What is a hypoallergenic dog?

Most people call a hypoallergenic dog incorrectly as a hyperallergenic dog. Most people get this most important part wrong, just from a misunderstanding of what the words mean.

The word “hypo” means low or little, such as hypo-allergenic. Hypo allergenic means that there is low, or little, allergens.

Hyper means high, or lots. So, if the word was hyper-allergenic, that would mean that there are lots of allergens. Such is the case with most “normal” breeds of dogs that get us in trouble with out allergies in the first place.

So, a hypoallergenic dog is a dog that sheds less hair than other breeds. These dogs also have less dander and produce less allergens in their saliva too. Keep in mind that all pets, just like humans, shed skin and hair. This is what dander really is, the flakes of skin and particles of hair that are naturally shed.

Hypoallergenic dogs carry less dander and shed less hair that most other dogs. Keep in mind, however, that your cleanliness is also important no matter what pet you have. Allergens can become stuck in carpets, bedding and clothing, so keeping a clean house is really important.

Hypoallergenic Dog Tips

If you live in a small apartment or home, you are probably more likely to suffer from allergy attacks. Why? Well, the dander, dust and other allergens are more concentrated into a smaller space. If you are looking at owning a hypoallergenic dog, then you really should choose a small to medium sized dog. Breeds such as the Poodle, Labradoodle and Bishon Frise are the best known smaller hypoallergenic dogs. They only need to be bathed about once a month. These dogs, however, might not be the best around smaller children as they can get territorial and often require lots of attention.

One of the best tips for hypoallergenic dogs is to keep a clean house. We mentioned it before, but like any living condition, just because they are considered hypoallergenic doesn’t mean that they don’t shed. Sometimes getting rid of carpet can help save your allergies. Using a water trap vacuum will also help trap dust often times a regular vacuum would let back out. If you don’t like giving your dog a bath, taking them to a professional groomer would also be a great idea.

Top Three Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

Allergy sufferers and pet lovers often ask what the best breeds of hypo allergenic dogs would be to own. While each person must ultimately decide on what dog they like the best, these are generally the best breeds based on their hair, dander and allergens that they produce.

The Chinese Crested is a different type of hypoallergenic dog. You can either choose the hairless or the “puffed” version. I know, it sounds strange. The hairless is just what it sounds like. The puffed version is similar to a powder puff, almost looking like a poodle. The hairless Crested can suffer from acne and sunburn, so you will have to learn to take care of this problem. If you aren’t really sure what this dog looks like, it has won the ugliest dog contest for the last several years!

The Crested puff has a full coat of long hair that is soft. Don’t worry, however, it doesn’t shed very much, or very often.

Another good breed is the Kerry Blue Terrier. This dog has a flat head and a coat that is similar to the poodle or Maltese. This dog will get a blue sheen to its fur when it reaches adulthood, hence the name “Kerry Blue”. This was at one time a popular hunting dog as well and is well suited as a companion.

The Kerry Blue doesn’t shed and needs to be groomed at least every two months. There is no undercoat to this dog, so you won’t have to worry about other allergic problems from dander. You should keep this dog indoors, especially int he winter because of the cold air and the lack of hair on the belly.

The Schnauzer is a great breed because it, like the Kerry Blue Terrier, doesn’t shed at all. This dog also requires routine grooming appointments to keep its boxy appearance in check.

Most hypoallergenic dogs will live to a decent age, probably around 10 to 15 years. You should really decide if you want to try living with a hypoallergenic dog. Depending upon how severe your allergies are, you might want to reconsider or check with your allergy specialist before getting one. If you do get one, you may want to consider looking into the return policy, if there is one.

Hypoallergenic dogs are great pets for people with allergies. However, there are some extra precautions and information you need to know in order to make a wise decision about owning a hypoallergenic dog.