Do you love dogs but are allergic to them? Or do you know someone who is? About 10% of people are allergic to dogs, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.1 These allergies are to proteins found in fur, saliva, urine, and dander.2
The good news is that even if you’re allergic to these things in dogs, there are certain dogs that produce less of these proteins and so people with allergies tend not to have reactions around them. These are the dogs that are considered hypoallergenic. Technically, there are no dogs that are 100% hypoallergenic, but there are about 270 breeds that are deemed hypoallergenic because they don’t shed very much – and so there’s a smaller chance of a reaction.2&3
Some allergy-friendly breeds are:
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Bedlington Terrier
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Poodle
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American Hairless Terrier
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Schnauzer
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Portuguese Water Dog
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Bichon Frise4
These dogs tend to not shed very much, which helps keep dander and fur out of the air.1&4 Oddly enough, the dogs that have long hair are the ones that shed less. The same goes for dogs with very little fur. Shorter-haired dogs are the ones that tend to cause allergies.1
Beyond getting a certain breed of dog to help with allergies, there are things you can do in your own environment to mitigate allergic reactions. You can:
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Keep dog-free areas in your home
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Vacuum carpets and furniture2
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Use air filters and change them frequently
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Wash your dog more often
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Brush your dog more frequently
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Clean off your dog after they’re outside so they don’t track in outside allergens1
Do you have one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds? Let us know by replying to this email or connect with us on social media!
All the best,
Chris & the WERC Team
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