About Allergies: Hypoallergenic Dogs: Do They Exist?

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Over the past few years, the concept of the hypoallergenic dog has been popular in the United States, as allergies to pet dander become more common. Ask almost anyone, and they'll tell you what they think a hypoallergenic dog is -- just about anything that you mix with a Poodle, or a breed that doesn't shed must be hypoallergenic. President Obama further advanced the popularity of the hypoallergenic dog, apparently because someone in his family suffers from allergies to pet dander.   Myth of the Hypoallergenic Dogs Allergic diseases are extremely common in developed countries, with allergic rhinitis affecting nearly 30% of the population and asthma affecting nearly 10%. Pet allergy, especially to household dogs and cats, has also become increasingly common over the past few decades in the United States. In fact, 17% of U.S. cat owners and 5% of dog owners are allergic to their pets. Since many people view their pets as "part of the family," they are reluctant to get rid of them, even if it means worse allergy symptoms. Search Related Topics:  dog allergy  cat allergy  hypoallergenic dogs What is a Hypoallergenic Dog? For some people, allergens present in dog saliva and skin cells (dander) can cause allergies. While there is no totally non-allergenic dog, the good news is that some breeds do seem to cause fewer allergies. Typically, it's because these breeds don't shed as much fur, or they have a coat that requires frequent bathing. Smaller dogs also produce less saliva than bigger dogs. Search Related Topics:  allergy testing  allergy shots  allergic rhinitis treatment Make Your Dog Less Allergenic Many allergenic dog owners who are allergic to their pets are reluctant to part ways with their furry best friends, despite the wide array of allergy symptoms that may go along with owning a pet dog. When I inform a patient that they are allergic to their dog, I am asked many questions regarding ways to reduce dog allergen exposure while still maintaining ownership of the dog. In particular, I am asked questions about specific breeds of dogs that might be better to own, if getting rid of indoor carpeting would help, if keeping the dog outdoors is better, or even if having the dog spayed or neutered would reduce the amount of allergy symptoms. Search Related Topics:  dog allergy  cat allergy  horse allergy Related Searches Get Rid of Allergies Dust Allergies Allergy or Allergies Allergies Treatment Allergies In Featured Articles Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies Glossary of Terms Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement