Getting a dog if you have allergies/asthma

[Teenytinyratsass]

Hello,

So we're looking into getting a dog, it's very early stages, I understand we need to research thoroughly and if we do decide to get one will go via Kennel club recommended breeders as we don't have the experience needed for a rescue dog.
DH and I both work permanently from home (even pre pandemic ), we live in a semi rural area, and we're an active family however DH has eczema and asthma and has struggled in the past with pet (cat and dog) allergies when visiting friends.
His asthma is moderate and under control in recent years and doesn't require anything outside of regular brown inhaler use.
Is it sensible to even look at getting a dog- should we only look at hypo allergenic breeds or are there any tests he can take to determine which breeds might suit?

Thanks

I don't think it's a good idea. And even with so-called 'hypoallergenic' breeds there is no guarantee.

My DH has asthma and is allergic to cats. However when he met me I already had two. They are bengals which are technically a hypoallergenic breed, and to be fair they don't shed at all, but I was still really worried about it. It turned out fine though and he has no issues with the cats at all, in fact we have got another one since. But I think it was just luck.

On the opposite side, I am allergic to dogs but have been walking a neighbours dog every day for the last couple of months. I don't cuddle it or anything, I just collect it and walk it outdoors but my allergies have been terrible. I certainly wouldn't get a dog after this experience.

Hi.

There's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Some dogs don't moult or moult very little. But that's no guarantee either.

I have moderate asthma and allergies. I've always been really bad with dogs. However after much research we now have a miniature poodle (one of the breeds that doesn't moult) and he doesn't bother me at all.

It's a very personal thing though. Some are allergic to some dogs and not others. Also even those that don't shed have the dander which is what people tend to be allergic to.

I shoved my face in different dogs for my research too. Obviously not the ones I knew I would react badly to. I never risked an asthma attack as I knew my allergies were effected with eyes, nose and skin reactions well before it got to my breathing.

Finally the breeders of my puppy let me visit and spend time with their adult dog as well as the puppies (puppy and adult coats are different). They also said that if we took the puppy home and I ended up reacting to it over time then they would take the puppy/dog back any time and keep him for themselves. Which took a lot of the pressure off really.

Many allergies to dogs are irritated by dander and saliva, not hair. All dogs will have some of this.
I have both eczema and asthma and it did spike when I got my lab puppy but after a couple of weeks it settled down again. Other people’s dogs can still set me off though.
It depends how sensitive your DH is.

My allergies flared up when we first got our dog but settled down and been fine ever since! It's weird but some people seem to get used to them. Might not be the case for everyone though.

Thanks everyone! I guess there’s no easy answer. I was hoping there was some kind of blood test you could do to determine the risk of different pets/male v female dogs etc.
I think we’ll try to spend more time with friends dogs and see what happens. We’re definitely not going to get a dog if there’s a risk like this of it not working out.

Asthma / Hayfever / Various allergies here, was horribly allergic to one of our previous guinea pigs before (just took anti histamine every day instead of most days whilst she was alive!)

I now have a miniature poodle and have no issues whatsoever. I automatically headed to the non shedding breeds in the hope of minimising impact, and spent time with mum / other dogs in the household / dad on one visit to be sure I was fine.

I've never heard of male/female dogs being different allergy-wise. Is that a thing?!

@MissShapesMissStakes

I've never heard of male/female dogs being different allergy-wise. Is that a thing?!

I have no clue DH mentioned it in passing but he knows even less than I do.

Haha! My dh thought poodle puppies came out with pom-poms.

Good luck with your research.

My DH has asthma and allergies and wee have 4 month old miniature schnauzer x shih tzu, both non shedding breeds. First day home my DH eyes were running terribly but as soon as pup had a bath he was fine. I make sure to brush and bath pup regularly and we have had absolutely no issues since. Our little pup is so loving, he licks a patch of excema on DHs leg and it is now nearly totally healed. I can only speak for us but we've had no regrets at all ❣

There's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog - it's just luck whether someone reacts or not, really.

You could get yourself on some waiting lists of non-shedding breeds and see if DH could spend time around the mum and pups when they're born to find out if he reacts or not, but I don't know if you'll find a breeder who is happy to do that and risk you pulling out - though I suppose if you're happy to pay (and lose) the deposit then that would be okay.

In normal times - some breeders are pretty ok about someone meeting up with their dogs to check for allergies... pulling out wouldn’t be a huge issue because you’d do it at the finding a breeder to go on a waiting list stage rather than once your puppy is born - also they can arrange for you to see them at breed club meet ups or shows or whatever, so there’s more of them and it’s not a special visit just for you.

At the moment though... no clue...

Anecdotally lots of people say non shedding breeds, but also, no clue why... greyhounds come up a lot as not setting off allergies - I’ve wondered about different things being present with some breeds as my Siamese cat didn’t trigger some peoples cat allergies like my moggy does she it definitely wasn’t because she didn’t shed.

I have a basset hound who moults constantly, as well as allergies and cough variant asthma. Never bothered my asthma and I take an antihistamine every day. It is noticeable if I forget (I get incredibly itchy) but a standard antihistamine stops it completely.

I suffer from allergies too, but have been absolutely fine with my miniature poodle. Contact some breeders and ask if you guys can go for a cup of tea and cuddle some.

Another positive of minis (apart from that they're just brilliant) is no moulting hair!

If you look at the vulnerable endangered breeds some are hypoallergenic.
I suggest this as they tend to have less in breeding and mixing as most are on the list due to small litter sizes so little money in breeding them.
The look for a breeder who would lend you one as a triawww.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/vulnerable-native-breeds/

I would suggest a Dandie if you can find one
www.donthibernate.co.uk/dummys-guide-to-dandie-dinmont-terriers/

No dog breed is hypoallergenic.
You’d be best off considering a rescue you can spend lots of time with.
Or a pedigree. Spend time with different dogs of chosen breed.

I'm allergic to dogs and have breathing problems around them. I took antihistamine tablets daily for the first 2-3 months then realised that I didn't need them anymore. Our dog has long hair but the hair collects like cotton wool so is actually easier to clean/hoover. We keep our dog restricted to living areas/hard floor areas only, so not upstairs and in bedrooms. I think sometimes you can become used to your own dog but it's still a risk that your health problems may become worse.

We all have allergies in our house, I also have Asthma and we have two dogs. Mini Schnauzer which none of us react to (doesn’t moult a lot and has to be groomed) and a greyhound which also none of us react to. He does moult but it seems to be OK. I would suggest going to a breeder and spending some time with a breed you choose and seeing how you react. I would have thought the wire hair type breeds would be fine though.

I have asthma, hayfever, the full works! Whilst I didn't think I was directly allergic to our dog, my hayfever has been much worse this year so I think there is an element of trigger stacking going on. Allergies are unpredictable and complex and if you're unwilling to live with the consequences then don't get a dog!

I have asthma and allergies. And have 4 ddogs including a Husky. Washing hands after contact has always worked for me. Antihistamines now and again.
We have a pet vacuum cleaner that isn't used nearly half as much as it could be!

Oh and yes, we keep him downstairs on hard floors, cover the sofa he sits on with a throw, hoover and wash regularly, my husband brushes him regularly etc.

As everyone has said even when dogs are allegedly hypoallergenic it can’t be guaranteed. I read something about the guy who invented the labradoodle and that out of say 10 puppies only half might actually be ok. Spend time with the puppy if you can before you commit. Imagine having to take it back???
Saying that, we have a poodle/ pom mix and my husband who was allegedly allergic to dogs is fine with her. Maybe it’s the poodle mix but maybe he used it as an excuse not to have a dog for years ?!😂

Thanks for all the advice! Seems daily anti histamines and spending time with dogs before hand is the way to go..