subject: Suffer no more- five breeds of dog ideal for allergy sufferers [print this page] Suffer no more- five breeds of dog ideal for allergy sufferers
Although no dog can ever be considered truly hypoallergenic, there are certain breeds of dogs which elicit very few allergic symptoms in sufferers. These dogs shed little or no hair and have very little dander' (dead skin cells and hair similar to dandruff). Unfortunately, some people are allergic to dog saliva, in this case there are no dogs with low allergenic saliva and dog owning may simply not be an option.
Poodle
The classic choice for an allergy sufferer is a poodle. These dogs shed less hair and dander than other dogs and so generally speaking are an excellent choice. They come in a variety of sizes and coat lengths and have recently been cross bred with other breeds such as cocker spaniels and Labradors (a labradoodle) to make a hybrid that looks quite different to the traditional view of the poodle.
Maltese
As the name suggests, these dogs come from the island of Malta in the Mediterranean. They are a small breed of dog in the toy group. Although these dogs do not shed, they do need frequent grooming as they have long hair.
Bichon fris
These small dogs are a popular French white toy breed that is virtually non-shedding. Unfortunately, they do need intense grooming to keep their coats clean and well maintained. This breed can be prone to skin issues, so it is very important to keep them clean and free of tangles and mats. They are playful dogs who tend to get on well with cats, other dogs and children alike.
Portuguese water dog
This unusual breed originates from Portugal where they were used to herd fish into nets, retrieve tackle and broken nets, and to act as couriers between ships. They love water and are easy to train. Their curly coats need regular trimming and grooming as it is very curly and matts easily and will grow indefinitely if not kept in check.
Schnauzer
These dogs originate from Germany where their name comes from the German word for moustache. They are derived from terriers but tend to be calmer, kinder, and easier to train than other terriers. They come in three breeds; miniature, standard and giant and tend to be white, black or salt and pepper'. In order to keep their coat clean and tangle free, frequent grooming and clipping is necessary.
Kerry Blue Terrier
These medium sized dogs originate from Ireland where they were traditionally used for herding, guarding and hunting. They are born with a wavy or curly black coat which gradually fades to a grey colour known as blue'. Although they do not have an undercoat, their hair does need clipping to prevent it getting too long. This breed tends to have a lot of personality and is perhaps not ideal for first time owners or owners with other pets.
Whichever breed you choose, regularly vacuum particularly round their dog bed and wash the bed regularly too to remove any traces of dander. Many pet supplies stores sell varieties of bed that are waterproof and these can be particularly useful for allergy sufferers as they tend to cling on to hair and dander much less than other beds.
Finally, one person's allergy can vary greatly from another's. It is important that before committing to getting any pet you visit and spend time with the breed to ensure that you do not react to it.
