If you suffer from allergies, it is important to know if a Labradoodle is going to be hypoallergenic or not. There are many dogs that fit that category depending on how many allergens they spread, and how much hair they shed.
Labradoodles are not hypoallergenic. They have fur that easily sheds and people with allergies can react to that when interacting with them. Depending on how severe the allergy is, this can prove to be an issue for some families, but for some, it won’t.
Knowing whether a Labradoodle can be called “hypoallergenic” or not shouldn’t dictate if you should get one if you really want, as there’s a lot more to hypoallergenic dogs than most people know about. And besides, there are several things that you can do to make your Labradoodle better suited to live with you and your allergies.
Why Are Labradoodles Not Hypoallergenic?
There are several different breeds of dogs that are a lot more allergy-friendly than others, and unfortunately for Labradoodle lovers, they aren’t one of those breeds.
Labradoodles originate from Labrador Retrievers that used to be working dogs, which is why they have a thick fur so they were able to handle to cold winters and the cold mountain heights. This is why Labradoodles are built with double-coats and they have very thick fur, especially when it’s winter.
Their undercoat is soft and meant to keep your dog nice and dry, and it works as insulation against the harsh outdoors. Their outer coat is coarser and longer and is meant to protect the dog against ice and snow.
This double-coat system means that these dogs will shed all year round, but they will shed the most when the summer approaches. They do this to make sure they won’t overheat while they are out in the sun which in turn allows them to be able to really enjoy the outdoors even during that time of the year. If they didn’t shed so much for the summer, they could run the risk of heatstroke or perhaps even death.
While the shedding is mostly in the summer, they will still shed a bit of fur all-year-round, just like how most people lose quite a bit of hair on their heads every day, it’s just a natural procedure.
While all of this shedding is absolutely necessary for a dog, it can be quite annoying even for people who don’t suffer from allergies, as it can quickly fly all over the house. And if you have dog allergies, this is a particularly challenging barrier to defeat.
Some people have gotten the idea that shaving their dog is a viable option. And while it might work for some breeds, it won’t for a Labradoodle. You shouldn’t shave your Labradoodle for the winter, because they will need all that fur to help keep them warm.
The fur also works to keep them cool for the summer. Dogs’ can’t sweat like humans, so they must rely on other ways to cool down. Shaving a Labradoodle for the summer not only gets rid of some of the insulation that will help cool them down, but it will also leave it vulnerable to sunburn. And even if you did shave it, a Labradoodle would still shed, so the best option to keep it healthy and well-protected is to simply not shave it.
About Those Allergies
Allergies to animals is a very common thing, and according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, almost 30% of people who suffer from allergies are allergic to cats or dogs.
Contrary to what most people think about when mentioning what the culprit is when it comes to animal allergies, their fur isn’t actually the issue, it’s the dander from the pet or microscopic pieces of skin that gets free. However dander is typically carried by the fur, so that’s why people sometimes say that the fur is what’s causing them the bother.
Pet dander can be carried in several different ways. Directly touching the animal is one of the obvious ones, but the dander can also be transmitted through the fur. Sometimes you might also breathe it in, which will usually result in reactions such as coughing and wheezing in from your lungs. There are also times where direct contact of the dander with skin can lead to rashes and general itchiness.
One of the most typical symptoms, is itchiness to the eyes, runny or stuffy noses, and the occasional inflammation.
Perhaps you already know that you suffer from allergies, but you might also discover or develop them after years of living with your pet. Sometimes allergies can just develop, and conversely, they might disappear altogether as well.
All in all, while being allergic to animals is obviously not the most pleasant of experiences, no matter the level of severity you may face, but if you absolutely love your pets, it can be made a lot easier to live with.
Tips on How to Live With a Labradoodle and Allergies
Before rushing out and getting a Labradoodle, it’s good to know how tolerant your allergy is and to generally evaluate your lifestyle. Someone who has severe allergies should perhaps reconsider before getting this type of breed. For others with less severe allergies, they may be willing to live with them in exchange for being able to get their favorite breed.
No matter if you are planning on getting a Labradoodle or perhaps you already have and only recently discovered your allergies, there are still several things that you can do in order to make it a lot more manageable and create a great home for both you and your Doodle.
1. Keep your Labradoodle Well-Groomed
Labradoodles shed quite a bit, but if they are kept well-groomed this can be somewhat controlled. If your allergies aren’t too severe, you can do this yourself surprisingly easily. If not, try asking a non-allergic friend or family member if they might be willing to help you.
You should generally brush a Labradoodle once a day if possible, and on top of that, do a thorough brushing at least twice a week.
You should also give your dog regular baths. How often can vary, but the more often the better. Bathing your Labradoodle will get rid of the dander and old skin cells and keeps those from flying out around your house. Using a great shampoo such as this one from Buddy Wash and keeping their coat healthy can greatly reduce the shedding as well.
Dry fur will shed more, so a clean and well-groomed dog will not leave as much fur and dander around.
You can also take your Labradoodle to a professional groomer if that’s what you prefer, and they might be better able to keep them clean and reduce any shedding.
But remember that even a well-groomed Labradoodle can cause allergies, so there are a few other things that you should also consider doing to reduce any issues that you might have.
2. Use Air Cleaners
There are numerous different types of air filters and purifiers widely available. But if you want something that’s perfect for dealing with pet dander, a HEPA kind is highly recommended. These filters will be able to catch the dander and many other things such as dirt and dust that’s in the air and it helps to keep your home spotless and dander-free.
You can also get some vacuums that have HEPA filters, which is quite good for vacuuming places where dander and pet fur may have built up.
As stated earlier, keeping the air of your home clean is very important because pet dander will be all over the house, and you will definitely breathe it in, causing allergic reactions and discomfort.
“ Our 5-in-1 air filter system captures particles you can’t see, with a true HEPA filter that filters 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.”
-Amazon
And while a filter might not be able to get 100%, it can still be a great help. A lot of people who don’t even have allergies use them as it gives your home a great clean feeling, a nice atmosphere, and reassurance that they aren’t breathing in several different things that they shouldn’t.
3. Getting Rid of the Carpet
If you have carpeted floors, there’s a high risk that pet dandruff can easily get locked into it and stuck there forever. Having a Labradoodle and carpet is pretty much just asking for a floor full of dander.
I have personally switched to hardwood floors and that made my sons’ allergies a lot more manageable. It’s a lot easier to sweep a wooden floor than struggle to thoroughly get rid of all the dander in the carpet. But if you for some reason can’t get rid of the carpet, at least make sure you vacuum it often.
Also, remember that it’s not only the fuzzy blankets and rugs the dander can get caught in but also your couch cushions. Completely clean these and keep up with that cleaning at least once a week so that it doesn’t become too critical.
4. Wear “Pet-Specific” Clothes
It can be a good idea to get specific clothes that you can wear when you’re around your pets either inside the house or outside. These clothes can be anything you own, but most people choose some of the older and more ragged clothes that they aren’t bothered by getting dirty.
If you do this it can help keep your everyday clothes, such as what you usually wear to work, practically dander free. Sneezing and itching all day at work because your pet fur came with you on your clothes isn’t the most desirable, so it’s better to try and keep that separated as best as you can.
You should also be careful when putting things in the wash. If you mix something that’s full of fur and dander in the wash with stuff that isn’t full of it, you will only end up with the dander on all your clothes, as it will spread when put in the cycle.
You can also just take things to the dry-cleaners if you want to pay for that, or just vacuum, or shake them firmly in order to help stop that from happening.
With Labradoodles, it will be quite difficult to avoid getting fur on even your non-pet clothes, but if you keep your things as separate as possible it can prove very helpful and even reduce your allergy issues by just a bit.
5. Wash Your Hands Frequently
While this is probably the easiest thing to do, a lot of people don’t always take the needed time to do it. You should know that after playing with a dog, a simple hand sanitizer might not always be enough.
Fully cleaning your hands with soap and warm water will go a long way to preventing any allergic reactions.
A Labradoodles’ fur and dander can quickly get everywhere so you should definitely wash your hands after petting or playing around with one, but you should also do it after vacuuming, sitting on the couch if there’s fur there, and basically, after any time you’ve done anything where there’s a risk that dander was present.
When you shower, you should also thoroughly rinse and scrub down as well. Some people take a quick shower after every time they interact with a pet, but that isn’t really necessary. Just be sure you’re up to date on your own grooming and you should be fine.
6. Have “Pet-Free” Zones
Even if you follow all of the advice above, it’s inevitable that dander will get wherever your dog roams. And that’s why you could consider turning places such as bedrooms and bathrooms into “pet-free” zones, this will allow you to have some places free of symptoms from allergy.
If you allow your Labradoodle to roam all over the house wherever he wants to, then fur and dander are going to be everywhere as well. This means you won’t have any sanctuary for your allergies and can make staying in your own home rather difficult at times.
“We spend roughly a third to half of our time in the bedroom, so if you let your dog sleep on the bed or even in the room, it’s likely the biggest cause of your pet allergies.”
-Oransi
Labradoodles are at least extremely intelligent dogs, and they are known as one of the breeds that are the most trainable of them all. This means it most likely won’t be very difficult to train your dog where he is and isn’t allowed to go.
There are many ways to train a dog but as with pretty much every single breed, a Labradoodle reacts best to training by positive reinforcement. But no matter what method you end up using, at least it will be excellent to have a place where you can sleep comfortably without having to suffer through symptoms of allergy.
Another option is to train your Labradoodle to stay off of your furniture so that there’s at least a smaller risk of the dander getting on that as well. Crate-training your dog can be beneficial as well because it can help keep the dander to a more contained area.
Just make sure you’re being cautious when cleaning it out if that’s the option you chose.
7. Use Medicinal Remedies
There’s an abundance of options available when you’re looking to deal with allergy symptoms. There are medicines that can help to reduce a runny nose, a rash, itchy eyes, and a lot of other things that your dog might cause you.
For some people taking a few pills every day allows them able to be around their furry friends 24/7. But as with all medicines, you should be careful, as they all come with their own side effects, and you might end up being immune to them. Medicine isn’t always the best alternative, and it for sure shouldn’t be a substitute for having a well-groomed dog and a clean house.
If you want to try and attack more than just the allergy symptoms, there are options such as allergy shots that can help. These allergy shots are also known as immunotherapy, and they work by giving you a small dose of the allergy. You start going a few times a week, which will then gradually spread out over time as you are able to build up immunity. This isn’t something that works for everyone, but it can be a viable option that may help you live with your Labradoodle better.
As with all medications, you should always contact doctors or other medical professionals before making decisions about any shots or medicine to handle your allergies.
What Generation of Labradoodle Is Best for Allergies
The F1B generation of Labradoodle, which is a cross between a Labradoodle and a Poodle, is considered to be the best option for those with allergies due to the fact that they are less likely to shed and produce less dander.
However, it’s important to note that even this generation may not necessarily be completely hypoallergenic for all individuals.
Don’t Make Your Labradoodle an Outdoor Dog
Some people that suffer from pet allergies think that if they make their pets live outside, it will be the end of all of their problems. And while there are some animals that can handle living outside, Labradoodles are the best for that option. It’s not impossible for them, but you will have to take quite a bit of precaution.
- READ MORE: CAN LABRADOODLES LIVE OUTSIDE?
While Labradoodles are highly active dogs that do enjoy spending a lot of time outside, they are also extremely social dogs. They love feeling like a part of the family, and if left outside for too long, they will get bored easily.
Labradoodles need a lot of both physical and mental stimulation, and being stuck in the backyard just won’t suffice. It can also be unsafe and unhealthy to keep a Labradoodle outside constantly.
If you dont provide a Labradoodle with a lot of socialization, they can develop destructive and even violent tendencies. If you want a well-behaved Labradoodle, then you” have to allow it inside.
The indoors also serves as protection for your dog from the weather, both in the summer and winter. It will also prevent your dog from running away, and it allows him/her to be a loyal member of your family that will always love you and look out for out.
So if you are considering getting a Labradoodle and have severe allergies, make sure you can handle having it indoors before you get one. A Labradoodle is a lot of responsibility and work even when not suffering from allergies, so you have to be sure that you’re willing and able to handle it.
What Dogs’ Are Hypoallergenic Then?
If you are a person who is extremely sensitive to dog allergens and dander, then a Labradoodle may not be the best dog for you.
Instead, you should think about looking more into one of the following breeds, as they are some of those that are referred to as hypoallergenic by The American Kennel Club:
- Afghan Hound
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Maltese
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)
- Poodles (Toy, Miniature, and Standard)
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Schnauzers (Miniature, Standard, and Giant)
- Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spanish Water Dog
- Xoloitzcuintli
But if your reaction is only pretty mild and you are willing to put in just a bit of extra effort to minimize the allergens, then a Labradoodle could very likely end up being your best friend.
Try to check on Facebook or something like that and see if you can find somebody in your area who owns a Labradoodle, and try to spend some time with it, if your symptoms don’t flare up then a Doodle will most likely work just fine for you.
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