Dogs for Allergy Sufferers

[TurtleLover]

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Ok, so I'm moving in with one of my best friends and she's moderately allergic to dogs. I really want to get a dog, so I was thinking of getting a hypoallergenic dog. However, I've been doing some research and none of that is scientifically "proven"......and I don't want a small dog like a bichon.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what medium sized dog would make a good pet for someone who is moderately allergic to dogs? The reactions she gets is sneezing and itchy eyes if she touches her face after touching the dog.

I've been looking and found goldendoodles....I'm not a fan of labradoodles. I dunno if this is even gonna work....I really want a lab mix.....I like the larger dogs.

I was considering a Basenji, but after researching the breed, they don't seem to fit the kind of dog I want.

I want to have a dog that I can train to be off the leash, likes the water, and I can take hiking with me. Is this an impossible feat I am attempting at the moment?

 

[Backwoods Boy]

Would something like a Portuguese Water Dog fit your needs? Decent size, tends to cause less allergy problems, likes the water. I think I read somewhere that they take obedience training very well.

 

[Pandacinny]

Remember to be cautious with any "doodle" breeds - poodles may not shed, but labs and goldens do a LOT. Take a good look at the coat of any mix you're interested in because some poodle mixes will shed while others might not. Also, some allergy sufferers can still be allergic to non-shedding breeds.

It's probably not a bad idea to take your roommate with you to visit any dog you're interested in before you adopt or purchase it. That way, she can screen out the ones that make her immediately break out in hives or become way more sneezy than usual.

As far as larger, non-shedding dogs who're easily trained, have you thought about a standard poodle? Poodles are really smart, really fun dogs. I just did a quick search and there are LOTS of poodles and poodle mixes (including golden-doodles) on Petfinder.com.

 

[cozycleo]

I would avoid designer dogs altogether. Too many of them end up in rescue because they don't live up to the hype of being hypoallergenic.

I would suggest a standard poodle, or even just finding a dog she doesn't react to much if at all, which could be any breed. I'm allergic to cats, and some cats I react to much stronger than others. Really your best bet is to find an individual dog that makes her sinuses happy.

 

[nyanko]

Designer dogs (labradoodle, goldendoodle, cockapoo, lhasapoo, etc) are not breeds, they are mixed breed dogs that do not come from reputable breeders. As previously mentioned, there is no guarantee that they will have the type of coat that doesn't trigger allergies, and their sizes and temperaments are similarly very unpredictable.

To be 100% honest, unless a less allergenic breed like a poodle (standards are pretty good), bichon, or other single curly coated breed is high on the list of breeds that you are interested in for other reasons than your roommate's allergies, I'd hold off on getting a dog until you live in a situation where you aren't bound by another person's restrictions. The living situation is temporary, but whatever dog you get you are committing to own for its entire life, which is hopefully 10+ years, so it might be better to be patient and get your dog fix elsewhere while you live with an allergic person, then getting a breed you're really interested in when you move out.

Just my opinion on the matter..

edit: Portuguese water dogs are definitely not for everyone, I wouldn't necessarily recommend one to someone.

 

[jglovicz]

When I read the post, my immediate thought was a standard poodle. They aren't my cup of tea, but actually, my boyfriend's parents had a few and they actually aren't that froo-froo-ey if you don't clip them. I'm by no means a dog expert, but if your roomate is allergic to dander (but not that allergic), maybe a breed that has a short coat wouldn't set off her allergies...the shelter I got my cats from gave us a grace period to take the pet back, if you two find a pet that doesn't seem to bother your roomate, maybe you could bring it home for a week and see what happens. Just an additional 2 cents. I was actually given a bichon as a kid and at full size she was a little bigger than the typical bichon, and she had straight hair. Not pushing the idea at all because I'm not a big fan of little princess-like dogs, but she wasn't the typical bichon (it's possible she wasn't pure-bred...maybe someone more familiar with the breed would know?), but she didn't shed (which, of course means she needed routine hair cuts). Good luck! I hope you are able to find a dog that works out for you!

 

[TurtleLover]

thanks everyone for the advice so far. yea i'm not really interested in the port. water dog. poodles are cool, esp. the standard ones, but not my cup of tea either.

nyanko, i agree with you. this dog will be around a while and the roommate wont. so im going to talk to my vet/boss tomorrow and get his opinion on the matter. maybe i can try what was suggested and get a short hair dog that doesnt shed much and see if my roommate is less reactive to it. i definitely do not want to settle on the breed i want. and i would prefer to adopt a dog from a rescue than spend lots of $$$$ from a breeder.

i really hope i can find something though. eventhough i wanted a larger dog, i am considering a long hair mini dauschund. my friend just got 2 puppies and they are so cute. and shes allergic to dogs and has no problems with these guys. maybe that could work. 🙂

 

[AidanEvieCleo]

Just be careful with dauschunds because they have so many back problems, I can't even count how many come into the VMTH each month for back surgery, with costs around 3-5 grand. I would personally never own such a fragile dog even though they are SO cute!

I currently have a wire haired fox terrier cross (with something?, see avatar) and he doesn't shed and is a medium size. I got him from the shelter and he is a great dog! Maybe go check out the shelter and see what crazy crosses are there and she if any don't set off your roommates allergies?

 

[natalieises]

I grew up with the hypoallergenic types lol. My parents are pet allergic although not to the extreme. I grew up mostly with wheatens and a portugese. I can say that I loved my wheatens growing up, but I've found that the breeding has ruined their disposition. I've definitely still seen some good ones at the clinic i work at, but I would do a lot of research on the breeder and what not before getting one. I've only ever had one portugese, but I loved her. She definitely had to go through the puppy phase (kind of hyper and definitely naughty!), but she was amazing. good luck on your search!

 

[EqSci]

I have to bring up the standard poodle again, especially since you said this:

I want to have a dog that I can train to be off the leash, likes the water, and I can take hiking with me. Is this an impossible feat I am attempting at the moment?

You described my dog, who is a standard poodle. He's 50 pounds. They are excellent, excellent dogs for active people. I take my dog on off-leash long walks, running with me, to the horse barn, to people's houses, etc. He's great off-leash and I never did any real training with him. Naturally knows when he can roam a bit and when he has to stay close. Extremely agile and athletic. LOVES the water, especially fetching in the water. Very social, and always... joyous. Best word for it.

Of course I'm biased, but I had never even been around a standard poodle before I met my dog's parents, and I'm a fan for life. I think you should go meet a few. That said, I hate those clips that most people give them (no offense to anyone, I just personally don't like the look of them). My dog looks like a normal dog.

Of course if you don't like them, then you don't like them - I just hate to see people be turned off the standard poodle because of their stereotypical haircuts and reputation of a snobby attitude. The haircut is entirely your choice and I've never met a poodle that was anything other than fun-loving with a great sense of humor.

 

[Ben and Me]

i definitely do not want to settle on the breed i want. and i would prefer to adopt a dog from a rescue than spend lots of $$$$ from a breeder.

Sorry, I'm sure you already know this, but having a dog is expensive, regardless of whether or not you get it from a breeder. 🙂 In fact, if you end up adopting from a shelter, the dog may have plenty of problems (kennel cough and intestinal parasites come to mind) that need immediate attention and cost $$ immediately after paying the adoption fee. Just wanted to point that out because we have SO MANY recent college grads as clients that had no idea that their puppy needs to come to the vet pretty frequently (like once a month!) until they're 5 months old, and they would rather spend money at Saks than on their puppy's vaccines. (Sorry, pet peeve, rant over!)

🙂

Sounds like waiting a bit longer might be your best bet, especially since the breeds it sounds like you prefer aren't the best for your roomate. These types of things have a way of working out though--I know I really wanted a dog 2 summers ago (while I was still in college) but if I had gotten one then, I wouldn't have ended up with the most excellent dog in the world! 😛 Then again, I didn't think I wanted another lab until I met her...so it couldn't hurt to head out to a poodle rescue and just check out the breed!

 

[LLIPPY]

Definitly have to jump on the poodle bandwagon! I had one because it was what my mother picked for me and I protested too. But she was the sweetest, smartest dog. And ill tell you, you will never find a dog as soft! We always kept her puppy cut and she was like my little lamb. Try seeing if you can find a reputable breeder or two and spend some time with the breed to get to know them.

I now have a rescue rhodesian ridgeback - certainly the sterotypical manly man dog. But I call him my little poodle. He is a sensitive soul and the sweetest boy there is with not an aggresive bone in his big bod. Now if you want a short hair coat he's your breed - but he won't get his tootsies wet for anything 🙂.

 

[r00]

Since I know we are local (At least right now we are) you and your future roommate are more than welcome to come meet my miniature schanuzer - they are supposedly one of those "less likely to cause allergy" breeds... and if it all works out you can certainly go with a standard or giant schnauzer to get the size that you want...

I am embarrassed to say that he has gotten a little overweight since his neuter 2 months ago, but I am working on that now lol

 

[sumstorm]

The description of what you want does match poodles and water dogs. There are several breeds of water dogs (not all are AKC recognized.) The Spanish waterdog is around 30-45 lbs and fits your description (UKC recognized.)

If you wanted small dog big personality, I would suggest american hairless terrier. They do have some maintenance issues though (sunscreen anyone?)

I would, at all costs, avoid the mixed breeds like doodles. Unfortunatly, many doodles actually have some of both coat types which means they need both routine clipping and still shed. The only exception would be a 12th generation or deeper australian labradoodle from a really good australian breeder (then you have to worry about shipment and such...and $$.) The original idea behind the labradoodle was to deal with issues via generational breeding...not through cross breeds. It was suppose to be the development of a new breed (the best of intentions.)

If your heart is set on a lab wait until you can get a lab. Also, be careful of long haired dogs....many do still shed and are not necessarily better for allergy suffers. Also, some people with allergies will have problem no matter what breed you go with...and even with the 'better' breeds, many people with allergies need the dog to be groomed more frequently, especially during the dry winter months where skin tends to flake/shed more.

 

[TurtleLover]

Sorry, I'm sure you already know this, but having a dog is expensive, regardless of whether or not you get it from a breeder. 🙂 In fact, if you end up adopting from a shelter, the dog may have plenty of problems (kennel cough and intestinal parasites come to mind) that need immediate attention and cost $$ immediately after paying the adoption fee. Just wanted to point that out because we have SO MANY recent college grads as clients that had no idea that their puppy needs to come to the vet pretty frequently (like once a month!) until they're 5 months old, and they would rather spend money at Saks than on their puppy's vaccines. (Sorry, pet peeve, rant over!)

🙂

Sounds like waiting a bit longer might be your best bet, especially since the breeds it sounds like you prefer aren't the best for your roomate. These types of things have a way of working out though--I know I really wanted a dog 2 summers ago (while I was still in college) but if I had gotten one then, I wouldn't have ended up with the most excellent dog in the world! 😛 Then again, I didn't think I wanted another lab until I met her...so it couldn't hurt to head out to a poodle rescue and just check out the breed!

Yes, I am well aware of the costs of a dog. I work in a vet clinic and see the bills that these people spend on their animals and it is not a pretty sight. My intention for what I wrote was I would rather adopt a dog from a shelter that is in need of a good home than pay so much more money for a dog from a breeder when there are so many pets out there who need to be adopted. I would never imagine spending all these hundreds of thousands of dollars just to buy the dog in the first place. And usually, rescues are mixed breeds and are hardier than purebreds which = inbreds usually.

I think I am going to wait until she's not longer my roommate so I can get the dog I want. Thanks for all the advice everyone! I really appreciated it.

 

[jop21]

One breed I don't think has been mentioned it is a Wheaten Terrier. My parents are allergy sufferers and have had one for years. They are hypoallergenic, mediums sized, friendly, and have lots of energy. They are somewhat known for being "puppy-like" for life. Obedience can be difficult as they have lots of energy and can be hard to stop them form jumping on people due to their energy and love for people. Overall they seem to make great pets. They are defiantly a good breed to look into. Good luck