, we’re going to do our best to recommend some dog breeds that might be more suitable.
The dogs on this list will either be low-shedding or low-drooling. Though low-shedding dogs have no benefit to allergy sufferers, some people who experience symptoms are not actually allergic but sensitive. For these people, fur is an irritant, so a low-shedding breed can reduce symptoms. The difference between this and an allergy is that allergies produce antibodies.
As we mentioned before, allergens can be found in a dog’s saliva. Therefore, having a dog that doesn’t drool a lot might help with managing allergy symptoms. You may also want to avoid dogs with furnishings (beards) as drool may get caught in their facial hair.
With all of that out of the way, let’s get to recommending some dogs!
Standard poodles are a high-energy breed known for their intelligence, trainability, and athleticism. They tend to be affectionate with their families, are good with kids, and are friendly toward strangers.
Their coat is made of long, curly hair and does not shed much. Most poodle owners prefer to keep their dogs shaved. Coats that are kept long require daily maintenance.
Afghan hounds are perhaps the epitome of a fancy-looking dog as they have long, straight hair that flows nearly to the ground. Of course, this makes them very high-maintenance and, as someone with allergies, you may not want to be handling your dog’s fur every day. Luckily, you can have the Afghan hound’s coat clipped short by a professional.
Despite their luscious locks, the Afghan hound is not afraid to get dirty. This breed is a sighthound that loves to hunt and chase prey. They need to be allowed to run often, preferably in a fenced-in area for their safety. When they aren’t on a run, they are loving and loyal companions.
As part of the working group, the Portuguese water dog is known to be high-energy, active, and athletic. This breed is super smart and eager to please. They’re lovey-dovey with their families, do well with kids, get along with other dogs, and are friendly when meeting new people.
Their coat is made up of tight curls and needs to be clipped regularly to maintain a manageable length.
The Irish water spaniel is another active, high-energy, curly-haired breed. These dogs are fantastic swimmers and love to play. They’re affectionate with their families and are good with respectful kids.
They aren’t as open with strangers or strange dogs, but socialization during their youth will help them become friendly, well-adjusted dogs. Like the other curly-haired breeds on this list, their coat will need to be clipped regularly so that it doesn’t require too much at-home maintenance.
Airedale terriers are versatile in that they can be hunters, athletes, and companions. They are moderate to high-energy and can be stubborn at times when it comes to training. They love their families but aren’t as affectionate as other breeds.
Airedales are low-shedding and their coats don’t require much maintenance. However, three to four times per year they must have their coat hand-stripped. If you have allergies, you’ll want to pay a groomer to do this for you as it is likely to trigger symptoms.
Though breed purists may think this sacrilege, a person with allergies might consider keeping the Airedale’s beard shaved. Furnishings might trap slobber or other allergens.
Greyhounds are known for their quickness, but they are also sweet companions who tend to be affectionate with their families. They do well with respectful children. Sometimes, greyhounds can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training.
Though not quite as low shedding as a poodle, they don’t leave much hair around the house. Their short coat is incredibly low-maintenance, and they don’t drool that much, either.
Much like the greyhound, the borzoi is a born runner. This breed can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. They are sighthounds that love to chase squirrels and require a fenced-in yard to run in.
This breed prefers respectful children but is otherwise affectionate with family. Borzoi are somewhat stubborn when it comes to training, so it’s important to be gentle, patient, and consistent.
Irish wolfhounds are described as calm and serene despite their giant size and history of hunting wolves. They are loving companions who are patient with children, but their size means they could easily knock over a young child.
This breed is low maintenance compared to others and only needs weekly brushing. Though Irish wolfhounds are moderate shedders, they do not blow out their coats during shedding season, so you can expect the amount of shedding to stay consistent year-round.
Siberian huskies adore their families and are great with kids and other dogs. They also tend to be quite friendly toward strangers. They are high-energy and quite playful but can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training.
Though they are profuse shedders, they are known for having minimal doggy odors and they do not drool very much.
We said this list would include dogs that were either low-shedding or low-drooling, and the Labrador retriever is neither (in our defense, they’re only slobbery when they’re begging).
However, one study found that the Labrador produced fewer allergens than the breeds often considered hypoallergenic, such as poodles, so we think it’s fair to include them on this list because they are fantastic dogs.
Though they can be a little too exuberant at times, they’re incredibly people-oriented. Everyone is their friend and they are easy to train. They can join families for hikes or swimming, they can be hunting dogs, and they’re fun to play fetch with. What’s not to love?
If you have pet allergies, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are doomed to live a dogless life. However, you will need to make extra efforts to manage your symptoms and your environment so that you can own a dog. Let’s talk about some of the different ways you can manage your allergies to make it easier to live with a dog.
First of all, you’ll want to consult with your doctor about what treatments might be available to you. There are many over-the-counter options that can help manage allergies, such as nasal rinses and sprays, eye drops, antihistamines, and decongestants. There are also prescription medications, allergy shots, and treatments like immunotherapy.
Dogs produce five different allergens which are labeled Can f 1 to 6. This matters because not everyone is allergic to every single Can f allergen. It’s possible to be allergic to only Can f 1 or only Can f 5, and so on. Your allergist can perform a test to find out which Can f allergens you react to.
Unfortunately, knowing which allergens you’re allergic to may not be immediately useful in picking out a dog as you probably cannot test the dog to see which allergens they are shedding most heavily. However, this test can tell you if you are allergic to Can f 5.
Can f 5 is only produced by male dogs because it is created in the prostate gland. Though there is still more research to be done, studies suggest that those who are allergic to Can f 5 may only experience allergic reactions around male dogs.
Therefore, if you found out you are allergic to Can f 5, you could choose to get a female dog. Neutered dogs produce less Can f 5 and thus may also be a safe choice for some people.
You probably already know that frequent vacuuming and dusting can help keep pet allergies at bay, but the tools and methods you use for cleaning are also important. You need to avoid using products that scatter allergens or make them airborne, such as brooms and feather dusters.
Instead, use statically charged products like Swiffers. It also helps to clean with damp cloths or mops as they can trap allergens. Make sure to wear a mask so that you don’t inhale allergens while cleaning (or get someone else to do the cleaning for you).
Along with cleaning, installing HEPA filters in heating and cooling systems can help, and the use of a HEPA air purifier is also recommended.
Carpet is notorious for trapping allergens, so if you can replace it with hard flooring, do so. Otherwise, be sure to vacuum at least once a week and consider hiring professionals with industrial carpet cleaners to visit your home once a month or so (depending on budget and need).
Remember how we mentioned that pet allergens typically include dander, saliva, sweat, and urine? Some of this will get trapped in your dog’s fur as they lick themselves, roll around outside, and enjoy their doggy existence.
Therefore, some people with pet allergies find it helpful to bathe their dogs about once a week. You can do this yourself or pay a professional to do it. Just be sure to think about the health of the dog’s skin and coat, as excessive washing can cause dryness. Make sure the shampoos you use are appropriate for dogs, and consider using gentle products with built-in moisturizers.
Aside from bathing, you can buy pet wipes at just about any retailer that sells pet products. You can use these in between baths to wipe your dog’s fur down and hopefully remove some of those allergens that are causing issues.
It might not sound preferable, but keeping your dog out of specific areas of the house, such as your bedroom, can help. Though allergens will still be present even in rooms where the dog isn’t allowed, they’re reduced. If your symptoms make it hard for you to sleep, then it’s especially important that the dog isn’t allowed in the bedroom.
Along with this, do not allow your dog onto the furniture because most furniture acts like a sponge for your dog’s allergens. This is why, when cleaning the house, you have to make sure to vacuum or wipe off the couch as well.
We mentioned that some dogs shed fewer allergens than others, but this is on an individual basis. This makes it hard to find a dog that is easy on your allergies. We do have some suggestions, though we must stress that you consider the dog’s wellbeing first and foremost: don’t get a dog if you don’t think you can keep it.
So how do you pick out a dog that doesn’t trigger unbearable allergy symptoms? Your best option is going to be getting help from animal rescues.
Look for rescues that are foster-based, and see if any of the dogs are living in foster homes that have no other pets. This way, when you visit the dog in their foster home, it’ll be easier to tell if you’re having an allergic reaction to that specific dog.
Be sure to communicate with the shelter about your allergies so that they can work with you and help you come up with solutions for how you might meet and spend time with a dog so that you can determine the possibility and or severity of an allergic reaction.
Make sure you don’t meet with more than one dog on any given day and try to have that dog isolated in a place that isn’t already contaminated with other pet allergens — you wouldn’t want to meet a dog in a room at a shelter, pet store, or vet’s office because many other dogs have been through those areas and their allergens remain in the air.
If you’re adamant about purchasing a purebred dog, then you’ll also want to ask the breeder if there’s a way you can meet the puppy in an isolated environment. Whether you get a purebred pup or a shelter dog, do not try to take the dog home after your first meeting. Wait and see if you will develop an allergic reaction, first.
Having allergies doesn’t mean it’s impossible to live with a dog. Instead, it means you’ll need to be careful about which dog you select and you’ll need to employ a variety of methods to help manage your symptoms.
These methods include over-the-counter medications, grooming, and keeping the house clean. Air purifiers can be helpful as well. You can also designate dog-free zones in your home.
However, you must consider the dog’s well-being above all else. If your allergies are so severe that you cannot provide sufficient daily interaction or if you’re likely to have to rehome the dog, then you may have to accept that owning a dog isn’t in the cards for you.