Homing a dog when partner has an allergy

stuliet_2

Just another thought - what about a breed like a lurcher, greyhound or whippet?
They rarely moult and often have a very short smooth coat and are said to be good dogs for those with allergies.
On the plus side, there are countless of these type of dogs that need re-homing, if you wanted to go down this route, instead of buying a dog.

Mollymoonlight

Best of luck with this one, I know I would be gutted if I couldn't have a dog. When you say your OH had problems breathing at night before did he confirm that the dog was causing a problem? My OH had the same issue in our last house (which was old and damp) and we thought it was the animals that were the issue, but since we moved to a relatively new build, he's never had any problems.

alleycat`

stuliet wrote: »

Just another thought - what about a breed like a lurcher, greyhound or whippet?
They rarely moult and often have a very short smooth coat and are said to be good dogs for those with allergies.
On the plus side, there are countless of these type of dogs that need re-homing, if you wanted to go down this route, instead of buying a dog.

Firstly, as a big Lurcher fan i'd say great call on rescuing this breed of dog. They are superb but as per the allergy bit i'd have to disagree.

Our old boy was a Lurcher and if you believe they don't moult much then I'm afraid, in my experience, you are mistaken.

I'm still finding his hairs in the car, on my coat and in the house more than a year after he died.

They are great dogs and I'd have Lurchers and/or Greys again in a heartbeat but they do, in my experience, shed a lot more than you'd think.

I'm also not sold on any dog as "anti-allergy". I just don't believe such a thing exists. I'm also not keen on the idea of trying to introduce one into a situation where a person is known to suffer.

My wife and i are both gutted we can't have dogs anymore, due to my DS's allergy, but i don't feel it appropriate to try introduce an animal into a situation where this is a known issue.

Working with / around existing pets is a totally different thing.

That is just my thinking on the subject.

Person_one

Alleycat, while there are obviously no guarantees, there are most definitely breeds of dog that 99% of allergy sufferers can live with perfectly healthily. I promise!

You're absolutely right that greys aren't one of them though!

Op, I'm posting on the go at the moment, but if you want to pm me your location I'll reply later on this evening.

alleycat`

Person_one wrote: »

Alleycat, while there are obviously no guarantees, there are most definitely breeds of dog that 99% of allergy sufferers can live with perfectly healthily. I promise!

You're absolutely right that greys aren't one of them though!

Genuinely want to believe you because i'd love to have dogs again.

However, in my mind, i can't help but lump "anti allergy dogs" in with designer things like "labradoodles" and "micro pigs".

Freely admit my cynical nature doesn't help though!

Person_one

alleycat` wrote: »

Genuinely want to believe you because i'd love to have dogs again.

However, in my mind, i can't help but lump "anti allergy dogs" in with designer things like "labradoodles" and "micro pigs".

Freely admit my cynical nature doesn't help though!

That's just because of the recent press. People with allergies have been living with poodles and lots of other non shedding breeds for donkeys years. Where do you think they got the labradoodle idea from?

As I said earlier, I have quite severe allergies (and asthma and eczema and other delightful auto-immune stuff!) but have had dogs pretty much all my life without suffering at all, because we chose the right breeds.

PollyOnAMission

I am allergic to dogs but found I am not allergic at all to whippets. Maybe it's because the lack of undercoat doesn't allow much dust/dander to accumulate; I'm not sure. They do shed, but not much as there is very little hair to shed.

This might be a bit "out there", but if it's the hair you think he's allergic to, have you considered a hairless breed?!

PollyOnAMission

Another idea: could you foster for a rescue to "try out" a breed you think could work?

MatyMoo

I have a BIL and a niece with bad allergies to dogs and neither react at all when they are around my miniature schnauzer.

They are little dogs with big dog personalities, men don't feel silly walking them like they do poodles, and they make great pets

They are non shedding but do require regular brushing and grooming - I do this myself but other owners take them to a professional every 6-8 weeks.

stuliet_2

alleycat` wrote: »

Firstly, as a big Lurcher fan i'd say great call on rescuing this breed of dog. They are superb but as per the allergy bit i'd have to disagree.

Our old boy was a Lurcher and if you believe they don't moult much then I'm afraid, in my experience, you are mistaken.

I'm still finding his hairs in the car, on my coat and in the house more than a year after he died.

They are great dogs and I'd have Lurchers and/or Greys again in a heartbeat but they do, in my experience, shed a lot more than you'd think.

I'm also not sold on any dog as "anti-allergy". I just don't believe such a thing exists. I'm also not keen on the idea of trying to introduce one into a situation where a person is known to suffer.

My wife and i are both gutted we can't have dogs anymore, due to my DS's allergy, but i don't feel it appropriate to try introduce an animal into a situation where this is a known issue.

Working with / around existing pets is a totally different thing.

That is just my thinking on the subject.

I guess I am just saying from my own point of view - I have a rough coat lurcher who doesn't moult at all and is fine with my friend who has fur allergies.
However, the very nature of lurchers is that they are cross breeds of working dogs and sighthounds, so therefore the range of the mix can be huge, so a multitude of different combinations can exist.

I assume it is just the 'luck of the draw' as with all mixed breeds.

I would definitely second your opinion on what a great 'breed' of dog they are though - I have not one single regret about rescuing my gorgeous lurcher!