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Hypoallergenic Dogs?
For as long as I can remember our family has always had at least one dog as a pet, though only once did we have one that actually spent the majority of its time inside the house. Happy, as my sister named the small American Cocker Spaniel, lived in our house for about a year until my mother, then pregnant with my youngest brother, exiled him to live with my aunt. Not until I began bringing my dog with me on visits to my parent’s house was there another dog indoors. While the main issue I have with my pet is cleaning up his hair, my father, unfortunately, is allergic to dogs. My dog spending a few days in the house when I visit is not something that will severely affect my father, but I have found that when it comes to allergies – not all dogs are created equal.
Using the term “hypoallergenic” in regards to a dog is somewhat of a misnomer. There is no dog known to man that is allergen free. All produce dander and thus the protein that causes allergic reactions. Hypoallergenic dogs are breeds that generally shed their skin and hair less, produce less saliva and/or only have only a single coat (many dogs have two coats, an undercoat and topcoat). Simply because a breed has little or no hair does not necessarily mean it is less allergenic. Dog hair itself is not the cause of allergic reactions, but it is where the skin cells and saliva containing the allergen often cling to the animal. Breeds such as the Poodle, Schnauzer, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, and Maltese are some of the small breeds that tend to be less allergenic while the Greyhound, Portuguese or Spanish Water Dog, and many of the terrier breeds are some of the mid to larger size dogs that are often considered hypoallergenic.
When adopting or purchasing a new pet, those with pet allergies need to take extra care in their selection. Aside from picking a hypoallergenic breed, regular bathing and brushing in conjunction with the use of an air purifier can help lessen the amount of pet allergen in the house. Doing a little research before getting a new pet can help prevent parting with it, sooner rather than later.
Posted by Kevin on Thursday, August 14, 2008
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