Family wanting a dog

jackie_w

Hi There

My youngest is absolutely daft on dogs, he loves them, however, he is allergic to them. Whenever next doors dog is out in the garden, he stand by the fence watching it and shouting its name.

People tell me that its the dog hair that he will be allergic to, so, im not sure if this is true or not.

We (as a family) have been discussing getting a dog. We have always had a dog up until 3 years ago, when we had to get our lab put down because he was too old, my youngest was only a baby at this time, so, its not as if the dog went anywhere near him, so, at that time, we didnt know he was allergic to dogs.

We really loved having dogs, and we really feel like there is something missing, because before youngest was born, we loved going out walking with the dog.

Is is true that it will be the hair that he will be allergic to? If so, is there any type of dog that we can get?

Dh and I have always been brought up with dogs, so, we do have experience with dogs.


Jackie xx

Rachel83

i heard that theres some kinda labrasnoodle or something daftly named thats supposed to be hypoallergenic although tbh i have no idea on wether or not it is... theres a post somewhere on here i'll try to find to link

Kerriebaby

Its not always the hair that people are allergic to, its often the dander ( skin cells ) which is naturally in the coat, and even the saliva.

Why dont you make a list of what you want from a dog, and go and visit a few breeders and see how you get on

FWIW, do you have central heating? my OH is severely allergic to dogs (asthma ) which is only noticeable if he is at his SIL's...we have three dogs and im a dog walker...Entire males set him off too

Kerriebaby

Rachel83 wrote: »

i heard that theres some kinda labrasnoodle or something daftly named thats supposed to be hypoallergenic although tbh i have no idea on wether or not it is... theres a post somewhere on here i'll try to find to link

not necessairly, as the non moult gene is recessive..you could have a doodle that doesnt moult, tho most that I have met are worse than my Collie

Rachel83

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1158407&highlight=labradoodle

Thats the link to the other post i dont have a clue on the breeds just remember browsing over it a while ago, good luck in your search Jackie

jackie_w

Thanls everyone for your replies, will have a look through the links provided.

We would rather have a big dog if possible, small dogs im afraid i have never really beenn bothered with, but, I think this is because its always been big dogs that we have had. However, i would like a wee west Highland Terrier, i really like those dogs.

I know my husband would like to have a Rottweiller, because he has been brought up with Rottweillers, his Dad had 3 at one time, and he has nothing but praise for the breed. Im not so sure about the Rottweiller, I know its nothing to do with the bread, its the owners, but, you know what I mean.

I think I will just have to take my son round a few breeders of different types of dogs that we would be considering, to see if he does take a reaction to them.

Jackie xx

lowis

please think really hard before you take the plunge, if your son becomes attached to a dog, but then becomes allergic, he will be devastated when the dog has to be rehomed.

my (now ex) partner was allergic to cats, we foolishly got 2 siamese as we had read that people with allergies could 'tolerate' them. wrong wrong wrong. allergies kicked in big time after about 4 weeks! thankfully we lived apart at the time so after THREE years of suffering (and numerous hospital visits) the cats came to live with me...we couldn't give them up. it meant we could never live together though and experience a 'normal' relationship.

if you do visit breeders, ensure that you spend LOTS of time with the dogs, with numerous visits, don't base you judgement on a 30 minute visit.

good luck.

jackie_w

Hi Lowis,


Thanks for your reply. Thats what I was planning to do. Any dog that we decide on, we wont tell the kids, or I should say the youngest that we are thinking of getting a dog, but, we will explain to the breeders that he does have allergies, and that we want to see what his reaction would be. if he takes any reaction at all, its a definate no no.

Jackie xx

Errata

Jackie, it could be difficult to discover whether it's the hair or the dander your son is allergic to but you try asking at your local dog groomers for some samples of poodle, Llasa, etc clippings and 'test' your son with them. If he's allergic to hair, then a dog with a wool coat could be ok and poodles come in all sizes. Good luck.

jackie_w

Thanks Errata, I didnt think of that. Thats a really good idea.

I didnt think of that at all. Do you think they will let us have some samples okay? Will take the piriton with me just incase.

I noticed in one of the links that was provided to me that the West Highland Terriers might be a dog that he might not be allergic to. So will have a good look at them too, and might even ask a breeder for some samples of hair to check that with my son too.


Jackie xx

lowis

my ex seems to be able to be around a parsons jack russell without too much bother...not exactly a rottie, but they are lovely dogs.