mck@druor.UUCP (KingMC) (03/21/85)
HELP WANTED:
I am looking for breeds of dogs that are
hypoallergenic. I understand that at least
Silky Terriers are haired, as oppossed to
furred. Thus, those of us who sneeze,
wheeze, and otherwise react to furr can
be around a Silky and stay comfortable.
I am particularily interested in larger,
more outdoor types of dogs.
Please respond by email:
mike king
ATT-ISL
Denver
druxt!{druxv, druor}!mck
Thank you--I will post a summary.prs@lanl.ARPA (03/25/85)
In response to the query about hypoallergenic dogs: The most famous breed for not bothering those with allergies, (and not sheddin as much) is the French poodle. They come in 3 sizes: toy, miniature, and stan- dard. The standard is as big as a German shepherd; and they were originally bred as a retriever for hunters, so can make a good outdoor dog, if not pam- pered as an indoor one. All the long hair is a protection against burrs,etc. so they can be clipped for that. There is also a little known German poodle, that runs larger in size. The poodle is a smart, easily trained breed, that adjusts well to apartments-even the larger ones. My miniature loved to hunt; though the coyotes might have eaten HIM!!! Pat Snider Los Alamos, NM
barry@mit-eddie.UUCP (Mikki Barry) (03/28/85)
I also am allergic to almost everything, including dogs but have had no problems with wire haired and smooth haired terriers. I have had a wire haired fox terrier, a smooth haired fox terrier, and have befriended various alsatian terriers (sp?). The fox terriers may be a bit small for you, but the alsatians can be as large as a sheppard or doberman. In fact, it is said that an alsatian can take down a doberman in less than ten seconds. However, they are quite loving and well mannered. Mikki Barry
cushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner) (03/29/85)
Note that people are not allergic to dogs' fur, but to the dandruff
they produce which, yes, has to go in the air by route of the fur.
The allergy problem can be prevented with most dogs if their skin
is kept from drying out, by means of baths with medicated shampoo,
which is sold in pet stores. Don't get carried away with shampooing,
although, since too much causes overly dry skin.
Fatty acids, which are found in food additives, such as Linatone,
contribute to good skin condition also.
The real trouble makers in the dog allergy world are the dogs with
thick medium coats, such as the German Shepheard has. As any
Shepheard owner will tell you, when they shed, their fur goes flying
in small, and larger, tufts all over the house (and unfortunately up
your nose).
The most work you are going to have to do to keep your house allergy-
free is to diligently vacuum your carpets *every day*.
Good Luck,
Jeff Cushner (K-9 Care)
{vortex,philabs}!ttidca!ttidcb!cushnercushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner) (03/29/85)
Ooops! Did I say Shepheards?? I meant Shepherds! (no flames.. I burn easily)
stanwyck@ihlpa.UUCP (Don Stanwyck) (03/30/85)
According to my wife's allergenist, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. We checked into it when we were told that toy collies (Shelties) were hypoallergenic. According to our sources, most people are allergic to dog dander (skin flaking), and each breed of dog has slightly different skin makeup. The result is that for different people different breeds of dog may appear to be non-reaction causing - but that only holds for that person. Every dog sheds skin, just as every human does. Some more than others, and based on the activity level and the amount of time the dog spends in the human environment (house) nearly any dog could be kept by nearly anyone. However, most people do not keep their dogs clean enough, brushed well enough (if you are allergic to dogs you shouldn't be brushing them), etc., so they end up reacting to the dogs that share their environment.
jhs@druri.UUCP (ShoreJ) (04/05/85)
Would the same solution apply to cats as well?
(Sorry, for those who missed the source article, a precis:
People aren't allergic to dogs' hair but to the dandruff carried
by the hair. Solution was shampoo, diet, and vacuum vacuum vacuum.
See art. 531.)
Does the allergy mechanism apply to cats/people as it does to
dogs/people? I have heard that some people generally allergic
to cats are not affected by one or two breeds. That is, some cats
do not have "guard hairs", which [do something] to the coat (Can a
vet, breeder, or groomer help out on this point?). The allergy is
due to physical irritation (in the nasal or bronchial passages) from
the hairs rather than any chemical or physical reaction to dandruff.
[For simplicity, let's NOT discuss those with phobic reactions.]
Any thoughts on this, Folks?
-- Jeff Shore, ..!druri!jhs
AT&T-IS Denver ("Where worlds collide ...")