Useful Information Regarding Hypoallergenic Dogs

By Ronald Bailey


It is true that interaction with animals of any kind, including pets and domestic animals carries some risk of contracting diseases. An example of these diseases is allergy. Many pets, especially cats and dogs cause a lot of allergic reaction in some people because of their coats. Hair and fur fall off the animals through shedding and can cause allergy in some people. This is what Hypoallergenic dogs entail.

However, the level of shedding usually varies from one breed of animals to another. Dogs that do not shed their coat or only shed minimally are referred to as being hypoallergenic. Whereas it is not possible to find a breed that is completely allergenic, some breeds shed more of their coats than others. The ones that shed less are hugely marketed as being hypoallergenic.

Very few breeds of canines are available to be chosen from by people who are allergic to dog hair. This makes such people to go for breeds that they do not like because they do not have much option. This can be very inconveniencing, especially in cases where one has to buy a terrier when in the real sense they prefer German Shepherds and similar work dogs.

One can still choose to by a shedding breed, but they will have to observe certain practices. The practices are meant to minimize the effects caused by shedding canines. There are several steps that one can follow to reduce the effects. The first precaution is to keep the dog away from the bedroom and other rooms that are used most. In fact, the pet should be kept outside the house if the weather allows it.

The dander and hair that canines shed accumulate over time and as such, bathing the pet more regularly can reduce allergy. Weekly bathes are preferable. However, it is important to understand that frequent bathing depletes essential oils on the body of the pet, which may be problematic. Another option is to install carpet-free flooring and if using a carpet is mandatory, then it should be shampooed frequently.

If the above-mentioned options do not work or are not good enough, one can choose from the many dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic. These breeds include Havanese, Bichon Frise, West Highland White Terrier, Poodle (Toy, Miniature, and Standard), Portuguese Water Dog, and Brussels Griffon. Other non-shedding breeds include Shih Tzu, Chinese Creasted, Maltese Terrier Scottish Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Labradoodle, and Schnauzer (Miniature and Standard).

Some breeders take advantage of the fact that the dog breeds named above are non-shedding to exaggerate their prices. That is why one will find most of the canines named above selling at a comparatively higher market price. Thankfully, the supply of these canines is high and that helps to keep the price at a reasonable level.

Even if one buys one of these canines, it is still advisable to observe measures that minimize dander and hair in the house. The quality of being hypoallergenic makes these breeds very popular today. There are dogs whose popularity is mostly fuelled by the fact that they are non-shedding.




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