Are Poodles Hypoallergenic? Tips For Families With Allergies
Before you bring any dog into the family, it’s vital you dig deep to find out more about it and evaluate whether it’s a good fit for your lifestyle.
One key element that may be taken into account is whether or not a certain dog breed will trigger allergies in family members, as this can be a genuine drawback.
In this post, we’re going to look at Poodles and find out whether they are hypoallergenic.
Let’s get started!
All the three types of Poodle – the standard, miniature, and toy – are hypoallergenic. They release less allergens into the air because their coats rarely shed, and thus allergies in humans are triggered less often.
What Causes Allergies From Dogs?
Most people believe that dog hair causes allergies in humans, but this is not the case since dog hair doesn’t carry any allergen.
What actually causes the allergies are proteins that can be found in a dog’s saliva, skin, and urine. These proteins are known as Can f 1, and they trigger allergic reactions such as dermatitis, shortness of breath, or asthma attacks in people who are hypersensitive to them.
All dogs have the Can f 1 protein, and if you’re allergic to a certain type of dog then you are likely allergic to all its breeds.
But dogs that don’t shed like Poodles release fewer allergens into the atmosphere, so there’s actually less for your allergies to be triggered by.
Once exposed to the allergens released by dogs, allergic people will experience signs such as;
- Red, itchy and watery eyes.
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Asthma attacks and difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
When you have an allergy to a dog that’s not hypoallergenic, these symptoms will appear several times throughout the year as soon as you’re exposed to the allergen. However, if you have an allergy to a hypoallergenic breed of dog then these symptoms will be much less severe and they’ll appear far less frequently.
Can Poodles Trigger Allergic Reactions?
One thing to keep in mind is that all dogs have Can f1 protein, and that means you will never get one dog that won’t trigger any allergic reactions!
But Poodles are hypoallergenic because they release fewer allergens, so it’s very likely that they won’t trigger any allergy symptoms in humans.
What Makes Poodles Hypoallergenic?
Some of the Poodles attributes that make them hypoallergenic include;
A Non-Shedding Coat
Unlike some of the other types of dogs, Poodles have coats that don’t shed. This is because they are a type of non-shedding terrier.
So, if you’re looking for a hypoallergenic breed that won’t leave fur everywhere, then you should consider getting a Poodle as well as one of the other 30 hypoallergenic breeds.
Keep in mind that shedding releases dander into the air, so you can expect to see fewer allergens in the atmosphere if your dog doesn’t shed.
And since Poodles rarely shed their coats, there will be less dandruff and dust floating around the room.
In general, however, some Poodle owners have experienced a small increase of allergy symptoms when they have a Poodle.
The main reason for this is that they groom their dogs too often, and lose a lot of hair during the process!
So if you have a Poodle avoid over-grooming it, get quality dog brushes to reduce shedding, make sure you vacuum your home regularly to remove any remnants of fur or dander left behind after grooming your Poodle.
Low Dander Fur
Besides not releasing much dander into the air, Poodles fur also contains less dander.
What is dander? Dander is dead skin cells that fall off a dog’s body – this is what causes most allergies in humans.
The Poodle has hair instead of fur, and the hair doesn’t fall off the dog’s body, so it carries less dead skin cells that could trigger an allergic reaction in humans.
Also, since they have a curly coat it can be harder for dander to fall out of the fur, so you’ll experience less shedding if your dog has a curly coat like Poodle’s do.
Poodles Are Easy to Train
One thing every Poodle parent can attest to is how easy these dogs are to train.
Their high intelligence means you can train them to behave and they’ll listen better than most breeds.
If you are allergic to dogs, you can train your Poodle to stop some behaviors that can easily expose you to allergens such as staying in one place or stopping licking you.
This type of training will help you control your dog’s movements, and you’ll no longer be at risk of being exposed to allergens.
During the training process, however, it is important for you to wear a face mask as well as gloves since there are still potential allergens on the Poodle’s body.
Not Likely To Drool
Drooling exposes you to the protein Can f 1 present in saliva. Keep in mind that this protein is the main allergen in dogs.
The good thing about Poodles is that they have a lower tendency to drool compared to other dogs.
Therefore, they are a good choice for people that are susceptible to allergic reactions because they will be exposed to less saliva, which can trigger allergies.
However, it is important to keep in mind that all dogs drool when they’re eating or drinking, so you should avoid staying close to your Poodle during these times.
If you notice that your Poodle is drooling more than usual, it could be a sign of an underlying illness, so you should immediately take him to the vet.
Where the veterinary rules out any illnesses, then you should just avoid a situation where your Poodle is likely to drool. You can also consider using anti-drooling treatments.
Taking Care of Your Poodle’s Coat
One surefire way to reduce chances of exposure to potential allergens from your Poodle is by taking good care of their coat.
By regularly brushing your dog you will remove most of the dander and fur that are present on their skin.
Also, use quality Poodle dog brushes to make sure you don’t remove too much hair during brushing sessions.
At times the dense and curly coats can be a little difficult to groom, especially for new pet parents. If that turns out to be the case, it’s advised to take your Poodle to the groomers so they can help keep their fur clean and healthy.
All of these preventive measures will reduce the chances of you being exposed to allergens when caring for your dog.
To avoid exposure to allergens when grooming your Poodle, it is recommended that you wear a face mask, and gloves since there are still some allergens on the Poodle’s body.
Tips on Minimizing Chances of Allergic Reaction
Even if you are allergic to dogs, it’s possible to coexist with Poodles without being exposed to allergens. However, if you suffer from more severe allergic reactions, the best thing to do is to avoid owning a dog.
If that’s not an option for you, then the below tips will go a long way in minimizing your chances of having an allergic reaction when caring for your Poodle or any other dog in that case!
Tip #1: Only Go For Hypoallergenic Breeds
100% Hypoallergenic dogs never exist. However, there are breeds of dogs that have very low chances of triggering allergies. Some dog breeds that are not as likely to trigger allergies include Poodle, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, Yorkshire terriers, and Bedlington Terrier.
Tip #2: Keep Your Dog Healthy!
A sick dog is more likely to trigger allergies. As such, make sure you keep your dog healthy by taking them for regular wellness checkups at the vet and scheduling tick and flea treatment throughout the year.
Tip #3: Keep Your Dog’s Grooming Under Control
Grooming your dog is one of the most important ways to keep them healthy. However, over-grooming will expose you to more allergens since it removes all the hair and dander from their body. As such, make sure that you’re brushing your dogs regularly each week, but don’t overdo it.
Tip #4: Make Sure You’re Using High-Quality Dog Brushes
To avoid excessive hair loss, make sure you’re using high-quality dog brushes that will not irritate your Poodle’s skin. Also, avoid using metal combs since they can damage their sensitive coat.
Tip #5: Wash Your Dog Regularly
Make sure that you’re washing your dog regularly with products that have been developed for dogs. Avoid using human shampoos as they are not as effective and can potentially damage your Poodle’s coat.
If possible, only bathe your dog when he or she gets visibly dirty because bathing too often will dry out their skin.
Tip #6: Using a Face Mask and Gloves When Grooming Might Be Required
It is not necessary to wear a face mask when grooming your Poodle, but if you’re allergic to pet fur, dander or saliva then it’s best you do so. Also, make sure that you’re wearing gloves since some dogs carry germs that can make you sick.
Tip #7: Consider Using Dog Shampoos and Conditioners
If your Poodle’s skin gets dry during or after bath time, then invest in some quality dog shampoos and conditioners that will moisturize his skin so it remains healthy.
Tip #8: Remember to Vacuum Your House More Often!
Lastly, make sure that you’re vacuuming your house more often so pet hairs do not accumulate and become airborne. This will significantly cut down the number of allergens in your home.
However, remember to wear a face mask while vacuuming as there are still potential allergens in the air that can make you sick.
Tip #9: Enroll in a Hypoallergenic Dog Ownership Class
If you’re severely allergic to Poodles, then it’s best to enroll in a hypoallergenic dog ownership class. These classes will teach you how to keep them healthy and groom them without exposing yourself to allergens.
All these tips are great as general dog care too! And most importantly, don’t give up on your Poodle because they are seriously worth it!
Other Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
While it is true that Poodle is one of the best breeds out there for people with allergies, he’s not alone. In fact, there are several more dogs that will make suitable companions without triggering allergies. Check out below list below;
- Maltese – known to trigger allergies in only 9% of people who suffer from pet allergies but is great for those with mild allergies or none at all
- Shih Tzu – has not been formally studied to find out if it triggers allergies. They are generally hypoallergenic, so there’s a high chance they won’t trigger your allergies
- Bichon Frise – has low dander and less shedding which makes them ideal for those with pet allergies but can trigger hyperallergenicity in those with mild allergies
- Chinese Crested – doesn’t shed any fur, dander, or body oil so it’s hypoallergenic. They’re also a smaller breed of dog, so it’s easier to have them live indoors
- Cairn Terrier- makes for a great indoor pet because they have low dander levels and shed very little. They don’t require much exercise either, which makes them perfect for those who can’t take a daily walk with their dog
- Schnauzer – this breed of dog has less shedding and produces less saliva than other breeds so it’s usually hypoallergenic. It is important to note that Schnauzers are very intelligent, so it requires a lot of mental stimulation and exercise
- Portuguese Water Dog – don’t let their wiry coat fool you. This dog breed is hypoallergenic and will not trigger any allergies. They’re also excellent swimmers which makes them perfect for people who live near the water
- Irish Water Spaniel – does not shed its coat and has a luxurious undercoat for added insulation. They are also very friendly so they will be great family dogs who can handle living indoors
Final Verdict:
You will never get an entirely allergy-free canine. However, dogs such as Poodles are less likely to trigger pet allergies because they are “hypoallergenic”. This means that even though they will still trigger some pet allergies, it is not as severe or bothersome to those who suffer from this condition.
However, if you have more severe pet allergies, it’s wise of you to not consider getting any pet at all. However, for less severe pet allergies, you can become a pet parent, only remember to follow the tips we talked about earlier so you and your Poodle can live happily.
