Hypoallergenic Dogs: Do They Really Exist?

Brown Poodle with a Tennis Ball

White Labradoodle Puppy Sitting Outside on a White Blanket

The United States has the highest percentage of pet ownership in the world. By one estimate, almost two-thirds of U.S. households have at least one pet. Both dog and cat populations have increased in recent years, and so has the percentage of households owning dogs or cats. The yearning for four-legged companionship during the recent pandemic has no doubt accelerated the trend.

At the same time, allergies to cats and dogs affect 10 to 20% of the world’s population.

Little wonder, then, that hypoallergenic breeds (both cats and dogs) have grown in popularity in recent years. Dogs with Poodle DNA (Labradoodles being among the most popular) have become a go-to pet choice for many households with members who have allergy sensitivities.

What Does the Science Say?

The science casts significant doubt on the notion that specific dog breeds confer benefits to allergy sufferers. This is what the research says: dog breeds that are thought to be hypoallergenic dogs produce just as much allergen content as those that are not identified as hypoallergenic.

A joint Dutch-American research team said this: ”No experimental evidence for the hypoallergenicity of any breed has yet been reported, nor for the amount of shedding of allergens in the environment and the resulting domestic exposure.”

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America weighs in this way: “All dogs and cats can cause allergy symptoms. People with dog or cat allergies may tolerate some breeds more than others. People may think those breeds are ‘hypoallergenic,’ but a truly non-allergic dog or cat does not exist.”

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “There are no truly hypoallergenic breeds.”

Causes of Allergic Reactions to Pets

The two major allergenic proteins associated with dogs:

• Can f 1 and

• Can f 2.

Dust and Allergens Floating in the Air

Approximately 70% of people allergic to dogs had allergenic reactions to Can f 1, the primary allergen in dog dander and saliva. Dander is the predominant cause of mammal-induced allergies in humans because dander contains both sebaceous gland (attached to hair follicles) and salivary secretions. In one study, Can f 1 measured in dander extracts varied across breeds of dogs. Can f 1 in dander was found to be lower in golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers, and higher in breeds purported to be hypoallergenic.

Can f 2 come from both the tongue and the salivary glands.

OK, even if breeds believed to be hypoallergenic actually have higher levels of Can f 1 in their hair than do other breeds, perhaps their relatively minimal shedding puts lower allergen content into the home environment. Maybe. The research showed that allergen levels on household floors were lower in homes with Labradoodles, but that airborne allergen concentrations did not differ from other breeds.

So Why Am I Not Sneezing as Much?

In one study, more than 80 percent of allergic owners of “hypoallergenic” dogs reported experiencing fewer symptoms when in contact with their pooches than with other dogs. So, if scientists haven’t found any significant differences between allergen levels in households with hypoallergenic and hyperallergenic canines, why do some owners believe their hypoallergenic dogs confer a health advantage?

Below are some of the possible reasons:

• People who suffer from allergies tend to exercise their neat-freak propensities. They may simply clean and vacuum more often or more thoroughly than average. If this is true, their reduced allergy suffering may result from their cleanliness than from the traits of their pets.

• Placebo effect. People believe that hypoallergenic Rover benefits them, and this psychology leads to a positive outcome.

• Their particular pet really does produce fewer allergens. Breed-specific allergen levels don’t follow the expected patterns, but within a breed, any individual dog may differ from the norm.

Combating Allergies

WebMD provides suggestions for responding to pet allergies. Here are some:

Vacuum Cleaner with a HEPA Filter

• Keep your pet out of your bedroom. Fido may like to sleep on your bed, but you’ll pay for this coziness with a bout of sneezing.

• Don’t hug or kiss your pet. They don’t like it anyway.

• Bathe your pet twice a week. That’s right, twice.

• Brush and groom your pooch. Get somebody who’s not allergic to handle this chore.

• Keep pet areas clean. Wash dog and cat beds once a week. Maybe the same day you’re giving the bath.

• Vacuum often. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. You’ll burnish your reputation for neatness.

Doctors often recommend that allergy sufferers learn to live without having a furry friend in the household. If you really want a pet that doesn't make you cough and sneeze, you'll need to choose one without hair. Perhaps a snuggly iguana?

If you don’t like lizards, prepare to deal with the sneezing and itchy eyes that come with pet allergies. It’s a price to pay, but one most of us find worth it.