One question I get asked a lot “Is Miss Millie is hypoallergenic?” Which begs the question “Are there hypoallergenic dogs?”
Most people that are allergic to dogs are allergic to their dander. There are quite a few dogs that people with allergies can tolerate. However, NO DOG is 100% hypoallergenic.
Breeds that people do better with do not shed and thus produce less dander.
What dogs do not shed?
Here is a list of a few of the breeds.
Bedlington Terrier ~ Very Active Dog that does well around children and other dogs, but should be supervised around new dogs until familiar.
Bichon Frise ~ Relatively active dog requires daily grooming but are good with children and other dogs.
Chinese Crested ~ Relatively active dog that does better with supervision around children and other dogs.
Irish Water Spaniel ~ Thrives on exercise particularly swimming, they do better with supervision around children and other dogs.
Kerry Blue Terrier ~ Relatively active dogs that need room to play, are better with older children and DO NOT do well around other dogs.
Havanese ~ No special exercise needs and are good with children and other dogs, they should be supervised around new dogs until familiar.
Maltese ~ Laptop but does enjoy walks, they are better with older children and do better when supervised around other dogs.
Poodle ~ Very Active Dog who requires daily grooming but is good with children and dogs but does better when supervised around other dogs in the beginning.
Portuguese Water Dog ~ Super Active Dog who are great with children but require supervision around other dogs.
Standard & Giant Schnauzer ~ Very Active Dogs who do better with supervision around children and other dogs.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier ~ Relatively active dog does better with older children and does well with other dogs, supervision is suggested around both.
Lagotto Romagnolo ~ Relatively active dog who is good with other dogs but requires supervision around children
Afghan Hound ~ Very Active Dog that does well around children and better with supervision around other dogs.
Puli ~ Very Active Dog that does better with supervision around children and other dogs.
Spanish Water Dog ~ Very Active Dog that is does not do as well around children and should be supervised around other dogs.
Breed Analysis ~
Most of these breeds are very active dogs that require a lot of daily exercise. As a result of their activity level many are not good around children and other dogs.
Miss Millie is a great example, she is fantastic around other children once she knows them but she isn’t super fond of other dogs. She generally likes Portuguese Water Dogs but even that is questionable. If you take the time to introduce her to another dog they will coexist happily. She isn’t a dog that does well at dog parks or in large groups.
If you are looking for a dog that is hypoallergenic be aware of the challenges with many of these breeds. I highly suggest spending time not only at a breeder’s home but also in homes with people who have these dogs. Take a trip to an agility trial or dog show and ask the owners what it is like living with their dog.
You can also look for large shows where you can meet and greet many breeds. If you are in Southern California there is a great Pet Expo at the Orange County Fairgrounds. The 2018 show is April 27-29. Miss Millie will be there on Friday April 27th.
What about doodles?
Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Berniedoodles, etc. MAY NOT shed but also may not hypoallergenic. The more recent the breeding to a double coated or shedding breed the less likely the dog will be hypoallergenic and more likely the dog will shed.
Hypoallergenic Dogs aren’t always Hypoallergenic
While you may be ok with the lack of the dog’s dander, non-shedding dogs carry everything ON them until you bathe them. If you have outdoor allergies your dog will carry with them the grass, dirt, leaves, pollen on their hair. If you have indoor allergies your dog will carry dust, food, anything else they may get into. Because unlike shedding breeds there is no way for the debris to get out of their hair.
In addition to their regularly grooming, which they all require, you will need to ensure that they are free from all other allergens.
Miss Millie gets a bath at least once a week and her feet and face are done even more frequently. My allergies aren’t related to the dander but the environment outside thus making it paramount that I keep her clean.
Always do your research to make sure the dog you are selecting meets the needs of your family.
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