| e modern times of growing allergy problems, people | | | | Cairn Terrier and - even worse - Charlie the Labrador |
| often talk about "hypoallergenic dogs" and | | | | Retriever (lovely dog, but loads of fur which he's not |
| "non-shedding dogs". | | | | particularly attached to.....), I’m finding dog hair |
| But what do these terms actually mean? What is a | | | | around the house for weeks afterwards. |
| hypoallergenic dog? Do some breeds of dog really | | | | By the way, a dog is hypoallergenic BECAUSE it is |
| not shed hair? | | | | non-shedding. The coats of non shedding dogs do |
| The official dictionary definition of hypoallergenic (or | | | | not trap dander like the heavy undercoated dogs do. |
| hypo-allergenic) is "having a decreased tendency to | | | | You probably think that allergy sufferers are allergic |
| provoke an allergic reaction". | | | | to animal fur, but that's not the case. What |
| It’s important to remember that something | | | | they’re actually reacting to are proteins - or |
| hypoallergenic will NOT cause an allergic reaction. | | | | allergens. These are secreted by the animal's oil |
| The scientific fact of the matter is that: | | | | glands and then shed with the dander, which are |
| 1. No dog is totally hypoallergenic | | | | dead skin cells. (These proteins are also found in dog |
| 2. No dog is totally non shedding. | | | | saliva and urine.) |
| The AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of | | | | All dogs - even the "hairless " breeds have dander, |
| America) estimate that as many as 10 million people | | | | saliva and urine. Non shedding dog breeds - such as all |
| suffer from some form of allergy in America. Small | | | | three types of Schnauzer - have a double coat. The |
| wonder there are so many people out there looking | | | | outer coat is hard and wiry, the undercoat softer and |
| for a pet that won't make them sneeze or wheeze | | | | close to the skin. |
| all day long. | | | | This type of coat sheds only if you leave the dog |
| The good news for dog lovers is.... | | | | ungroomed for months on end. Hypoallergenic dogs |
| Firstly, although nothing is guaranteed, an allergy | | | | hardly molt. (You might find the occasional dog hair |
| sufferer is far LESS likely to suffer a reaction with a | | | | around the house). Therefore, non shedding puppies |
| hypoallergenic dog breed. They may well suffer no | | | | are a popular choice for pet allergy sufferers. |
| reaction at all. | | | | If you’re thinking of getting one, try and |
| Secondly, cats are far more likely to cause allergies | | | | spend some time alone with the pup at the breeder's |
| than dogs! | | | | to see what - if any - reaction you have. Your allergic |
| We know that this to be true in our family. We | | | | symptoms do not always happen immediately - |
| chose our Miniature Schnauzer Max because of | | | | sometimes there can be a couple of days' delay. |
| allergies and now - four years later - we can honestly | | | | They can also vary from one breed to another - or |
| say that we have virtually no allergic reaction to him . | | | | even from one dog to another within the same |
| (There’s an occasional sneeze when he's in | | | | breed. |
| need of a bath or a trip to the groomers for | | | | Of course, there's no guarantee with allergies. But |
| trimming, but that's it!) Choosing a hypoallergenic dog | | | | one thing you CAN be sure of is that your chances |
| breed was a smart move on our part. | | | | of having an allergic reaction to a dog are far LESS if |
| Another bonus is that we don't really find any dog | | | | you choose a non shedding and hypoallergenic breed. |
| hairs around the house, which is great when | | | | Surprisingly, there are over 40 hypoallergenic dog |
| you’re as averse to housework as I am! | | | | breeds. |
| When friends visit with their dogs - namely Ruby the | | | | |