Hypoallergenic Dogs Do Not Exist, but These Breeds Are the Most Allergenic
For the roughly 15-30 percent of Americans with allergies to cats or dogs, having a furry friend can be challenging. And while you’re twice as likely to be allergic to cats as you are to dogs, in general, allergic reactions to dogs tend to be more severe.
If you’re an allergic person who at some point considered getting a dog and made the mistake of mentioning it to people, you’ve probably been told (repeatedly) about hypoallergenic dogs. Or maybe you heard about them back in 2008 when the Obama family decided to get a Portuguese Water Dog as a White House pet due to Malia’s allergies.
In any case, you should know that hypoallergenic dogs do not exist. However, some breeds are less likely to cause allergies in humans than others. Here’s what you need to know.
What makes a dog “hypoallergenic”?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), labeling certain dog breeds as “hypoallergenic” is a relatively recent phenomenon, and as their popularity has grown, so have myths and misunderstandings about what the label actually means.
“At some point, the fact that a dog doesn’t shed became synonymous with being hypoallergenic,” says Dr. Tanya Elliott , an allergist and spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology . “While some people may be allergic to dog hair, others may be allergic to dander (skin cells) and even their saliva.”
In fact, according to AKC Chief Veterinarian Dr. Jerry Klein , most people with dog allergies do not react to the fur itself, but to dog dander and certain proteins found in their urine, feces and saliva (which often end up in their dandruff).
Because fur contains dander and shedding spreads it, breeds with little or no wool have been labeled “hypoallergenic”. But that doesn’t take into account other ways dandruff and proteins spread. For example, squirrels can get into the air when a dog grooms itself. Plus, your dog can pass on its dander and proteins directly to you when you pet or lick it, notes Klein .
Knowing this, it makes sense that two studies published in 2011 and 2012 found similar levels of the primary dog allergen (Canis familiaris) in all households with dogs, regardless of whether the breeds were classified as “hypoallergenic”.
The Best Dog Breeds for Allergy sufferers
So, as we discussed above, while “hypoallergenic” dogs don’t exist, those with a decent amount of coat, especially those that shed a lot, have an additional way to pass on their dander and proteins to you. With all this in mind, the AKC recommends the following breeds for allergy sufferers:
- afghan hound
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- bichon frize
- Chinese Crested
- Coton de Tulear
- Giant Schnauzer
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Kerry blue terrier
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Maltese
- miniature schnauzer
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Poodle
- Portuguese water dog
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spanish water dog
- standard schnauzer
- Xoloitzcuintle
Finally, the AKC notes that different breeds have different types (and levels) of allergens, so just because you’ve had an allergic reaction to one “hypoallergenic” dog doesn’t necessarily mean all of them will be problematic for you.
Before deciding on a particular breed, the organization recommends spending 15 to 20 minutes with that type of dog and paying attention to any allergy symptoms you develop during that time. Then test other breeds to determine which one causes your allergy most easily.