Dogs for People with Allergies

An allergy to dogs is a common, widely prevalent allergy. A widely believed misconception is that some breeds of dogs are hypoallergenic. The truth is that, some dogs cause fewer allergy symptoms in some people. There are no hypoallergenic dogs. Most people believe that dog and cat allergies are caused by their fur, however, in reality the source of the allergy is often a protein contained in their saliva and urine, that sticks to the animal's dead, dried flakes of skin (dander). Some dog breeds, such as the Schnoodle or the Yorkshire Terrier are said to be hypoallergenic because they don't shed much fur or any at all. Consequently, the allergy-causing dander, that sticks to the fur, doesn't get released into the air, as lesser or no fur is shed. These are some of the dogs for people with allergies.

Border Terrier
A Border Terrier is a feisty little terrier, with a shaggy coat, that was originally bred as a fox hunter. With a face that resembles an otter, its coat may be either red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, or wheaten. The Border originated in the border country between England and Scotland, where it was used to protect livestock. This working terrier may be one of the oldest kinds of terriers in Great Britain.

Shih-Tzu
The Shih Tzu’s is a small dog, renowned for its beautiful long, flowing coat. The word Shih Tzu means "lion" and while it may exhibit courage if called upon, by temperament, it is playful and affectionate. This breed originated in China, where it was the prized pet of Chinese royals. It is one of the most ancient of dog breeds, and may have come from the crossing the Lhasa Apso or Tibetan mountain dog and Pekingese. A pet in many of the homes of the Ming Dynasty, was imported into Europe (England and Norway) in 1930's.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a breed that comes from Ireland. It has a luxurious coat, which is soft and silky. While as puppies, they have darker coats. As they grow, their coats turn lighter to wheaten color. Depending on the sex of the dog, they are usually between 17 to 19 inches and 30 to 40 pounds. By temperament they are happy, steady, self-confident and alert. They adapt well to city, country, and suburban life and need plenty of exercise.

Schnoodle
A Schnoodle, as one may guess from the sound of the name, that this dog comes from the cross breeding of a Schnauzer, with a Poodle. A Schnoodle is a first generation cross, and has to have one purebred poodle and one purebred Schnauzer, as it parents. Schnoodle can have a coat similar to either of the parent, or sometimes can even have a combination of both. Depending on which is the dominant breed, either the beard of the Schnauzer will be more prominent or the curly coat of the Poodle. Some Schnoodles even have a rough coat as that of the Schnauzer on their back, and the soft curly fur as the Poodle on other areas of their body.

Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers, affectionately called Yorkies, originated from Yorkshire in northern England. As there is much ambiguity about the bloodline of the Yorkshire Terrier, most people believe that it was bred by cotton mill workers, to deal with rat infestation. At their usual size, Yorkshire Terriers are about 7 to 9 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 3 to 6 pounds. The source of their glamor is a beautiful silky straight coat. Tan on the head and feet, with a striking blue gray saddle, their coat parts along the spine and falls straight down. Contrary to their size, they exhibit classic terrier traits of bravery, determination, protectiveness and high energy levels. They are ideal for people living in apartments.

These are just some of the dogs for people with allergies. Apart from picking a breed that an allergic person is least likely to react to, they can also take other precautions to lessen their symptoms. This includes bathing your pet every week to remove dander from its coat, choosing carpet-free flooring and using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier, and vent filters to lower airborne pet allergens.