Pet allergies are among the most common. It is estimated that approximately 10-20% of the world’s population is allergic to dogs and/or cats.
If you’re allergic to dogs but not cats, you may find some comfort in knowing that cat allergies are worse—both in intensity and persistence.
While pet allergies are not as dangerous compared to other types, they are certainly noticeable: watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and itching.
Confirmation is done through skin allergen tests. A small amount of dog proteins is applied, and a small incision is made to allow the proteins to come into contact with the patient’s immune system.
If they are allergic, a localized reaction will appear in the area within 15-20 minutes.
The simplest treatment is to avoid these animals. But if, like most people, you love them, it becomes an emotionally difficult task.
There are immunotherapy treatments, similar to those used for other allergies. Other options include treating the symptoms with antihistamines and bronchodilators.
In addition to treating the person, you can also treat the environment. Maximize ventilation, purify the air, and wash both the dog and the areas they frequent the most…
And for the sake of all holy dogs, don’t sleep with your pet, don’t let them on the same sofa as you, and don’t touch your face after petting them.
Fun fact: another way dogs can trigger allergies is through pollen allergies. With their joy of rolling around in fields, they can retain pollen in their fur and later release it indoors.
Causes of Dog Allergies
A common misconception is thinking that dog hair is the main cause of allergies.
Ironically, if you were to take pure dog hair, it would be completely safe for allergic people. The hair itself is harmless.
The real culprits behind the allergy are the proteins found in dandruff, saliva, and urine.
The main offender is dandruff, which is dead skin that sheds from the dog and floats in the air as dust. The dog breeds considered less allergenic are mostly those that shed the least hair and dandruff.
Although hair doesn’t cause allergies, it can still be problematic. It contributes to flaking and the spread of dandruff in the air. Many hypoallergenic dog breeds shed little hair and/or have short coats, though this correlation isn’t always consistent.
Dandruff is mostly produced on the face, sides, and back of the animal.
Saliva and urine, in addition to direct contact (hopefully less frequent with urine), dry over time. When this happens, the proteins in these fluids can attach to dust particles in the air.
Let’s also add that dogs like to lick themselves. Much less than cats—one reason why dog allergies are less severe—but they don’t mind spending a few minutes licking themselves.
When they do, they leave saliva with proteins on their fur, which will be released into the air once it dries.
These molecules not only stay in the air but also stick to clothing. This is why someone allergic to dogs can experience symptoms when near people who have pets.
When these proteins enter the body, the immune response is the same as with all allergies: the immune system overreacts to these molecules, causing harm by fighting against substances that are harmless in this case.
About Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
First of all, there are no completely non-allergenic dogs. There are no dog breeds that don’t cause allergies at all.
“But I’ve read that the legendary Atlantean Mountain Chihuahua is non-allergenic and anyone can have it”.
What you’ve read is a lie.
There are hypoallergenic breeds that are less likely to cause allergic reactions in people with this condition. They release fewer proteins into the environment.
That’s the best you’ll find; all dog breeds cause allergies to some degree in these patients. Clearly, a person with allergies might be able to interact more safely in areas with hypoallergenic dogs.
Another thing to note is that the same breed can cause more or less allergic reactions in different people. Dog allergies vary from person to person, so breeds don’t have a uniform effect on everyone. There’s variability in both the dogs and the people.
You can’t ask a dog not to release canine proteins. It’s literally in their genetics.
But you can ask them to release fewer proteins.
That’s why there are more small hypoallergenic dogs than large ones. Less body means less release of canine proteins, generally speaking.
Dogs that best meet these conditions typically fall into two categories:
- Dogs with long hair, that shed very little and shed infrequently.
- Dogs with short coats, which, no matter how much they want to, can’t shed much hair because they don’t have much to shed.
The breeds that shed hair constantly and in large amounts, like the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, or Siberian Husky, are the worst.
About the most hypoallergenic dog breeds
Schnauzer. The best option is the Miniature Schnauzer, due to its size and the fact that it sheds less frequently than the standard and giant varieties.
Afghan Hound. Don’t be fooled by its long, silky coat, which is well attached to its body. This breed sheds very little hair, though it requires special care to keep it in that condition.
Samoyed. Another breed with abundant fur but low allergy potential. Yes, they shed hair at the same rate as other common breeds, but they produce very little dandruff, which is the real culprit. We won’t say it’s one of the best options, but it is among the furriest if that’s a requirement for you.
Poodle. Similar to the Schnauzer, they come in various sizes, with the smaller version of the Poodle being the least allergenic. All of their varieties shed little hair and it’s perhaps the most common option for people with pet allergies.
Chinese Crested. Do you see the pattern? The less hair, the less allergy. The Chinese Crested excels in this regard. It comes in two varieties, hairless and full-coated, but both shed little hair and are ideal for people with these concerns.
West Highland White Terrier. Combining a small size with zero hair loss is a way to ensure a breed that can work for our allergic customers. The West Highland White Terrier meets these conditions.
With more than 400 dog breeds, there’s one for everyone.
Special mention goes to the Chihuahua. Although it’s a breed often well tolerated by people with allergy problems, the Chihuahua is NOT hypoallergenic. It’s a classic misconception, partly due to the impression given by its small size and short hair.
If your allergy is a living hell and you don’t want to take any risks, you always have fish, snakes, and turtles as candidates.
But if you want the ultimate pet, a hypoallergenic dog is an ideal candidate. And Koko’s genetic test is the ideal candidate to find out which breeds your dog has.