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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a family dog for Christmas?

115 replies

VTechnophobe · 13/10/2018 23:04

We all want one but I'm allergic and have asthma. We have 2 DC (5&3), DH works from home and garden is over an acre so not worried about dog's welfare but will I be constantly ill?

OP posts:
Britneysfa · 13/10/2018 23:10

What are you like with other dogs?

If you are allergic then yes life will be pretty miserable! Dog hair drifts, and equally even if you had limited contact it would be on dcs clothes, soft furnishings and when stuff is washed it will be on yours

Equally christmas is usually a bad time to get a dog due to all the routine disruption, festivities and decorations. Its disruptive and over stimulating usually

DancingForTheDog · 13/10/2018 23:11

Is this a joke? You're allergic to dogs and asking if you should get a dog? Yes you will be constantly ill, obviously.

BatFacedOK · 13/10/2018 23:12

Lol. Yes you'll be allergic to the dog because errr you're allergic to dogs.

Pusheenicorn · 13/10/2018 23:14

Erm... just to counter the above. DP was quite allergic to my dog when we first met. Five years later and no problems - I don't know if he just became immune to him or what because he still gets bad around other dogs...

But a dog is a massive lifelong commitment, not far off having a baby sometimes (especially a puppy) so it really needs to be a joint decision and not on a whim... are you truly ready for all a dog brings, when they aren't being cute and pooping on your floor and barking etc?

Catdogmum · 13/10/2018 23:15

What @Britneysfa said about Christmas. We got DDog1 in November last year and he was so overwhelmed by Christmas socialising that he developed a fear of people which has taken a lot of training and reassurance to work through with him.

Costacoffeeplease · 13/10/2018 23:15

To buy a dog for Christmas?

And allergic?

Must be a wind up, no one is that ignorant

moredoll · 13/10/2018 23:15

Didn't President Obama promise his daughters a dog even although one or both of the is allergic. They got a Portuguese Water Dog because it's a hypoallergenic breed. Might be expensive though. I think you need to do a bit more research all round.

Original poster
VTechnophobe · 13/10/2018 23:16

But am i only allergic because I've never been around them much? Are there hypoallergenic breeds? DH has always had dogs and would love to get one. Good point about Christmas and over-stimulation though.

OP posts:
minsmum · 13/10/2018 23:20

Go and meet some dogs to see if they set your allergies off. Poodles and schnausers are good breeds to look at, beware of doodles as they are not always hypoallergenic. Christmas is not a great time to introduce a new dog as Britneysfa said and no rescue or good breeder would allow this. Dogs are great and I would not be without one . I have asmtha and currently have a huge foxhound draped in me while answering this. You need to take your time and find the right dog for you and your family, I wish you luck

giveitfive · 13/10/2018 23:21

I'm allergic to dogs. Didn't realise this until after we got our puppy.

7 years later she is the queen of the household. We all adore her.

I have basically had chronic snot and wheezing for 7 years. It's awful. I can't part with her, she's a member of the family and I love her, but dog hair and dander gets everywhere.

Think carefully on this. You will be ill and my experience has been that it just gets worse. You don't "desensitise".

Much as I adore her, when her day sadly comes she will not be replaced with another dog. I'd like to be able to breathe again one day. 🤨

Original poster
VTechnophobe · 13/10/2018 23:21

Xpost with moredoll and Pusheenicorn.

DH has grown up with dogs and feels the responsibility will be beneficial for DC. However, doesn't want to make my life unbearable.

Good to hear there are hypoallergenic breeds and that allergies can lessen.

OP posts:
Original poster
VTechnophobe · 13/10/2018 23:27

@giveitfive that sounds pretty hard to put up with. Thank you for your advice.

Like @minsmum says we will do our research and I will see how I react. Thanks for the caveat re Doodles.

Just googled hypoallergenic breeds and surprised Afghan Hounds came up?!

Also came across Borrow My Doggie...possible way of seeing if I'm allergic to certain breeds.

OP posts:
psicat · 13/10/2018 23:30

Get one in new year NOT at Christmas time for aforementioned reasons - plus a lot of decent rescues won't rehome over the holidays and no decent breeder would have a litter for sale then. If kids want a pet then can buy the bed/lead/toys etc they can unwrap for it.
You can get some breeds which you would be less likely to have a reaction to generally anything with a curly coat like the water dog or poodle etc. But these are very intelligent, very high energy breeds so not for the faint of heart!
The popular poodle crosses can inherit that coat but it's a minefield, most are now puppy farm bred so you'd have to be exceedingly careful where got from. And there's no guarantee - anyone that tells you there is a guarantee with a crossbreed is lying as it may easily take after the shedding parent/grandparent.
Ooo I just thought of another breed - bichon frise, very sweet little dogs. Do beware of puppy farmers as massively popular with them.
All of the curly coats are high maintenance grooming wise too - 6 weekly cuts by a professional.
Or - go to a good rescue. Meet a dog that is right for your family, spend several visits with it and see if you have a reaction.
I always prefer a rescue dog - and if you get an adult dog you will know what the coat is like.
I'm not allergic to dogs as such (it's a big part of my job, I own very hairy beasties) but I still find some smooth coated breeds can bring me out in a rash - but not every one. So my friend's previous rottie would bring me out in hives but her current one has no effect. Allergies are strange things...

TheFaerieQueene · 13/10/2018 23:31

🤦‍♀️

Original poster
VTechnophobe · 13/10/2018 23:35

Thank you @psicat - really appreciate your views and effort. About to go to sleep so will re-read and do more research in the morning.

OP posts:
SusanneLinder · 13/10/2018 23:37

If you are allergic to dogs, I wouldn't get one. It would be irresponsible to get a dog, find out you are miserable and have to rehome.

Why don't you try the borrowmydoggy site and see how you get on, without the committment of actually owning a dog?

RuthW · 13/10/2018 23:38

I'm allergic to dogs. My partner has two greyhounds. They hardly affect me. I don't cuddle them or stroke them but they don't make me wheeze and sneeze like other dogs.

minsmum · 13/10/2018 23:43

You could try a local rescue, small ones are good, they are always looking for dog walkers. If you explain they might be able to help you. I spoke to mine as I needed a dog i was not allergic to who was good with cats which is why I have a foxhound. He is brilliant for us but wouldn't suit you as he is too big and clumsy to have around small children even though he adores them

1dayatatime · 13/10/2018 23:45

I"d recommend buying a family turkey instead for Christmas, cheaper with more meat.

Slippersandacuppa · 13/10/2018 23:53

My husband is very allergic to dogs (he can tell if my parents dogs have been in the house earlier in the week) but is fine with both of ours. There are several breeds that he’s okay with (I researched a LOT!) but I would also definitely say get a rescue. Don’t be put off by thinking you’ll only get someone’s rejected dog (saw that on an earlier thread Sad ) - our family has had four puppies from various rescue centres over the years (and older dogs too! They are underrated!!). I would never buy a puppy, ever. Some of the people who sell them are unbelievably sneaky and go to great lengths to disguise the fact that they are backyard breeders.

Good luck!

Aquamarine1029 · 14/10/2018 00:31

This is a fucking terrible, ridiculous idea.

straightjeans · 14/10/2018 00:58

Hypoallergenic dogs do not exist. Don't know how this money making scam took off.

thegrinningfox · 14/10/2018 01:09

Do not get a dog to responsibilize the children. You are a fool if you think they will ever help.

Vivaldi1678 · 14/10/2018 03:31

You develop an immunity to your own pets, but it would be sensible to choose one of the breeds referred to which are known to be more suitable for those with allergies and also one which is good with children.

I think it is lovely for children to grow up with pets, so would say go for it. If he/she arrives before Christmas, you can have a lovely walk on Christmas Day.

Dogs really enhance your life, as long as you know what's involved and research carefully rather than just diving in, you will be fine.

Canuckduck · 14/10/2018 03:42

Dogs that shed less and need to be groomed tend to be less allergenic. It’s not a guarantee though. As people have said poodle breeds are good. We have a doodle but he’s 1/2 standard poodle. I don’t react to him at all.