Dogs for allergy sufferers enable you to fulfill your dream of having your own dog, even if you have a dog hair allergy. In this article, we present to you the top 10 best dogs for allergy sufferers. You will also find out what typical symptoms and causes are and what you have to pay particular attention to when buying allergy dogs.
Dog hair allergy – symptoms
A dog allergy can manifest itself through various symptoms. Those affected usually experience irritation of the eyes and the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Symptoms appear differently for each person after contact with a dog. It is also possible for signs of a dog allergy to appear in isolation or at the same time. Symptoms can be:
- swelling, redness, and itching of the skin
- Runny nose
- irritation to sneeze or cough
- Change in smell or taste
- difficulty concentrating
- headache
- Tightness in the chest and throat
- nausea
- dizziness and circulatory problems
- Breathing problems or allergic asthma
- Burning, watery eyes
Most symptoms of a dog dander allergy are easily treatable. Anti-allergy sprays work very well against acute colds or itching of the skin and eyes and are well tolerated in most cases.
Development of a dog allergy
A dog allergy, like many other allergies, is an overreaction of the immune system to the secretions secreted by dogs. These secretions include saliva, urine, and various glandular secretions. These secretions contain proteins that come into contact with humans through the animals’ skin and hair. The allergens contained in these proteins are absorbed through the mucous membranes or respiratory tract and can trigger an allergic reaction.
The first time you come into contact with a dog, the person concerned does not experience any symptoms, as the immune system gets to know and classifies the allergen in this form of contact. In the case of allergy sufferers, the first contact leads to the classification of the substances secreted by the dog as exogenous and potentially dangerous. For this reason, after this contact, the human body forms antibodies that are activated upon renewed contact. Activating the antibodies stimulates histamine-secreting cells and triggers an allergic reaction. This biochemical mechanism causes blood vessels to dilate, causing itching and breathing difficulties, and increased mucus production, which can cause a runny nose and mucus build-up in the bronchi.
An allergic reaction can also be triggered without direct contact with the animal. The allergens secreted by the dog can also be triggered by the air in the room or by secretions adhering to the pet owner. If the person concerned suffers from a moderate to severe dog allergy, dog hair or dander from the dog on its owner’s clothing can be sufficient for a reaction.
Already knew? Dog allergy is the second most common animal allergy. Around ten percent of the world’s population is allergic to dogs.
The 10 best dog breeds for allergy sufferers
Despite a dog allergy, a dog can be kept without any problems. Some breeds are more suitable for allergy sufferers than others. Here is a list of the top 10 dog breeds that are suitable for allergy sufferers:
Poodle
The most well-known allergy dog is the poodle because it seldom loses hair and is not affected by the change of coat, which takes place twice a year. The poodle has a very curly coat, which requires a lot of care. Therefore, we recommend all poodle owners visit a dog groomer regularly.
Basically, the poodle is a particularly intelligent dog that is willing to work and is in good hands, especially in dog sports. He is also very suitable as a family dog because he is nice to children and enjoys playing.
Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a so-called hybrid dog and refers to a mix of Labrador and Poodle. The aim of this breed was to breed a family dog that is also suitable for allergy sufferers. The coat is very easy to care for and the breeds hardly shed. Only the dog groomer should be visited regularly to have the four-legged friends shave.
Goldendoodle
Also known as a hypoallergenic dog breed, the Goldendoodle is, as the name suggests, a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Similar to the Labradoodle, the breeding goal here was to create a family-friendly dog that sheds very little hair. The Goldendoodle should be clipped regularly.
Havanese
The Havanese belongs to the so-called Bichon Frisé and is a smaller dog. They are considered great family dogs and are characterized by a good-natured nature. Since he has no undercoat, he sheds little and is not affected by the change of coat. For this, the owners always have to put some time into grooming, as the fur should be combed and trimmed regularly.
Maltese
The Maltese is very similar to the Havanese in that it has no undercoat and therefore does not shed its coat. This is a very friendly breed of dog that tends to be calm and cuddly. With their cute look, they stand out as great companions and family dogs.
Basenji
The Basenji is used to groom itself daily. The short coat of this dog breed hardly sheds any hair. Often many dog owners compare the Basenji with the cats among the dogs because of their clean behavior. The Basenji is therefore ideal as an allergy dog, as it does not shed a lot.
Yorkshire Terrier
Many dog breeds change their coat in autumn or spring. However, this is not the case with the Yorkshire Terrier. Only in the rarest of cases does hair loss occur in this breed of dog. If this happens, it could be a sign of a possible disease in the Yorkshire Terrier.
Portuguese water dog
The Portuguese water dog rarely sheds as the loose, dead hair gets caught in the curly hair. Due to this coat texture, it is often recommended as an allergy-prone dog. However, since there is no medical basis for this, it is advisable to.
Afghan Hound
The long, lush coat is characteristic of the Afghan Hound. To prevent matting, the fur should be groomed and brushed daily. Despite the lush fur, this breed of dog is not prone to hair loss. Thus, the Afghan Hound is well suited as an allergy dog.
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is also well suited as an allergy dog. This breed of dog features woolly, tightly curled locks with a fine undercoat. The coat hardly sheds and is very similar to the poodle’s coat.
Hypoallergenic dogs
A hypoallergenic dog breed is defined as a dog breed that does not shed allergens and that can be safely recommended to allergy sufferers. Unfortunately, this idea is wishful thinking, because every dog breed has dog allergens and also secretes them, which can trigger an allergic reaction in allergy sufferers. But in contrast to an allergy to cats, dog hair allergy sufferers can also be allergic to individual dog breeds or even to individual specimens of a breed, especially if they are mixed breeds. In the end, it always depends on which allergen the dog is carrying.
Hypoallergenic dogs sell well as such, unfortunately, they don’t exist as part of their definition. There are only dog breeds to which those affected react less and are therefore better suited as allergy dogs.
Which dogs are hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic. There are only dog breeds to which allergic reactions are more or less frequent. These include the Poodle, Bedlington Terrier, Portuguese Water Dog, Labradoodle, and Havanese.
Dogs without much shedding and shedding
Dogs that shed little or are not subject to a seasonal change of coat are just as suitable for allergy sufferers as other breeds. It is a misunderstanding that little-haired four-legged friends are often referred to as allergy dogs. Since dog allergies are triggered by the proteins in the dog’s secretions, a person can even react sensitively to a hairless dog such as the Mexican Hairless Dog. However, this does not mean that there is no connection between the coat and the allergy.
Dogs that are subject to seasonal moulting shed more hair and release more secretions into their environment with their hair. These stick to clothing, furniture or in the car and may cause a more severe allergic reaction than dog breeds that shed less hair, such as the poodle. The secreted secretions are usually transmitted via skin flakes that get caught in the fur on car seats, the sofa or clothing.
Dog keeps despite allergy
Contrary to many expectations, a dog can be kept despite a dog allergy. Of course, keeping a dog is not ideal for those affected, but living with a four-legged furry friend is still possible. With a little practice, many people even manage to live together with their four-legged friends without any symptoms. There are a few things to consider when keeping a dog with an existing allergy.
The allergy and the symptoms it causes should by no means simply be ignored. Ignoring the allergic reaction can have serious health consequences. In the worst case, allergic asthma, the so-called bronchial asthma, can develop. Since this respiratory disease is chronic and can only be treated symptomatically, it should be avoided if possible. It is important that the cause of the allergy is identified when living with a dog. Dogs individually carry different allergens to which humans react individually as well. If the person concerned knows who is allergic to which allergens, defensive reactions can be avoided in a targeted manner, and keeping a dog is possible without any problems.
Which allergy dog ​​is right for me?
You can use an allergen test to check which dog suits you and which one you are least allergic to. Before purchasing the dog breed, the breeder should carry out a scratch test to see which allergens the dog is carrying.
Identify allergy carriers
When identifying the allergy carrier, it makes sense that the allergens of the animal are examined before the dog is bought. It is best to have a clarifying conversation with the breeder and to carry out an allergen test. It is possible to have a scratch test carried out in advance to determine which allergen the dog is carrying and the person concerned can also be tested. An allergy test can be carried out by a specialist doctor, which clarifies the reaction to certain allergens. This way it is possible to select a dog that does not carry these allergens and an allergic reaction can disappear or be minimized.
If the dog allergy develops while keeping a dog, it should be clarified whether the causes are psychosomatic. An allergy can also be strongly stress-related as a hypersensitivity reaction. If this is not the case, possible allergy carriers should be identified at home. Possible objects can be the sofa or other upholstered furniture, dog blankets or the dog bed, as well as carpets or clothing. It is particularly important to ventilate regularly and to clean the affected objects and furniture frequently. The sofa or various carpets can be regularly cleaned of dust, hair, and dirt with a special upholstery and carpet cleaner, which minimizes the build-up of allergens. Clothing should only be worn once, especially if there has been a lot of contact with the animal. It is also important that the dog bed is washed regularly and can air out. It is recommended to use dog blankets everywhere, which should be washed two to three times a week.
With these procedures, it is even possible to reduce the allergic symptoms if you already own a dog. In this way, the affected person is largely relieved of his allergic reactions, provided that the dog allergy is only mild or moderate. It is also important to wash your hands after each contact with the dog and to avoid contact with the eyes, mucous membranes, and face. Despite various precautions, severe allergy sufferers are advised not to keep a dog.
What to do against dog hair allergy?
It is important that contact with the allergen is limited in the first place. Contact with the dog should be reduced and the environment kept as clean as possible. Furthermore, hyposensitization can help with a dog allergy.
Hyposensitization
If you are looking for another solution to get rid of your dog allergy, you have probably already come across hyposensitization. This type of immunotherapy is administered via injections or drops and is intended to get the human organism used to various allergens. The aim of this therapy is complete immunization so that allergic symptoms no longer occur.
Great success is often achieved through hyposensitization and those affected hardly notice any problems when they come into contact with the dog. Unfortunately, success is not guaranteed and so immunization does not work for everyone. Nevertheless, a hyposensitization cure should be considered, especially if there is a strong dog allergy.
