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How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

Last post 11-06-2009 8:21 PM by huskymom. 9 replies.
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  • 11-05-2009 10:25 AM

    How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

    I don't think I am actually allergic to him. But the theory is I am allergic to everything he brings in on his tight curly coat. Such as pollen and grass and other allergens. (he does get bathed regularly)

    Now growing up we always had poodles, my mom as a nurse felt they were the best breed to have with a child with allergies. What she didn't realize is I wasn't allergic to dogs, I was allergic to outside really.  

    my mom swears up and down still there was no way the poodles were making my allergies worse they are hypoallergenic and she thinks they helped my allergies....she is way wrong on that one......

    and that is why I got a poodle because I was under the impression they were the best for allergy sufferers, that and that was really the only breed I had ever owned.

    But my docs theory is they bring in the allergens on their coat. And I think he is right.

    We keep our current poodle cut close now


    I had very few allergy problems around dogs when I had my shih tzu as a kid but after him all we had was poodles and during high allergy seasons I had a hard time being around the dogs.

    Now I have a poodle and a High shedding, constant year round shedding Terrier mix. I can cuddle my Terrier mix and be around her all I want no problems but there are about 2 times a year I can't even go near my poodle.

    So is it possible poodles really aren't the best breed for allergy sufferers?

    (Now I will say I'm not allergic to most dogs but I am highly allergic to cats we recently discovered)

     

    I just wonder now as an adult if I had had a short haired Shedding dog like my Terrier all along if perhaps some of my allergy issues could have been avoided.

    A Dog is a true friend for life
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  • 11-05-2009 11:37 AM In reply to Abbeyroad86

    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

     Just bathe your poodle more often so pollen doesn't build up on his coat. Giving him a wipe-down after playing outside will help too.

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  • 11-05-2009 11:53 AM In reply to jettababy

    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

    jettababy:

     Just bathe your poodle more often so pollen doesn't build up on his coat. Giving him a wipe-down after playing outside will help too.

     

    Yeah that isn't an issue, he gets bathed more than he should.    He poops in his cage every time he is in there.  he isn't crated every day but he does go in for an hour or 2 most days, so he gets a lot of baths.      Since he poops and rolls in it while we are gone.     Can't have him covered in his own filth.

     

    I mean its really not that big of a deal to me the allergy thing, its twice a year and those times a year I just have to take more benedryl....its harder this fall because I'm pregnant and don't like taking anything for it.    And have done good not too.   But winter is almost here and we will be good again

    A Dog is a true friend for life
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  • 11-05-2009 11:55 AM In reply to Abbeyroad86

    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

    I guess the point of this message is I think its rediculous how people say poodles are the best dog for allergy sufferers, they are hypo allergenic, or get a poodle mix.

     

    When really according to my doctor they are one of the Worst breeds for allergy sufferers to own.

    A Dog is a true friend for life
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  • 11-05-2009 12:35 PM In reply to Abbeyroad86

    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

    Abbeyroad - these are the longest subject titles in history, I think! lol

    All the people who continue to perpetuate the "hypoallergenic" myth of the poodle are one of my major pet peeves.


    Paige - dog.community moderator & Gracie - 6yr old Doberman
    www.fortunatek9.com
    Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth. ~W. Hamilton
    "So you've 'had dogs all your life'? I've had teeth all my life. Doesn't make me a dentist." - JV McDonough, Certified Dog Trainer
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  • 11-05-2009 7:06 PM In reply to miranadobe

    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

     Well they can be hypoallergenic to people who are allergic to dog hair (like my brother).

    But if you are allergic to pollen, then yeah a poodle isn't going to help you.

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  • 11-05-2009 7:24 PM In reply to jettababy

    • huskymom
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    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

     Nobody is allergic to dog hair.  Everyone with allergies thinks its the hair, but its not.  Its the saliva, the dander and the urine.  Because Poodles have hair coats, not fur coats and don't shed, everyone says, Hypoallergenic.  No fur, no allergies right?  Wrong.  They still have saliva, they still pee, and I'm almost certain most of them still have skin right? 

    So here's the thing.  Poodles as a rule get bathed more than your average dog.  For one reason or another.  Bringing everything but the neighbors cadillac in on their coat is a big issue.  The tend to look dirty, because their coats aren't self cleaning, like a husky(love this feature btw) and people with poodles, tend to like them to look nice.  That means bathing, and grooming.   And for someone who is allergic to dogs, that translates to less allergies to the dog.  Now a lab or a hound or some other dog might be just fine, if their skin could handle the twice a week baths...most don't do so well.  But if you have a waterdog, not a PWT, just a dog that likes water and spends alot of time in it, you likely won't have much of a problem with allergies either.

    The other side of the coin is, a dog like a terrier, especially if it has a wiry coat, tends not to absorb as many outside allergens in that coat.  Thus the lack of symptoms for someone who suffers from outside allergies.  So, yup, you're bang on!

    (source: Living with the king of allergies and allergy induced asthma and ecxema all his 10 years of life, my son Kale)

    Candace




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  • 11-05-2009 11:55 PM In reply to huskymom

    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

     Also, Poodles' hairs have to be clean, or they mat, easily. It's different than fur, it actually is hair, but with an undercoat. I tend to react to a Poodle or a Cocker Spaniel, if anything. I do think it's because they haul in The Great Outdoors in their hair.



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  • 11-06-2009 6:33 PM In reply to jennie_c_d

    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

     People CAN be allergic to dog hair. Hair is made of protein...and allergies are reactions to specific proteins.

    We used to have a beagle that we bathed twice a week because my brother is allergic...but that didn't help at all because he's allergic to the hair. Now we have a bichon, and she doesn't cause him to react at all.

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  • 11-06-2009 8:21 PM In reply to jettababy

    • huskymom
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    Re: How is it that I am more allergic to my poodle than my high shedding terrier? Are poodles really that great for allergy sufferers?

     Animal hair is not an allergen.  I've been researching this for a long long time now, and I've also been told this by my son's allergy specialist.  The amount of allergens produced by certain breeds and certain individual dogs can differ drastically.  It has no relation to the length of fur either.  The length just contributes to the amount of allergens that can collect on the animal.  Bathing a hound, is likely not going to help at all, but not because the dog itself hasn't been cleaned.  Its because the allergens that the dog has produced are still very abundant in the surroundings.  The Bichon, likely has not produced as many allergens to collect in the house it lives in.  Have you ever noticed the Houndy smell, that is completely absent on your bichon? 

     

    Candace




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