15 Hypoallergenic Dogs and Cats Part 2 of 2

Labradoodle

Labradoodles are created by crossing a poodle and Labrador retriever. The original intent was to produce a seeing-eye dog that was also hypoallergenic.

It is a popular choice for those with allergies, but the American Kennel Club does not recommend such "designer dogs."

“There is no way to guarantee a litter will produce puppies with equal poodle coats, making the high prices unjustifiable and the claims of these dogs being ideal misleading at best,” according to the organization.

 Maltese

These dogs are small—generally 4 to 6 pounds—and are covered with long silky fur that should be brushed daily.

While grooming a dog outside the home can help reduce allergens inside it, it can also help to "take a damp washcloth and wipe the animal down," says Dr. Sublett.
A simple daily wipe down with a slightly soapy cloth can remove allergens as well as commercial sprays or other products that are sold as a way to reduce allergens, he says.

Poodle

Poodles come in three sizes—toy, miniature, and standard. How to choose?

While there's no rock-solid evidence that smaller dogs trigger fewer allergy symptoms than large, experts say they probably produce fewer allergens.

"Clearly a smaller dog should shed less total dog allergen than a larger dog," says Dr. Seltzer, who is an allergist-immunologist at the Fallon Clinic in Worcester, Mass.

Portuguese Water Dog

The most famous Portugese Water dog, Bo, is currently residing in the White House.

However, the high-profile pooch—selected because Malia Obama has allergies—may have helped fuel the myth of the truly hypoallergenic dog.

The perception that you can side-step allergies by "something as simple as getting a shorter-haired animal or even a hairless animal is just not accurate," says Dr. Sublett.

And spending a few hours with an animal won't tell you if it will pose future problems, he says. Daily exposure can trigger a new allergy or "keep the fire stoked" on chronic problems.

Schnauzers

Like poodles, schnauzers come in three sizes—miniature, standard, or giant.

Smaller dogs may be more tolerable for people with allergies because they can shed less dander than larger dogs.

Frequent baths, regular grooming outside the house, and having easy-to-clean wood floors instead of allergen-trapping rugs may help.

"At the same time, you shouldn't deceive yourself that you can completely remove your exposure," says Dr. Sublett.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

This dog has a long silky coat and weighs about 30 to 40 pounds.

One factor to keep in mind: Dogs with longer hair may pick up other allergens, such as pollen, when outdoors.

"You may get more symptoms as a result of having a long-haired dog than a short-haired dog," says Dr. Seltzer.

Sphynx

These cats can be hairless or just have hair on the nose, tail, and toes. However, they still produce dander—the skin and saliva proteins that are powerful allergens.

In general, cat allergens tend to be more potent than dog allergens, for those who are sensitized.

The good news? Allergy shots—routine injections of allergens that can result in tolerance over time—are more likely to be successful for those allergic to cats than those who are allergic to dogs, says Dr. Seltzer.

"Allergy shots for cat can be effective in as many as 65% of people," he says. "But it does take a year or two often to start working."

Xoloitzcuintli

Like the hairless cat, a hairless dog like the Xoloitzcuintli will still produce skin dander. (It also comes in a coated version.)

Like the poodle and schnauzer, this ancient breed comes in three sizes—toy, miniature, and standard.

Allerca's GD cat

Allerca is a company launched in 2004 to produce pets free of the major allergens, Fel d 1 (cats) and Can f 1 (dogs). Prices for cats range from $6,950 to $16,000 and dogs are available for $8,950.

The problem is that removing these proteins from the skin, saliva, and other secretions may not be enough, says Dr. Sublett. Animals can produce other symptom-triggering allergens.

"Both dogs and cats have what we call minor allergens, so it's not only the major allergens," he says. "Most people have a sensitivity to minor allergens too."