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Considerations for Allergy Sufferers
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Two Chinese Cresteds with no body hair
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Our Multi BIS winning Brace Ch. Razzmatazz Wild Wings and Ch. Razzmatazz Piece of Cake

Many breeds are touted as being hypoallergenic- guaranteed not to trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. In reality, there is no type of dog can live up to such a claim.  Proteins in canine saliva, shed skin cells (dander) and the proteins in dog urine can all aggravate an allergic response in a susceptible individual.

 

This is why most pet allergy sufferers tend to have more pronounced  allergic reactions to cats than dogs. Cats habitually lick and groom themselves, depositing large quantities of saliva on their fur as they do this. Some breeds, such as hairless breeds, also indulge in quite a bit of self-grooming. This is one reason why some allergy suffers cannot tolerate hairless dogs.

 

Curly and wavy coated breeds like Havanese, Bichons and Poodles, are also described as hypoallergenic. As a rule they don’t shed very much and dead hair normally remains trapped in the coat until it is removed by brushing or bathing. They also have thinner, dryer skin which produces smaller amounts of coat dander. Dead hair and dander are regarded as the major allergy triggers and EVERY dog will produce this to some degree

Coated Xolo
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The coated variety is covered with a dense, flat coat

Hairless breeds, or those with a curly or single coat can lessen the possibility of causing an allergic reaction but it does not guarantee that they are allergy proof. Terms like this are misleading. Even a small amount of dander or saliva may be enough to trigger an allergic reaction in a highly sensitive individual. Also, coat quality can vary significantly between individuals within the same breed, causing some to shed more and produce higher levels of dander. Likewise, the proteins in a dog’s saliva and urine can provoke an allergic response, and this factor will hold true for every breed of dog.

 

These natural variations in skin and coat types make some breeds poor candidates for allergy sufferers. They consistently shed a lot and produce a lot of dander. This is equally true of purebred and so called designer hybrids.  However, in all cases, larger dogs will inevitably produce proportionally larger quantities of dander. The following breeds are noted to produce more than normal amounts of dander

 

Afghan Hound

Basset Hound

Chinese Shar-Pei

Cocker Spaniel

Dachshund

Doberman Pinscher

German Shepherd

Irish Setter

West Highland White Terrier

Razzmatazz Sprocket
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Chinese Crested s without body hair are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction

The following  breeds are recommended for allergy sufferers

Bedlington Terrier

Bichon Frise

Chinese Crested (both hairless and powderpuff)

Irish Water Spaniel

Kerry Blue Terrier

Maltese

Poodle

Portuguese Water Dog

Schnauzer

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Xoloitzcuintli (hairless variety)

 

Hairless Xolo
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Hairless Xolos are often a good choice for allergy sufferers

Xoloitzcuintli Breed Standard

There are also several things that allergy sufferers can do to minimize their potential allergic reaction to dogs.

 

Removing potential allergens from the dog’s skin is the best way to minimize potential allergic response Wash the dog frequently to remove all traces of dander, dead hair, saliva and urine from the coat. It is safe to do this twice a week as long as you use mild dog shampoo. The pH balance of human hair care products is more likely to dry the skin and strip essential coat oils. Wash only the hair and try to avoid scrubbing the dog’s skin, which can cause dryness and irritation.

 

Put a light tee shirt on your dog to help contain the dander that is shed from the skin. This will also discourage the dog from licking its skin and depositing saliva. Wash the dog’s feet after every walk to remove traces of urine.

 

Air conditioning will not effectively remove allergens circulating in the air. Use air filters along with your air conditioning. Vacuum rugs and furniture frequently, especially places where the dog spends a lot of time. Avoid rugs and furnishings that are hard to clean and likely to attract dog hair and dander, such as wicker dog baskets. Non porous materials such as vinyl, plastic and leather are preferable. They are less likely to harbor hair and dander.

 

Always wash your hands after handling your dog,

 

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Amy Fernandez 2008