How to Get a Hypoallergenic Dog

Face it, people have allergies. Whether you are allergic to everything in the great outdoors, or the dust in your home, you have to find ways to moderate the affects of allergies in your life. If you're an animal lover, yet are allergic to your dogs, then there isn't much you can do, other than find hypoallergenic pets that show a decreased tendency to affect allergies.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Hairless Dog Breeds

1. Research hairless dog breeds on the Internet. While most hairless breeds are still considered rare, you can often contact their breeders directly. You best chances to acquire a Xoloitzcuintle or Peruvian Incan Orchid is through a professional breeder.

2. Search for rescue organizations that specialize in hairless breeds such as Chinese Crested and American Hairless Terriers.

3. Speak to your local veterinarian. Many veterinarians are heavily involved in the lives of their clients and are aware of upcoming litters of different breeds. They may also be able to put you into contact with individuals that have the breeds of dogs you are looking at, so that you can familiarize yourself with the breed personally, and not just on paper.

Single Coated Dog Breeds

4. Visit your local pet rescue shelter. There are many of the hypoallergenic breeds of dogs which are popular enough to be found in local shelters all over the country. Some of the breeds you might look for are Poodles, Schnauzers, and West Highland White Terriers.

5. Look up breed rescue agencies online. Some of the hypoallergenic single coated breeds are still somewhat rare, so you must talk to the people that are related to their rescue organizations. You will want to look for soft coated Wheaten Terriers, Bedlington Terriers and Bichon Frise.

6. Search online for breeders. Some of your hypoallergenic dog breeds are easiest to find directly from a professional breeder. Breeds to look for include Coton De Tulear, Portuguese Water Dogs and Kerry Blue Terriers.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all single coated dogs are hypoallergenic, although, overall, many of them produce less allergens than multi-coated breeds.
• Hair length has not bearing on the amount of allergens produced by your pet.