Stop Those Sniffles with a Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic dog breeds are ones that shed less, have less dander, and possibly have less of a chance to bother people with mild allergies. However, it is impossible to generalize as each person is different, so their reactions to dog breeds are different.
If you decide to buy a hypoallergenic dog, there are ways to care for them which you will need to observe that may require a little more work than for non-hypoallergenic breeds. Hypoallergenic dogs are sold mostly by breeders, but you can also find them in pet stores and sometimes in animal shelters.
the Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds are Shown in this Video with a Series of Slides
Hypoallergenic dogs are out there in a number of guises and different breeds, and they do make the best of pets. Hypoallergenic dogs are a great solution for would-be dog owners that have allergies. Many dog lovers that thought they would never be able to own a dog because of the uncontrollable symptoms to pet dander, may not have considered a hypoallergenic dog. However, with careful selection there is a dog for many people that suffer this allergy type.
These dogs are specific breeds that shed less hair and dander than other dogs, and produce fewer allergens in their saliva and urine. You should keep in mind, however, the fact that all breeds carry a certain amount of allergen burden. So called hypoallergenic dogs just carry less.
Hypoallergenic dogs are usually the smaller breeds, even though greyhounds come in a variety of sizes. Deciding on the breed of dog will depend on your lifestyle and what you expect from a pet.
While reading up on this subject while researching this article I did find a web page which said that hypoallergenic dogs are a myth. They said that hypoallergenic dogs are not allergen-free. They just produce less irritating allergens than other dogs. I think to say they are a myth is I think a little extreme, however, all readers must please note that we cannot guarantee for one minute that a dog which apparently does not trigger an allergy in one sufferer may cause it in another.
Allergic people react to different breeds of dogs differently. Each person has a unique allergic threshold. Allergies can be triggered by multiple factors, not just hair, so there's just no guarantee that any particular breed can be "safe". You can also have varying degrees of reaction to individual animals, regardless of breed, and your body can also develop some immunity after you're exposed for a certain amount of time too.
Allergy tests can be used however like any other thing they are susceptible to human error. Here is a story out of New Zealand where a parent took their child to two different allergy tests and received two different results, so the allergy sufferer will be unable to gain a 100% guarantee that they will not suffer even after a positive test suggests so.
Breeds such as the Poodle, Labradoodle and Bishon Frise are the best known smaller hypoallergenic dogs. They only need to be bathed about once a month.
Breeders do not usually offer a return policy, so choose the dog that meets your needs best, and choose carefully.
We have referred to Dander earlier, but what is it? Dander is a collection of skin cells, dust, and other particles found in the air. As a dog sheds, these particles float around in the air and cause people to have allergy attacks. Dander includes shed fur, but also flakes of dried skin. It is similar to dandruff in people.
Portuguese Water Dogs are said to be low allergenic and need to be groomed every two months or so. There are two patterns that most groomers follow, the retriever cut and the lion cut. Portuguese Water Dogs are also intelligent dogs which love to spend time with their owners (they might even just follow you around the house!). Of course, you will want to spend time with a dog to figure out its individual personality, but on the whole, there are many hypoallergenic dog breeds that have affectionate, good temperaments.
Grooming is an essential part of your dog’s general health care and hygiene routine. It includes brushing, combing, nail-clipping, ear and dental care, bathing and scissoring, stripping or clipping of hair coats. Grooming does not take much work, and is SO important to those that might otherwise suffer an allergy. The lowest allergenic reaction will be confirmed by the tests which will be done. West Highland Terriers are reportedly a great idea for allergy sufferers. The hair on their coat is extremely short and it rarely gets that musty doggy smell most dogs get.
Pets can get allergies themselves, but they rarely sneeze and cough; their allergy symptoms usually appear as skin problems. Quick writes, "When I am told that a dog is constantly chewing at their feet, often to the point of damaging the skin, the allergy flag begins to wave.
We hope that for those seeking a hypoallergenic dog they do consider the West Highland Terrier, which is an excellent guard dog and she doesn’t shed either! Finally, if there is anyone out there looking for a large dog breed that jives with their senses look at the Bouvier! (French).
Your author for this great article is fascinated by the dog world and the diversity of the top Dog Breeds Worldwide. He also runs the Dog Breeds Compendium. See his great page on non-shedding hypoallergenic dog breeds.