Living with a dog and allergies

[FeelingHip]

Hi there
We are about to get our much sort after and long awaited puppy. We have spent time with the same (cross breed) previously and it was ok. However, yesterday my husband spent the afternoon with another dog (same cross breed) and has been itching since. Does anyone live with a dog and have mild allergies? Any tips? Do you take medication? Or are we making a mistake. Thanks

Which cross breed is it? If it's a poodle cross, there's a lot of variation between individuals - and I believe it's not possible to tell which coat type a puppy will have until it's around a year old.

It might well be that he’s ok with one of the figs in the cross and not the other, the thing with crosses is that even though they’re technically half one breed and half the other, they’re not as it doesn’t actually work like that, so what you get is a bit random.

I have allergies and thus have an actual poodle rather than a 'crossbreed' (presume you're talking about a cockapoo or similar here).

It sort of seems obvious that a poodle cross may be more other dog fur type than poodle hair. Not much to say as you'll actually have no idea how DH's allergies respond until the puppy is in your house full time. Seems a risk to me. Otherwise it's a load of antihistamines for him and fingers crossed his body acclimatises which may or may not happen. Personally, as a lifelong allergy sufferer, I wouldn't live like that.

Thanks everyone. Yep it's a poodle cross.

In that case I'd consider a poodle cross puppy very unwise.

I'd opt for a pure poodle (they don't need to have pom poms, they can have perfectly sensible haircuts that look very similar to poodle crosses - Google 'teddy bear cut') if spending time with them turns out not to trigger the allergy.

Alternatively, go for an adult rescue poodle cross - if spending time with the individual doesn't trigger the allergy. There are some specialist rescues for poodle crosses, such as Doodle Trust.

The risk that a poodle cross puppy will moult into its adult coat and turn out to be allergenic is just too high - a choice between rehoming and a lifetime on medication is very unappealing.

There's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Only differing levels if shedding dogs and different sensitivities to hair/dander.

If you're buying a crossbreed then you have very little predictability over what genes it will inherit and what level of shedding it will have.

If you want a low shedding breed then you need to research these properly and check your reactions to them. Cross breeds are pretty obviously always going to be a gamble.
Did you not research this?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pet-allergy/expert-answers/hypoallergenic-dog-breeds/faq-20058425

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenicdogg_breed

I take an antihistamine every day so i can have pets, but depending on the severity of the reaction, id definitely look at an actual poodle as they are great for allergic people often. Crossbreeds are just as likely to have the allergenic dander as any other breed

Can I just add here that when I'm out with my poodle literally everyone assumes she is a cockapoo and are all surprised when I say purebred poodle. So my taking from that is all fluffy dogs look similar and people don't really know what poodles look like. So for me getting a poodle cross for the look just seems weird - especially as they're probably close in price to a pedigree poodle!

Thanks for the replies. Yes, we researched things thoroughly thanks. We selected the dog because we know one and it meets our needs very well and because we were confident about the breeder. It certainly came down to much more than looks. We didn't know we had to be ultra vigilant to allergies because we had to idea my husband was / may be allergic to dogs until yesterday.

I have mild allergies to all kinds of animals however I find, in general, my allergies are manageable if I live with the animal.

We had cats growing up and it was only when I went away to university and returned home that I had an allergic reaction to them.

We have a dog and two cats and I have lived with rabbits and hamsters. All of them I had an initial reaction to but am fine now

Thanks Loris, that's reassuring. I have a similar thing with cats...lived with them growing up with no issues but get itchy if I visit a cat household as an adult (in the days when you could visit inside a person's house of course!)

I have 4 ddogs.. Take an anti histamine some mornings.. Hand wash after stroking of the hairiest! Previous ddog was a Rottweiler which left me with itchy blebs!! Hoover upstairs regularly and no carpets downstairs..

I have allergies and a short haired breed that moults constantly.

I take a daily antihistamine and that solves the problem, it's really noticeable with the itching if I forget. Had our dog for nearly 3 years and no issues with a daily antihistamine.

Thank you! That's reassuring. We have the same...no carpet downstairs. Chocolate is making me fat too btw 😆 (or maybe it's the cake?!)

One more question...those of you that take a daily antihistamine, is it on prescription or just over the counter...if you don't mind me asking? If it's OTC any particular brand you would recommend? Thanks!

Mine is OTC but can't remember the brand. I just ask the pharmacist for the one that's best for itchy skin/ pet allergies. I make sure it's specifically a daily one though.

Thanks Stella!

Dd has severe allergies to pet fur so couldn't go in somebody's house that has a cat, dog or rabbit in there. She takes an anti histamine every day because she has dust and pollen allergies as well but lives quite happily with our Lhasa Apso and doesn't react to exh's dog either. I think constant exposure has reduced her sensitivities to our dog and exh's dog because the antihistamines aren't enough for her to visit other pet owning households Her face swells and her skin appears scalded.

Oh your poor daughter, that must be tough for her. I hope things ease for her as she gets older and good news that she has been able to tolerate family pets. Thank you for sharing.

@FeelingHip

One more question...those of you that take a daily antihistamine, is it on prescription or just over the counter...if you don't mind me asking? If it's OTC any particular brand you would recommend? Thanks!

I occasionally take an antihistamine if I am to come into contact with cats - they make me sneeze, and my eyes itch.

Loratadine is OTC, readily available and pretty good - and as it's non-drowsy it's the only one pilots are allowed to take (or at least it was 10 years ago, I haven't had cause to look at that specific bit of info since!)

I know of a woman who bought 2 x dcats at absolutely ridiculous cost as apparently they were definitely hypo allergenic...
Not..

Her dh got prescribed antihistamines for a 3 month period until he got used to the dcats..

You’re making a mistake @FeelingHip.
I have allergies. I spent lots of time with the pedigree I was considering. Never reacted. The other option is a rescue you can spend time with before committing.
Worst case scenario an antihistamine doesn’t cut it and you have to get rid of the dog.

From what I read of OPs post her husband had a similar reaction to what I get even now.

The itching is annoying but easy to control with an antihistamine, and my breed is one that moults constantly.

Might be worth posting in the allergies topic ?

Thanks everyone. Didn't realise there was an allergies topic, will post there. And Stella it does sound like you and my husband have a similar reaction...he was itchy but no breathing issue. That's not to make light of it though...no one wants to be itching all the time!