The hypoallergenic debate?

A lot of breeders (especially those who churn out designer breeds) market their dogs ad hypoallergenic. The vast majority of people with pet allergies are allergic to dander ( small flakes of dead skin) and not the actual fur or hair of the dog.

Is it then safe to say that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, seeing as all dogs have skin, and all produce dander? Would it not be safe to assume that even minimally shedding breeds would trigger allergic responses?

The hypoallergenic debate?

Exactly!

Even a dog that sheds minimally can produce a reaction in someone with severe allergies. Advertising dogs as "Hypoallergenic" is just a marketing ploy used by BYB's and Puppy Mills to get more $$$

The hypoallergenic debate?

there is no breed of dog that doesnt shed. even the poodles shed a tiny bit but no so much that u have to vacum several times a day. all dogs have skin and all dogs shed its the way it is

The hypoallergenic debate?

Yes.

It depends on the person and their allergies, not the dog.

That's why I get infuriated when I see that stuff and someone trying to "create" a more hypoallergenic dog.

Stick with the purebreds that are known to cause less reactions and see what happens. Different people have different allergic reactions. If you are allergic to dogs, you may still have a reaction to a labradoodle but not a poodle... But you may still be allergic to poodles in general - which means you may not be able to have a dog....

The hypoallergenic debate?

Yes, you are absolutely correct.

Too bad everyone, especially those that get duped into believing designer dogs are hypoallergenic, don't understand this.

The hypoallergenic debate?

It depends on the allergy severity of a particular person. I don't think people understand that hypoallergenic means decreases allergy symptoms not makes them disappear. My brother has severe allergies to animals (pet dander) and he has not come across a dog or a cat that doesn't trigger those allergy symptoms within 12 hours. There are some dogs that affect him more and some less but he still has a reaction to all dogs.

I think there is no such thing as an allergy free dog. However in any dog you buy I think keeping the dog and your house clean has a big impact on how a person with allergies is going to react. I think it's wrong for a breeder to say their dog is hypoallergenic especially because many people take it to mean the dogs cause no problem to people with allergies.

The hypoallergenic debate?

I have a Chinese Crested Hairless. She does, indeed, shed! I find hairs from her crest and tail all over the place, and she does have a bit of dry skin so there is dander as well.

Some breeds may effect certain people more than others, but there is absolutely NO such thing as a hypoallergenic dog--I'd hate to be a "breeder" who says that and get sued or something when it inevitably turns out to be false!

The hypoallergenic debate?

I agree with you. It really depends the persons allergy whether it is the dander or the actual pet hair.

That would have to be determined by an allergist.

The hypoallergenic debate?

There is no real hypoallergenic dog. As Yo LO said, it's all just a scheme for BYBs and puppy millers to make money. That's why so many of them purposely breed mutts that have poodle in them so they can say they are hypoallergenic and sell them to somebody for lots of money. All dogs shed, it's just a matter of how much. It also depends on the individuals allergies.

The hypoallergenic debate?

Yes it is safe to say that there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs. They do all produce dander. These people that cross breed mutts and slap a cutsie name paired with a promise of non allergic responses to the owners are crooks and liars.

People don't get it though, which is why these high priced mutts end up in shelters when their owners realize they are allergic to their pet. Others just don't want to get it.

The hypoallergenic debate?

F2 and future generation Goldendoodles have the look of a Golden Retriever or a Poodle, but USUALLY do not shed. There really is no guarantee, but mix breeds with poodles and poodles themselves are very hypoallergenic.

The hypoallergenic debate?

Yes every dog sheds and produces dander, some less than others but they all do. I have a Bichon Frise and a Shih Tzu and they shed very lightly, and with good grooming just about any dog can have little dander. My sister's husband is allergic to a lot of things, they have two dogs a Sheltie and a Pom but they are kept very well groomed and they don't seem to bother him so I don't know. But I would say if some one was HIGHLY allergic than there would be no dog that would be safe for them. I have a very bad allergy to cats(I still love them though :( ) but I can't even be around my cousin's Manx cat without taking a lot of allergy medication and he has no hair just skin.

The hypoallergenic debate?

Every dog sheds

Poeple that have allergies to dogs just take it is the coat that there allergic too but in many cases it could be the dogs saliva or urine!

The hypoallergenic debate?

Hypo means "LOW," and as such hypoallergenic doesn't mean "won't cause ANY allergies." It just means a hypoallergenic breed is LESS likely to cause reaction in allergy sufferers. All dogs have dander, and that is really the root of the problem. Shedding obviously spreads the dander to your clothes and home. I have a dog allergy (2 on a scale of 0-4 when I was last tested by my allergist), I did exhaustive research before recently buying a puppy. I learned that poodles are best for allergy sufferers but did not like the look of the poodle or most poodle mixes, as that poodle curly hair gene seems to be very dominant. Note: for a "mix" to be hypoallergenic, it has to be first generation, or a 50-50 mix; not a second generation, resulting in a 25-75 mix of, say a poodle with a cocker, etc. Bichon Frise, Maltese, Yorkies, and several other similar breeds were also on the short list below poodles. I went to pet stores to conduct "research" and hold certain breeds to see if they caused reaction on my face and neck (rash or hives), as well as spending a lot of time with friends' pets. I finally decided on a borkie or yorkie-chon (yorkshire terrier mixed with bichon) as I had done really well with yorkies and the bichon was supposedly even more hypoallergenic. I have been very pleased. I've only had some minor red patches on my face over prolonged periods of time, but this is nothing compared to the reactions I used to get as a kid with larger, long-haired, shedding dogs. Again, I was realistic that my reactions would not go away completely, but would hopefully be less with one of these breeds -- and would be something I could live with, as I have been wanting a dog for a very long time.

The hypoallergenic debate?

I'd suggest that there are some breeds of dog which have a lower likelihood of producing an allergic reaction in humans.

'Hypo,' in this context, basically means "abnormally low." Taking "hypoallergenic" to mean "abnormally low rate of allergic reaction," and NOT to mean "NO allergic reaction," I think it'd be safe to say that some dogs *are* hypoallergenic, technically speaking.

On the other hand, many people *think* hypoallergenic means "NO allergic response," and that is clearly false.

The hypoallergenic debate?

Poodles are hypoallergenic, but yes like you said all dogs can have dander and of thats what your allergic to then im guessing your going to sneeze

The hypoallergenic debate?

The way I understand it, is that dogs like poodles who don't "shed" have "hair" instead of "fur". Their "hair" more closely resembles human hair. Humans also have "dander". The poodle dander is more closely related to human dander as opposed to, say, lab dander. My husband and I are both allergic to dogs, and have no problems around our poodles