People are affected by a variety of different allergies, all of which can do serious harm to you should you come in contact with the allergen that effects you.  Everything from peanuts to milk to wheat can have an adverse effect on you, but perhaps no allergy is quite so tragic as a pet dander allergy. When you’re allergic to pet dander, you essentially can’t stand to be around pets for very long, and you may not even be able to go into a home that has had a pet in it for any length of time in the past; the dander just builds up over the years and always comes back to bite you!

Can You Really Have a Hypoallergenic Dog?

Increasingly, dog breeds that are labeled as “hypoallergenic” have appeared for sale by breeders who have bred the dogs specifically for individuals who suffer from pet dander allergies. Unfortunately, no pet is truly hypoallergenic; they will always produce dander, just like humans, because they have skin that must eventually slough off and be shed.

The difference between hypoallergenic and nonhypoallergenic dogs isn’t a complete lack of pet dander, but rather a marked decrease in the dander produced by the hypoallergenic breeds. Individuals with pet allergies can benefit from dogs that do not shed fur or which do not have an overly large amount of dander by having simply less of the allergen in the dander – a particular protein – in their environment.

Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst

If you’re allergic to dogs but would still like to own one, first you should consult your doctor. Ensure that your allergies are not so severe that even a hypoallergenic dog’s minute shedding would have a notably negative impact on your health. Once you have ensured that you will be able to lead a healthy, happy life with a hypoallergenic dog, you have a few options open to you.

First, you could get a small dog. By nature of their small size, small dogs simply shed less hair and dander because there is, well, less of them to produce it. Barring a small dog, you might consider owning a hypoallergenic dog that is specifically bred and marketed as such. Goldendoodles and other hybrid dogs bred specifically to be hypoallergenic – typically having been bred with Poodles, whose short curly hair is quite hypoallergenic – are the go-to breed for many who suffer from pet allergies.

Having made a decision on the dog itself, there are ways you can “allergy-proof” your home. First, keep your pet out of your bedroom and any other space where you spend a lot of time so that you don’t breathe in the dander regularly. If you can, keep your pet outside as much as possible – a dog will love it, so long as the weather is nice! Throw in regular baths, carpet and vent cleanings, and an air purifier, and you should be good to go! Just be sure that you’re ready to accept all of the other responsibilities that come with owning a dog