Do hypoallergenic dogs exist?
It is widely believed that certain breeds of dogs are less likely to cause people with dog allergies to be affected by them, but a new study is saying that this is not true! Dogs such as the Bichon Frise, Poodles, Schnauzers and others have been classified as hypoallergenic breeds because they did not shed and released less dander and saliva.
Photo courtesy of Mr Robot, Flickrdid not shed and released less dander and saliva than other breeds.
The purpose of the study was to determine if there was less “dog allergen” in the homes containing a dog breed that was considered to be hypoallergenic. They looked at dust samples from the carpet or floor of 173 homes. Each home contained one dog – some were in the list of breeds believed to be hypoallergenic and others were not.
The study found that there was no improvement in the levels of allergens in the homes with hypoallergenic breeds. In fact, in one group that they studied there were even more allergens found in the home of people containing a supposedly hypoallergenic breed.
The author of the study, Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, did say that there were some limitations in the study as they did not regulate how much time each dog spent in the room that was sampled, and they didn’t have enough data to evaluate specific breeds.
What do you think?
Do you have any experiences with having a “hypoallergenic” breed of dog? If so, I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below.
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About the author
Dr. Marie is a veterinarian treating dogs, cats, and pocket pets. Click here to ask Dr. Marie a question.
2 Responses to "Do hypoallergenic dogs exist?"
Leave a Reply to Brian Riordan
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I HAVE A POODLE MIX WHO HAS A COAT SIMILAR TO A SHEEP, IT IS PART WIRE HAIR AND PART TIGHTLY CURLED (WE THINK HE IS AM AIREDALE/POODLE) AND HE DOES NOT SHED. I HAVE SEVERE ALLERGIES TO ANIMALS AND WHILE I HAVE HAD HIM FOR 3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD NO ALLERGIC REACTION WHICH CONTRADICTS THIS STUDY. HE SLEEPS RIGHT UP AGAINST ME AT NIGHT, LICKS MY FACE, ETC. I HAVE HAD NO RESPIRATORY ISSUES WITH HIM AT ALL. i CAN BURY MY FACE IN HIS COAT AND HAVE NO SYMPTOMS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TYPE OF DOG TO ALLERGY SUFFERERS. I DO HAVE A REACTION TO MY SISTER’S POMERANIAN FOR INSTANCE AS WELL AS ANY CATS.
Beware of studies–determine reality for yourself. I talked to many people about dog allergies before getting our dog. One man told me that even dogs supposed to be hypoallergenic like Bichon Frieze (sp?) caused a reaction in him. He found that Portuguese Water Dogs don’t–he now has two and sleeps with them with his head on them like a pillow and has no problems. My sister’s Golden Retriever made me feel asthmatic. I smelled many dogs and ended up with a Portuguese Water Dog who took naps on my chest with no allergy problems.