Hi, Does anyone know if people with allergies are allergic to Irish setters?

-- Stephanie (aubrey56@maine.rr.com), November 13, 2001

Answers

I am. Crazy, but I've only found a couple dogs that I'm not allergic to. Has nothing to do with length of hair either. I think everyone is different though. Probably depends on how severe the allergies what one can tolerate.

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), November 13, 2001.

Stephanie, did the Golden Retriever not work for your family?

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), November 13, 2001.

Stephanie,

You can be allergic to some breeds of dog but not others because different breeds have different danders, unlike cats that are all the same. And it is the dander that people are actually allergic to, not the hairs themselves. The allergist I work for does a general dog dander test but if someone wants to test for their own dog, he can do a test specific for that dog with its dander. If they are allergic, then he can make up desensitization shots for that particular dog, since some people don't want to give up their dogs if they are allergic to them. Hope that helps you. I don't know if Irish setters are any more likely to cause allergies than other dogs. If you have any other questions I might be able to help with, email me if you would like. If I don't know the answer, I can check with the Doc.

-- Sherry S, N.Fl (natmatters@mail.istal.com), November 13, 2001.

Well,we are trying to find the best type for our family, and my sister is allergic to dogs so I think we won't be getting a golden and plus my mom doesn't want a very affectionate dog.does anyone know of any homesteading not herding but companion dogs that people with allergies aren't allergig to?

-- Stephanie (aubrey56@maine.rr.com), November 13, 2001.

I think some of the terriers (particularly the ones with wiry hair) tend to cause fewer allergies than most dogs, but you'll probably want to check out each breed you consider individually as your sister may still be allergic to some of them. Good luck!

-- Lisa Oshust (lambrose@summitpolymers.com), November 13, 2001.

I am very allergic to dogs and don't have one of my own, however one of my sons has a standard poodle and its the only dog I've been around that I haven't had a reaction to. They don't shed, their hair grows kinda like ours and has to be cut regularly. They also don't smell { big plus for me}. I just love that dog, he's smart and good with family but also very protective. He's a nice size too for the house, I can even take care of him while they are gone. He sleeps in our room at night with no problem for me at all.

-- Judy Schumacher (TootlesTheBrit@aol.com), November 13, 2001.

I am not allergic to dogs, but I have been seeing a holistic doctor to counteract a severe bird allergy.

She told me something that was rather interesting. She said that a large percentage of people are allergic to dogs or cats because the animal itself needs work done on removing allergens in it's diet and that people miss the obvious that the animal itself is suffering allergic reactions that bring on the human's symptoms.

It's worth thinking about. I also have a mild cat allergy. I react to some cats and not to others at all. So I tend to credit what she has to say.

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), November 13, 2001.

Stephanie, the last two dogs you've thought about were both at leat originally hunting dogs - the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter (both of which, incidentally, do not have a reputation as being mental heavyweights). The only dog you've heard of which is almost or completely allergy-free is the poodle. Now, I wouldn't suggest to anyone that they get a miniature or toy breed, but the standard poodle was also bred as a hunting dog (a retriever), and is friendly and intelligent. The "poodle-clip" originated as a way to reduce their woolly coat so there wasn't as much drag in the water, then got perverted by the French into that silly clip. If you wouldn't be sending the dog into the water on a regular basis trying to chase down wounded ducks then you wouldn't have to have the dog clipped that way. Honestly, I think your sister could come to like an unclipped standard poodle if she gave it a chance. In fact, if she's willing to consider a dog despite her allergies, then the standard poodle sounds like the one everyone ought to give a chance. Intelligent, friendly, allergy-free, not too big or too small - what more do you all want?

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), November 14, 2001.

Stephanie--Your sister would probably be allergic to the Irish Setter also. I believe in my readings on goldens that an Irish Setter was used as one of the dogs to develop the golden breed. This is the second thread that I've read where someone has said that goldens are short on brains or can be kind of stupid. No way, they are fifth on the list of Dog intelligence, behind border collies, german shepherds, poodles, and labs. They are almost always national obedience champions. They are the most used breed for guide dogs, rescue dogs, drug dogs.

One thing to keep in mind Stephanie is that when you grow up you can have any kind of dog that YOU want. I know it's hard to wait, but the time will come faster than you think it will. My husband was not allowed to have any kind of pet when he was a kid, but he has sure made up for it now. He always has a golden pal with him--outside or inside. Good luck finding your dog.

-- vicki in NW OH (thga76@aol.com), November 14, 2001.

Thanks for clearing up the golden thing .Most dumb ones are from top show lines or the 100.00 pup.Ones that are shown and also have obedience or retreiving titles are NOT dumb.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), November 14, 2001.

I have chronic allergies that have almost taken my life a couple of times....BUT....Here at Old Field Farm....we have three INSIDE cats, two outside dogs (in a big chain link fence I built)...22 rabbits, mostly Angoras, and 22 laying hens!

When I was little I could only have "outside" animals becauseof my allergies..... My doctor has a fit sometimes but I guess I'm reliving my childhood with all these animals! I'm hoping for some Angora goats or hair sheep by this spring...

Anyway, when we first got our first inside cat, I gave her a bath every week and that kept the cat dander down. Now I think I may just be "conditioned" to them!

When I groom or cut hair from my Angora rabbits I always make sure I take a Benedryl before I start!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), November 14, 2001.

A "problem" with poodles is that they are VERY smart. You have to be smarter than they are and be able to figure out in advance what they can "get into". I have a good friend who has had a number of standard Poodles over the years, and they are nice dogs. In defense of miniatures and toys, they would be better DOGS if they weren't so often raised like spoiled grandchildren. If they are treated like dogs, they can be wonderful pets, instead of nasty, petty tyrants. Of course, they've been very popular, so there are a lot of puppy mill and other poorly bred mini's and toys out there. The standards have mostly been spared the puppy mill popularity.

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), November 14, 2001.