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While there is still no such thing as an hypoallergenic dog, there are some dog breeds that may be less likely to trigger those severe bouts of sneezing and itchy eyes. Acknowledging such breed may really make a great difference in those individuals that would really love to own a dog but the only sight of one, make their nose itchy.

First of all, one must recognize what it is in a dog that causes annoying allergy attacks. If you thought it was the dog itself or its hair you are wrong. The real culprit lies in the dog's dander which consists of a dog's dry skin cells that will fall of the dog and become airborne having allergic people look for a Kleenex.

So the ultimate bad news is that basically all dogs have skin, and therefore, all dogs have dander but the good news is that some dog breeds will be less propense to produce a large amount of dander. Because a pet's dander is mostly attached to a pet's hair, a non shedding coat will be generally less likely to produce dander.

The American Kennel Club came up with a great list of dogs that seem to create less severe allergy responses in allergic dog owners. It consists of 11 dog breeds:

The (almost) hairless Chinese crested

The Xoloitzcuintli

The Bichon Frise'

The Bedlington Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier

The soft coated Wheaten Terrier

The Maltese

Poodles in general

Schnauzers in general

The Portuguese Water dog

The Irish Water Spaniel

Of course, potential owners must do good research in finding a breed that matches their lifestyle. Attention must be brought towards temperament, dog size, energy levels and general characteristics. Reliable breeders must be contacted as the average back yard breeder may not have paid much attention to blood lines and temperament.

Once a breed that fits the owner's lifestyle is found, there are several things that can be done as well to reduce the likeliness of reaching out for anti-histamines.

-Avoid sleeping with your dog in your bedroom. If you really must, crack a window open and try to keep the room dust free as much as possible.

-Try to avoid carpets. They trap dust and dander. Hard wood floors are a much better choice.

-Invest in Hepa filtered vacuums and Hepa air cleaners for crisper, allergen free air.

-Have your dog bathed regularly to ensure a lesser amount of dander.

-Regularly clean your dog's bedding and living areas. Preferably wear a mask as you do so.

As mentioned, choosing wisely and only from reputable breeders will turn the decision making process worthwhile. Practicing good hygiene and good housecleaning will take care of the rest.An allergy sufferer that loves dogs can ultimately still adopt that cute little bundle of joy without having to many "etchu's" getting in the way!

Learn more about this author, Janet Farricelli.
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