What are the top 5 best breeds for allergy sufferers? What are the 5 worst?

edit: misread your post!

I also wanted to add it seems a lot of people think the littler dogs are better for allergy sufferers.  I've never understood why.  Personally i like a dog somewhere between 25lbs and 70lbs, but that is beside the point

Contrary to popular opinion, there are no "hypoallergenic" dogs, there are just dogs that don't bother allergy sufferers as much as others.  Most of those are dogs with a hair coat, rather than fur.  Double coated dogs seem to be the worst offenders. 

Some of the breeds I like to recommend: Portuguese Water Dog, Havanese, Lagotto Romagnolo, Coton de Tulears, Border Terrier.  I like them because they are not mixes - thus the coat is very predictable.  Of course, you still need to pay attention to temperament and size, and other qualities, but for those who want a larger dog, the Porty is nice.  For those who like small, the Border is nice (but, it's still a terrier lol).

Worst for allergy sufferers, IMO: Huskies & Shepherds, Labs, Goldens, Cocker Spaniels, Setters, hounds

I'm allergic to certain dogs saliva -so it depends on the DOG for me...

I've also got severe environmental allergies- so short, single coated dogs are best for me

If you're allergic to what your poodle brings in on his coat, you're not allergic TO the dog itself. So the topic is rather moot, since people who are allergic to the actual dog (be it the dander, saliva, etc)will have a different result than one who is allergic to pollen, grass, etc.

You might clip him quite close or have him wear some sort of close fitting coat outside if it is a major issue at certain times of the year.

I only know of two people allergic to dogs..they live with a Miniature Schnauzer and a Bichon, respectively, quite happy and symptom free.

 Actually the Husky has a wonderful coat for those that aren't actually allergic to dogs themselves.  A husky coat is self cleaning, meaning stuff doesn't stick to it.  Ever seen a dirty husky?  My dogs also never stink unless they have JUST rolled in something.  Kale does quite well with our huskies since he's not allergic to dogs. 

That said, I do have to keep up on the vacuuming, since the hairballs do tend to collect dust in the corners, and dust does contain alot of allergens for most any allergy sufferer.

Making a top 5 list would be tough though.  I guess it would have to depend on what the human is allergic to.  For Kale, I'd totally steer clear of poodles and other curly haired breeds for the reasons mentioned in an above post.  And if I were to go to a different breed, I'd make it a wash and wear breed.  Hehe, like a Dobe...wipe em down like the kitchen table...works for me.

spiritdogs

Contrary to popular opinion, there are no "hypoallergenic" dogs, there are just dogs that don't bother allergy sufferers as much as others. 

That's what hypoallergenic means- less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

huskymom

I'd totally steer clear of poodles and other curly haired breeds for the reasons mentioned in an above post. 

Hum, Poodles are supposed to be one of the great hypo allergenic dogs, and provided that their coats are kept short and clean, they seem to be in our case. They barely shed, and are very pleasant house dogs.

My old Lab used to accasionally cause allergic reactions in me. There were the ones that i think you are talking about , the welts and the runny nose, and then there was the reaction to his rolls in smelly stuff, and his abilty to seek new lows in what kind of disgusting things he could find and eat. 

I just wish it was possible to have him back :(((((

poodleOwned

huskymom

I'd totally steer clear of poodles and other curly haired breeds for the reasons mentioned in an above post. 

 

 

Hum, Poodles are supposed to be one of the great hypo allergenic dogs, and provided that their coats are kept short and clean, they seem to be in our case. They barely shed, and are very pleasant house dogs.

As I posted in a similar thread, the standard poodle.  My sister has two and one of her sons is allergic to most other dogs.  The standards are housedogs, go on vacations with the family, walks, etc.  Great dogs!

 I seem to have more issues with labs, and food quality does seem to have some effect on my allergies. A lab who ate alpo bothered me way more than the dog we had, who was mostly lab, and ate a better quality food. I think there is some, at least for me, benefit to feeding a high quality food. Max ate grain free stuff, blue buff, evo, or another brand I can't remember the name of. He slept in my bed. I think our lab mix ate nutro natural choice, so not wonderful, but better than alpo. They were both single, short coat breeds. I tried the lab in my bed one night, and kicked her out after a half hour because I was having such a hard time breathing. Max was boxer, mastiff, chow, pit, and maybe some others thrown in. Luke is a cavalier eating a grain free food, and he is ok in the bed with me as well. I got him eating Bil Jac. He didn't bother me terribly, but this is definitely better.

Pigeon is a yorkie-poo, she doesn't eat a grain free, but she does eat a high quality food. She definitely bothers me more than he does.

I stayed at my sister's last night. She has a long hair cat. She feeds him junk. There was a slight question over staying tonight. I hadn't really planned too, but a few hours with the cat made the decision. We have a short haired cat who eats Blue. She bothers me more than the dogs, but nothing like my sister's cat. I suppose though I can't really determine if that is because she is short haired, or because of the food.

My worst dog is absolutely a lab. I don't think I'd every live with a lab or lab mix by choice again. Nor would I want to live with a long haired cat.

Mini Schnauzers are considered a hypoallergenic breed. And yes, there is such a thing as a hypo-allergenic breed....there is no such thing as a nonallergenic breed. Hypo means less than....and yes it just means less likely to bother those with normal dog allergies. The allergies from dogs come in two main forms - the dander that is produced, or the saliva. Sometimes it's the particular oils that are produced on different dogs as well.

 And some breeds seem more likely to cause allergies - GSDs and Cockers come to mind. There are certainly a lot of people able to have the hypoallergenic breeds that can't tolerate being around most dogs.