Are you a dog lover? Do you live in an apartment or small home? Do you have allergies? A small dog with hypoallergenic fur might be the answer for you. “Hypo” is a Greek suffix meaning less or below. A hypoallergenic dog might still put out allergens, but at a much lower level. A few dogs that take up less space, making them better for apartment living, are the Silky Terrier, the Havanese, and the Coton de Tulear. These dogs are all considered of the “Toy” size by the America Kennel Club. The Silky Terrier was developed through a cross of a Yorkshire Terrier and an Australian Terrier in the late 19th century. Even with these early dates, it was not fully recognized as a breed of its own until 1955 as the Australian Silky Terrier. These dogs have terrier qualities such as enjoying activity and a very sharp alertness. Their hair is long, but the Silky Terriers do not shed. This long hair also is partially where their name is derived from. It has very soft and smooth qualities. The dog does require more than average care for this silky coat to stay in good condition. The terriers can get along with other dogs and children, but will get aggressive when provoked or teased. Proper education should be given to as well as the people around the animal as well as the dogs themselves in how to act around one another. The Havanese were originally developed by the Spanish from a now extinct breed called the Bichon Tenerife, making them part of the Bichon family of dogs. Grooming isn’t a worry with this breed, even with Havanese that are shown in competition. They are meant to look playful and friendly, much like their temperament. These dogs are great around children, other dogs, and people in general without becoming overly possessive. Their sturdy frame makes them that much better around curious children, unlike most fragile “Toy” sized dogs. Although they love playing and winning, they can be easily calmed when spoken to sternly by their owners. One of the major downsides to owning a Havanese is that they seem to suffer from many ailments such as cataracts and hip dysplasia. These are actually uncommon, unless the dog is adopted from a less than reputable breeder. A Coton de Tulear is another dog with Spanish roots from the Bichon family. Its actual home is Madagascar, where it is the official dog of the country. This intelligent breed is extremely playful, and when pure bred, is white in color. This white coat, while hypoallergenic, does shed more than that of their Havanese cousin, so it requires brushing once every week or two. The Coton de Tulears love people and enjoy playing with them, going on daily walks, and can even keep up on longer hikes. They get easily attached to their owners and suffer from separation anxiety at times. Overall, these dogs are very healthy, living anywhere from fourteen to eighteen years.

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While the Labrador retriever still remains the most popular dog that people want to own, for those with allergies, labs are not the best breed to choose. There are many other types of dogs that would be more suitable for those suffering with allergies. These breeds include: Chinese Crested, Kerry Blue Terrier, and the Schnauzer. These dogs are not only beautiful; they also have short hair without an undercoating or longer hair that does not shed as much as other breeds. These dogs are purebred and can be found by contacting a breeder online or by telephone. The Chinese Crested is available in two varieties, the hairless, or the powder puff. Both types are considered hypoallergenic and are desired by those who have allergic reactions to dog hair and dander. The hairless, which is more common than the powder puff, has hair on its paws, head, and tail. Hair may also grow on its chin. The hair is soft and does not shed as often as other breeds. The hairless Chinese crested is prone to sunburn and acne, however. You should learn how to take care of this type of dog before buying one. Other than skin issues, these dogs are very friendly and enjoy being with their owners. Powder puff Chinese Crested has a full coat of long, soft hair that does not shed as often. People have fewer allergy issues with this breed because the hair is long and does not float through the air long enough for people to be affected. Both the hairless and the powder puff varieties are suitable companions for those with dog allergies. The Kerry Blue Terrier is a larger hypoallergenic dog that has a flat head, predominant chest, and a coat that is similar to that of the Poodle or Maltese. The dog gets its name from that fact that its coat will take on a blue sheen once it is an adult. Originally used for hunting, the Kerry Blue Terrier is now considered a working dog and requires constant companionship. In order to maintain this breed’s coat, you will have to have the dog groomed every two months and brush the coat once a week to prevent clumping. Since the dog does not shed, this is one of the better hypoallergenic dogs to choose. Also, this breed does not have an undercoat, which will also reduce allergic reactions. You should not let the dog outside in cold weather, however, since the lack of undercoat will cause the dog harm in colder temperatures. The Schnauzer is a hypoallergenic dog breed with short hair that does not shed. If you purchase on of these breeds, you will have to keep up regular grooming appointments. The Schnauzer comes in three different varieties: the Miniature Schnauzer, the Standard Schnauzer, and the Giant Schnauzer. Even though they vary in size, the schnauzer can be recognized by its boxy face, short hair, and square build. This breed is common in households because it does not shed and because of its easy going temperament.

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Hypoallergenic dog breeds have special needs because they are usually smaller in size and have temperaments that may be difficult to handle sometimes. When you first bring your new dog home, you should allow it to roam around to get an idea of its surroundings. If you have other pets, you should put them in another room while the dog is investigating the area. Depending on the breed of dog, they may be very scared at first. They may not want much human contact, so you should be careful about handling them too much during the first few days they are in your home. Once you new dog becomes comfortable, you should develop a feeding and hair brushing routine that you and your dog will follow. If you have allergies, brushing your dog every day will reduce the amount of allergens in the air. This will reduce the allergens on your carpets, furniture, clothing, and walls. Buy a steel comb with wide teeth that will help trap hair and get out any knots that may be in the dog’s fur. If you purchased a Mexican hairless or other breed that does not have hair, you should make sure that its skin is not dry. If you notice flaking, you should visit your vet who will prescribe medication or lotion that you can use. Making sure your hypoallergenic dog gets plenty of exercise is important for their health and also for controlling allergens in your home. Walking your dog at least once a day and making sure it sleeps through the night will keep the dog on a routine. Dogs that are awake at night time may want to be with you. Allowing your dog to sleep on your bed could increase your risk of an allergy attack. Your dog should have a designated place to sleep during the night and during the day. Buying a soft bed or giving the dog an old blanket will help keep them warm and safe when they are sleeping. You should wash their pet bed often to prevent allergens from being transferred to carpeting or clothing. While you cannot prevent all allergens from getting into your clothing and inside your carpeting, you can reduce them by keeping everything in your home clean. Dog grooming is also important when caring for a hypoallergenic dog. Even though the breed that you buy will probably have short hair, you will have to have it professionally groomed every few months to maintain the shape and also to keep the hair from becoming too long. Since hair can grow long and cover the dog’s eyes, and make it difficult for the dog to keep itself clean, grooming your dog will ensure that it remains healthy and happy. Now that you know more about caring for a hypoallergenic dog, you should remember that just because these dogs are considered a good choice for those with allergies, these dogs may still cause you to have allergy attacks from time to time. Hypoallergenic dogs reduce the risk of attacks, but cannot prevent them from occurring.

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Dogs that are considered hypoallergenic may cause fewer allergic reactions in people who own them other breeds. There are many breeds of long hair, short hair, and hairless varieties to choose from depending on your particular allergies and what you are looking for in a dog. Hypoallergenic dogs are sold mostly by breeders, but you can also find them in pet stores and sometimes in animal shelters. If you decide to buy a hypoallergenic dog, there are ways to care for them that may require a little more work than non-hypoallergenic breeds. Caring for your hypoallergenic dog begins with caring for their coat. While many hypoallergenic breeds such as Terriers, Schnauzers, and Poodles have short hair, this hair can be coarse and will continue to grow unless the dogs are properly groomed. These dogs do not shed and have hair that can be compared to human hair. You will have to keep your dog groomed in order to prevent matting. Matting can cause skin rashes and other health problems if the dog’s coat is not taken care of. Brushing your dog is also important especially in breeds that have longer hair such as the Afghan Hound. While these dogs are considered hypoallergenic, their coats are long and shiny. They do not shed either, so brushing and grooming are important. Brush your dog at least twice a week to keep excess hair from building up. Some hypoallergenic dogs have undercoats, while others do not. Undercoats protect dogs from cold temperatures by storing body heat. Dogs that do not have an undercoat will not survive long in cold temperatures. Unless a breeder says you can keep your dog outside, you should keep the dog indoors. If you have a hairless dog, you will have to protect their skin with lotions and skin creams. You should not leave these dogs outside for long periods of time as they will suffer from sun burn and dehydration. Caring for your dog is not only making sure their coat and skin are protected, it also means making sure that they get enough exercise and time with you each day. Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time can become destructive. Training your dog by developing a routine will help them adjust to the times when you cannot be at home. If you will be out of town for more than two or three days, you should find a friend that can check in on your dog or you should consider boarding the dog until you come home. Protecting your hypoallergenic dog from cold temperatures, the sun, and from developing skin rashes are ways that you can help your dog live a long, healthy life. Because many breeds of hypoallergenic dogs are small in size, they are prone to arthritis, eyesight issues, tumors, and other problems. While you cannot predict how your dog will age, you should research different breeds to see what types of health issues they may have some day. Regular checkups with a vet will help your dog live a long life.

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