FREE DOG TRAINING GUIDE

Let’s face it, all dogs shed. And all dogs produce dander, thought to be the biggest culprit in producing allergies to dogs. Even in those households where no one is allergic to dog hair and dander, keeping the house clean with frequent vacuuming and dusting reduce the irritants and makes life more pleasant. Grooming and shampooing all dogs is important to maintain their healthy coat.

There are specific breeds of hypoallergenic dogs out there that literally shed less dog hair and dander than do other dogs. All breeds shed some hair and dander, but hypoallergenic dogs bring less into their owner’s home because they are either hairless (or near-hairless), do not have an allergy-producing undercoat, or have fur that is more like human hair that dog hair.

Having allergies does not automatically make a person dislike dogs, and one frustrating experience is loving and wanting dogs while knowing they’ll make you sneeze, itch, and feel miserable. But people with allergies don’t have to miss out. Once they’ve found a hypoallergenic dog that suits their home and personality, they can follow a few simple steps to reduce even further their exposure to hypoallergenic dog hair and dander. Certainly, they will make sure to observe a disciplined cleaning routine. They may choose a specific place in the house, far away from their bedroom and clothing, for the hypoallergenic dog to sleep. Or they may decide to keep their hypoallergenic dog’s coat trimmed close to reduce even further possible irritants.

Knowing there are ways to limit allergic reactions to hypoallergenic dogs should be great news for allergy sufferers. Now that you know you can have a hypoallergenic dog, you might look for some specific characteristics to further reduce exposure. For example, look for breeds that are hairless or have short hair naturally and breeds that shed skin cells (that’s dander) less frequently. Dogs that don’t slobber on you (okay, produce more saliva for the gentile audience) will cause fewer reactions as well.

It’s wise to consider other things when selecting a hypoallergenic dog breed. Your living situation will create some decision-making factors. For example, the size of your home or apartment is important for a couple of reasons. First, it determines how active your hypoallergenic dog can be when indoors. Second, it may well determine how densely dog hair and dander collect. Having a yard or outdoor space nearby can modify home size impacts. If you have a fenced yard, dog run, or dog park nearby, you can let the hypoallergenic dog play out its energy outdoors, reducing indoor irritants. When it comes to allergies, exercise is important not only for your hypoallergenic dog’s health but to clean dog hair and dander with fresh air rather than your carpet or bedding!

No matter how low a hypoallergenic rating a dog may have, if its temperament isn’t consistent with your personality, you’re not likely to enjoy each other’s company. So, when researching hypoallergenic dog breeds, take note of their behavioral traits, energy levels, and needs for affection (versus independence). Hypoallergenic dog breeds come in a wide range of “personality types,” so it will pay off if you invest the time to research breeds to find the one that’s a best fit for you and your lifestyle.

If allergies are a serious problem for you but you still want a hypoallergenic dog, you might try a few more tricks. You could purchase one of the new vacuum cleaners in the market that claims to remove dog hair and dander. The jury’s still out on their effectiveness, but many vacuums today are designed to reduce allergens generally. Having your carpet steam-cleaned or shampoed frequently is a good way to keep indoor air quality high. Cleaning the walls and floor near your pet’s bed will help avoid build-up of hypoallergenic dog hair and dander. Train your dog to keep off your bed and the sofa or chair you use most. Offer him an alternative that’s comfortable and still near enough to you that he gets the attention he craves.

If you follow these simple guidelines, you can find a wonderful hypoallergenic dog that not only provides loving companionship for years to come, but you can assure that your allergy problems are under control.

By: Abhishek Agarwal