Hypoallergenic Dogs - Are You Allergic To Your Westie?

     Hypoallergenic dogs - This may come as a surprise to you, but did you know that 1 in 10 people are allergic to dogs.

According to study from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, it has been estimated that about 10% of the population is allergic to animals.

Do you suffer from watery eyes or even serious asthma attacks.When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they have a less or reduced tendency to cause allergies or allergic reaction among allergy sufferers.

There are two types of coats from our pets that produce a lesser amount of allergens: single-coated dogs, who do not have a thick undercoat. then there are hairless dogs. However even hairless dogs can produce enough dander to to affect a highly allergic person.

The problem is not with the pet's hair. It is the dander, or microscopic scales of dead skin (similar to, but much smaller than the dandruff on the human scalp) which pets are constantly shedding that is the cause. They are so tiny that you seldom know that they are circulating in the air or laying on the furniture and carpets because they are so small.

Here is a list of Hypoallergenic Dogs. If I have missed any I do apologize.

American Hairless Terrier
Basenji Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Chinese Crested (hairless)
Havanese
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Miniature Schnauzer
Portuguese Water Dog
Shih-Tzu
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Spanish Water Dog
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Tibetan Terrier
Toy Poodle
West Highland White Terrier
Wirehaired Fox Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier

Please remember that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic and also that allergic sufferers react differently to each separate breed of dog. It must be remembered that people with severe allergies and asthma will still be affected by a hypoallergenic dog.

For Westhighland Terrier (Westie) owners, such as myself, the news is good. They are considered good for allergy sufferers, with a relatively low dander (ranked number 7).

However you need to be reminded that one person's allergies may vary greatly from another person. It is always advisable to visit the home of the dog you wish to have, before you bring it home.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)