Hypoallergenic dogs: Best breeds of dog for allergy sufferers.

November 15, 2008

Hypoallergenic Dogs: Can you own a dog if you are allergic to them?

President-elect Barack Obama will be looking hard for a dog before he enters the White House in January, but it won’t be any usual dog. The 45th president will be in need of a hypoallergenic companion. These are dogs that provide a reduced chance for an allergic reaction among individuals who would be prone to such. This is mostly because there is some quality in their coat that makes them less likely to shed, but there are other reasons as well. Here are some of the most popular hypoallergenic dogs that Barack Obama might be choosing from.

Bichon Friese -  This is one of the few dogs that have been recommended by the American Kennel Club for people with allergy problems. The reason is that its undercoat does not hold lots of hair and it is especially intolerant of dander. This means that the chance for an allergic reaction is relatively small.

Goldendoodle – From the “who would have expected this?” file comes the Goldendoodle. At first sight, this looks like the kind of dog that would make a person’s allergies go haywire, but it’s not. Despite its curly coat this dog is popular because it doesn’t shed. It is obviously a hybrid between a golden retriever and a poodle, so it is not the most common dog, but allergy sufferers are making this a popular choice.

Fox Terrier – For those folks who would like a more rugged, outdoors dog, the fox terrier is a good hypoallergenic choice. The reason is that this is one of the only dogs in world that does absolutely no shedding. With no hair around the house to enrage the senses, allergy sufferers in the Obama household would be protected.

Greyhound – The people who like to rescue greyhounds are doing a good deed, but they are also saving themselves the trouble of cleaning up dog hair. This is one of the most popular hypoallergenic dogs in the world. They are small enough to live in the house, but they have the make up and instincts to survive outside, as well. All in all, this is an excellent choice because their hair is so short that they rarely shed.

People looking for hypoallergenic dogs should know that there are quite a few options out there. In the end, it comes down to finding a dog that has a manageable coat because it is the dog hair that causes the most trouble for people with allergies.