It’s not easy being a dog person with allergies. You want to get a dog for your own household, but you’re worried about what it will do to your general health and comfort. However, there are dogs that won’t be as severe on a person’s allergies. If you have allergies and are still determined to add a dog to the family, there are plenty of breeds to consider that won’t jeopardize your safety and comfort. Check out these dog breeds that you can start considering to bring home today!
To take care of your own dog’s safety and comfort, keep Fauna Care healing sprays around the house for small medical emergencies like cuts or burns. This article covers:
- What a dog allergy may look like for you
- How to help yourself avoid symptoms of allergies
- Breeds of dogs for people with allergies
Dog Allergies
Of course, dog allergies look different for everyone and can range on how severe it is. Some symptoms you may see of dog allergies are: coughing, wheezing, red and itchy eyes, runny and stuffy nose, sneezing, and possibly also skin reactions. This skin reaction may come in the form of breakouts or--if the allergies are more severe--hives on the face or chest.
It is a common misconception that the main cause of dog allergies is the dog’s fur and hair. In fact, it is actually the dog’s dander that is the main cause of symptoms, as well as saliva and urine. Those with allergies react to dog’s dander so violently because their immune system identifies it as a harmful substance and the body overworks to fight it.
How To Treat Allergies
If you want to test for dog allergies, you can visit your doctor and get a skin or blood test. While these tests are not always conclusive, it may lead to your doctor recommending allergy drugs such as antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal steroids. You can also consider getting an allergy shot.
Besides medical treatments, there is a lot you can accomplish in your daily behavior that you can make living with a dog easier for you. The main habit that will really help your symptoms is maintaining a clean home. Dog dander will get everywhere in your home, and the more you clean, the less there is to bother you and your immune system. To make your home easier to clean, consider removing carpets and drapes from your home and getting rid of overstuffed furniture and other items that tend to collect dust in your home. You can also try filtering the air and giving yourself space in the house that the dog isn’t allowed in, such as your bedroom. For owners with allergies, it may be more important than ever to groom and brush your dog regularly so there isn’t more dander and hair floating around.
The Best Breeds of Dogs For Those With Allergies
It’s not the hair that’s bothering those with allergies, but the dog’s dander. Therefore, when looking for a suitable dog, you won’t be looking at short hair or hairless dogs, but hypoallergenic dogs, which are breeds that have a lesser tendency to shed dander and hair. Scroll through this list of medium and small dogs to find the breed you’ll next fall in love with.
Terriers
Many types of terriers are great choices for dog owners with allergies. First, the Bedlington terriers have a wooly and tightly curled coat that barely sheds. There will require a lot of grooming however, as the coat can become matted. Kerry Blue terriers also have a curly coat and they only tend to shed every three weeks! So until grooming day, Kerry Blue terriers' coats retail most of the allergy-causing hairs and owners are better able to control reactions.
The Wire Fox terriers have a dense and wavy coat that means they also shed much less than most other breeds. Lastly for the terriers, the Yorkshire terrier has almost human-like hair that owners are less likely to react to. This type of terrier does not have an undercoat that sheds, so that with daily trimming and grooming, the Yorkshire terrier shouldn’t give you any trouble at all.
Water Dogs
If you enjoy watching a dog splash around in the water as much as the next dog owner, consider one of these water dog breeds. The Irish water spaniel has no undercoat and thick curls, making the perfect combination for the least amount of shedding. This breed will need regular grooming to clean its coat. Poodles have a light and curly coat that would work well with those with light allergies. Their coat holds onto the dead hair and dander this is easy to maintain with regular grooming. We can’t forget the Portuguese water dog, which does shed but very little.
Toy Dogs
For those that enjoy a small dog in the house, these toy dogs will be the perfect addition to your home! The Shih Tzu has a hair type like human hair, meaning it’s less likely to cause a reaction. Affenpinschers have a wiry coat that brings shedding to a minimum. The Bichon Frise’s soft and tightly curled coat will ensure all dander stays in their coat until grooming day. Havaneses have a similar coat to the Bichon Frise, so they’re coat is just as effective in preventing any severe reactions from you. Lastly, the Hairless Chinese Crested is the obvious choice with no hair at all to bother you!If none of these breeds are what you’re looking for, you can also look into breeds such as Basenji, Komondor, Puli, Giant Schnauzer, and many more breeds! Seeing how many hypoallergenic breeds are out there, those with dog allergies don’t have to feel as hopeless! Once you’ve done your research on breeds and prepared your home to prevent reactions, you won’t have to wait any longer to adopt the dog of your dreams!
If none of these breeds are what you’re looking for, you can also look into breeds such as Basenji, Komondor, Puli, Giant Schnauzer, and many more breeds! Seeing how many hypoallergenic breeds are out there, those with dog allergies don’t have to feel as hopeless! Once you’ve done your research on breeds and prepared your home to prevent reactions, you won’t have to wait any longer to adopt the dog of your dreams!
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