Are Doodles hypoallergenic?

Hypoallergenic is commonly used to mean “void of allergens”, however the prefix “hypo” means under, beneath, or less than normal. Hypoallergenic implies a less likely allergic reaction, but it should not be taken to mean “void of any allergic reactions”. Here is why, allergies to dogs can be caused by numerous factors.

Dog allergies are a complicated issue, and no breed of dog is truly void of allergens. Dogs secrete proteins — specifically, can f1 and can f2 — that end up in their saliva, urine, and dander (dead skin), and certain people have a sensitivity to this usually harmless protein. This means that contrary to popular belief, it is not the dog’s fur that they are allergic to, but rather their dander, urine, and saliva. This means that both non-shedding and shedding breeds can cause an allergic reaction, as opposed to the popularly held belief that shedding-haired dogs are the problem.

It gets complicated, though, as different breeds have differing amounts of dander and different coats, and this makes some allergy sufferers more allergic to some breeds than others. In fact, two dogs of the same breed may even give off different amounts of dander, making the whole situation very confusing! This dander can stay airborne for long periods of time and will inevitably end up on carpet, furniture, and clothing.

Typically, people with dog allergies have sensitive immune systems, and their bodies overreact to this dander, causing sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose, all of which are the body’s attempt to rid itself of this allergen.

While there is no guarantee that Doodles will not cause a reaction in allergy sufferers, they are far less likely to. Doodles (particularly F1 w/ furnishings, and F1B generations) have fine, human-like hair as opposed to fur, so they produce far less dander — and thus, potential allergens — than other dog breeds. This also means that they shed very little, further reducing the chance of allergens. Mini and Toy Doodles are also small animals and have less hair than other dogs.

While drool and saliva can also cause allergic reactions, this is not really something to worry about, as it is only when these proteins dry out and become airborne that they can cause an issue. Try washing your dog’s toys regularly to prevent a build-up of saliva, and don’t let them lick you (as difficult as that may be!)

All these reasons are why many people consider Doodles to be hypoallergenic or at least, far less likely to cause allergies than other breeds.

Another major factor to those with dog allergies is Grooming of the dog. Non-shedding dogs must be groomed (bathed and haircut) every 6-12 weeks (typically by a groomer, but some people do this themselves.) The simple act of bathing the animal, and cleaning your home (washing both the dog’s and the human bedding) on a regular basis will greatly reduce allergic reactions. You further eliminate excess dander by taking the animal to a Grooming Salon to be bathed, because all that dander is left at the grooming salon to be sanitized by the cleaning staff!

in Depth Look at Allergies and Symptoms

Everyone has their own unique combination of allergic triggers and not all of them are obvious. You may be sensitized to several allergen sources, but your sensitization may not be enough to trigger symptoms when you are exposed to only one or two of them. But when you encounter multiple substances you’re allergic to at the same time, they can add up, and you may start experiencing symptoms, such as itchy eyes or a runny nose.

Determining if you’re allergic and identifying your allergic triggers can help you stay below your symptom threshold—the point where you start experiencing allergy symptoms.

Allergic triggers can add up.

Most people with allergies—up to 80 percent—are allergic to multiple allergens. And for some of these people; symptoms may appear only when they encounter two or more things they’re allergic to at the same time.

Minimizing your exposure to your allergic triggers may help lessen or eliminate your symptoms. For example:

You could have a low-level allergy to dust mites, mold, and grass pollen. During large parts of the year you’re exposed to dust mites and mold, but may have little to no symptoms.

But in the spring, when pollen is in the air, you may experience symptoms. You then might think that you have only a pollen allergy. But without a test you won’t know for sure.

Your best defense against your allergic symptoms is to know what’s causing them and to avoid those triggers. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to cut everything you’re allergic to out of your life. You’ll just have to reduce your exposure enough to get below your symptom threshold—the level where you start to experience symptoms.

If you have an animal allergy, your dog, cat, or other pet may not be solely to blame for the symptoms you’re experiencing. For some people, symptoms may only show up when they encounter two or more things they’re allergic to at the same time.

This is known as the symptom threshold, the level at which you start experiencing symptoms. For example, if you’re allergic to dogs, molds, and pollen, you may experience no symptoms until you’re breathing in multiple allergic triggers at the same time.

So in this case, reducing your exposure to molds and pollen might keep you from sneezing and sniffling.

The best way to stay under your symptom threshold is to make an appointment with a healthcare provider, get tested, and find out exactly what you’re allergic to. For example, you may be allergic to a particular protein produced by male dogs that haven’t been neutered. That means you may be able to tolerate exposure to a female dog or a male dog that has been neutered. Your healthcare provider will administered a skin-prick test or ordered a specific IgE blood test to test for allergies.

Allergic triggers are complex, and can vary greatly from person to person. And although there’s no cure for allergies, there are things you can do to minimize exposure to triggers.

Strategies to minimize Pet allergies

Laundry, Vacuum, Dust, Repeat
Make sure to dust surfaces with a microfiber cloth, not paper towels that are more likely to send dust and dander floating into the air. Use a vaccum with (HEPA) filters or a disposable electrostatic bag. The AAFA also recommends steam-cleaning carpets regularly*.
Pet-Free Zones in the house.
Declare the bedroom (or multiple areas of the house) a pet-free zone. Since you spend at least one-third of your life in your bedroom, if you’re an allergy sufferer, it’s a good idea to try and make this your allergen-free oasis. Clean the room and wash your sheets at least once a week. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recommends adding a HEPA air purifier to the room as well*.
Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and vacuum cleaners
Bath your Dog in an Allergen-Reducing Shampoo.
Studies have shown bathing your pet with an allergen-reducing shampoo can cut their dander levels by up to 85%. Bathing your pooch can also help remove dead hair, especially when you take the time to brush and blow-dry. It is recommended to bath your dog with this allergen-reducing shampoo once a month. More frequent bathing (with an allergen-reducing shampoo) can help reduce allergens, but may also cause dry and itchy skin for your dog. You can bath your pet with regular grooming shampoo (and conditioner) weekly.