The fun and joy a dog can bring to one’s life is irreplaceable. Ideally, having a four-legged friend around can even improve your health… that is, if you’re not allergic to them.
In the U.S. 10% of the population is allergic to dogs to some degree, however, this doesn’t have to prevent you from owning a canine companion!
But are you sure you’re allergic to dogs?
First things first, you should make sure, that you are actually allergic to dogs. The fact that you had one allergic reaction doesn’t necessarily condemn you to a life without a furry friend. Before even looking up different hypoallergenic breeds, go see a doctor and make a thorough allergy test! Worst case scenario, your doctor can prescribe medications to treat your symptoms, that are far more effective than other over-the-counter options.
To understand why and how can a breed be hypoallergenic you must also understand the cause of your allergy.
What causes the allergic reaction?
Allergic reactions are triggered by Dander, microscopic skin flakes, that are attached to the hair dogs and other pets shed. Depending on the severity of one’s allergy, an allergy attack can occur even by touching the saliva or skin of a canine. Therefore, breeds that shed lightly or don’t shed at all, thus not triggering a nasty sneezing attack, are called hypoallergenic dog breeds. Fortunately for you, these breeds are not rare at all, but your options are limited. We are going to introduce you to a handful of breeds (both purebred and mixed-breeds) to help you choose the perfect furry friend, who keeps her fur to herself.
Let’s find you a hypoallergenic dog, shall we?
You didn’t think finding a hypoallergenic puppy is going to be this easy, but you’ll be surprised to see actually how many breeds you can choose from!
That said, this is not an exhaustive list of hypoallergenic dog breeds, so don’t fret if you don’t find love at first sight here. It also has to be mentioned, that there is no breed, that is a 100% hypoallergenic, but unless you are extremely allergic to dogs, these four-legged goofballs listed here won’t trigger an allergic reaction whatsoever.
Can I have purebred hypoallergenic dog?
Of course you can! There are a galore of lightly- or non-shedding breeds out there, so you can easily pick one that suits your lifestyle the best. Once you found the breed you like the most, just make sure to get your puppy from a reputable breeder.
Afghan Hound
Surprisingly enough, this fabolous, silky-looking fella is indeed a non-shedding breed. Even though his size, the Afghan hound adapts to apartment life perfectly, is absolutely kid-compatible and is always up for adventures.
They are a generally healthy breed but regular grooming and daily exercise is a must-have. Training them can become challenging, therefore you should get a puppy and train her as soon as possible. Having her in your family is something you’ll never regret.
Schnauzer
Schnauzers can come in many shapes and sizes and they are all hypoallergenic, so regardless your home, you can find the perfect Schnauzer.
They are incredibly intelligent, protective and kind to children, but training one can be a tough case, as they all have a crazy amount of energy.
Standard and Giant Schnauzers are very healthy, however, the Miniature Schnauzer is prone to a list of health conditions such as Cataracts, Entropion, PRA, Urinary Stones, Myotonia Congenita, etc.. I’m not discouraging you from buying a Miniature size, but you definitely should read about these conditions before considering buying a puppy.
Poodle
The only hypoallergenic breed that is more popular than the Schnauzer. As a seasoned Poodle owner, I can wholeheartedly report, this is a breed you cannot go wrong with. They can be found in all sizes and colors, plus they will be absolutely fine in your apartment. They are not exactly the go-to family dog (that title belongs to the good ol’ Golden Retriever), but they are historically perfect for families and are very good with kids.
A Poodle is intelligent, in fact one of the most intelligent breeds out there. This makes training them a walk in the park, so much so, that your well-mannered, calm canine may put all the others to shame when you actually take her out to the park. I might be biased, but objectively speaking there is hardly a better choice for someone with allergies. Just make sure that you buy your Poodle from a responsible breeder, not a puppy mill.
American Hairless Terrier
Here comes one for the lovers of terriers! It’s easy to guess, how hypoallergenic are they actually… a lot. No fur, no shedding, thus the American Hairless is the only Terrier available for people with allergies.
They possess the traditional Terrier attitude, curiosity and mischief is coded in their DNA. Although they have a moderate need for exercise, they are quite out of their element in the apartment, but if you can manage to take them outside several times a day, that’s going to be fine.
Grooming them goes as far as keeping their ears clean, but sunburns prove to be a real hazard. Training is a piece of cake, as they are very intelligent and attentive. With enough effort they will become a well-mannered but playful, and ever so lovable member of your family.
Are there any hybrid breeds, that I’m not allergic to?
Covering all the hypoallergenic purebred breeds would make a much longer read, so to give you a full perspective, let me just skip ahead and show you a few adorable designer dog breeds. There is quite a controversy around purposefully mixed-breeds, a.k.a designer dog breeds, but one thing’s for sure, these breeds inherit the good attributes healthwise from both sides. With all this said, let’s look at a few of these breeds, shall we?
Cockapoo
This adorable little guy was one of the first designer dog breeds, being the result of crossing a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. Thanks to the Poodle genes in her, the Cockapoo is a non-shedding breed, making it a lovely canine companion that doesn’t give allergy attacks to her human companion.
They are a great choice for families, and training them is as easy as it gets, however, early socialization is incredibly important. These attention-seeking fluffs always require positive reinforcement, otherwise they can develop separation anxiety.
Goldendoodle
It is no overstatement, that this is the most popular breed of all the designer dog breeds. This again is a half Poodle breed (in fact, the majority of designer dogs today are half Poodle), possessing the short, curly, non-shedding fur of the Poodles, making them hypoallergenic.
They are one of the few designer breeds, that are larger, growing as tall as 2 feet and weighing 50-90 pounds. And trust me, you’re going to want one of these 90 pounds of pure love in your family, as they are naturally great with kids, given they are a mix of two family- friendly breed. On top of this, they are intelligent, playful and easy to train.
Conclusion
I think at this you’ve already come to a conclusion. Your allergy does not deter you from having a loyal furry friend in your life, it only narrows your choices. Still, there are amazing little pups out there looking for a loving home! (If you make a good decision you reduce the dogs ending up in a shelter)
