Anyone allergic to dogs and had one successfully? What breed?

[Randomuser9876]

Growing up I had 2 family dogs (fox terrier if relevant!) and never thought I had an issue with dogs. Lots of friends have them and no reaction. I knew I wasn't great with cats but was manageable if staying with family who had them.

A few years ago I started getting skin rashes I'd not had before (turns out to be a rare form of rosacea so not allergy related at all) and Dr got me full allergy tests. Came back allergic to grass, dust, cats & dogs!!! First 3 no surprise but devastated by the dog thing as hoping to get one.

I don't seem to have a reaction when at friends houses who have dogs (unless they're obviously dusty and haven't been cleaned for a while)

I know there's no thing as a hypoallergenic dog but some are better than others. I very much fancy a mini schnauzer which seem OK from a dander/slobber pov which seems to be the main issue.

Anyone else in this situation and went for it anyway? Anecdotally people say they can get used to their dogs but I'm terrified I'd have a bad reaction and we'd have to sell the dog on. Totally ruins any excitement I have about it.

Tia

I was mildly allergic to dogs before we got our black lab. I used Piriton to keep the symptoms at bay and eventually the allergies subsided. I still get a flare up if I catch a virus - just had COVID.

Poodles I'm fine with. Poodles mixes, I'm not.

Miniature schnauzers I'm also OK with but do react to a bit. Love both them and Poodles.

I have a short haired breed that sheds constantly, as long as I take a generic supermarket antihistamine daily I'm fine. It is noticeable if I forget as I still get itchy.

I started having allergic reactions to the family dog when I left home for Uni. I went through a long period where dogs saliva really bothered me - asthma, rhinitis, itchy swollen eyes.
Before we got our first lab, I met and spent time with his mother, took piriton, lots of hand washing etc.
i did have itchy skin when we first got him, but it quickly subsided and I now have 2 dogs.I do still react to some dogs, especially slobbery ones or those with fine hair, and cats, rodents etc are a no go.

I'm very allergic to all animals in general (asthma/contact dermatitis etc) - but have no reaction at all to our poodle.

My brother has a Cavapoo and he is fine with it as well (also extremely allergic).

always had dogs. I have been allergic since i was a child, but i only hve a small reaction. Its like having light hayfever all the time for me. I live with it because i cant imagine not hving dogs.
when DS was born we realised very early, tht he has it too. I think his got weaker over the years though. We have cats too and DD reacted to the cats when we first got them. Just with a runny nose and sneezing. Weve had them a year now and shes fully grown out of it.
it really comes down to how bad your reaction is.

Poodles I'm fine with. Poodles mixes, I'm not

if you do think of getting a dog don’t get a poodle mix. Crossing increases the risk of allergies. Get a poodle or some other breed less likely to trigger allergies.

i have a Yorkshire terrier. They have “hair” rather than fur, and don’t shed. It means they don’t do well in rain, they get soaked straight to the skin 😂.

no one has ever been triggered by my dog. I keep him clipped short for ease.

most good breeders will let you visit and sit in their house for a while to see what happens. Make sure they are single breed breeders so you know it’s that particular breed you tolerate or don’t. I went and sat for ages surrounded by about 10 yorkies leaping all over, the elderly ones drooling away on my lap, the pups creating havoc. A decent breeder will also take a pup back if you do turn out not to be tolerant.

DN is allergic and she was surprisingly recommended a Samoyed. She went and played with the puppies and didn't react at all. Her DDog must be 5/6 years old now.

DP is horribly allergic to most furry animals (even Devon Rex cats) but seems to be able to tolerate poodle crosses and wiry haired dogs (eg Jack Parsons terriers). To cope with my springer he takes a combo of fexofenadine (which you can get over the counter now), cetirizine and a nasal spray on prescription. Poor man.

I am allergic to dogs after developing Bay fever later in life. I had dogs as a kid tho. I’m horribly allergic to labs which my parents had/have so that was a nightmare. Forget ‘hypoallergenic’ breeds, there is no such thing. My neighbour has poodles, I can’t sit in the same room. Ditto cats. Then I had a friend stay with his Leonberger. My DD (who was desperate for a dog!) noticed I didn’t sneeze around the Leo’s.turns out I’m not allergic to double coated breeds. Leo’s are not ‘licky’ dogs and being double coated it does mean that their dander doesn’t reach the surface so that also helps. So now we have a Leonberger 😂

*hay fever

I took antihistamine for about six months daily then forgot one day and realised I was no longer allergic. I used to have trouble breathing around dogs and cats. I have a Pomeranian and wipe down with a damp washcloth daily, the fur clumps together like cotton wool and is easy to hoover. I notice when I get itchy hands that it means bath time, once a month usually. I’m still allergic to other peoples pets though!

Yorkshire terrier. No reaction from me or ĎS. I have him clipped and washed every three months too.

My grandpa had severe allergies and asthma and managed to have Poodles and an Airedale.

Although I'm allergic to dogs I've always had them. I'm mostly allergic to the saliva but also have reactions to the fur depending on the dog. I find I'm better with hairy dogs like yorkies and also poodles. My current dog is a greyhound and I rarely have reactions to her. They don't shed much and only have a single layer coat. A friend of mine is extremely allergic to dogs and was pleasantly surprised that she doesn't react to my grey.

I'm allergic to dogs and struggle with my sisters labradors when visiting her. My mum will hoover before I come, I take tablets and the dogs don't come near me.

We have a little shih tzu who Ives never had any trouble with, she barely sheds any hair and as long as I don't let her lick me I'm fine.