I know that poodles and bichons are "non-allergic." Has anybody had these and still had pet allergies? Any other suggestions for "non-allergic" dogs? My daughter has asthma, and I'd like to get a dog some day..am I asking for trouble?

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), October 16, 2001

Answers

Christina -- there is no such thing as a nonallergenic dog. There are two types of dog allergies -- allergy to the dander and allergy to the saliva. Dogs such as poodles and bichons do not cause a reaction in people who are allergic to dander, but if you are one of the lucky people who are allergic to the protein in dog saliva ALL dogs will cause some kind of reaction.

I hate to tell you this, but if your daughter has asthma, it's more than probable that her allergy to dogs is a saliva allergy -- and forget about having any kind of pet. If you talk to an allergy specialist, or an asthma specialist, they will tell you it would be unfair to you, your daughter and to the dog to try it. Trust me on this, my son is in the same situation and we NEED a dog -- unfortunately his asthma is so bad that risking a reaction means risking a MAJOR reaction -- not worth it.

-- Tracy (trimmer31@hotmail.com), October 16, 2001.

I have had asthma and allergies since I was pretty young and always had violent allergic reactions to dogs and cats. When my husband said that he really, really wanted to get a German Sheperd, I told him that the dog would have to be an outdoor dog as my allergies were so severe, having the dog even in the house would be too much for me.

We went to pick out our 8 wk old pup and meet the mom and dad and I immediately had an allergic reaction to them. Uncontrollable sneezing, wheezing, eye watering, etc. I was not very happy but we took our pup anyway. We immediately took him the next day for a vet check up (a condition of our purchase) and the vet told us that, the reason most people are allergic to dogs is because of FLEAS, not the animal itself. He told us that, if you look in a dog's coat and see dandruff-like material, this is actually "flea poop" and this is what most people are allergic to. He further told us that if we eliminated the flea problem, we would also eliminate alot of my allergies.

We took his suggestion immediately, although I must admit I scoffed at it. I had had allergies to dogs ALL MY LIFE and didn't expect that to change just because we killed fleas. Unbelieveable as it may sound, IT ACTUALLY WORKED!! We have had our beautful German Sheperd for 3 1/2 years now and I do not suffer asthmatic allergies at all around him. I can finally hug and kiss a dog without having an attack - and our dog is definately a house dog! However, Tracey's post about the dog saliva I have found to be true. While I have elimated my asthmatic allergies to the dog, I still get raised red bumps when I come in contact with his saliva but this is a minor concern compared to what I used to suffer!

I have found also that I still suffer asthmatic allergies around some dogs and verily believe that they are the ones who have fleas. Well- groomed dogs bother me no longer! I hope this helps you and your daughter.

-- Lisa (tepeeclan@nidlink.com), October 16, 2001.

I had a Bichon because of allergies. Poodles and Bichons don't shed but need regular grooming. Which can be annoying for people who don't have the time. My Bichon also never really housebroke. We finally put in a doggie door and that helped but if it was raining or cold outside, she would go on the carpet. Many Bichon owners will tell you that they had the same problem. Poodles,on the other hand, are one of the smartest dogs.

If you do decide to get a dog, you could visit a breeder (do not go to a pet store to buy a puppy) and see if your daughter has a reaction before buying a puppy. I usually have a reaction that night.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), October 16, 2001.

My mother had allergic asthma to dogs. I grew up with a poodle. When I got older I got a whippet, oddly, my mother never had a problem with him. My parents got a whippet, no problem. They later adopted a greyhound, again no problem. Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), October 16, 2001.

Hi,my son has a standard poodle and neithermy husband{asthma} or I {allergies} have any problem with him. He's also very smart, he even picks up his toys and puts them away which is more than his owner did when he was 2! On top of that he does not have any dog smell which is a big plus in my book.

-- Judy Schumacher (TootlesTheBrit@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

There is a hairless type dog called a chinese crested. I have heard...when I worked in dog grooming shops that people with allergies to the dander do well with them. Of course all dogs have saliva...can't help you ther. These are the butt ugliest dogs I have ever seen though. I know there must be folks who don't agree, but they are just plain not a nice looking dog. Hairless except on their head and its a big old whitel fluff mohawk sort of deal. Yikes. Less work and expense for grooming that Bichons or poodles, but I don't know if I would want to be seen with one. Good luck. I can't imagine life without a dog or two..

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), October 17, 2001.

There is another breed that I have heard about that is supposed to be good for people with allergies, a short haired non barking smart pup originally from the Belgiam Congo area, I do not know what that part of the world is called now. And I cannot spell the correct name but it is pronouced Ba shen gi.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 17, 2001.

Basenji's are very smart and very independent. People say they act more like cats than dogs. They don't bark but are very vocal, making weird little howling and chortling noises. I haven't heard about them being nonallergic, but they do have very short, sleek fur.

-- Elizabeth (lividia66@aol.com), October 17, 2001.

Dee is right about the Bichon's being hard to housebreak. My oldest daughter had one and they couldn't housebreak her for anything. Talked to other people and they all said they are hard to housebreak. It's too bad, as they are cute little things. Oh, this little one also snapped at the baby, so I would wonder about having them around young children.

Have never had a poodle, but have met a few. They were originally bred as a hunting dog. I think the breeds developed for some sort of work tend to be better than the ones developed just as pets or status symbols. If I could handle the grooming, I wouldn't mind having one, though not with the fancy clip!

But I like my old-fashioned working farm collie best.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), October 17, 2001.

Thanks, everyone, for all the info and insights. I definitely won't consider a bichon due to the housebreaking (maybe that's why I've seen quite a few offered for free in the paper). And I'd never heard about the saliva issue. Still the flea thing is interesting, too. I'm not rushing out and getting a poodle, by any means, but this all gives me more to think about. (Funny, because my daughter with the asthma doesn't like poodles, and my younger daughter does - I think it's kind of a sibling rivalry thing).

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), October 17, 2001.

We got a Shi-Tzu for the reason that it doesnt shed at all. (Dont know if this helps.)

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), October 17, 2001.

There is a new breed to the Kennel club called a Havanese. They are smaller then a Bichon and are smarter. They are in algility classes. Expensive since they are rare. I thought Lhasa's shed.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), October 17, 2001.

We also have a Shih-Tzu and my husband has asthma and allergies, but has no problem with her. She does need regular grooming.

-- Brenda Smith (bks_42@hotmal.com), October 17, 2001.

I have a 4 year old Maltese - she's is totally housebroken and responds well to a lot of commands (though she treats them as requests) No problem with allergies at all even after my Mom moved in with us. I do have to groom her a lot since her hair will grow right down to the floor - I usually keep her clipped to about a 1/4 inch. She is the best pet (friend) I have ever had, I highly recommend the breed.

-- Linda Al-Sangar (alsangal@brentwood-tn.org), October 21, 2001.

We have a toy poodle. He doesn't shed but I wouldn't say he is non- allergenic. My husband has a mild dog allergy and seems to manage fine with him. Poodles, BTW, are very intelligent dogs and good watchdogs.

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), October 21, 2001.