Hypoallergenic Dogs

When shopping for a new addition to the family, dog owners often look for hypoallergenic breeds. Among them are poodles, terriers, Irish spaniels, bichon frises, schnauzers, and many more. They think this means no sneezing, no coughing, and no fur on the furniture. Yet, Henry Ford Hospital found that hypoallergenic dogs have no less allergen in the home than other dogs.

The major dog allergen is Can f 1 and is found mostly in dog saliva, as opposed to glands in dog skin. People who have been exposed to dogs in their younger years are less susceptible to negative allergic reactions throughout their lives. However, once they have developed a dog allergy, they are poorly protected against any breed, whether or not it is advertised as “hypoallergenic.”

After reading this article from ScienceDaily, I would still encourage people to look for hypoallergenic dogs because they are beneficial. Those breeds that fall under this category are believed to produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur. Just keep in mind that the key word is “less”…you will still have to deal with a certain degree of these unpleasant features when bringing any dog into your home. In the meantime, it is a good idea to expose young children to all types of dogs, and do not be surprised if even your hypoallergenic dog causes itchy eyes.

Photograph: http://guarddogss.com/category/maltese-toy-puppies/

Hypoallergenic Dogs Don't Lower Household Allergens

An article in Science Daily discussed a study conducted on hypoallergenic dogs and their relationship to household allergens. Hypoallergenic dogs are breeds such as poodles, Bichon Frises, schnauzers, shih tzus, and Maltese that are supposed to "produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur." The study, performed by Henry Ford Hospital researchers, found that dust and dander samples collected from the homes of hypoallergenic breeds and non-hypoallergenic breeds of dogs "yielded no significant differences in allergen levels." The study also tested allergen levels when the different types of dogs were placed in a baby's bedroom. The article concludes by stating that "parents should not rely on dog breeds classified a hypoallergenic" and that the best way to lower allergies is to get children used to the dander at a young age to build up an immunity.

I found this article to be really interesting, and it gives new insight on dog breeds and allergies. All dogs shed and all dogs are going to produce dander. I feel that this article is good for families with allergies who are looking for a pet, because now they will know that even a "hypoallergenic" dog such as a poodle can still aggravate allergies. Those families can still consider a dog, or perhaps look into another type of pet without fur, such as a bird, fish, snake, or lizard. The picture is credited with Wikipedia and is a Bichon Frise dog.