It is no surprise that dogs make for excellent pets. They are intelligent and social animals, who love their owners and cherish companionship. There are many benefits you can get from owning a dog, and they are very helpful animals. Still, there are some people who have allergies and have developed health problems because of their pet, which is why owning a dog might be problematic for them. However, there are ways to avoid allergens and health problems, so there is hope for dog lovers that suffer from allergies or have family members suffering from this condition.
You see, it is not the dogs themselves that cause the allergies, but rather their dead skin, called dander, which is falls from their body. Dander then enters the air and contaminates the environment, making it difficult, but by no means impossible, to remove. In order to reduce the amount of dander in your living space, you need a dog that regenerates its skin cells less frequently, thus producing less dander, which translates to less allergens that end up floating in the air.
Some of the dog breeds that make excellent choices for those that suffer from allergies include Poodles, Italian Greyhounds and Shih-Tzus. Poodles are a popular choice, they don't shed much and they are extremely intelligent as well. They don’t leave a lot of dander around, although you sometimes do need to clean up the hair they leave. But if you’re suffering from allergies, it’s not the hair that is the problem, it’s the dander, and since Poodles don’t leave a lot of it, they represent a great choice for those that are allergic. Shih-Tzu dogs are an old breed that originates from China, where they were very popular in royal circles. Italian Greyhounds are very intelligent, but also quite timid dogs. Their short coat means that you won’t have to clean up much hair after them, but they are very sensitive to the cold. Other breeds of dogs recommended to those that suffer from allergen exposure include, but are not limited to: Bedlington Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Mexican Hairless, Schnauzers, Basenjys, Maltese, Portuguese Water Dogs, Kerri Blue Terriers and Bichon Frise. There are also crossbreeds that have been specifically bred for people with allergies, such as labradoodles (a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle) or Cockapoo (Poodle + Cocker).
But no matter what dog you choose, as long as you have one living in your house, there will always be dander, in larger or smaller quantities, depending on the breed. Thankfully, there are things you can do to reduce the amount of dander in the air, such as using HEPA filter vacuums, using an air purifier or keeping the dog off the couches and beds in your home. Before you buy a dog, it is best to consult your doctor and see just exactly how sensitive you are to dander.
Follow this advice and you too can enjoy the company of a dog, even if you do happen to suffer from allergies.
