Many breeds are touted as being hypoallergenic- guaranteed not to trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. In reality, there is no type of dog can live up to such a claim.  Proteins in canine saliva, shed skin cells (dander) and the proteins in dog urine can all aggravate an allergic response in a susceptible individual.

This is why most pet allergy sufferers tend to have more pronounced  allergic reactions to cats than dogs. Cats habitually lick and groom themselves, depositing large quantities of saliva on their fur as they do this. Some breeds, such as hairless breeds, also indulge in quite a bit of self-grooming. This is one reason why some allergy suffers cannot tolerate hairless dogs.

Curly and wavy coated breeds like Havanese, Bichons and Poodles, are also described as hypoallergenic. As a rule they don’t shed very much and dead hair normally remains trapped in the coat until it is removed by brushing or bathing. They also have thinner, dryer skin which produces smaller amounts of coat dander. Dead hair and dander are regarded as the major allergy triggers and EVERY dog will produce this to some degree

There are also several things that allergy sufferers can do to minimize their potential allergic reaction to dogs.

Removing potential allergens from the dog’s skin is the best way to minimize potential allergic response Wash the dog frequently to remove all traces of dander, dead hair, saliva and urine from the coat. It is safe to do this twice a week as long as you use mild dog shampoo. The pH balance of human hair care products is more likely to dry the skin and strip essential coat oils. Wash only the hair and try to avoid scrubbing the dog’s skin, which can cause dryness and irritation.

Put a light tee shirt on your dog to help contain the dander that is shed from the skin. This will also discourage the dog from licking its skin and depositing saliva. Wash the dog’s feet after every walk to remove traces of urine.

Air conditioning will not effectively remove allergens circulating in the air. Use air filters along with your air conditioning. Vacuum rugs and furniture frequently, especially places where the dog spends a lot of time. Avoid rugs and furnishings that are hard to clean and likely to attract dog hair and dander, such as wicker dog baskets. Non porous materials such as vinyl, plastic and leather are preferable. They are less likely to harbor hair and dander.

Always wash your hands after handling your dog,