Hypoallergenic breed

Overview of Hypoallergenic breeds

A Hypoallergenic dog breed is a dog breed (or crossbreed) that is alleged to be safer for allergic persons than other breeds, although a New York Times article finds that allergists believe that "all the safe-breed theories are just wishful thinking". Allergists do recognize that at times a particular allergy patient will be able to tolerate a particular dog, but they agree that "the luck of the few with their pets cannot be stretched to fit all allergic people and entire breeds of dogs."

Hypothesis

The significant allergen for most people is a protein found in the dog's saliva and dander, produced by the sebaceous glands. "Even if you get a hairless dog, it's still going to produce the allergen," Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul, chair of the Indoor Allergen Committee for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology is quoted in the newsmagazine U.S. News & World Report as saying.How hypoallergenic a particular dog is for a particular person may vary with the individual dog and the individual person.

Although there is no scientific evidence to support the belief that some dog breeds are hypoallergenic, many people, especially dog breeders, spread rumor as fact for self-benefit. Breeds that shed less are believed to be hypoallergenic, since it is believed that the dog's dander and saliva stick to the hair and are not released into the environment; though this has never been proven.

If a person is only mildly allergic, they may be able to tolerate a specific dog, possibly of one of the allegedly hypoallergenic breeds. Dr. Thomas A. Platts-Mills, head of the Asthma and Allergic Disease Center at the University of Virginia, explained that there are cases in which a specific dog (not breed) might be better tolerated by a specific person, for unknown reasons. "We think there really are differences in protein production between dogs that may help one patient and not another," Dr. Platts-Mills said.

All dogs shed, and all dogs produce dander and saliva in some degree. Even if a dog sheds very little or has little dander, inhaling dog hair or dander, or being licked by a dog, can trigger a reaction in a sensitive person.

Effect of size

Size may be a factor in determining hypoallergenicity. It is possible that the total body surface area of the dog is more indicative of "hypoallergenicity" than its breed..

Smaller dogs will also leave fewer environmental pollutants containing dog dander and dog allergens (reduced fecal matter, urine and saliva). Small hairless dogs may be less likely to cause allergic reactions "because it's so easy to bathe them and the dander falls off them." Dogs may leave behind urine, saliva and fecal matter as allergen sources. Dogs with access to the outdoors may introduce outdoor allergens such as mold and pollen with larger animals tracking in more of these allergens. It is well established that most individuals with dog allergy also suffer with additional environmental allergies. Individuals with dog allergy may also be at increased risk for human protein hypersensitivity with cross-reactivity of dog dander allergen and human seminal fluid.

Effect of barking

Excessive barking may also contribute to higher levels of allergen dispersal, as saliva and dander are projected from the animal during barking. Thus, many small breeds that are known for excessive barking may not be ideal, despite their smaller total body surface area. Those with dog allergy sensitivities seeking to adopt may wish to identify a small dog with a calm temperament.

Expert recommendations

The current predominating opinion of allergists is that a dog not be introduced to the environment of a dog allergic individual. Most believe that less restrictive recommendations are suboptimal. The overriding concern is that continued exposure can lead to worsened asthma and allergies. While "allergy shots" can reduce many individuals dog allergic reactions, the preferred approach remains avoidance.

Frequent cleaning and vacuuming of the home, using air filters, restricting the dog to certain rooms, and adopting a small dog that can easily be given frequent baths are all recommended to control allergens.

There have been recent studies suggesting early introduction of pets to home may reduce the likelihood of developing sensitization. However, these studies do not suggest that pet ownership eliminates current sensitization. There are reports of individuals who will become less sensitive with continued exposure to a pet in the environment. But allergists warn that pet owners cannot rely on an entire breed being hypoallergenic just because a particular allergic pet owner can tolerate a specific dog of that breed.

Examples

Since hypoallergenesis in dogs has not been confirmed by scientific research, the list below cites unproven, anecdotal reasons for limited allergens. Following these recommendations may endanger an allergic person's health. Allergists do recognize that at times a particular allergy patient will be able to tolerate a particular dog, but they agree that "the luck of the few with their pets cannot be stretched to fit all allergic people and entire breeds of dogs."

Unproven speculation regarding hypoallergenic dog breeds

! Breed name !! Details |- |Affenpinscher || Doesn't shed |- |Bedlington Terrier || Doesn't shed |- |Bichon Frisé || Recommended by AKC for allergy sufferers. Does not shed. Hair will come out when brushed or combed. |- |Bolognese || Doesn't shed |- |Boston Terrier || Short hair with moderate shed but dander is a minimum with this breed |- |Chinese Crested ||Has very little fur, doesn't shed much but still produces saliva and dander |- |Coton de Tulear || Doesn't shed |- |Dandie Dinmont Terrier || Doesn't shed |- |Greyhound || Short hair, single coat |- |Goldendoodle || Crossbred with poodle, if coat is inherited from the poodle parent it will not shed, if coat is from the Golden Retriever parent, it will shed |- |Havanese || Doesn't shed |- |Irish Water Spaniel || Doesn't shed |- |Italian Greyhound || Short hair, single coat |- |Kerry Blue Terrier || Single-coated, short hair, sheds less |- |Maltese || Doesn't shed |- |Peruvian Inca Orchid ||No hair |- |Pomeranian || Minimal dander due to small size |- |Poodles of all sizes || Recommended by AKC allergy sufferers. Doesn't shed. Low dander. |- | Poodle hybrid || Crossbred -if coat is inherited from the poodle parent it will not shed, if coat is from the other parent, it may shed |- |Portuguese Water Dog || Doesn't shed |- |Puli || Doesn't shed |- |Samoyed || No danderwww.samoyedrescue.com/samoyedfaqs.htm |- |Schnauzers of all sizes || Short hair, sheds less. However, among the worst breeds for excessive barking, which thus produces saliva and dander. |- |Shih Tzu || A Shih Tzu has two coats of fur, with the bottom coat shedding into the top coat rather than off of the dog entirely; as a result, this breed sheds very little in the conventional sense. With regular brushing and bathing, shedding can be reduced to almost nothing. As they shed so lightly, Shih-Tzu are considered to be one of the breeds more suitable for people with allergies. |- |Silky Terrier || Recommended by AKC allergy sufferers. Does not shed. Hair will come out when brushed or combed. However, among the worst breeds for excessive barking, which thus produces saliva and dander. |- |Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier || Doesn't shed |- |Welsh Terrier || Doesn't shed |- |Xoloitzcuintli ||No hair but still produces saliva and dander |- |Yorkshire Terrier ||Recommended by AKC allergy sufferers, along with some other breeds. Dosen't shed. Low dander. |}

See also

• Coat (dog)
• Designer dog
• Hypoallergenic cats
• List of dog breeds

References

External links

• Mayo Clinic, Pet allergy
• Hair vs Fur, Dogplay.com
• Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds (another list, no scientific or medical citations)
• A Look at Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds (another list, no scientific or medical citations)
• The Worst Breeds for Excessive Barking
• Hypoallergenic Dog Breed General Information

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