australian dog hypoallergenic

Best Dog Breeds for People With Allergies

So, you want a dog but you seem to have an allergy attack whenever youre around one? Youre not alone! Its estimated that 10 and 20% of people are allergic to cats and dogs, causing many prospective puppy owners to wonder which dogs are hypoallergenic. Spoiler alert: none of them are.

Thats right: no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. No, really. Well say it one more time for the people in the back: There is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog. No mixed-breed dog, no purebred dog, and most definitely not any so-called designer dog, is truly hypoallergenic, no matter what people claim or try to sell you.

That said, it is possible to find less-allergenic dog breeds that are better suited for people with allergies. These purebred dogs have a predictable, non-shedding coat that produces less dander. Dander, which clings to pet hair, is what causes most pet allergies in people. Even though dogs that are hypoallergenic dont truly exist, many breeds make it possible to enjoy the companionship of a dog, even if you suffer from allergies. That predictable coat of a purebred dog is key: you know what kind of coat these breeds will have, and there wont be surprises that end up making you sneeze.

There are also ways to prepare your home to help keep allergens at bay when you have a dog. Be sure to launder your pets bed often, keep up with their grooming, and consider not letting your dog sleep on your bed. Its also helpful to remove heavy carpets and drapes that can trap dander. Vacuum cleaners for pet hair and pet air purifiers also help remove allergens, and some can even groom the hair and dander right from your dog.

Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is known for being aloof and dignified. They require regular exercise and grooming. They should be bathed and brushed twice a week.

American Hairless Terrier

The American Hairless Terrier is a lively, friendly, and intelligent companion. The breed does well with children and is also good for city dwellers due to their minimal exercise needsregular walks and indoor playtime will do. They also need regular bathing and nail trimming.

Bedlington Terrier

The gentle, loveable Bedlington Terrier is known for its curly, wooly coat that resembles a lambs. The breed doesnt need intense exerciseregular playtime and daily walks will do.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a naturally gentle, happy, playful dog that loves activity. The Bichons hair continually grows and doesnt shed, so regular grooming is important to prevent mats.

Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested is an alert, playful dog that thrives on human companionship. They are small and do well in families with gentle children. Cresteds shed little to no hair.

Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear is a small, hardy dog that is happy, eager to please, and loyal. The breed gets along well with other dogs and children. Their long coat requires daily grooming.

Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer is intelligent and can be territorial, naturally feeling protective of their family. The breed needs a lot of exercise and loves having a job to do. They require regular grooming.

Irish Water Spaniel

This strong, intelligent breed is the clown of the spaniel family. Irish Water Spaniels are active and energetic, needing daily exercise. Their water-repellant double coat requires brushing every few weeks.

Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier is energetic and fun-loving. The breed enjoys being part of an active family that can provide daily exercise. Their coats need regular brushing and trimming.

Lagotto Romagnolo

The Lagotto Romagnolois a happy dog with tons of energy, needing plenty of activity. They are affectionate and devoted to their owners. Their thick curly coat is similar to that of a Poodle. They require trimming and regular brushing to prevent mats.

Maltese

Though small, the Maltese is known for being brave, playful, and fearless. They have long, silky white hair that needs to be brushed daily to prevent mats.

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer has a natural protective nature that makes them a great watchdog. The breed is smart and cheerful. They adapt well to different living environments, and their double coat requires clipping.

Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)

The Peruvian Inca Orchid can be hairless or coated (the hairless variety does well with allergy sufferers). They also come in three different sizes (small, medium, and large). The breed is loyal and protective of its family. They also have a great deal of energy, needing regular activity. They have minimal grooming needs.

Poodle

The Poodle comes in three size varieties (Standard, Miniature, and Toy).The breed is exceptionally smart and active, needing daily exercise. Their trademark coat requires regular professional grooming.

Portuguese Water Dog

An athletic breed, the Portuguese Water Dogneeds vigorous daily exercise and would do best with a very active family. PWDs are intelligent, loyal workers. Their waterproof coat requires regular maintenance.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

This happy dog is active and needs plenty of exercise daily. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier adapts well to city, country, or suburban living, and does well with children. They have a silky, soft coat that needs regular grooming to prevent mats.

Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish Water Dog is a lively, hardworking dog with natural protective instincts. They are a high-energy breed that does best with an active family. They require little grooming for their curly, wooly coat. No brushing is needed, but at least once a year, they should be shaved down.

Standard Schnauzer

The Standard Schnauzer is a sociable, affectionate breed that has a fondness for kids. They are athletic dogs that need daily exercise. Their beard and leg hair should be brushed often to prevent mats.

Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli comes in three sizes (Toy, Miniature, and Standard). They also come in two varieties, hairless and coated. The hairless has smooth, tough, protective skin and the coated has a short, flat coat. Theyre calm, tranquil, and attentive, and can also be aloof. They have moderate exercise and grooming needs.

Choosing a Purebred Dog for People With Allergies

With all of these purebred dogs with predictable coat types, shedding, and dander levels to choose from, theres no reason for people with allergies to avoid getting a dog that works for their lifestyle (and their immune system). You can learn more about the activity levels, size, sociability, trainability, and types of sports these breeds may excel at by visiting our AKC.org breed pages, or using our Dog Breed Selector to see which of these less-allergenic dog breeds might be the perfect choice for you.

Are Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

Are Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic? No, Australian Shepherds are not considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. Australian Shepherds have a reputation as a hypoallergenic breed, but do they really deserve it? This article examines their qualities like coat type and shedding to see if they truly irritate fewer allergy sufferers. Australian Shepherds are a popular herding breed that has captured the hearts of many over the years. With their athleticism, intelligence, work ethic, and loyalty, its easy to see why this breed is so beloved. However, when considering adding an Australian Shepherd to your family, you may wonder are Australian Shepherds hypoallergenic?

The answer is not so simple. Australian Shepherds are not necessarily hypoallergenic dogs by nature. However, whether or not an individual Australian Shepherd will irritate a persons allergies depends on several factors. In this article, well take a deep dive into Australian Shepherd coats, dander, grooming needs, and overall allergen production to help you determine if this breed could be a good fit for your home and lifestyle.

Introduction

Australian Shepherds are a popular dog breed that is admired by many for their intelligence, loyalty, and high energy. With their stunning coats and tireless work ethic, its no wonder Australian Shepherds have grown in popularity over the years. However, some people wonder if the breed sheds a lot or could be a hypoallergenic option for allergy sufferers looking to add a dog to their family.

In order to be considered truly hypoallergenic, a dog must produce less dander and shed less fur. Dander contains proteins that cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to them. Shedding also spreads allergens like dander and pollen caught in the dogs coat throughout the home. So do Australian Shepherds fit the bill as a hypoallergenic breed?

Are Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

Australian Shepherds have a medium-long double coat, comprised of a soft undercoat covered by a longer outer coat. This double-coated structure means that Australian Shepherds do shed moderately, especially during seasonal shedding cycles in the spring and fall.

While some breeds are non-shedding, no dog is completely hypoallergenic. Australian Shepherds still produce dander year-round, even if hair shedding is minimized through regular brushing and bathing. People with allergies can react to the dander, saliva, and urine of Australian Shepherds even if their coats appear well-managed.

So no Australian Shepherds are not technically hypoallergenic dogs. Their coats and dander production mean they do not meet the criteria to be considered a hypoallergenic breed. People with allergies will still likely react to the dander and allergens produced by Australian Shepherds.

Do Australian Shepherds Shed a Lot?

While not hypoallergenic, Australian Shepherds are not considered extreme heavy shedders. Their shedding is classified as moderate. They will blow their coats seasonally during the spring and fall, meaning more hair shedding during those times of year as they replace their undercoats.

Their daily shedding throughout the rest of the year is manageable with routine brushing, especially of their undercoat. Many owners find that daily brushing when seasonal shedding occurs helps keep loose hair under control. Overall, the shedding is not as heavy as some breeds, but definitely more than a truly non-shedding hypoallergenic breed.

Tips for Managing Allergies with an Australian Shepherd

While Australian Shepherds produce allergens through dander, saliva, and urine, people with mild dog allergies may do fine living with an Australian Shepherd. But those with more severe allergies may struggle with symptoms over time. Here are some tips for managing allergies if you live with an Australian Shepherd:

• Bathe and brush your Australian Shepherd frequently using hypoallergenic shampoos and conditioners to control dander buildup and minimize loose hair. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after contact.
• Use HEPA air filters throughout your home to filter out allergens. Vacuum carpet and furniture regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Consult an allergist about allergy medication like antihistamines or allergy shots to manage symptoms.
• Use hypoallergenic cleaning products and disinfectants when cleaning surfaces. Steam clean carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture routinely.
• Feed your Australian Shepherd a high-quality diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and supplement with oils that promote healthy skin and coat. A healthy coat traps more dander.
• Limit where your Australian Shepherd can access in your home to keep allergens contained and avoid fabrics that hold allergens like curtains and upholstery. Cover furniture and mattresses where your dog sleeps.

With diligence, many allergy sufferers find they can successfully live with an Australian Shepherd. But severe allergy cases may find it too challenging. Meet any individual dog first before committing.

Are Australian Shepherds a Good Choice for People with Allergies?

For people with mild pet allergies, Australian Shepherds may be a good choice with proper management. Their coats do not require intensive, frequent grooming like Poodles and other non-shedding breeds. But their activity needs can help manage allergy symptoms.

Australian Shepherds are very high energy dogs that need vigorous daily exercise and mental stimulation. Adequately tiring out this breed is key to avoiding problem behaviors that arise from boredom like excessive barking, chewing, digging, anxiety, and neurotic behaviors. These behaviors can worsen allergy symptoms.

Providing an Australian Shepherd with adequate outlets for their energy like hiking, running, agility training, interactive play, and herding work prevents these issues. A tired Australian Shepherd is a well-behaved Australian Shepherd.

Time spent exercising outdoors is also time not shedding allergens inside. Frequent brushing after outdoor play removes pollen and other irritants too. Just be sure to wipe down your Australian Shepherd before bringing them inside. With effort, Australian Shepherds can make good companions for allergy sufferers able to provide sufficient activity.

Breeding and Allergies

Reputable Australian Shepherd breeders do not claim their dogs are hypoallergenic, as no bloodline is proven to produce non-shedding, non-allergenic dogs. However, some breeders are working on allergy-friendly breeding programs. They aim to produce dogs that may be less likely to trigger allergies through these efforts:

• Careful selection of breeding dogs with skin and coats scoring positively for health and lower dander.
• Testing parents for common allergen levels and only breeding those with lower results.
• Breeding dogs with coats thought to trap more dander like shorter, denser coats.
• Feeding diets and supplements that optimize skin and coat health.
• Using new genetic tools to identify and place less allergy-triggering puppies.

These methods may help, but there are no Australian Shepherd breeders producing truly hypoallergenic dogs. The best indicator of whether a particular Australian Shepherd could be suited to an allergy sufferer is if the allergy sufferer spends time with the parent dogs and litters. No guarantees can be made, regardless of the breeders practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Australian Shepherds are not a hypoallergenic breed. They shed seasonally and produce dander that can trigger allergies. However, with effort, many allergy sufferers find they can manage life with an Australian Shepherd through diligent cleaning, grooming, medication, and providing adequate exercise. For mild allergy cases able to make these commitments, Australian Shepherds can make fantastic companions. Those with severe allergies may struggle despite best efforts. Assess your own allergy symptoms and meet any dog before adoption to make the most informed decision.