Hypoallergenic dogs are they actually?

[trexmama]

Hi all
After some advice/ guidance
We got a puppy last month he was an absolute dream dog we loved him so much my son was unfortunately allergic and ended up In a&e with some facial puffiness we assumed it was hayfever but the doctors told us it was likely the puppy as this had been a sudden reaction that was getting gradually worse , i contacted the breeder and she took him back and refunded us our money.. we are missing the puppy so much and don't feel complete without him. I would really love to add a puppy to our family my son loved the puppy so much and is understandably heartbroken as are my other children and DH , myself.
So my question is are hypoallergenic dogs actually hypoallergenic? Has anyone been in this situation an went on the get a dog? Or are our dreams of being a dog owning family over 🥺😭

We have a shihtzu and he does not moult at all. I think I read that they are as hypoallergenic as you can get, but obviously not a dead cert.
In your situation with the bad reaction from your child I don't think I'd bother tbh.

I have 2 goldendoodles and a standard poodle. None shed and none affect my highly dog-allergic father and sister.

Maybe I’ve just been incredible lucky with the 3. Maybe not.
The goldendoodles have more of a curly poodle coat than a retriever coat (which is what we wanted and the breeder indicated which puppies would most likely have that).

www.doodletrust.com/education/doodle-the-allergy-myth/

Have a look at this from the doodle trust website.

I have a Bedlington terrier X cocker spaniel. He was the only rough coated puppy in his litter. He is very low shedding compared to the cocker spaniel I had growing up and definitely compared to my aunt and uncles Labrador and their retriever X, but this is all relative. Also I am lazy and don't brush my dog much so I could certainly reduce the shedding further.

However, with an allergy bad enough to result in an a&e visit I don't think getting another dog is fair on either the dog or the allergic child. You would likely be setting your son up for 15 years of daily medications with potential side effects, or you'd end up with another puppy needing rehoming.

@trexmama what type of dog does the grandparents have? And how long is he exposed to it/ how close does he get to it? Would they consider loaning it to you so you can see if he is fine with extended exposure to it?

We have a Lhasa apso & she doesn’t shed. But she does affect eldest dc at times. More so in the summer.

A breeder may lend you a dog to test the theory.
Two of us are allergic to cats but dogs don't bother us but we have only had non shedding breeds.
From experience with a friend who is allergic he has had contact with two no shedding dogs recently with no reaction.
Dandie Dinmonts are great for allergies as they are rarely crossed so you should have a good idea of what you are getting.
www.donthibernate.co.uk/dummys-guide-to-dandie-dinmont-terriers/

It can be truly horrible growing up in a house where you are allergic to a pet. Even if you love the pet.

I used to get told to "stop sniffing" but it was a constant postnasal drip. Didn't look a big deal to my parents but the relief as an adult! As a child you deal with what you're given and don't have the words or knowledge to know it could be different (like not knowing you need glasses.)

And its not just the fur. I react when licked, and still react when its a "hair not fur, my dogs fine..." breed!

I visited friends with some "hypoallergenic " dogs kind of to see. However also be aware that you may not have an instant reaction (I almost always do to cats) but can have low level symptoms that build up.

And its not just the fur. I react when licked

Agree.

People get fixated on the fur but it is often more than that.

Even if your son does not show severe reactions, it is possible that his immune system may be working in overdrive and triggering a low level response which can manifest is a variety of symptoms including low mood, tiredness and allergies to other things, increased sensitivity to pollen, tendency to get more frequent colds, all of which are easily dismissed or out down to other things.

Oh gosh yes all those things!

@ChairOnToast true though

There is no guarantee. A friend's daughter was fine with a house full of Labradors but got itchy eyes when a spaniel was added to the mix. It might not be dog hair, it could be dander. And all dogs shed that. I don't think you can repeat your puppy experiment, but if you have doggy friends invite them round one by one and see how he reacts.

As someone with allergies, I second PP who suggest 1 on 1 exposure with different breeds. I react completely differently to different breeds, even the ones who are non-shedding. It’s completely trial and error

But it’s not just the fur. It’s the dander and saliva as well.

Please don’t. As someone up thread has said I lived my childhood with cats when allergic (I loved them), I had terrible asthma and Emmy lips would swell up regularly. But I was also just lethargic.