Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

The Misconception

The idea that hypoallergenic dog breeds exist is certainly attractive—but also misguided. Some breeders tout their dogs as hypoallergenic, but it’s important to know what that really means.  Underneath all of those sweaters your beloved family member is still a canine. All dogs naturally produce allergenic proteins found in their saliva and skin.

The Misconception of the Misconception

Many online articles call attention to the above issue. The writers criticize breeders for misleading potential buyers and that they are only fueled by profit.  In reality, these bloggers are overlooking the difference between hypoallergenic’s connotation and denotation.

Connotation

“Hypoallergenic” is commonly thought to mean something that produces zero allergens.

Denotation

The word “hypoallergenic” can be divided into two parts—the prefix “hypo-” and the word “allergen”.

hypo-

prefix

: under : beneath : down

: less than normal or normally

al·ler·gen

noun ˈa-lər-jən

medical : a substance that causes an allergy

* Thanks to merriam-webster.com for the above information.

Thus, hypoallergenic merely means less allergenic than others, not allergen-free.  Hopefully that clears a few things up for you. Now let’s look at how to clear up your nasal airways.

Solutions

For those of you looking for a dog that produces the least amount of allergens, here’s the breakdown:

• Smaller is Better: A smaller dog has a smaller surface area from which allergens can be produced.

• Opt for Short Coats: Longer coats in dogs more easily pick up outdoor allergens. Short coats will bring in a lesser amount of allergens after a daily walk.

• Choose Non-shedding Coats: Having a dog that doesn’t shed makes it more difficult for skin and saliva allergens to become airborne and circulate around your home.

For those of you who have already found and befriended “Fido”, here are a few ideas:

• Groom often: Plan on bathing your pet regularly will help to wash excess dander away from their coat—and when you do give the dog a bath, do it outside of your home. Even easier, find a grooming service to handle the mess. Don’t have time? Wet a washcloth and wipe down your dog’s coat for a quick fix.

• Consider an air filter: Installing an air filtration system in your home can help to improve air quality and circulation, both of which could positively affect your symptoms. If you restrict your pet to certain rooms in the house it’s that much easier to control.

• Be careful with carpets: Carpeted surfaces tend to hold onto allergens and make for difficult cleaning. Wood floors make cleaning up a breeze.