If you suffer from allergies, you can still enjoy the company of a canine best friend. You just need to choose your breed carefully.
In most cases, your allergies are to dog hair, saliva or the flakes and scurf that is constantly being shed from their skin. This means that you will react less to a dog that doesn’t have much hair or has a single rather than a double coat. When you are choosing a breed, take into account lifestyle factors such as how much yard space you have, how active you are and how much you can spend on food and other dog expenses. Here are some breeds that you may want to consider.
Hairless Dogs
Dogs such as the Mexican Hairless Dog and the Chinese Crested Dog don’t have a lot of hair, so are ideal for allergy sufferers. However, they look quite unusual and they may not be what you had in mind for your dog.
Poodles
This breed is considered to be low allergy, and they come in three sizes. This means that you can find a poodle in a size that suits you. The miniature, toy and standard Poodles are very intelligent so you will need to keep their mind active. Otherwise they’ll make their own entertainment! They do need regular hair trims to keep them neat and tidy, and to reduce the allergens that are shed from their skin and coat.
Maltese
If you prefer a smaller, prettier dog, then the Maltese may be a suitable breed for you. It has a long coat that does need regular grooming, but they don’t shed much.
Puli
Now this is an unusual looking breed. These dogs have dreadlocks all over their body which are very easy to look after. Because their hair becomes matted in these dreadlocks, they tend not to shed too much.
Labradoodle
This breed is a cross between the Labrador and the Poodle, and was originally created to be an assistance dog for blind people with allergies. It is still a good choice for allergy sufferers, especially those who enjoy an active outdoors lifestyle.
Terriers
A number of the terrier breeds are considered low allergy, including the Irish Terrier, Fox Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier. These smaller breeds are intelligent and active, but still don’t take up a lot of space or cost much to feed.
No matter what breed you choose, there is still the chance it will make you sneeze and itch. It’s a good idea to visit some dogs before you make your choice, just to see whether or not they cause problems for you.
To reduce likelihood of an allergic reaction when you bring your dog home, bathe him frequently to remove loose hair and dander, and vacuum your home at least daily. There are also medications you can take to reduce the symptoms of allergies. This is a lot of work, but there are many benefits of owning a dog that make it all worthwhile.
Dr. Susan Wright, DMV is an expert on dog containment systems with DogFenceDIY.com. Susan has been providing care for pets as a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. As an authority on domestic pet care, Susan enjoys writing articles that help people provide the best care for their pets.
