There are dog breeds with which allergy sufferers can live under the same roof. This does not mean that a given dog does not sensitize completely, it only sensitizes to a much lesser extent. Dogs without hair or those that do not lose it, preferably small, are commonly considered hypoallergenic, there are several dozen breeds.
Dog allergy manifests itself in 8% of the population, manifested by catarrh, conjunctivitis, angioedema, asthma and urticaria. Saliva, urine, and flakes of skin can be allergenic, and not the fur itself, as is commonly believed. There is one regularity – the less hair a dog sheds, the less allergens it spreads in the privacy of its home. Dogs with a high tendency to salivate are not recommended.The dark side of fearMany parents, after the diagnosis of allergy or asthma in a child, decide to exclude a quadruped from the family. It is a terrible experience for a descendant who has to part with a beloved pet, much worse for an abandoned dog, which is an unwanted gift for friends, or ends up in a crowded shelter with no chance of a happy end. That is why it is so important to choose a living, attaching creature responsibly.Responsibility on our sideBefore we decide on a dog, it is worth getting acquainted with its characteristics, what care it requires, how often it moults. A reliable breeder will certainly allow us to spend at least an hour with the dog before we make a decision, thanks to which we will be able to assess whether it is allergic to us, which often turns out to be after a few hours of joint contact. When the pet lives with us, do not neglect its care, it will protect us from allergic reactions. Female dogs are less allergic than males because they produce less of the main allergen. Children who have contact with a dog from the beginning do not show increased susceptibility to asthma or allergies.Allergy-friendly breedsDogs for allergy sufferers are quite a large group, but we will present five of them.
- The poodle enjoys great sympathy because it does not shed its hair, but it requires systematic care and grooming at least once every eight weeks.
- It is worth taking a look at both faces of the Chinese Crested Dog. Naga has hair on the head, ears, paws and tail. The powder puff is its furry relative, with an undercoat and light hair. With or without hair, the Chinese Crested should be washed with shampoo for long-haired dogs once every 7-10 days for the sake of impurities settling on the skin, in addition, it needs to be shaved at least once every two weeks.
- Australian Labradoodle does not cause allergies in 99%. It fits into the gap of large allergy-friendly dogs that do not shed their fur, and apart from combing and regular washing, their fur does not require any special care.
- Special attention should be paid to the care of the Shih Tzu, due to its long hair, which tends to form tangles, it requires not only combing and washing, but also trimming.
- A companion dog – a long-haired Maltese needs 10 minutes of walks a day, so it will meet the expectations of homeowners. It requires daily combing, preferably with a diluted conditioner, and a bath once every 2-3 weeks.