|
Finding an Allergy Free Dog |
 The idea that there is such a thing as an allergy free dog became popularized when President Obama took office and he agreed to get a White House dog for his two little girls. Who doesn’t find the image of two cute children enjoying the fun of a new puppy? But the problem was that one of President Obama's daughters has an allergy to dogs. So the president set out to find an allergy free dog. The Obamas were successful when they brought home an adorable puppy that was promptly named Bo. Bo is a Portuguese water dog, which is one of the breeds that is considered hypoallergenic.
Along with providing much joy and fun for the Obama girls and plenty of photo ops as well, Bo may have done a great service for thousands of people who would love to have the companionship of a family dog but never could because they thought there was no such thing as an allergy free dog.
Dog allergies are generally set off by the dander that comes from the dead skin that lives in the hair of the pooch. That is why most allergy free dogs are not long hairs. One category of canine to consider when you are looking for an allergy free dog are hairless breeds such as the Mexican Hairless or the Chinese Crested dog. They are a little funny looking and you have to be careful with a hairless dog in the winter because they don’t have as much defense against the elements. But they can be wonderful companions with good temperaments to have as a family dog for your kids to enjoy.
Short hair dogs or dogs with curly hair often live up to the expectations of an allergy free dog. Terriers, Poodles, Chihuahuas and Schnauzers fit in this category of allergy free dogs. However, even when going with a short hair dog or a dog with curly hair, keep in mind that dander is a fact of life with any animal and you should maintain a steady routine of brushing and washing your pet on a regular basis. By keeping your short hair dog clean and groomed, the dander problem is contained and the dog allergy problems that you or your family may sometimes experience can be controlled.
There are specific breeds of allergy free dogs that come up most often when you need a family pet that will not set off unpleasant allergy symptoms. Some of those breeds include the Portuguese water dog such as the Obama's have, the Basenji, the Cairn Terrier, the Bolognese and the Shih-Tzu to name just a few. Along with the right body type that makes these breeds allergy free dogs, many of them maintain personal grooming habits that are almost as frequent as you might see in a cat. By taking good care of their own skin, they eliminate their own dander and in doing so, protect their owners from allergy problems.
It might take a little effort to find the perfect allergy free dog for your family. If you have children with dog allergy problems, getting them involved in the process will help them find a dog that they can love and that they can live with as well. Be prepared for some additional expense if you must buy a pure breed dog rather than go with one from the Dog Pound. But the investment will be worth it when you can give your kids the fun of having a family dog that for many of us is a very important part of growing up.
|