Are there really allergy friendly dogs?

[3DisneyBuggs]

We are moving into our new house and we all want a dog. The problem is I have allergies. We were researching the low shedding dogs and saw a Cavachon. They are supposed to be low to no shedders. They are adorable and my kids are so excited- they named her Tinkerbell already. I do take Zyrtec when visiting family members that have 2 or 3 dogs. It works except at my Sil who has a Golden Retriever. Just wondering if I'm doing the right thing.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Bichon Frise - We have 2! Love them, although the there is some grooming involved (they don't have pet dander -that's what makes them non-allergenic)

 

[JoyG]

Spend some time playing with dogs at a breeder's location.

I'm allergic to dogs but I've had good luck with poodles and schnauzers. I know there are other breeds I can be around, I just haven't had any contact with them yet.

Golden Retrievers are the worst for me too!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Depends on your allergy.

You should look into low shed dogs. All dogs shed SOME, but there are some breeds that shed as much as we do.

I have 2 of them - Miniature Schnauzer and a Shih Tzu. Bichon Frise, Yorkshire Terrier, Poodles, Maltese are also breeds that are very low shed.

If we get another dog, we'll get a Bichon I think.

I've never heard of a Cavachon. I don't think it's a real breed.

There are some great dog breed finder quizes online that will ask about shedding that should narrow down your search. I'll see if I can find one for you...

 

[jrmasm]

I've never heard of a Cavachon. I don't think it's a real breed.

Probably something like a Cavallier Spaniel and a Bichon.

 

[snicklette]

It really depends on the allergic person. Every persons allergies are different, what affects you may not affect others. The best thing you can do is spend time with the pet you hope to share your home before actually making it permanent. It would be horrible to move the dog into your home only to find you are unable to keep him/her. My son has many allergies and is fine with some breeds that others are highly allergic to and vice versa.

It is the dander, saliva and or urine that causes the allergy and not the actual fur/hair. I hope you find a forever baby that you aren't allergic to.

 

[Nana Annie]

We are moving into our new house and we all want a dog. The problem is I have allergies. We were researching the low shedding dogs and saw a Cavachon. They are supposed to be low to no shedders. They are adorable and my kids are so excited- they named her Tinkerbell already. I do take Zyrtec when visiting family members that have 2 or 3 dogs. It works except at my Sil who has a Golden Retriever. Just wondering if I'm doing the right thing.

To answer your first question, yes there are dogs that are more allergy friendly than others.

I am assuming a Cavachon is a mutt, a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Friese? It is definitely not a recognized breed.

If you really want an allergy friendly dog, getting a mutt that is a mix of one non-allergy friendly dog (Cavalier) and an allergy friendly one is not the best choice.

You could end up with a puppy that resembles his cavalier parent and sheds or you can end up with a puppy that resembles its bichon parent and be a bit more allergy friendly.

The thing with mutts is that there is no guarantee how the puppy will turn out, no matter what the designer mutt breeder tells you.

You would be much, much better off going with a pure bichon if you want guarantees of being allergy friendly.

There is a good thread somewhere on the first couple of pages that discusses some good options for finding your first dog.

Also, if you are bound and determined to get a mixed breed, please don't pay a petshop (puppy mill dogs) or some designer dog breeder big bucks for a mutt when you can find similar mixes in rescue and the local pound.

 

[snicklette]

Bichon Frise - We have 2! Love them, although the there is some grooming involved (they don't have pet dander -that's what makes them non-allergenic)

Sorry but this just isnt true. They have low dander, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. Thats great that you dont have a problem with this breed but others do.

 

[lovin diz]

Not sure if you are looking for a large or small dog. However, My husband has really bad allergies. He cannot be around a cat. We have 2 poodles. They do not shed, and are very loving.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Sorry but this just isnt true. They have low dander, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. Thats great that you dont have a problem with this breed but others do.

My aunt has a poodle that I couldn't be in the same house with - I was SO allergic to that dang dog! And many others have no issues with poodles. Just depends on the individual person's allergies and their dog.

All dogs have some dander, just depends on how sensitive you are to the little that some breeds shed off.

 

[lowie]

according to our allergy doctor, no dog is completely non-allergenic. my dd has severe allergies and some days she'll be fine and others she'll break out in hives and have a miserable reaction.

either way, she loves our doggy and when she does have a reaction an allergy pill clears it up. she rarely takes them, maybe once every few weeks.

 

[ShannonRT]

I have a malti-poo, half maltese-half poodle. I honestly have never seen any shedding hair anywhere and she really requires very little grooming. And only 10 pounds if you're interested in a small dog.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

We have a poodle. She is great. She doesn't shed, we aren't allergic to her and she is very smart. You have to get their hair cut. I have her groomed every 10 weeks.

 

[solferino]

Some friends of ours just got a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) that allegedly is allergy friendly. This was a major requirement, as well as the smaller size and kid-friendlyness. I've only met him a couple of times and he's a great dog and my friend hasn't complained her allergies bother her.

My parents have a mini-schnauzer/maltese cross and he doesn't have fur, just wiry hair. Cute as all get out. They didn't pick him because of the allergy component, my dad just thought he was cute.

 

[Pakey]

I have some of the worst allergies on record and I spent 2 years researching/testing before choosing my breed. I have hairless Chinese cresteds.

As with any dog breed, there are pros and cons. But I did my research and now have 2, one a hairy hairless and one a very hairless. The very hairless has almost no hair at all, just a little on the backs of her ears and on the top of her head (the crest). My hairy hairless gets a bit more on his back.

I did not want high strung yipper dogs and I didn't want high maintenance dogs. The bichon was one of my finalists but I opted out because of the coat maintenance/grooming. My cresteds require no grooming other than regular bathing and nail clipping. We trim their crest once every 4-6 months and shave their random face hairs every 2-3 months. Takes less than 5 minutes for both dogs!

And my allergies are not affected. They'll be the only breed I'll ever consider from now on.

 

[KariC]

Pakey, that is good to know (Mom is still thinking about getting one). Our problem is that there are 3 of us, and she wants to make sure all of us are ok. one of her neighbors did mention that for the other almost-hypoallergenic dogs that need to be groomed they will be picking up dander and other allergens at their grooming appts....i hadn't thought about that part....

 

[Disney Doll]

I have heard that bichons and Portugese Water Dogs have fur instead of hair so don't seem to cause as many allergies.

 

[AtlantaSue]

We don't have allergies - but our dog is described as "hypoallergenic" (sp?). He is a great little family dog! He is an Australian Terrier, and he also doesn't require much grooming at all....just brush him when he looks a little ratty.
He was described as the "quietest and gentlest" of the terriers, so that's why we picked him.

Good Luck!

 

[Cindy B]

My mini poodle has minimal shedding as well. My BIL has issues with dogs (he would tear up with our Lab), but the mini poodle did not bother him.

 

[nataliela]

I shed more than my schnauzer. We get his hair cut about every 10 weeks and brush him about once a week