Dog owners would know the mess dog fur can create. They are seen on clothing, sofas, carpet, and other places in the house. But do Labradoodles cause allergies?
The fur from a Labradoodle might look harmless, but the dead skin attached to the end of a strand called dander is known to cause allergies. It is not the fur that causes allergies but the dander attached to them.
Apart from the dander, the saliva and urine of dogs are also known to cause allergies. If you properly groom your pet, they, however, do not cause severe allergies. Though the fur may not be the direct source of allergies, it can also carry allergens from pollen grains, dust, grass, etc. that may accumulate on the dog’s coat and get transmitted to people when they play with it or groom it.
What are Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Dogs can be classified into allergenic and hypoallergenic dogs. Allergenic dogs are those that shed excessively with danders in their hair and cause allergies. Even dogs that excrete excessive saliva are known to cause allergies. On the other hand, hypoallergenic dogs shed minimal hair, or sometimes these breeds have almost no fur at all.
Though some dog breeds can be considered hypoallergenic, no breeds are a hundred percent hypoallergenic. While some breeds cause allergies that are negligible, others can cause extreme allergies.
Many dog owners suffer from allergies
Dog owners experiencing allergies are familiar across the world. 15 to 30 percent of Americans are said to have been affected by allergies. It is also interesting to note that cats are known to cause twice as many allergies, but allergies caused by dogs are known to be more severe.
Despite the allergies that dogs are known to cause, most pet owners choose not to abandon their dogs. They consider it a part of their family, and allergies seem to be just a small price they are willing to pay.
Symptoms of allergies caused by dogs
The following are the allergy symptoms caused by dogs:
- The appearance of rashes on hands, face, neck, and chest.
- It aggravates asthmatic conditions. Those with asthma tend to get more severe asthma attacks.
- Wheezing within 15 to 30 minutes when exposed to the allergens carried by dogs.
- The skin appears to become red when licked by a dog.
- Shortness of breath and coughing.
- Dog allergens can cause swelling and itching around the eyes and the nose.
Do Labradoodles Cause Allergies?
To understand if your Labradoodle can cause allergies, it is important to know if the two breeds they comprise cause allergies.
Labradors have a double coat that is relatively short but sheds excessively and is known to trigger human allergies. On the other hand, the poodle does not have an inner coat like the Labrador and is less likely to cause allergies. It is also considered to be amongst the most hypoallergenic dogs.
As Labradoodles have the genetic make-up of the Labradoodle, you cannot completely rule out the shedding of dander. It is minimal, and the Labradoodle is less likely to cause allergies as compared to other breeds.
History of the first litter of 8 Labradoodle pups
Wally Cohran first conceived the idea of cross-breeding Labrador Retriever and Poodles in Australia in the 1970s. The purpose was to help a blind woman in Hawaii who needed a guide dog and prone to severe dog allergies. The cross-breed was successful in helping the blind woman with her daily chores.
The first cross-breeding between a Labrador Retriever and Poodle bore eight pups- three of the pups were known to cause low allergies. Results appear to be consistent among litters, but Labradoodles have nonetheless proven to be hypoallergenic dogs.
Types of Labradoodle coats
The types of coat seem to vary in Labradoodles, unlike other breeds that have consistent coats. As Labradoodles tend to shed between the ages of 6 and 11, they initially have a baby coat with different textures and even colors.
If your Labradoodle’s coat is woolly like that of a poodle, it is allergic friendly but may require more regular grooming.
The fleece is the best coat for those prone to allergies. As it does not shed, it is easy to maintain. More importantly, they are also allergy and asthma-friendly.
The hair kind of fur tends to shed a little or even excessively. They are not allergy-friendly. Their texture ranges from curly to wavy or even straight.
The Most Allergy Inducing Dogs
The German Shepherd is the worst breed when it comes to excessive shedding of hair that has dander. This breed has skin that is drier than the others. As such, the German Shepherd tends to excessively shed hair with dander. This breed needs regular grooming. But in the bid to take care of its dry skin, don’t bath it too many times, which also causes its skin to dry faster and causes it to scratch itself.
When it comes to allergies due to excessive saliva, Bulldogs and Saint Bernards are the worst.
If you have sensitive skin and are worried about allergies caused by dogs, here are eight dog breeds known to cause allergies.
- German Shepherd
- Doberman Pinscher
- Basset Hound
- Siberian Husky
- Labrador Retriever
- Pekingese
- Pug
- Saint Bernard.
Least Allergenic Dogs And Hypoallergenic Hogs
Dogs that have no or less shedding coats are known to be hypoallergenic. Some breeds also have no fur on their bodies but only on their faces, like the American Hairless Terrier and Chinese Crested Dog.
Some breeds that are hypoallergenic are
- Bedlington Terrier
- Afghan Hound
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Coton de Tulear
- Schnauzer ( miniature, standard, and giant)
- Spanish Water Dog
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Maltese
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Peruvian Inca Orchid (hairless)
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Poodle
- Xoloitzcuintli
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that while many dogs are hypoallergenic, they can still cause allergies if they are not groomed properly. Also, look out for the kind of coat. Labradoodles with fleecy or woolly coats are generally hypoallergenic.
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If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
