Dogs & Allegies + first dog advice
Discussion
Hi all
Really throwing it out there now
#LotsofDaftQuestions
It looks like I've been outvoted and we'll soon (after house move) be getting a dog. This is ostensibly for 13 year old daughter but I'm not against it really, I do like dogs.
However, there's a massive stumbling block - I'm really quite allergic to the bloody things! Daughter raves on about hypoallergenic breeds but I'm aware it's a bit mnore complex than a pillow! My sister has two Golden Retrievers and although I can cope if I take anti-histamine, it's still unpleasant for me. Granted, they shed a LOT of fur!
So interested to hear experiences of anyone else who's actually allergic (hayfever type symproms, wheezing, snot etc) but manages to include a dog in the family.
Planning to sign up for a dog borrowing website so we can take a few different breeds out for walks and see how I react, I know some breeds are fairly ok for me & others hit me in a matter of minutes but haven't really tied it down to which ones. Also the possibility that my allergy tolerance will build over time but can't bet on it.
Any tips for breeds in respect to allergies?
Any tips for breeds in general?
Don't like very small dogs. I WFH most of the time but there may be times when I'd have to leave dog alone. We probs won't have a garden space in the new place (yard) but will be close to rural/parks/beach. Don't want a very barky dog (though how much of that is down to training?). My wife used to have a scruffy mongrel when she was a late teen but by her own admission, did absolutely no training whatsoever so it was a bit of a nightmare! So a breed that responds well to training & has some intelligence but I do have to work so can't be playing with it every hour of the day to keep it entertained!
Wife now works part time (semi-retired) so exercise/walks shouldn't be an issue.
Any training tips? Resources? What should we definately DO and definately NOT DO? How to keep the 'doggy smell' to reasonable levels? Essential kit?
Need a Dummies Guide I think!
Really throwing it out there now
#LotsofDaftQuestionsIt looks like I've been outvoted and we'll soon (after house move) be getting a dog. This is ostensibly for 13 year old daughter but I'm not against it really, I do like dogs.
However, there's a massive stumbling block - I'm really quite allergic to the bloody things! Daughter raves on about hypoallergenic breeds but I'm aware it's a bit mnore complex than a pillow! My sister has two Golden Retrievers and although I can cope if I take anti-histamine, it's still unpleasant for me. Granted, they shed a LOT of fur!
So interested to hear experiences of anyone else who's actually allergic (hayfever type symproms, wheezing, snot etc) but manages to include a dog in the family.
Planning to sign up for a dog borrowing website so we can take a few different breeds out for walks and see how I react, I know some breeds are fairly ok for me & others hit me in a matter of minutes but haven't really tied it down to which ones. Also the possibility that my allergy tolerance will build over time but can't bet on it.
Any tips for breeds in respect to allergies?
Any tips for breeds in general?
Don't like very small dogs. I WFH most of the time but there may be times when I'd have to leave dog alone. We probs won't have a garden space in the new place (yard) but will be close to rural/parks/beach. Don't want a very barky dog (though how much of that is down to training?). My wife used to have a scruffy mongrel when she was a late teen but by her own admission, did absolutely no training whatsoever so it was a bit of a nightmare! So a breed that responds well to training & has some intelligence but I do have to work so can't be playing with it every hour of the day to keep it entertained!
Wife now works part time (semi-retired) so exercise/walks shouldn't be an issue.
Any training tips? Resources? What should we definately DO and definately NOT DO? How to keep the 'doggy smell' to reasonable levels? Essential kit?
Need a Dummies Guide I think!
Edited by Pot Bellied Fool on Wednesday 26th April 13:20
It's possible
I had quite severe allergies as a kid and still had reactions if contact with cats horses or dogs and items heavily contaminated by contact. As an adult I'd get typical hay fever symptoms on contact but no wheezing. We now have a cat and two dogs and I've coped quite well.
It's not always easy to say what the allergen is but don't assume it is fur. Could be skin flakes, saliva (cats), dust mite faeces.
What seems to work for us.
Quite large house (300 m2)
No carpets downstairs
Dogs not allowed upstairs
Dogs not allowed on furniture
Reasonably well ventilated.
If I had the outside space to have kennels, I would do. They are a brilliant way of managing dogs. You can still house train them and have them indoors. You just let them feed sleep and chill out in the kennel TBF they work better if you have a pack.
We don't have a regular grooming regime. They don't get a bath unless necessary (never so far for the 11 month old springer). They are pretty self maintaining coat wise. Good thing about no carpets is you can collect or hoover up dust bunnies.
First dog was a cocker spaniel and I did notice some reaction when handling him a lot as a puppy but this settled. Second dog; a springer spaniel - this dog is bigger and 'stickier' so I'm probably in closer contact with him. Noticed cough/wheeze which didn't settle and needed to go on inhaled steroid. This fixed the problem quickly and I'm tapering the medication without issue.
The doodle hybrids ie spaniel or labrador x poodle are reputed to be 'hypoallergenic' but I would take this with a pinch of salt.
I don't like small dogs. I don't see the point of toy dogs and ratters (terriers) are an acquired taste but I guess smaller dog = less allergenic material and larger dog = greater quantity allergenic material.
It might be worth doing some research on what breed behaviour characteristics you want and work backwards from that and borrow or have close contact with the target breed. Don't get hung up on looks.
Any dog which has a utility purpose ie. hunting, shepherding, guarding is likely to be more trainable and more rewarding than a pet/show type breed. The flip side is that they require more time and patience and can be demanding. The 'doodle' type dogs, are a cross between two breeds historically used for hunting so could have the intelligence and drive of their forbears.
The breed most and I would normally recommend ie. labrador retriever, is probably at the more allergenic and smelly end of the spectrum
Really short haired dogs like greyhounds and whippets and staffies might be quite good and I think the consensus would be that these are 'easier' breeds
One of the upsides of allergies it makes them harder to smell
I had quite severe allergies as a kid and still had reactions if contact with cats horses or dogs and items heavily contaminated by contact. As an adult I'd get typical hay fever symptoms on contact but no wheezing. We now have a cat and two dogs and I've coped quite well.
It's not always easy to say what the allergen is but don't assume it is fur. Could be skin flakes, saliva (cats), dust mite faeces.
What seems to work for us.
Quite large house (300 m2)
No carpets downstairs
Dogs not allowed upstairs
Dogs not allowed on furniture
Reasonably well ventilated.
If I had the outside space to have kennels, I would do. They are a brilliant way of managing dogs. You can still house train them and have them indoors. You just let them feed sleep and chill out in the kennel TBF they work better if you have a pack.
We don't have a regular grooming regime. They don't get a bath unless necessary (never so far for the 11 month old springer). They are pretty self maintaining coat wise. Good thing about no carpets is you can collect or hoover up dust bunnies.
First dog was a cocker spaniel and I did notice some reaction when handling him a lot as a puppy but this settled. Second dog; a springer spaniel - this dog is bigger and 'stickier' so I'm probably in closer contact with him. Noticed cough/wheeze which didn't settle and needed to go on inhaled steroid. This fixed the problem quickly and I'm tapering the medication without issue.
The doodle hybrids ie spaniel or labrador x poodle are reputed to be 'hypoallergenic' but I would take this with a pinch of salt.
I don't like small dogs. I don't see the point of toy dogs and ratters (terriers) are an acquired taste but I guess smaller dog = less allergenic material and larger dog = greater quantity allergenic material.
It might be worth doing some research on what breed behaviour characteristics you want and work backwards from that and borrow or have close contact with the target breed. Don't get hung up on looks.
Any dog which has a utility purpose ie. hunting, shepherding, guarding is likely to be more trainable and more rewarding than a pet/show type breed. The flip side is that they require more time and patience and can be demanding. The 'doodle' type dogs, are a cross between two breeds historically used for hunting so could have the intelligence and drive of their forbears.
The breed most and I would normally recommend ie. labrador retriever, is probably at the more allergenic and smelly end of the spectrum
Really short haired dogs like greyhounds and whippets and staffies might be quite good and I think the consensus would be that these are 'easier' breeds
One of the upsides of allergies it makes them harder to smell
Edited by oddman on Wednesday 26th April 16:03
Mrs F is allergic to dogs and horses. It's so bad that she stroked a horse some time ago, then as we sat down to dinner in the pub later, she touched her eye and had such a reaction we immediately went home for her to recover.
She told me that she had the same reaction with an Airedale terrier.
We have a cavapoo, but he's big bugger, bigger than any cockapoo we have seen and she is fine with him. Sometimes, after snuggling him she may feel a little something of a reaction, but definitely the hypoallergenic dogs are out there.
Here's a photo of him with my youngest.
She told me that she had the same reaction with an Airedale terrier.
We have a cavapoo, but he's big bugger, bigger than any cockapoo we have seen and she is fine with him. Sometimes, after snuggling him she may feel a little something of a reaction, but definitely the hypoallergenic dogs are out there.
Here's a photo of him with my youngest.
My (late) wife was violently allergic to the boxer our friends had - not just nose/eyes, but came up in wheals where he touched her - but was OK with our German shepherd. I do remember her suffering at my parents' house, they had a long haired GSD. My current partner was allergic to my GSD, had to up her steroids to control her asthma and only really realised how ill he had been making her after he died, but doesn't seem to react to her shihtzu.
So I don't really believe in the concept of some breeds being hypoallergenic. I do think some dogs shed more allergen than others, and think size is probably a factor in that, but people seem to react to some dogs and not others for reasons which aren't obvious.
So I don't really believe in the concept of some breeds being hypoallergenic. I do think some dogs shed more allergen than others, and think size is probably a factor in that, but people seem to react to some dogs and not others for reasons which aren't obvious.
I believe dogs that shed hair easily gives rise to 'dander' which is like a dandruff that is released when the hair comes away from the skin. Horses are particularly bad for it. You can keep brushing & brushing them but dander always comes up to the surface.
Poodles and crosses of poodle don't shed. Our Benjy has no dander on his fur at all.
I believe other breeds like Westies are hypoallergenic as well (another non-shedding breed).
Poodles and crosses of poodle don't shed. Our Benjy has no dander on his fur at all.
I believe other breeds like Westies are hypoallergenic as well (another non-shedding breed).
Pot Bellied Fool said:
Hi all
Really throwing it out there now #LotsofDaftQuestions
It looks like I've been outvoted and we'll soon (after house move) be getting a dog. This is ostensibly for 13 year old daughter but I'm not against it really, I do like dogs.
However, there's a massive stumbling block - I'm really quite allergic to the bloody things! Daughter raves on about hypoallergenic breeds but I'm aware it's a bit mnore complex than a pillow! My sister has two Golden Retrievers and although I can cope if I take anti-histamine, it's still unpleasant for me. Granted, they shed a LOT of fur!
So interested to hear experiences of anyone else who's actually allergic (hayfever type symproms, wheezing, snot etc) but manages to include a dog in the family.
Planning to sign up for a dog borrowing website so we can take a few different breeds out for walks and see how I react, I know some breeds are fairly ok for me & others hit me in a matter of minutes but haven't really tied it down to which ones. Also the possibility that my allergy tolerance will build over time but can't bet on it.
Any tips for breeds in respect to allergies?
Any tips for breeds in general?
Don't like very small dogs. I WFH most of the time but there may be times when I'd have to leave dog alone. We probs won't have a garden space in the new place (yard) but will be close to rural/parks/beach. Don't want a very barky dog (though how much of that is down to training?). My wife used to have a scruffy mongrel when she was a late teen but by her own admission, did absolutely no training whatsoever so it was a bit of a nightmare! So a breed that responds well to training & has some intelligence but I do have to work so can't be playing with it every hour of the day to keep it entertained!
Wife now works part time (semi-retired) so exercise/walks shouldn't be an issue.
Any training tips? Resources? What should we definately DO and definately NOT DO? How to keep the 'doggy smell' to reasonable levels? Essential kit?
Need a Dummies Guide I think!
The poodle-mix dogs are said to be hypoallengenic and dont really shed at all so perhaps that is a way to go. Should be plenty of research online about which dogs work for people with allegies. They are normally mid-size or though it depends on the breeding. We have a Cockapoo who is a big boy (19kg) but most tend to be slightly smaller. Really throwing it out there now
#LotsofDaftQuestionsIt looks like I've been outvoted and we'll soon (after house move) be getting a dog. This is ostensibly for 13 year old daughter but I'm not against it really, I do like dogs.
However, there's a massive stumbling block - I'm really quite allergic to the bloody things! Daughter raves on about hypoallergenic breeds but I'm aware it's a bit mnore complex than a pillow! My sister has two Golden Retrievers and although I can cope if I take anti-histamine, it's still unpleasant for me. Granted, they shed a LOT of fur!
So interested to hear experiences of anyone else who's actually allergic (hayfever type symproms, wheezing, snot etc) but manages to include a dog in the family.
Planning to sign up for a dog borrowing website so we can take a few different breeds out for walks and see how I react, I know some breeds are fairly ok for me & others hit me in a matter of minutes but haven't really tied it down to which ones. Also the possibility that my allergy tolerance will build over time but can't bet on it.
Any tips for breeds in respect to allergies?
Any tips for breeds in general?
Don't like very small dogs. I WFH most of the time but there may be times when I'd have to leave dog alone. We probs won't have a garden space in the new place (yard) but will be close to rural/parks/beach. Don't want a very barky dog (though how much of that is down to training?). My wife used to have a scruffy mongrel when she was a late teen but by her own admission, did absolutely no training whatsoever so it was a bit of a nightmare! So a breed that responds well to training & has some intelligence but I do have to work so can't be playing with it every hour of the day to keep it entertained!
Wife now works part time (semi-retired) so exercise/walks shouldn't be an issue.
Any training tips? Resources? What should we definately DO and definately NOT DO? How to keep the 'doggy smell' to reasonable levels? Essential kit?
Need a Dummies Guide I think!
Edited by Pot Bellied Fool on Wednesday 26th April 13:20
Training is a must, but will be plenty of places locally to help. I work from home pretty full-time, but I can leave the dogs upto 4 hours if needed. I walk mine 3 times a day but most people just go twice a day. We dont have a big garden, but loads of local fields / woods which they run around in.
Fastchas said:
I believe dogs that shed hair easily gives rise to 'dander' which is like a dandruff that is released when the hair comes away from the skin. Horses are particularly bad for it. You can keep brushing & brushing them but dander always comes up to the surface.
Poodles and crosses of poodle don't shed. Our Benjy has no dander on his fur at all.
I believe other breeds like Westies are hypoallergenic as well (another non-shedding breed).
Not always true unfortunately. I know a labradoodle which has abviously got the labrador coat genes as it sheds like mad. To be fair it's coat doesn't look like a poodle either so maybe easy to spot the ones you don't want???Poodles and crosses of poodle don't shed. Our Benjy has no dander on his fur at all.
I believe other breeds like Westies are hypoallergenic as well (another non-shedding breed).
brman said:
Fastchas said:
I believe dogs that shed hair easily gives rise to 'dander' which is like a dandruff that is released when the hair comes away from the skin. Horses are particularly bad for it. You can keep brushing & brushing them but dander always comes up to the surface.
Poodles and crosses of poodle don't shed. Our Benjy has no dander on his fur at all.
I believe other breeds like Westies are hypoallergenic as well (another non-shedding breed).
Not always true unfortunately. I know a labradoodle which has abviously got the labrador coat genes as it sheds like mad. To be fair it's coat doesn't look like a poodle either so maybe easy to spot the ones you don't want???Poodles and crosses of poodle don't shed. Our Benjy has no dander on his fur at all.
I believe other breeds like Westies are hypoallergenic as well (another non-shedding breed).
I am/was allergic to pretty much everything on a prick test.
We got 2 Wirehaired Vizsla's and coupled with a daily low-dose piriton they have caused me 0 issues. Maybe I 'grew' out of it when I got older but I swear that repeated exposure deffo helped.
Good luck in your search as even if I still suffered allergies I wouldn't be without the woofs now.
We got 2 Wirehaired Vizsla's and coupled with a daily low-dose piriton they have caused me 0 issues. Maybe I 'grew' out of it when I got older but I swear that repeated exposure deffo helped.
Good luck in your search as even if I still suffered allergies I wouldn't be without the woofs now.
Fastchas said:
Mrs F is allergic to dogs and horses. It's so bad that she stroked a horse some time ago, then as we sat down to dinner in the pub later, she touched her eye and had such a reaction we immediately went home for her to recover.
I did that exact same thing as a kid and my reaction was such that my eyes swelled shut and I had to go to hospital for an injection - not sure which Anti-histamine/adrenalin not sure which as I was out of it.My wife is allergic to pet hair, dust and paint fumes, among other things, so when we were looking for a dog we specifically got a Westie, as they don't shed. He is allowed on the furniture, the vet and pretty much everywhere and she has never had an issue. My mum's Jack Russell sits on her lap for 5 minutes and her eyes are streaming. The only negative, if you can call it that, is that Westies need a trip to the groomers every 6 weeks or so.
We got a standard poodle a few months ago. I’m very allergic to most dogs but don’t really have any issues with him. He’s allowed on the sofas etc. He sleeps downstairs and he is allowed in the bedroom during the day but not on the bed.
I didn’t want to risk a doodle mix incase it took the “wrong” parents coat and I ended up a mess.
I didn’t want to risk a doodle mix incase it took the “wrong” parents coat and I ended up a mess.
We have a, now eight year old, Cockapoo, it is our first ever dog, bought when our eczema prone son was 9. One of the best decisions we have ever made. It has been a fantastic dog, great temperament, great fun, fetches balls, sits on your knee, 10kg, doesn’t drop hair, never had any issues with my lads eczema YMMV. Highly recommended.
renmure said:
I’ve always been allergic to dogs, cats and particularly horses yet for the past 30 years have had various combinations of Great Danes and German Shepherds. I’ve just adapted how we interact to avoid as many enclosed hair-shedding in your face activities as possible.
Yup, horses have always been a particularly bad thing for me - even sitting in a friends car (who works with horses) was enbough to have me gasping.Good to hear so many people have managed it.
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