Bichon Havanese Hypoallergenic Puppy

Tips for Choosing a Hypoallergenic Dog

If you suffer from allergies, you may think that the pleasures of dog ownership are out of your reach. As much as they love dogs, very few people are willing to spend their days sneezing, coughing, and dealing with watery eyes just to have a pet. Luckily, there are thousands of dog breeds, and some of them make perfect pets for people with allergies. Here are a few tips for choosing a hypoallergenic dog.

The first thing to understand is that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. However, there are lots of dogs that don’t shed or shed so little that they will not aggravate your allergies. This list includes Bichon Frises, Cairn Terriers, Peruvian Hairless dogs, Havaneses, Malteses, Miniature Poodles, Shih Tzus, Schnauzers, and Spanish Water Dogs. Couple a hypoallergenic dog with regular grooming and you can enjoy having a dog around without needing to take copious amounts of allergy medication.

Since every person reacts differently to allergens, it is a good idea to spend time with the dog before you adopt him or her. By spending time with your potential pet, you will know if his or her dander and hair will cause your allergies to flare up. More importantly, you will get to know the dog’s personality and whether or not the two of you will get along.

Adopting a dog is a lot like getting married. You will be spending a long time together, a lifetime in many cases, so it is a good idea to make sure you enjoy each other’s company.
As mentioned before, regular grooming and baths can reduce the amount of pet dander and hair you are exposed to. It is important to consider this requirement because if you are not able to groom the dog yourself, you will need to take him or her to a professional. This represents an added expense that you must account for in your budget. If you cannot afford its upkeep, then you should not adopt the dog.

While hypoallergenic dogs can be purchased from a variety of places, it is probably best to get your dog from a reputable breeder. Most dog breeders know their animals’ lineage, which reduces the chances that you will get a mixed-breed dog that may not be as hypoallergenic as you thought. Adopting a dog from animal shelter is a good idea as well. However, make sure you spend enough time with the dog to ensure he or she is appropriate for your household.