Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

I feel so bad, one of my DC is DYING for a dog. DC asks for one ALL THE TIME. Same DC has a million and one airborne allergies, one of which is dogs. I just feel horrible, this year, we went to DCs annual allergist appt to get ready for pollen season and on the way there, DC says "Mom, can you please ask the Dr if I can get a dog, I promise I won't be allergic to it." I said "honey, it doesn't work that way, you can't control your allergies even though you want to." To which DC replied, "well, can you ask, that maybe when I grow up I won't be allergic anymore and can get a dog?"

I am SO sad for DC. DC wants nothing more than a dog, and DH and I are HUGE animal lovers but I would hate to get one, even one that is supposedly "hypoallergenic" only for DC to fall in love with it and then not be able to keep it, both for DC and for the poor dog.

Anyone have any experience or insight on this? I am just grasping at straws and hoping there is something I can do.

Message edited 4/2/2013 10:43:22 PM.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Can you foster a dog that's low on the allergy scale or borrow a friend's dog?
My husband is allergic to all sorts of dogs but not to our two yorkies.
Sometimes it's just the individual dog's dander or saliva etc. so I would say start with a dog that's supposedly hypoallergenic and try fostering or borrowing one of those.
Good luck, it must be hard to say no .

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

My dog is half poodle, so he doesn't shed. My cousin and his wife are highly allergic to dogs, but not to mine. They think it's because he doesn't shed. Maybe talk to specific breeders . I'm sure they won't garauntee anything but maybe they would know more about it. I agree with PP - fostering may be a good idea.

Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

As PPs have said, it all depends on the person and the individual dog. I am allergic to dogs, but I have a yorkie and have no reaction to her whatsoever. She sleeps in bed with me and DH.

My dad has super serious allergies and asthma and he does have a reaction to my yorkie. It's much less than a dog with fur, but it is there.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

I am allergic to dogs - we have an Italian Greyhound, I have never had an issue with her. She is basically attached to my hip, she sleeps in the bed with us. She has actual hair and not fur - IG's are classified as a hypoallergenic breed.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

I agree w/ a lot of the above!

Im allergic to certain cats-not all

a friend of mine has 3 dogs and isn't allergic to them but, is to my dogs! she still pets them but, they make her itch!

What is his allergic reaction to dogs?

We took my LO for allergy testing and cats came up. LO has been in houses with various cats and hasn't had a reaction-Thank goodness!

when LO was allergy tested and we got the results-we said to the allergist thank GOD no dog allergies and the allergist said something along the lines of "I hate when people give up their pets due to allergies........etc." The allergist implied that a dog/cat allergy it is pretty managable. At least that's how I took it---Im guessing bc my LO has environmental allergies and we manage that (can't get rid of pollen, etc.!) so why do people just get rid of their pets-when it can be managed the same way!-that's the jist of what she was saying, kwim?

so, I think that you will probably be able to find a dog that your son will be able to be around---always make sure the dog hair is at a minimum-vacuum and clean a lot! good luck! also- maybe he wil outgrow the allergy as well

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Posted by scarletbegonia

I am allergic to dogs - we have an Italian Greyhound, I have never had an issue with her. She is basically attached to my hip, she sleeps in the bed with us. She has actual hair and not fur - IG's are classified as a hypoallergenic breed.

Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

No dog is 100% hypoallergenic. The ones that are bread to be can vary. So even is you are around a friends dog the one you end up adopting my be completely different.

SO IMO you have to weigh the situation.

Are you willign to risk it and get a dog and your DC is still allergic and then what do you do with the dog.....

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Posted by DeniseMarie

Posted by scarletbegonia

I am allergic to dogs - we have an Italian Greyhound, I have never had an issue with her. She is basically attached to my hip, she sleeps in the bed with us. She has actual hair and not fur - IG's are classified as a hypoallergenic breed.

There are Greyhound rescues out there, maybe you can foster one and see if it works out.

Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Growing up both my parents had severe allergies to dogs. We had a bishon frise. They are VERY good with allergies and don't shed at all.

Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

My nephew is VERY allergic to dogs its the saliva not the hair so my sister bought my nephew to a puppy place. She had read up on the so called hypoallergenic dogs and picked one each time he went to handle and play with to see which he didnt have a reaction to. They ended up adopting 2 goldendoodles and so far no issues.

Allergies are sometimes breed specific too. I have cats and a mutt but cant be around pugs too long they make my eyes swell and itch. Maybe find a reputable puppy place and go back a couple of times and see if he has a reaction.

Message edited 4/3/2013 12:33:50 PM.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Posted by 2BadSoSad

Posted by DeniseMarie

Posted by scarletbegonia

I am allergic to dogs - we have an Italian Greyhound, I have never had an issue with her. She is basically attached to my hip, she sleeps in the bed with us. She has actual hair and not fur - IG's are classified as a hypoallergenic breed.

There are Greyhound rescues out there, maybe you can foster one and see if it works out.

A Greyhound is my DREAM dog, specifically an Italian one. That or a French Bulldog. I dont know, so much to consider. Its a big step to take without it knowing if it can actually work out. I would just hate to do it and then both for the dog and my DC, for it not to.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

My husband is allergic to cats. We have an shih tzu and they have hair not fur. He has had no issues. We just got a pomeranian/poodle and he is fine with that too.

Good luck!

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Posted by alli3131

Posted by 2BadSoSad

Posted by DeniseMarie

Posted by scarletbegonia

I am allergic to dogs - we have an Italian Greyhound, I have never had an issue with her. She is basically attached to my hip, she sleeps in the bed with us. She has actual hair and not fur - IG's are classified as a hypoallergenic breed.

There are Greyhound rescues out there, maybe you can foster one and see if it works out.

A Greyhound is my DREAM dog, specifically an Italian one. That or a French Bulldog. I dont know, so much to consider. Its a big step to take without it knowing if it can actually work out. I would just hate to do it and then both for the dog and my DC, for it not to.

French Bulldogs shed. My sister has 2 and her apt is a dog hair mess. You can't go there for even minutes without being covered. She cleans all the time and it is still bad.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

It just sucks, I feel bad for DC, but for me too. I am such a HUGE HUGE HUGE animal lover (except for snakes, they creep me out, LOL). My mom HATES HATES HATES animals so I never had more than a fish growing up and I always said when I am "grown up" and have my own home I am going to have at least 2 dogs. Now, for the sake of my DCs health, neither of us can....yet.

We had a cat when he was born, who we had to rehome . I loved that cat more than life but my son was SO allergic to him. We had to have him on a nebulizer just so he could breathe. We tried for a year and a half to see if he would outgrow it, or if we could manage it and it was horrible, he was AWFUL. I just don't want that to happen again.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

For those who ARE allergic? How long does it usually take for you to have a reaction? Say we fostered a dog or dog sat, is it immediate? I just know with our cat, there was nothing screaming, IM ALLERGIC. No watery eyes, no sneezing. It presented as a hacking cough which kept getting brushed off by the ped as "post nasal drip."

Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

It seems cat allergies are more common and severe than dog allergies for whatever reason. As far as dogs go.. if it's their dander and not their saliva you might have to find a specific dog that he is not allergic to. If it is dander you can probably look at a couple of different breeds of dogs. Mostly it will be dogs that have HAIR (and typically do not shed) vs dogs that have fur. My pick would be to get a pure bred poodle, they are very smart and come in several different sizes and colors and you can groom their hair into several different styles :O)

I have clients that have had success with whippets and italian grey hounds like previous posters have suggested. I would watch out for the doodle dogs (dogs that are mixed with poodles like golden doodles and labradoodles) because they can have varying types of hair. Puppy hair can be different than when an adult coat comes in. Some doodles have fur and some have hair and some have a combination of both. Sticking with pure bred poodles might hedge your bets.

Can an allergist tell the difference between saliva and dander allergies? Would allergy shots help? Maybe that would determine which breeds to look at.

If you can determine if its saliva or dander... I would probably start with that. I would try going to the breeders house (armed with benedryl in case he needs to take it and an epi pen if his allergies are that severe). If he doesn't have a reaction at the breeders after a couple of hours where there are several dogs he might be ok with just one small dog.

Do you have any friends with allergy friendly breeds of dogs you could do some visits with?

Message edited 4/4/2013 8:23:25 AM.

Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

I have a severe allergy to cats. I have two of them right now. When I was younger, we had outdoor cats and they never caused me a problem. My first cat as an adult was a cat we took from a neighbor because her son was little and was too rough with him. No problems with him either. But my female calico? She puts her nose on me and it's instant hives. With her it is saliva AND dander that I have a problem with. I've had her 6 years and still no better. I have been taking medications to cope and am going to hopefully start allergy shots since I am done having babies and nursing. But my allergy is very hit or miss for me, I can go over to other people's homes who have cats and sometimes my reaction is so bad I have to leave and take benadryl, other places I am fine and have zero reaction.

I would try to expose him to dogs to see what, if any, his reactions are. See if it is all dogs or some dogs, dander or saliva. If you can't get to a breeder, maybe go to friends/families homes who have dogs and see what dogs he reacts to more than others, or heck, even the shelter.

In addition to the breeds already listed, I've heard good things about Chinese Cresteds too with allergic people.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

My husband and his family are super allergic to dogs/cats, so we got an AHT (American Hairless Terrier). She literallly has no hair. It was the only way we could have a pet. Even the most allergic individual (my BIL) has no affect to her.

Not the prettiest breed but they are cute, loyal, extremely playful and loving. They are a cross between a Greyhound (which I believe another poster mentioned) and a Rat Terrier.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

Message edited 4/5/2013 12:06:19 AM.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

I always said yes, Animal Planet said no so I changed my mind lol.

Like others have said, it depends on the individual person and pets reaction on one another (dander and saliva. Although AP said it has more to do with the saliva and 0 to do with dander. I don't know).

My mom is allergic to dogs and has asthma attacks around most of them. We've always had poodles with no problem and now we both have yorkies and still have no problems. I THINK maltese is another breed that's "hypoallergenic".

I'm not saying to do this but it's an option, I believe there is a shot available through an allergist that is supposed to stop (or minimize) the reaction from pet allergies. I don't know anything about it though.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Period.

There are dogs with Hair instead of Fur which won't bother some people with allergies because of the lack of dander. If you are allergic to the saliva as well, either dog - Hair or Fur will give you a reaction when licked.

If the allergy is a matter of sneezing and a little stuffiness, a dog with hair may not affect them at all. In the case of severe allergies to dogs such as asthma attacks, I'd steer clear of all dogs to be safe.

Re: Are there really hypoallergenic dogs?

My DH is very allergic to dogs. We have a mini poodle and he has no allergic reaction with him.