Bringing a pet home is a choice for some, a dream come true for a few, and a dream for many. While some are lucky to live happily with their furry four-legged friend, unfortunately, the same dog that is well tolerated by one person with allergies can cause health problems for another. Nonetheless, about two-thirds of houses around the world have at least one pet with most of them primarily being dogs. Many people who are allergic to dogs prefer to live with the very animal that can cause little or even major discomfort in the form of mild to severe allergies. Nose itching, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, cough, and skin rashes, allergy symptoms can vary according to an individual's health and in some cases even become quite severe.

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The reason that people refuse to give up on pet passion is brought by the concept of bringing home hypoallergenic dogs. This term originated due to a couple of factors of allergy that can occur in dogs. There are different types of allergens, which can differ according to the dog breed. Most people with dog allergies have symptoms when exposed to certain breeds (more furry ones), but not every breed they come across has them. This creates an illusion that a certain dog is ‘hypoallergenic and doesn't cause allergies'. Broadly, this is a myth as there is not much evidence on something like a hypoallergenic pet.

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What Dogs Are Being Tagged As Hypoallergenic?

Although some individual dogs may indeed display fewer allergy symptoms as there are no hairless breeds or absence of shedding, there are no hypoallergenic dogs. Neither is there any guarantee that these so-called hypoallergenic breeds will result in no allergy symptoms.

Here are the popular dogs breeds that are being termed hypoallergenic dogs: 

• Yorkshire Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Maltese
• American Hairless Terrier
• Giant Schnauzer
• Afghan hound
• Chinese Crested

How To Stay Free From Pet Allergies?

Allergy is primarily caused by the dog dander and allergens present in them and not by the length, style, type, or excessiveness. Pet dander which are small flecks that come from their saliva, skin cells, and sometimes from their urine is the most common reason humans get symptoms of allergy. Rather than focusing on a typical dog breed, it is essential to focus on other factors that can bring the allergy down or help to get rid of it completely.

Hygiene and the living environment also play a major role in spreading allergies. To reduce exposure to dander inside the bedroom where a human can be more prone to sickness, keep the dog out of the bedroom at all times. Wash the dog at least once in two weeks. Avoid using carpets in the areas where pets roam freely and if at all you do, vacuum clean them every week. Keep the linens as clean as possible. Wash linens as often as possible. Instead of looking for a pet that is being marketed as hypoallergenic, it is better to maintain hygiene and keep the house free of dust and allergens. If symptoms are extreme, before getting a pet, some individuals can go for allergy testing. It will help identify if an individual's body can produce allergy antibodies towards dog dander which can help in making a decision. Another way to avoid problems and regretting the decision to own a pet and give it to someone later is, when you think of getting a dog, spending time with the exact breed at its original abode before bringing it inside the home.

Conclusion:

There is no such thing as a hundred percent hypoallergenic pet. The best way to stay free from pet allergens is to get rid of the allergy and causes of allergies instead of looking for a pet that is being marketed as hypoallergenic. If you are looking to spend your life with your four-legged buddy, maintain hygiene, and keep the house free of dust and allergens. If symptoms are extreme or before getting a pet, some individuals can go for allergy testing. It will help identify if an individual's body can produce allergy antibodies towards dog dander which can help in making a decision. Another way to avoid problems and regretting the decision to own a pet and give it to someone later, is when you think of getting a dog, spending time with the exact breed at its original abode before bringing it inside the home. If managed well, in most cases pets can be a family without much fuss.