| Some
people crave for the unfailing devotion and companionship of pet
dogs. But something stops these people from ever owning a dog.
This something is called “allergy”. An allergy is an alarming
and uncontrollable reaction, such as dripping nose, sneezing,
and shortness of breath. These are caused by substances called
allergens. Allergens can be pollen, dust, and animal hair.
Some people
simply have violent physiological reactions when exposed to
dogs, especially the dog hairs. The dog hairs are considered
allergens. Fortunately, such allergic reactions may be reduced
and managed when important precautions are carried out and hypoallergenic
dog breeds are chosen.
Precautions
to minimize allergic reactions can help an overly sensitive
person to enjoy the presence of a dog. Some precautions that
a future dog owner may take are the following:
1. Have
an air purifier that can handle a large room, especially the
room where the dog will spend most of its time
2. An excellent vacuum cleaner can reduce the presence of allergens,
those tiny, dust-like stuff that cause the allergies
3. Get rid of the carpet. The carpet is capable of storing the
allergens for a long time. And when allergens get stuck in the
carpet fibers, the sensitive person may suffer frequent bouts
of allergies.
4. Consult a health professional, such as an allergist, who
will know what medications to prescribe to lessen the occurrence
of a person’s particular type of allergy.
Dogs cannot
prevent a person from having allergic reactions. But some dogs
induce such allergic reactions more often than others. Such
allergy-inducing dogs usually have long-haired coats or coats
that are lush and abundant. Other dogs have milder effects on
the sensitive or asthmatic person. These dogs are described
as hypoallergenic. The word “hypo” means “less”.
Hypoallergenic
breeds do not totally remove the possibility of allergic reactions.
But, by the nature of their coat, such allergic reactions can
be less frequent. Some of them are considered hairless dogs
and others are described as single-coated dogs. Here are some
suggested hypoallergenic dog breeds:
Some hairless
dog breeds are the following:
1. American Hairless Terrier
2. Chinese Crested (the Hairless variety)
3. Peruvian Inca Orchid
4. Xoloitzcuintle, also known as the Mexican Hairless
Some of
the single-coated dog breeds are the following:
1. Bedlington Terrier
2. Bichon Frise
3. Chinese Crested (known as the Powder Puff variety)
4. Coton de Tulear
5. Kerry Blue Terrier
6. Poodles (of all sizes)
7. Portuguese Water Dog
8. Schnauzers (of all sizes)
9. Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
10. West Highland White Terrier
For other
dog breeds, a person may consult a veterinarian. |
