What is the best type of dog for people with allergies?

Question

My husband and 3 year old have pretty sever allergies, but my son LOVES dogs. We want to get him one, but want one that will cause him the least amount of discomfort. We DO NOT want a Chihuahua. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Shih-tzu's are hypoallergenic. And they are soo adorable and lovable and friendly and did I mention adorable. They will give you soo much love! Also they don't shed.

Answer 2

If your husband and son have severe allergies, I would not recommend just getting a dog. It would not be fair to your son, who wants one so badly, or to the dog, which may not be able to stay in your home. You may want to consider a couple other options: 1) you could volunteer as a foster home for a dog rescue organization. Then, you will get an idea what it is really like to live with a dog and whether your husband and son will be able to cope healthwise. Your son will have the experience of living with a dog for some amount of time. However, it will start out with the understanding that it is a temporary arrangement, and you will be able to bow out more easily if the allergies are too bad.
2) you could offer your son an alternate pet. Probably something that lives in an aquarium is best, whether it is a frog, snake, fish, or lizard. Avoid rabbits, ferrets, and other furry animals, since there are likely to be allergy issues with them, too.

Answer 3

If you have people w/ allergies to dogs .. forget the dog.. There is no dog that doesn't at least cause some discomfort to people with severe allergies. You don't want to buy a dog and then have to rehome the dog cause you find that it's bothering the allergy sufferer too much to keep the dog in the home.

Answer 4

I have very bad asthma and allergies, but I have had dogs that I tolerated very well. I have owned a Lhasapoo (Lhasa apso-poodle mix) and a miniature schnauzer and did well with both. But, please, if you want to get a dog, first spend a lot of time around the breed of dog you are thinking about, play with them and even put your hands up to your face to see if it irritates your allergies. Not at a pet store because the puppies are generally filthy and around other breeds (so may have their dander on them), but at a breeder or someone who owns that breed of dog. The worst thing you could do is bring the pet into your home, bond with each other, and then part with it because it makes your family sick. Sad for you, sadder for the dog. And when you find a dog that you can tolerate, make sure he is bathed and kept clean, especially in the spring when pollen gets on the dog's coat. I never let them spray my Lhasapoo with the cologne at the groomer since it irritated my breathing, and I kept his coat relatively short. He was a joy for many years of my life.

Answer 5

There is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog.

What coat-type makes the difference?
There are two coat types that produce a lesser amount of allergens: single-coated dogs, who do not have a thick undercoat, and hairless dogs. However even hairless dogs can produce enough dander to to affect a highly allergic person.

Hair-less Dog Breeds

* Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican Hairless)
* American Hairless Terrier
* Chinese Crested (Hairless)
* Peruvian Inca Orchid

Some of Single-Coated Dog Breeds

* Chinese Crested (Powder Puff)
* Poodles (all sizes)
* Schnauzers (all sizes)
* Portuguese Water Dog
* Bichon Frise
* Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
* Coton de Tulear
* Kerry Blue Terrier
* West Highland White Terrier
* Bedlington Terrier

For the record Chihuahuas do shed so are not recommended for those with allergies.


Good luck with your dog search, and I would recommend that you expose your husband and child to the breed you are considering BEFORE you purchase one to be sure they can handle it.

Answer 6

Here is a list of Hypoallergenic Dogs. If I have missed any I do apologize.


American Hairless Terrier
Basenji
Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Chinese Crested (hairless)
Havanese
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Miniature Schnauzer
Portuguese Water Dog
Shih-Tzu
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Spanish Water Dog
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Tibetan Terrier
Toy Poodle
West Highland White Terrier
Wirehaired Fox Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier

i have a yorkie terrier myself and he is so sweet and loving and he doesnt shed 24/

to be completely honest i havent seen my dog shed at all!

please note that not all dogs in the 'hypoallergenic' breeds are considered 100% allergy free


EDIT:
yorkie's hair/coat grows like our hair - continuously therefore less dander caused by undercoats

--> i guess thumbsdown fairies are coming around -- i dont know why i got a thumbs down --

Answer 7

Stuffed dogs

If your husbands allergies are sever you do not need a dog.
And at three your son does not need a dog either. He is to young for a dog as a pet.
Most likely what will happen is that after you get the dog you will find out that you do not have the time required to train and deal with the dog your husband is not going to want to work with the dog as it will make him feel miserable.
Your son may also have allergies as well.
Chis are NOT dog that do well with children, they are an adults dog not a goodpet with small kids.

Answer 8

I have maltese and they are none shedding. I also have asthma. I asked my veterinarian this question. His response was that the saliva is the major thing that people react to. They can also react to the hair or dander but that is not the only concern. I would borrow a pet from a friend for a few days, if possible, just to see is he is able to tolerate the allergens. You might, or might not get lucky it may be that he is unable to be around dogs. That would be better to try first so that the puppy or the family does not end up with a dog that would have to be relocated.

Answer 9

there are a number of categories of dogs allergies. in the experience that your spouse is allergic to the hair, you will desire to have the means to discover a breed which will artwork (poodle, and so on. others have provided countless techniques). regardless of if, if it extremely is the saliva, i'm afraid even "low hypersensitivity" dogs will nonetheless reason a reaction. I recommend contacting countless breeders of whichever breed seems promising. discover one devoid of different forms of dogs (or cat, if he's likewise allergic to cats). Ask to pass pass to their dogs. stay for no less than an hour (the longer the extra beneficial). make constructive he's taking any drugs alongside only in case of a intense reaction. throughout the pass to, he desires to the touch the dogs, have the dogs lick his dermis, and so on. it is terrific in case you will desire to try this with some distinctive breeders so he's uncovered to countless distinctive dogs. on condition that there is no reaction in any respect, would it extremely is secure to get a dogs. observe: many domestic dogs have distinctive coats to adults- only on account which you could tolerate the doggy does no longer mean it extremely is going to likely be ok as an person. a procedures too many dogs finally end up in shelters because of the fact their proprietors grew to become out to be allergic. ward off "fashion designer dogs" i.e. fancy go breeds like labradoodles. there is honestly no thank you to foretell the hypersensitivity point on lots of those dogs. Having no reaction to the two of the mum and dad isn't any assure that he would be high quality with the doggy.

Answer 10

Please do not believe this nonsense about hyper allergenic dogs, curly haired dogs, etc.

All dogs have skin, and it is the skin that has the dander which causes allergies - not the fur.

If you truly have allergies, don't get a dog - or cat.
It would be cruel as you would end up getting rid of the dog sooner or later.

The mythical non-allergenic dogs are dreamed up by back yard breeders and just plain greedy ones who want to make a buck and don't care what happens to you or the dog once they have your money. They prey on clueless, gullible people who desperately want a dog, but it usually doesn't work out, no matter what the breed, or combination "designer" dog.

All dogs can cause allergies, as can cats, ferrets, etc. It all depends on what you are allergic to, not the breed of dog.

Answer 11

Poodles are very smart, sweet dogs that do not shed. I had one for nearly 16 years and he was truly awesome. Now I have Maltese (3) and they are great too. Maltese don't shed either but you either have to keep their coats trimmed short or brush them at least 2-3 times a week. With the Maltese you have to be careful with very small children because they can hurt a tiny Maltese playing too rough or dropping them. A miniature poodle gets about 15 pounds and would be a little more "durable" for small kids.