An estimated 10% to 20% of the global population has allergies to the dander in cats and dogs.[1] If you fall into the number of people who sneeze when a dog spreads its fur around the house, you may need to put a little extra thought into what breed of dog you adopt. Before you head to the Southeast Texas Humane Society for your next dog, let’s take a look at what it means for a pet to be allergy-friendly and a few breeds to choose or avoid based on the severity of your allergies.
What Does It Mean for a Dog To Be Allergy-Friendly?
The term “allergy-friendly” isn’t regulated. Like the term “hypoallergenic,” it simply means that an animal is less likely to cause an allergic reaction, usually because it produces and sheds less dander or has a coat that’s easy to maintain.
If you have mild to moderate allergies, a dog labeled hypoallergenic may produce so little dander that you can keep it in your home with few to no symptoms. If your allergies are severe, you might need to stay clear of dogs altogether or take regular medication to manage your symptoms.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
A few hypoallergenic dog breeds you can consider include:
- Yorkshire terrier
- American hairless terrier
- Shih tzu
- Bichon frise
- Chinese crested
- Kerry blue terrier
- Poodle
This list doesn’t include every breed of hypoallergenic dog. If you’re unsure if the dog you want is hypoallergenic, you can likely find that information through an internet search.
High-Dander Dogs
Someone with pet dander allergies should stay clear of the following dog breeds:
- Pekingese
- Saint Bernard
- Cocker spaniel
- Basset hound
- German shepherd
- Siberian husky
- Doberman pinscher
- Labrador retriever
Mixed-breed dogs are a little harder to pin down dander-wise than their purebred counterparts. If the adoption center doesn’t know what breed your prospective dog is, keep in mind that they may produce more dander than works for your allergies.
Managing Allergy Symptoms
Managing your allergy symptoms with medication is an excellent way to enjoy time with your pet without sneezing or hives.
If you have your heart set on a non-hypoallergenic dog, consider a long-term allergy treatment approach called immunotherapy. The treatment desensitizes your system to a specific allergen over three to five years, meaning you might be able to have your pick of the litter by the time you finish treatment.
For more information on immunotherapy, contact Southeast Texas Ear, Nose & Throat, LLP today.
[1] Chan, S. K., & Leung, D. Y. M. (2018). Dog and Cat Allergies: Current State of Diagnostic Approaches and Challenges. Allergy, asthma & immunology research, 10(2), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2018.10.2.97
