With increasing awareness of different allergies, people are more concerned about the shedding properties of other dogs. Yes, before bringing a dog into your home, it is essential to know its inherent traits. Among all the genetic characteristics, the type of coat is the most significant one that directly affects the dog’s people.
No dog breed is truly 100% hypoallergenic, and neither are Havapoos. Some might shed less than others, but dander and saliva from dogs are also causes of allergies and not just their hair.
Now, most often, you hear that dog breeders claim certain dog breeds as ‘hypoallergenic,’ by which they mean that those breeds are unlikely to trigger any sort of allergies to their owners and caretakers.
In this article, we will solve the mystery of “Are Havapoos Hypoallergenic?”
Are Havapoos Hypoallergenic
Now from this definition of ‘hypoallergenic,’ we cannot conclude that the dog breed will never cause any allergic reaction to anyone.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the US government has no established standards to evaluate any product or pet as hypoallergenic. Therefore we can say that ‘hypoallergenic’ is an objective term. It means that different people may have different experiences with the same product or pet.
What does Science say About it?
The science does not declare any breed as ‘hypoallergenic” – not a single breed even.
But before we get into more details, first, we will see how this ‘hypoallergenic’ thing started. According to some records, it was toward the end of the 1980s when a blind woman contacted Australia’s Royal Guide Dog Association to get information about dogs. She was blind, and her husband had some severe allergies triggered when he came in contact with pets.
Here she met Mr. Walter Conron, the head of the breeding program. He tested thirty-three breeds of dogs but did not find satisfactory results until he tried a Standard Poodle and Labrador Retriever to result in a Labradoodle. Now Mr. Conron tested this newcomer in every way and handed it over to the woman.
When it did not make her husband sick, Conron started marketing it, and he labeled the dog as hypoallergenic.
Do Havapoo Dogs Shed?
Now we come back to our Havapoo. Once you decide to own a cute, cuddly Havapoo, you will undoubtedly be searching for ‘Do Havapoo Shed?’.
Now we all know that all dog breeds have a coat of hair. This coat is continually shedding old, dead hairs and replacing them with new hair throughout a dog’s lifespan.
Can we label a dog as “non-shedding” when we know that shedding is an essential life process?
The Havapoo’s parent dog breeds the Poodle, and the Havanese have some genetic traits which make them non-shedding. But how?
We can say that their DNA has made their coats somewhat different from other dogs. For example, the Poodle has a curly coat which also sheds as any other dogs,’ but the hairs of a Poodle do not spread all over your house – on the floor, on the couch, and your t-shirt.
The thick outer curly hairs block the shed-out hair and keep them trapped inside the coat. The case is not similar for the Havanese. They have long, silky skin, which also traps their shedding hair. That is why we say that their cross-breed, the Poovanese are non-shedding.
Do Havapoos require more Grooming?
But what about Havapoo grooming?
Havapoo does also requires more grooming than other breeds because of their thick curly hair. If you don’t brush your Havapoo daily, the dead hair gets trapped in the coat and creates tangles. They will make your Havapoo more susceptible to skin diseases and infections.
They also require frequent cutting to keep them in good shape. Choose a Havapoo as your pet only if you feel that you can manage time for its daily grooming.
It becomes clear that non-shedding does not mean the animal is not shedding hair at all, which we all know is not possible. Non-shedding specify the behavior of the coat, which makes the difference. The coat doesn’t let the dead hair falling everywhere and therefore saves the owners from greater chances of getting allergic reactions.
Is There Any Hypoallergenic Dog Breed?
Like the misconception about non-shedding dogs, there is a misconception that dog hairs trigger allergic reactions in people living with a dog.
In reality, the allergies are not triggered by dog hair. The real cause behind those allergies is two proteins that are called Can f1 and Can f2. And these proteins are abundantly found in saliva and other excretions of the dog.
These two proteins are the main culprits for triggering allergic reactions in sensitive people. It may occur after you get a friendly lick or clean up dog’s hair or waste products. The more the proteins get into your body, the more intense their reaction will be on your body.
So Why Do People Say That Havapoos Are Hypoallergenic?
The term hypoallergenic was first used in the cosmetic industry during the 1950s. They named those products as “hypoallergenic,” which were less likely to cause allergic reactions in users. However, they never guaranteed that the product would never cause any reaction on anyone. Only the probability of allergic reactions was lesser than the nonhypoallergenic products.
The reason many people market Havapoo as a hypoallergenic pet is because of its low shedding properties. Here we can develop a strong relationship between the non-shedding coat and the hypoallergenic quality of a pet. When your Havapoo sheds a negligible amount of hair around the house, you are not going to encounter them lying on your floor, chairs, carpets, bed, and cushions. Therefore this low exposure reduces the chance of an allergic reaction.
Can You Get Allergic Reactions from Havapoo?
If you or any of your family member is prone to pet allergies, the best thing is to keep the household pet-free. However, if your desire to bring a cute Havapoo is not letting you sit, you can go for allergy testing to make sure you can afford a pet in your home.
The skin-prick test is often used for determining several forms of allergic reactions. Or a more simple way…spend some time nearby of a Havapoo if you develop an allergic reaction, which you can determine if you begin sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.
Some scientists suggest that people exposed to pets and foods in their earlier stages of life are more resistant to allergies and asthma in their later ages. The early ages here signify childhood and early teens.
But we suggest you consult your doctor or allergist before you bring a Havapoo to your home.
Another practical way of removing unwanted pet proteins from your house is to use a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration system in your place. This system filters out most of the pet dander and other aggressive pet particles away from your home.
Extra care should be taken to keep the Havapoo out of the bedroom of the allergic person. Install a HEPA filter and humidifier in the bedroom if you have someone who gets allergies when exposed to dander.
Researchers advise that if you expose your infants and children to house pets, they will develop a better immune response. As a result, they will not become sensitive to animal proteins when they enter adulthood. But this hypothesis needs more research as there is no valid evidence to support this theory.
Should You Bring a Havapoo Home?
Adding a pet to your household is a serious decision. Especially when you are taking the sociable, loving, cuddly Havapoo for your children or yourself. The decision is crucial for two reasons.
Havapoo is a Hybrid dog and is quite expensive. It can live up to 12 to 14 years. So bringing this dog essentially means a long-term commitment.
The second reason is that the Havapoo is a friendly dog that will love to cuddle in your lap. They show their love and affection by maintaining close contact with the owners. Therefore, it is not easy for you to ignore them. They will sit in your lap often and may bombard you with licks and kisses. They want to involve in a play with you, which automatically brings them closer to you. They do not thrive well emotionally and physically when left alone and do not get close attention.
Therefore, bringing a Havapoo home without consulting your allergist is not a wise decision and may affect family members’ health and well-being.
Is There Any Reality in the ‘Hypoallergenic” Traits in Dogs?
Now you probably think why there is so much demand for hypoallergenic breeds. American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology estimated that 10 percent of people in America develop allergic reactions to dogs. Suppose we assume that the USA’s total population is nearly 320 million, the number of people who suffer from allergic reactions due to dogs maybe around 32 million. Now we take the number of people who own a dog and keep it in their household, about 87.9 million. So from this difference, we can deduce that the majority of people own a hypoallergenic dog.
Is Dog Hair the Real Culprit?
No, it’s not all about dog hair. Dog hair also can make people sick due to allergies. But there are many other things too that you should know as a pet owner.
According to the American Lung Association, dander is responsible for triggering allergic reactions. Now, we will see what the dander is?
Pet dander consists of tiny microscopic particles of skin that pets, birds, and rodents shed. These little flecks of skin are abundantly found in the air in homes where pets are kept. When inhaled, dander causes allergic reactions in people who are prone to allergies.
Scientific research has also revealed that the protein involved in allergic reactions is also present in the saliva, urine, and dogs’ feces. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies must avoid close contact with dogs. Similarly, they should also refrain from cleaning their waste materials to prevent the chance of an allergic reaction.
Additionally, the dog may also carry allergens from the outdoor environment, such as pollens and other substances. Therefore it is necessary to clean or brush your Havapoo coat as soon as you reach home after a walk or hike.
How Can You Know Your Allergy Symptoms
Once you bring your Havapoo and get some allergic symptoms, there is no need to get anxious as some other things in your surroundings may also be causing discomfort and allergy symptoms.
For an official diagnosis, you should visit your doctor before blaming the dog. When you have a dog that is considered hypoallergenic,’ the chances of dog-related allergies are significantly less. However, we cannot exclude the possibility of allergic reactions caused even by hypoallergenic dogs.
If you notice the following symptoms are persisting unusually or recurring again and again, then consult your health care specialist.
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Coughing
- Tightness in chest
- Shortness of breath
- Watery or itchy eyes
- Skin hives and rashes
- Redness of skin where the dog has licked
- Asthma attacks
How to Reduce the Risk of Dog Allergy
Specific lifestyle changes help in managing your allergies without having to part from your fur baby.
- Set up dog-free zones in your house, especially you should not allow the dog in the bedrooms.
- Keeping Havapoo with acceptable grooming practices, i.e., weekly bathing and daily brushing
- Remove carpeting, curtains, horizontal blinds, upholstered furniture, and everything that attracts dander.
- Give a few days trial before making the dog a part of your family.
- Clean your nasal passages with saline solutions to remove allergens and prevent their accumulation.
- Taking the supportive medication with the doctor’s advice.
The problem may be Somewhere Else:
Do You Have Any Other Pets in the House, Along With a Havapoo?
Here we have an interesting fact for you.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has declared that the number of people who suffer cat allergy is double that of the people who face dog allergy. Therefore if you have cats or any other pets, you need to investigate them first instead of suspecting the Havapoo.
Also, check if you have exposure to chemicals, dust, or any other allergy-causing substance at your work.
Conclusion
We cannot label any particular dog breed as 100% hypoallergenic. However, you can find numerous breeds which are non-shedding, and as a result, they trigger allergies to a lesser extent than other breeds.
One of the traditional breeds that people consider hypoallergenic is Havapoo because both Havapoo parents, the Havanese and the Poodle, are known for non-shedding and hypoallergenic genes.
Hopefully this has helped you answer the question, are Havapoos hypoallergenic.
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