Allergic to Man’s Best Friend: 10 Tips for Dog-Allergic Dog Lovers

Having an allergy shouldn’t come between you and your desire for a canine companion. There are quite a few dog breeds out there to choose from and with a little bit of attention to grooming you can enjoy a great relationship with your dog.

Choosing Dogs: Tips For Allergy Sufferers

• Before you finally decide to take your dog home, it is advisable that you spend about half an hour with him or her in an enclosed place to be sure that you’d be okay.
• Choosing from any of these breeds does not guarantee that you wouldn’t still be exposed to allergens. So, you’ll need to pay attention to the following tips in minimizing your exposure to dander and other allergens.
• Although breeds that don’t shed or shed lightly are preferred, you might want to consider your schedule as the grooming needs for each breed differ. The long coat of the Coton de Tulear, for example, requires daily grooming while The Irish Water Spaniel (Rat Tail Spaniel) doesn’t require as much grooming.
• Also important is the energy level of the breed. While some like the American Hairless Terrier would do just fine with moderate exercises like walking and indoor play but require regular grooming, others like the Peruvian Inca Orchid have a great deal of energy and require regular activities, although needing minimal grooming.
• A breed like the Lagotto Romagnolo on the other hand, requires plenty of activity while also needing regular trimming and brushing to prevent its coat from matting.
• Dog dander is not restricted to the body because the urine and stool can also carry traces. Get rid of accidents promptly ensuring you use hand gloves and sanitize the affected area using an enzyme cleaner or bleach.
• Regularly bathing and grooming your dog’s fur is another way to reduce your exposure to allergens. However, you shouldn’t go overboard with bathing your dog as excessive washing can result in dry skin which may make your dog resort to scratching and leaving dead skin particles in the air.
• Ensure that your dog is not exposed to dust mite or other allergens by ensuring that her sleeping area is kept clean always.
• If you have allergy symptoms, it is advisable to not allow your dog access to your bedroom or bed to prevent any triggers.
• Vacuum your carpet regularly to remove trapped dander, fur and other allergens. Better still, you may consider tiling your floor or opting for hardwood or vinyl flooring.

Top Dog Breeds For Allergic People

Xloloitzcuintli (Xolo): This rare dog breed is very easy to care for because it is usually hairless or comes with a short coat which does not require a lot of grooming. This makes it an ideal hypoallergenic dog.

Portuguese Water Dog: The Portuguese Water Dog has a webbed feet and a waterproof coat which requires regular grooming but makes it able to cope pretty well outdoors. This breed is suited to people with low tolerance to allergens.

The Bichon Frise: This breed has a curly coat that produces little dander and is another good choice for people prone to allergies.

Other dog breeds that allergic people should consider include:

Afghan Hound, American Hairless Terrier, Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, Havanese, Irish Water Spaniel, Komondor, Labradoodle, Schnauzer, Spanish Water Dog, Irish Water Spaniel, Maltese, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Poodles