What dog breed for someone suffering from allergies

Aye Bosun

Hi all, I am a dog lover but I also suffer from really bad allergies. Basically if I play with a dog and give it a pet etc. I have to ensure I wash my hands and face straight away after or my face will go all red and blotchy or worst case scenario my eyes swell up and it takes a good 24hrs to get back to normal. I know I'm a freak! Even if I don't touch the dog and I spend some time in a room with a dog, I start to get that tightness in my chest and have to reach for my inhaler. This is all fine, because as I have gotten older I have been able to manage my allergies better and I am very aware of the triggers!

My problem is I really want to get a dog and have heard of some breeds that are good for people like me with allergies. I was playing with a cross between a Bichon Frise and King Charles and purposely didn’t wash my hands and face immediately to see what happened and I was fine for the rest of the day. Which I reckon is a good sign.

Does anyone else suffer like me and if so what do you do? Do you have a dog and if so what kind? Any other suggestions on any other breeds of dog good for allergies?

tk123

I have allergies and have a golden retriever. I keep him well groomed and his hair/dander doesn't bother me at all. He swims every week which takes care of the dander/skin and I brush him once or twice a week to remove any loose hair and have no problems.

decskelligs

Hi
A Bichon Frise is perfect for you

Bannasidhe

Llasa Apso would be good too.

catch me if you can

i woulda thought a boxer as they have hardly any hair

Taltos

What about a labradoodle?

evilmonkee

Just a quick word of caution on any so called "designer breeds".. You can never be sure how they will turn out.

Puppies from the same litter can vary greatly, could have long hair, short hair, make you sneeze, not make you sneeze, be big, small etc.

Also before you get any dog (as you cant be sure a specific one would suit you) I suggest you spend time with a dog of that breed, be it at a breeders, a friends or a specific dog in a rescue to ensure they will suit you. It could be very upsetting for you and the dog to bond before realising that you cant keep them.

Hopefully you find a lovely dog who needs a lovely home

aisher

I too suffer with allergies and find I get itchy eyes, sneezing etc. when I come into contact with certain dogs. I did get a dog this year - most of the time she does not bother me and if I find myself starting to sneeze I take antihistamine - we have her just over 3 months and I find my allergies are not half as bad - I seem to be getting used to her. I think you would need a non-shed dog like a Bichon Frise - even then they do shed but not half as bad as other breeds. Good luck with your search.

suziwalsh

There is no such thing as a hypo allergenic dog breed Im afraid and it depends if you are allergic to the dander, slaiva or hair. Im guess its the hair which will mean that it depends on an individual dog, the dogs diet and how much you groom/wash the dog etc.

I would second that you have to spend time with a dog before you can find out and that you would be better trying to foster a dog on a trial basis before commitment. Also remember as a pup matures so does their coat so even if you are not allergic to a pup you might be allergic to the dog as an adult. I would stay away from poodle mixes as they vary too much and opt for a dog with either a really wirey coat or a curly coat. You would be best to stay away from a cross breed as their coat is too variable.

I don't have dog allergy but find the coats of labradoodles and goldendoodles very irratating.

I would visit the likes of dogs trust where you can get some informed advice and meet a number of dogs and pups.

Bullseye1

I could be wrong but didn't Obama pick a water spaniel because they were good with people suffering from allergies?

DamagedTrax

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/allergy.htm

also, although not on the list, staffies are hypoallergenic too.

DBB

DamagedTrax wrote: »

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/allergy.htm

also, although not on the list, staffies are hypoallergenic too.

No harm to it, but that list is misleading. I see several breeds on it that not only shed, but I know to cause allergic reactions even in people only mildly allergic.
The Westie, for example, is NOT non-shed, and DOES cause reactions. The Wheaten terrier also sheds. I also know many people who react to staffies. To reiterate suziwalsh's point, there is simply no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog!
And as Suziwalsh said, crossbreed dogs are not predictable in their coats, and you won't find out whether your designer xbreed is non-shed until it's got its adult coat. OP, you tried a bichon x cavalier. Whilst the bichon is low-shed, the cavalier is not, and out of a litter of these pups, half could be expected to have a shedding coat from the cavalier parent.
+1 on the advice so far to spend time with the individual dog you're interested in... And good luck!

Bullseye1

Here you go.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Water_Dog

seamus

I know a lot of people can overcome allergies by being constantly exposed to it. I know of a couple of people who work in animal rescues that were quite allergic (to cats in particular), and although the first couple of weeks were jammed with antihistamines, they're all now fine and experience no symptoms at all around animals.

So it could be an option to volunteer somewhere twice weekly; give it a go for 6 weeks and see if your symptoms lessen, then you may have the pick of any breed.

Inexile

I know someone who had allergies. They had a ckc on trial for a weekend but it didnt work. Then they tried a tibetian terrier and they were ok with that so got one of them. I have no idea why a TT worked as they are a long haired dog in show coat.

Also a lot of greyhounds have very fine coats so may be suitable. My hound is practically half bald! If going for a rescue make sure it has lost its kennel coat. In the same vein a whippet may also work.

But as others above have suggested make sure you have a good few visits or foster before commiting to a dog to ensure that you can cope.

littlebug

I've had a Kerry Blue Terrier (cross) for 10 months and have yet to see a hair in the house. Her coat does require a lot of attention though and Kerry blues aren't the easiest of dogs
My daughter does have a history of allergies and did go through a chronic cough phase for a while after we got the dog but not a sign of it now and she spends half her life wrapped around the dog

mymo

Inexile wrote: »

I know someone who had allergies. They had a ckc on trial for a weekend but it didnt work. Then they tried a tibetian terrier and they were ok with that so got one of them. I have no idea why a TT worked as they are a long haired dog in show coat.

Also a lot of greyhounds have very fine coats so may be suitable. My hound is practically half bald! If going for a rescue make sure it has lost its kennel coat. In the same vein a whippet may also work.

But as others above have suggested make sure you have a good few visits or foster before commiting to a dog to ensure that you can cope.

I have a Tibetan terrier, they are pretty good for asthmatics but not for every allergy sufferer. My friend has 3 kids with asthma and allergies, two are fine with him, one isn't.
They have hair not fur and they do shed, but have little dander. They are also hard work, not for inexperienced owners, especially when they reach their teenage months. But are wonderful dogs, I'd have 10 if I could afford them. They also hate being alone, and like to be with their people all the time.

Bichon Frise are good for allergy sufferers, but like TT's need a lot of coat care, daily grooming and regular washing and clipping.
I used to spend over an hour a day grooming my TT in full coat, eventually I clipped his coat and now just give him a good brushing twice a week.

Poodles are also good, in any size(Standard size is lovely) and when not clipped in the show shape (just clipped short all over)are a very handsome dog.

suziwalsh

Theres always a chinese crested.....:D

mymo

Theres always a chinese crested.....

oh god noooo, did you ever meet one?
I met two and they'd give me a nervous breakdown!

Cherry Blossom

suziwalsh wrote: »

Theres always a chinese crested.....:D

Funny I was just about to suggest that

OP, I think you need to know what exactly it is that you are allergic to, all dogs will carry dust, pollen etc. Very few people are actually allergic to the dogs hair itself, it's more usually the dander. If you don't know exactly what allergies you have, I'd start by having specialist testing done on yourself to find this out. Just tell them why you want to have it done.

Aye Bosun

Hi all, thanks of all the great suggestion! I think from all the suggestions it seems like the best idea is to get in touch with a rescue centre and spend some time there to see what dog would suit me best.
I'll let you all know how I get on, again thanks for all your help!