Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?

By Mayo Clinic staff

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• With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist

  James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.

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  Biography of

  James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.

  James Li, M.D.

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  "People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li

  Dr. James Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.

  "There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."

  Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. He's a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He's a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

  The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.

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• Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?

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Question

Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?

Are there any hypoallergenic dog breeds?

Answer

from James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.

There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog breed, although some breeds may cause fewer allergy symptoms than others. Many people think that pet allergies are caused by a dog's or cat's fur, but the real source of pet allergies is often a protein that's in the saliva and urine of dogs and cats. This protein sticks to the dead, dried flakes (dander) from your pet's skin.

Some dog breeds, such as the soft-coated wheaten terrier, or mixed breeds such as the goldendoodle, are marketed as hypoallergenic dogs because they don't shed fur or they shed very little. Because these dogs don't shed, the allergy-causing dander that sticks to their fur doesn't get released into the air or onto the floor as much as it would with a shedding dog. While you may have fewer allergy symptoms with a so-called hypoallergenic dog than with a shedding dog, no dog breed is hypoallergenic. There's some research suggesting that female dogs and Labrador retrievers might put off lower amounts of dog allergens.

If you're allergic to dogs, but still want to have one, there are some things you can do to reduce your allergy symptoms:

• Choose a smaller dog, which will shed less dander than will a larger dog.
• Keep your pet out of your bedroom and other rooms you spend a lot of time in.
• Keep your pet outside, if weather permits.
• Bathe your pet weekly to remove dander from its coat.
• Choose carpet-free flooring, or shampoo your carpet regularly.
• Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air purifier and vent filters to help reduce airborne pet allergens.

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