dogs for allergy sufferer

debtfreewannabe321

Hi all, I'm new to this board (usually over on DFW board),

I've got a few questions and thought someone here might be able to advise . MY DS1 is 12 (13 in October) and I have two younger children and would like to get them a puppy.

DS1 has been asking for years and it is only recently that we have moved to a house with garden and in an area fantastic for dog walking (lot of fields, woods,etc) and plus DS is at the age now where he could walk the dog if i was busy with the two little ones.....so have swayed on the firm 'no' to a maybe now (and am actually really thinking yes as we always had a dog when growing up).

However, I am an asthmatic and allergic to dogs (cats...anything with fur really) and have been told that there are dogs out there that are better for people with allergies....the one i liked the look of most out of those recommended was a miniature Schnauzer, and just wondered if anyone here had one and what their temperment is like (esp around kids) also how much exercise they need & are they easy to train?

Also if you know of any other breed which may be suitable? I am put off the idea of a rescue dog as my sister got a jack russell from one and he is awful with kids, he's absolutely petrified of them (we think he was abused as a pup) and so barks furiously at any kid that goes near him ...anyway i could ramble on forever, any advice would be great

DFW x

somethingcorporate

Labradoodles are supposed to be great for allergy sufferers.

The wife and I are terrible with anything with fur but these seem to cause us no problems at all.

elsien

I don't think it's that simple - I'm sure I've seen somewhere that it depends on the genetics of the pup as to whether the anti-allergen thing has been passed on or not. Plus it depends if you are allergic to the dander or the fur - people assume it's the fur when it may not be. There's been another thread on this topic a while back - I'lll see if I can find it for you.

Edit - found this, not sure how much use it'll be to you.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1158407

peachyprice

Yorkies are supposed to be particularly good, they don't have fur as such, it grows like human hair

scheming_gypsy

I've always been allergic to cats and dogs but i currently have one dog curled up asleep behind my knees and one at feet watching TV.

One is a short haired staffy cross and the other is a long haired Northern Inuit... I got over being allergic by buying Rio (staffy cross) and building a resistance to the allergy. I sneezed and itched for a week till i built up the resistance but it was worth it

debtfreewannabe321

Many thanks for your replies

Elsien I have just had a look through all that thread you posted, quite a few agree with the mini schnazuer being good for allergy sufferers, but others were suggested also so I will have a good look through those with DH and see if there is any other breed suitable. My dad has a miniature schnauzer also so i know what their temperment is like, and i don't ever sneeze or itch around her so i'm hoping that that will be the same for all of them!

I will def have a look at shelters too, I had originally said no to those, but I suppose it depends on the dog, the situation it has come from and how old it is etc, thank you for all your advice it's really appreciated...and if anyone else has any please feel free to add.....

Oh and I also noticed that breeders don't sell at christmas and shelters don't re-home at that time either and I was planning on getting the pup/dog as a joint xmas pressie for all the kids then, and also because DS1 has time off school, DH has time off work so we could all help settle it in....what do you suggest? getting one before xmas perhaps? Or after because of the amount that may need re-homing

DFW x

skyvicky123

I have a labradoodle. Please don't believe the hype about them all being hypallergenic. They aren't but loads of breeders told us they all were! Some are but it could be 1 or even none in any litter that has the right coat type. My Labradoodle has 3 types of coat on him. Wiry, fluffy (poodle type) and wavy type and he DOES shed! (luckily we chose the labradoodle for temperament not because of allergies!)

My parents have bred irish water spaniels (they don't now) - they seem to be excellent for allergy sufferers but if you speak to the breed association they can advise. Irish water spaniels are really clever, funny dogs but they're quite big and need lots of exercise. Also poodles have very non-allergenic coats.

If you want details of who to contact at the irish water spaniel association then please PM me and I can send you the details.

debtfreewannabe321

Thanks Skyvicky i've never heard of that breed before

i think i would rather a small dog though as we don't have a large house or garden and i'd worry we didn't have enough space for it. I don't really like the 'toy' type dogs that are tiny, but i liked the idea of something the size of a jack russell or the miniature schnauzer nothing too big or powerful (so DS1 has no excuse for taking it out for a walk....and DH has no excuse either for saying it's a 'girl's dog' if it's too small lol)

peachyprice

My Yorkie is the size of a Jack Russell, he's a sturdy little thing. I never would have had a toy one with three children.

They only have the one coat type all over, with no undercoat and minimal shedding, virtually none if you brush them regularly. They're also quite oily which helps with fluff.

HTH

gone4gold62

how about a whippet .great with children ,and not as much exercise ,either short bursts sprinters, good luck with the search.

Kinski

My daughter has asthma and it's the dander that comes from dogs coats that cause her the problems, she can't go near a short haired dog but most long haired breeds are fine as their coats trap the dander. I have to be careful as to when I groom my sheltie, if my daughter is coming over then he doesn't get groomed.