It is not uncommon for people to allergic to dogs, but are hypoallergenic dogs the answer? While no dog breed is completely allergen-free, it’s true that some breeds are easier for allergy sufferers to live with than others.
Here’s more about what causes dog allergies, the truth about whether hypoallergenic dog breeds really exist, and the best allergy-friendly dogs to avoid sneezes and sniffles.
Allergies to dogs are caused by the proteins in a dog’s saliva, urine and dander – the flakes of dead skin that fall off a dog’s body. These proteins attach themselves to your dog’s hair or dust, before circulating through the air and settling on furniture, clothing and your body.
When someone is allergic to these proteins, their immune system responds disproportionately, which then triggers an allergic reaction.
Depending on the severity, allergies to dogs include symptoms such as:
Many people with dog allergies still love spending time with dogs or want to know if it’s possible to share their home with a dog. As a result, there’s been a lot of interest in hypoallergenic dogs.
No breed of dog is truly hypoallergenic. That’s because every dog breed produces proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction. However, some dog breeds produce fewer allergens, leading them to be labelled hypoallergenic.
It’s more accurate to call hypoallergenic dogs ‘allergy-friendly dogs’, since these breeds tend to trigger fewer allergic reactions – though none are completely allergen-free.
Reactions to these breeds also vary a lot between individuals. That means while an allergy sufferer might have few to no symptoms around a Poodle, they may sneeze and have itchy eyes after spending time with a Labrador.
If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed, remember that every dog produces some allergens. But breeds that are typically considered allergy-friendly include:
Many breeds labelled as hypoallergenic are also called no-shedding dogs. While every breed sheds, some breeds have limited shedding, including:
When these breeds do shed, the hair tends to stay in the coat until it’s brushed out. While this means that fewer hairs and allergens get dropped around your home, they do need regular grooming or clipping to prevent mats from forming in their coats.
Dog allergies can develop at any time, so you may already have a dog when you start noticing symptoms. However, there are practical steps you can take to reduce allergens in the home and help allergy sufferers stay as comfortable as possible.
Reduce allergens in your home by:
To limit allergens, try adjusting your dog’s grooming routine to include:
If you have dog allergies, try making these adjustments to reduce your exposure to allergens:
If you, or someone in your home, has a dog allergy but you’d still love to own a dog, it’s not impossible. As allergy sufferers can have different reactions to different breeds, it’s a good idea to test your reaction before choosing a specific breed.
If possible, try to visit a breeder, rescue centre or friend with the breed you’re interested in. This lets you monitor whether or not you notice any signs of an allergic reaction.
Ideally, spend time with a few different dogs of the same breed, since the number of allergens they produce can differ.
If you’re keen to get a dog, choosing an allergy-friendly breed is only part of the picture. It’s also important to consider whether you’re able to meet their needs when it comes to grooming, temperament and cost.
A lot of hypoallergenic breeds, such as Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers and Poodle mixes like Cockapoos, have above-average grooming requirements.
Since grooming your dog can release allergens and trigger an allergic reaction, you might decide to book your dog in for regular sessions with a professional groomer.
Even if you do take your dog to a professional, you may also need to groom them daily to reduce the spread of allergens around your home. Ideally, this should be done outside, by someone without allergies.
Some low-allergy dogs like Poodles and Cockapoos are active and intelligent, needing a lot of physical and mental stimulation to stay happy. Other smaller breeds like the Maltese and Shih Tzu are lower energy, so they tend to need less exercise.
Before committing to a specific breed, make sure their temperament and exercise requirements match your lifestyle; otherwise, it may be hard to live together comfortably.
Owning any breed of dog is a financial commitment, so factoring in these costs is an important consideration. Some low-allergy breeds can have predispositions to certain health issues, so make sure you research these before committing to dog ownership.
Many of these breeds also have above-average grooming requirements, so you’ll need to be prepared for the ongoing cost of having your dog groomed or trimmed every six to eight weeks.
Getting dog insurance can help cover the costs of vet treatment, giving peace of mind in case your dog has an accident or illness. If you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can also use our Pet Expert Chat feature to connect with vet professionals, 24/7. To find out more, simply log in to your My Petplan account.
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Pet Plan Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 311969. Allianz Insurance plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register No. 121849. Pet Plan Limited is a subsidiary of Allianz Insurance plc.
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