Dog advice for allergy sufferer
Discussion
I'm looking for some advice to help change my stance on introducing a dog into our family.
We are a family of three, one of whom is a 5yr old who would dearly love a pet. My wife has had dogs and cats previously but then she met me and there were no more! The reason is that i'm allergic to most animals i come into contact with - dogs, cats and horses come to mind. I start sneezing, scratchingmy skin and rubbing my eyes. I also have eczema if that matters.
The allergy is the main reason why I'm not in favour of having a pet. The other issue, is that i work 5 days a week and my wife 3 days. I dont believe its fair to the dog to leave it alone for 8 hours a day. However, there are ways around this if it is deemed to be an issue.
We have a largish house, back garden and playing fields within 5 mins walk. We are in an isolated area with a wide array of wildlife in the vicinity, which might get interesting should we get a dog. The garden backs onto a lake but there is a 4ft high fence between us and the lake.
We like to get out and about, either walking or cycling. It would be great to get a dog that could run with us when we ride (canal paths and bridleways). However, the dog wont want for exercise, changes in scenary and places to explore. I would also want to obedience train the dog properly through classes.
We've been looking at dogs that are classed as hypoallergenic and helped by pictures in the 'show us your dog' thread we are considering Miniature Schnauzer, Labradoodle and Cockapoo's. I 'd really like to consider a Polish Lowland Sheepdog but ultimately i dont think we would be a good match for the dog especially with leaving it home alone.
I realise the allergy concern will only be answered by visiting dogs that we are considering and i may have to put up with some discomfort, however, is my other concern about leaving the dog home-alone valid or will the dog get used to it?
Which dogs do you think might be best suited to us/me from the hypoallergenic list or does my shortlist contain the relevant ones?
We are a family of three, one of whom is a 5yr old who would dearly love a pet. My wife has had dogs and cats previously but then she met me and there were no more! The reason is that i'm allergic to most animals i come into contact with - dogs, cats and horses come to mind. I start sneezing, scratchingmy skin and rubbing my eyes. I also have eczema if that matters.
The allergy is the main reason why I'm not in favour of having a pet. The other issue, is that i work 5 days a week and my wife 3 days. I dont believe its fair to the dog to leave it alone for 8 hours a day. However, there are ways around this if it is deemed to be an issue.
We have a largish house, back garden and playing fields within 5 mins walk. We are in an isolated area with a wide array of wildlife in the vicinity, which might get interesting should we get a dog. The garden backs onto a lake but there is a 4ft high fence between us and the lake.
We like to get out and about, either walking or cycling. It would be great to get a dog that could run with us when we ride (canal paths and bridleways). However, the dog wont want for exercise, changes in scenary and places to explore. I would also want to obedience train the dog properly through classes.
We've been looking at dogs that are classed as hypoallergenic and helped by pictures in the 'show us your dog' thread we are considering Miniature Schnauzer, Labradoodle and Cockapoo's. I 'd really like to consider a Polish Lowland Sheepdog but ultimately i dont think we would be a good match for the dog especially with leaving it home alone.
I realise the allergy concern will only be answered by visiting dogs that we are considering and i may have to put up with some discomfort, however, is my other concern about leaving the dog home-alone valid or will the dog get used to it?
Which dogs do you think might be best suited to us/me from the hypoallergenic list or does my shortlist contain the relevant ones?
I was in a similar situation to you three years ago. A friend had a schnoodle - schnauzer/ poodle cross. We borrowed her for an afternoon and I got on with her fine. I have to say bring molly into our lives is probably the best thing that ever happened to our family. Do as you suggest - try and find dogs you can have a good sniff off and see how you go. If you are in Kent or nearby you are welcome to have a good sniff of Molly!
I know others may disagree but yes, I certainly feel that leaving a dog alone for 8 hours is unfair.
You may find that some breeders will sell you a dog 'no questions asked' but I would expect a 'decent' breeder to ensure that any puppy they sell is not left alone all day, and likewise reputable rescue organisations. All the rescues I have adopted from have expected arrangements to be in place so that the dog is left no longer than 4 hours. I have always worked full time, but had a dog walker and help from family to meet these requirements. In addition, I've had more than one dog so that they are company for each other, and my dogs have generally been adults rather than puppies.
As I say, others may maintain that they've always left their dogs and they've been fine but personally I wouldn't feel happy doing it.
The other thing to bear in mind is that (despite claims by breeders) 'poo' designer crossbreeds cannot be guaranteed to have hypoallergenic coats. Some have curly coats like poodles, some take after the other breed in their cross.
You may find that some breeders will sell you a dog 'no questions asked' but I would expect a 'decent' breeder to ensure that any puppy they sell is not left alone all day, and likewise reputable rescue organisations. All the rescues I have adopted from have expected arrangements to be in place so that the dog is left no longer than 4 hours. I have always worked full time, but had a dog walker and help from family to meet these requirements. In addition, I've had more than one dog so that they are company for each other, and my dogs have generally been adults rather than puppies.
As I say, others may maintain that they've always left their dogs and they've been fine but personally I wouldn't feel happy doing it.
The other thing to bear in mind is that (despite claims by breeders) 'poo' designer crossbreeds cannot be guaranteed to have hypoallergenic coats. Some have curly coats like poodles, some take after the other breed in their cross.
Edited by moorx on Tuesday 27th September 18:40
I have met a few cockerpoos and none of turned out to be amazing pets. They have all been for want of a better description, grumpy sods! I might be doing them a disservice but I wouldn't even have one.
There are plenty of options now if you do need to leave a dog at home all day. We use a combination of an excellent local dog walker who comes in late morning and mid afternoon for 45 minutes each time and walks them around our field. We also use a dog day care place a couple of times a week who are fantastic with both our hounds.
There are plenty of options now if you do need to leave a dog at home all day. We use a combination of an excellent local dog walker who comes in late morning and mid afternoon for 45 minutes each time and walks them around our field. We also use a dog day care place a couple of times a week who are fantastic with both our hounds.
Grumpy cockapoos, that made me laugh. I've met dozens of them on club walks and honestly haven't seen an ounce of aggression in any of them. OP, like you say, I'd go try find a few if you can to make your own mind up. Shouldn't be too difficult, really popular dogs nowadays. If you're anywhere near Charnwood give me a shout (I've got two). I'd also recommend the facebook group which has 25k members and tons of good advice.
I'm allergic to cats and lots of dogs and can tell within a couple of minutes if I'm going to have a problem. Getting my first cockapoo was a bit of a risk but thankfully no problems and also not with my 2nd one. I think generally they are a good bet if you are at risk but there's definitely no guarantee with any dog.
I think 8 hours is too long for the dog to be on it's own and you could be risking behaviour problems. I leave mine for a similar amount of time and had a dog walker visit twice a day then when I got my 2nd dog I dropped this down to one visit but it's a 90 minute walk so they get a lot of exercise and sleep for ages afterwards.
I'm allergic to cats and lots of dogs and can tell within a couple of minutes if I'm going to have a problem. Getting my first cockapoo was a bit of a risk but thankfully no problems and also not with my 2nd one. I think generally they are a good bet if you are at risk but there's definitely no guarantee with any dog.
I think 8 hours is too long for the dog to be on it's own and you could be risking behaviour problems. I leave mine for a similar amount of time and had a dog walker visit twice a day then when I got my 2nd dog I dropped this down to one visit but it's a 90 minute walk so they get a lot of exercise and sleep for ages afterwards.
After an evening of reading about various 'hypoallergenic' dogs we have ammended our list to - Miniature schnauzer, Polish Sheepdog and various terriers - Airdale, Border, Tibetan, Welsh, Irish and Lakeland.
I'm contacting a number of breeders to discuss suitability of the dog for me, though im sure it should really be the suitability of me to the dog!
With regard to the dog being home alone, we are looking at a dog walker as an option. There is also the possibility of the dog coming to work with me.
Thanks to williaa68 and Mids for thier kind offer. Alas, im in the NW of England
I'm contacting a number of breeders to discuss suitability of the dog for me, though im sure it should really be the suitability of me to the dog!
With regard to the dog being home alone, we are looking at a dog walker as an option. There is also the possibility of the dog coming to work with me.
Thanks to williaa68 and Mids for thier kind offer. Alas, im in the NW of England
Thread update...
We went to a pet show on Saturday with the hope of meeting some breeds that were suitable for me to be around. We chatted with a number of owners about their dogs and then spent Saturday evening contacting breeders.
On Sunday we made arrangements to go and see an Airedale Terrier family. There were only two puppies available from the litter and one was being retained a little longer by the breeder as it was smaller than its siblings.
We saw the litter, mum and mums sister. We got to handle the puppy throuhout our visit (2hrs) and play with mum. I only had a slight reaction and this could have been down to the labs that the breeder keeps. My daughter was fine with the puppy, mum and all the other dogs she met that day.
The breeder was excellent and obviously has a passion for her dogs and making sure they go to good homes.
A deposit was placed and we will be bringing Alfie home on 5 November.
We went to a pet show on Saturday with the hope of meeting some breeds that were suitable for me to be around. We chatted with a number of owners about their dogs and then spent Saturday evening contacting breeders.
On Sunday we made arrangements to go and see an Airedale Terrier family. There were only two puppies available from the litter and one was being retained a little longer by the breeder as it was smaller than its siblings.
We saw the litter, mum and mums sister. We got to handle the puppy throuhout our visit (2hrs) and play with mum. I only had a slight reaction and this could have been down to the labs that the breeder keeps. My daughter was fine with the puppy, mum and all the other dogs she met that day.
The breeder was excellent and obviously has a passion for her dogs and making sure they go to good homes.
A deposit was placed and we will be bringing Alfie home on 5 November.
might sound odd but has one of them licked you yet?
its often the saliva that people are allergic to - if one of my dogs licks my hands or arms, i end up a bit red and itchy - have to remember to wash my hands if ive been wrestling with him. im also allergic to fluffy animals - long haired cats, rabbits, guinea pigs etc. no problems with short haired dogs other than Duncan's saliva.
its often the saliva that people are allergic to - if one of my dogs licks my hands or arms, i end up a bit red and itchy - have to remember to wash my hands if ive been wrestling with him. im also allergic to fluffy animals - long haired cats, rabbits, guinea pigs etc. no problems with short haired dogs other than Duncan's saliva.
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