How to Pick Dogs for People With Allergies

By Laura Heilman

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Guide to dog breeds

Step 1:
Research the different breeds of dogs that shed less and produce minimal dander. Hypoallergenic dogs range in all sizes and shapes. Consider the type of dog that will best fit your lifestyle and your family. Dogsindepth.com and "The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds" by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D., are great places to start for learning about the different dog breeds.
Step 2:
Consider the smaller breeds of dogs. Smaller breeds of dogs such as the Poodle, the Bichon Frise and the Maltese have very little dander and do not shed much, if at all. Smaller dogs that are indoors more often do not introduce outside allergens into the house and are easier to bathe.
Step 3:
Research medium-sized dogs to find the best fit for your family. The Bearded Collie is a fun-loving breed whose fur is the same pH as human hair. Another option is the Irish Water Spaniel, which does not shed, and the Samoyed, which produces very little dander.
Step 4:
If a larger dog fits your lifestyle, consider the Airedale Terrier with its short and wiry coat, the Standard Poodle or the Giant Schnauzer. The Standard Poodle is an intelligent breed of dog with hair rather than fur while the Giant Schnauzer is a light shedder.
Step 5:
Visit a breeder or rescue organization where you can spend time with the breed of dog you are interested in. Spend at least half an hour in an indoor setting to assess whether or not you will have an allergic reaction to the dog. Most people do fine with low-allergen dogs, but it is always a good idea to make sure. Petfinder.com is one of the largest resources for finding rescue organizations, while the American Kennel Club is excellent for finding reputable breeders.

Tips & Warnings

Consider adopting a low-allergen dog from a rescue organization--and giving a dog a second chance at a happy life.Vacuuming the house frequently, using air filters and frequent bathing of your dog will help to keep allergens to a minimum.
Be wary of purchasing dogs from pet stores. Often puppies sold at pet stores come from puppy mills where dogs subsist in terrible living conditions and are often mistreated.

Resources

Photo/Video Credit

Photo by A. Mehaffey

More Puppy Pages

Signs & Symptoms of Allergic Reactions to Dogs

When it comes to allergies, pet allergies are among the most common in humans. Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions to dogs vary by person, however, refraining from close contact with dogs, recognizing the signs and taking immediate action is the...

A miniature schnauzer ideally looks like a smaller version of the standard schnauzer, which is the older of the breed. Although schnauzers were popular dogs in their homeland of Germany, by the late 1800s, people were moving from farms to cities and...

No dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that people are actually allergic to the proteins in a dog. Still, there are several breeds that children with allergies can usually tolerate.

Miniature Schnauzers may be more prone than other dog breeds to allergies and allergic skin conditions. Allergies in Mini Schnauzers are diagnosed by carefully reviewing diet, environment, medical history and exercise. A veterinarian can prescribe...

Pets offer companionship and fun to children of all ages. They teach children responsibility and respect and are often times considered part of the family. However, more than 100 million pets are in the United States and between 15 and 30 percent of...