by Julie Blanton

Created on: December 22, 2008

The Hypo-Allergenic Dog Myth!

If you are looking to buy or adopt a dog but have a dog allergy, please be aware despite popular uneducated belief, there is no such thing as a hypoallergnic dog.

The dog allergy is triggered by dander. Dander is made up of dead skin, saliva, and urine. Guess what - all dogs have all 3 of those things. Hence, no hypo-allergenic dog.

Fortunately, some dogs have dander that isn't strewn around as easily as others. For example, a poodle doesn't shed it's hair like the majority of dogs. Poodles have fur like human hair - it grows. Yes, it falls out, as does mine, but the poodle doesn't shed it's coat yearly or biyearly (or constantly like one of my pups!). Plus, poodles are often groomed. All of this grooming plus not shedding gives their dander little opportunity to get all over your house and trigger your allergy. If this dog wasn't groomed properly or if you had very severe allergies, you would definitely have an allergic reaction to this supposedly "hypoallergenic" dog.

Even hairless dogs have hair, skin, saliva, and urine. These dogs can trigger even more allergies because the hair is too fine to trap any of the dander.

I have a very mild allergy to dogs and I also have 6 dogs. Some of them do aggravate my allergies more than the others - especially as puppies. I was moderately allergic to one of my dogs when he was a puppy - I would even break out into hives where my more sensitive skin (inner arm, neck, face, etc) touched his fur. Now that he's an adult dog, he doesn't trigger my allergies at all.

My point, basically, is that if you are severly allergic to dogs, you may need to consider another pet. You won't be happy when you are constantly having a severe allergy attack and you'll be even more upset when you have to find your beloved pet a new home. Please don't adopt or buy a dog unless you know it won't trigger your allergies (some people may be able to find a breed or particular dog that doesn't trigger so many allergies) or unless you know you can live the next 10-20 years suffering with your allergic reaction to the dog, even if it worsens.

There are millions of dogs that need great homes, yes. But, adopting a dog and later needing to find it another home because it's triggering your allergies is contributing to the problem of homeless pets. Please do your research before adopting or buying any dog. If you have allergies, you may need to find another pet that will better suit your needs. Getting a dog just because you want one is not only selfish but it's also very unfair to the dog.

Learn more about this author, Julie Blanton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.